The Indonesian Flavour

21 de August de 2012

Introduction

Formed by more than 17.500 islands and more than 235 million people, Indonesia has been converted into a main tourist destination for thousands of Australians every year who are looking for paradise without moving very far away from our country. In this article, you will find very useful information if you are thinking of spending some time in Indonesia, where the beaches, mountains and lifestyle will inspire you to stay there forever.

Climate

If you don´t already know which clothes you should pack or which season is more recommended for travel, this article we will give you some useful tips. The climate in this archipelago is characterized by being very consistent throughout the whole year. The only variation that you can find is the rainfall, which can be very abundant in some seasons (in fact 81% of Indonesia is covered by water coming from the rains). If you didn´t already know, the average temperature in Indonesia is 28 degrees, although it is interesting to know that in the mountainous regions  it´s still around 26 degrees. There are two seasons in Indonesia: the dry season (June-09/) influenced by the currents coming from Australia, and the rainy season (December- March). During the transition months (April-May), it´s possible to have some rain.

Sightseeing and Touring Suggestions

  • Bali: The perfect concept of paradise (even if in Indonesia this word doesn´t exist). In Bali, tropical jungles merge with heavenly beaches and fantastic places within reach of every pocket, which makes it a popular destination for a lot of Australians every year. You cannot miss visiting some of its volcanoes and enjoying its famous nightlife, something that surely you will remember for a long time.
  • Java: The island with the highest number of inhabitants in Indonesia. The population is approximately 112 million people and roughly the size of England. Java is also the main economic and political district of the country. You can´t miss “the Kraton palace”, “the ruins of Prambanan” and “ the Buddisth temple of Borobudur”
  • Lombok: An island dominated by the “Rinjani´s volcano” . You will love this place because of its deserted beaches and awesome landscapes.
  • Samatra: The third biggest island in the archipelago and one of the most exotic in the world, where you will enjoy lots of leisure activities and adventures.

Culture and Religion

In Indonesia, 85% of the population is Islamic, though there are more than 17 million Christians. Hinduism is present, mainly in Bali. Indonesian art is characterized by a strong influence of Hindu culture. It´s important to know when you travel there that you cannot drink tap water and you should always have a scarf to cover your head before you visit a temple. When you decide to move around Indonesia, the cheapest and best option is to hire a car with a driver. Also, it´s interesting to know that you will have to pay a tax when you go into or out of the country. As the same with other Asian countries, in Indonesia you are supposed to haggle with the prices when you are going to buy anything. It´s important also to know that you should respect all the traditions and religious customs.

Embassy and Emergency Info

Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16, Jakarta Selatan 12940

Tel: +62 21 2550 5555 – Fax: +62 21 2550 5467

Opening Hours: 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday

Police Number: 110         Medical emergency number: 102,1298,108,112,2611

Electricity

Plugs in Indonesia are 127V but they are being converted to a 230V in most of the main cities. The main types are C, F and G.

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