Let me make a few suggestions about what to bring and try to answer some of the usual questions that people going to Indonesia for the first time are likely to ask. I have been traveling there since 1957, and can assure you that it is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most interesting places to visit in Asia. First of all, you may want to travel relatively light. There are lots of things to buy in Indonesia that you will probably wish to bring home with you, and it is both easy and inexpensive to buy big lightweight cloth travel bags made of batik or ikat material, or alternatively, an inexpensive Indonesian suitcase to bring home your purchases. Coming back you are allowed two bags or suitcases weighing up to 65 pounds each on Japan Airlines. Since the Center is a small non-profit organization and does not have insurance that is valid overseas, we expect each traveler to provide his or her own policy. A good policy that covers air evacuation to a hospital in Singapore, or even back to the United States in case of serious illness, is available through the Good Sam Club, an organization for RV owners, or speak to your group leader. The tourist areas that we travel in are not considered to be at high risk for malaria, and shots are not required, but if you plan to go to other places on your own you may wish to consult your doctor or local public health officer about malaria medication or shots. We can find a doctor for you in Java or Bali for ordinary health problems, but you shouldn't expect the same standards as in the United States in most cases. Regarding travel in Indonesia, we will be just south of the equator, and the weather can sometimes be hot or humid. The driest months are usually June through September, and the wettest are October through May The sun is very bright, so a good pair of sunglasses, and perhaps a spare pair, is suggested. Bring some high-density sun lotion. In the mountains it can be cool in the evenings, so you should also bring a lightweight jacket or sweater. Bring a folding umbrella and a flashlight. You should take along mainly comfortable, loose-fitting cotton clothing. A good strong pair of walking sandals is usually preferable to shoes and socks, and decidedly cooler. It is also customary to remove footwear when entering homes as guests, so sandals make sense for that reason as well. However, if you find yourself in a formal situation or need to visit Immigration for some reason you will need shoes. Bring along your swimsuit, of course. (There is even an option of white-water rafting on the Ayung River in Bali--a delightful trip, but now a little expensive.) Indonesians are generally a bit more conservative in dress than we, and there are certain temples or other sites where, for instance, shorts or tank tops would not be allowed. Lightweight cotton pants for the men, and cotton skirts or dresses for the women are cool and always in good taste. Slacks are usually o.k. for out of doors touring for the women. You will surely see lots of tourists dressed inappropriately by Indonesian standards, but they aren't as savvy as you will be! Indonesians, being extremely polite, would seldom comment on a matter of dress, but they definitely appreciate your sensitivity to their feelings about such things as what shows respect and what doesn't. You don't have to feel up tight about this, or almost anything, in Indonesia--I may have already given it more space than it needs. If we happen to be invited for a special formal occasion, by the way, women may want to wear something a little dressier with sleeves. For men a relatively inexpensive long-sleeved batik shirt and slacks are formal enough even to meet the President (not promised this time, but it has happened!). It is easy to buy a classy ready-made batik shirt or other garment, or, better yet, you can have your own batik shirt or dress made to order in Bali for very little money. Try to bring along a garment that fits well to serve as a model for the tailor. Traveler's checks are very easy to cash in Bali, and almost as easy to cash in Java. There is no black market for cash, as in some countries. At present, cash is at a slightly higher exchange rate for $100 bills. If you bring cash, make sure it is all of the new design--moneychangers will not accept the older style. There are also ATMs available in Ubud at a slightly lower exchange rate. Be sure to bring along any prescription medicines you might need. Although most home remedies, up to and including antibiotics (mainly from Germany), used to be available over the counter at your local apotik, they are now in short supply due to the high foreign exchange rates. You may also want to bring along some favorite munchies for longer trips, although it is now possible to get tasty Indonesian snacks in most places we will visit. Bottled spring water (brand name Aqua!) is available everywhere in Indonesia, as well as little paper cartons of delicious fruit juices you may never have tasted. (Try zurzaak, markisa, lychee, or jambu.) You will find astonishing varieties of bananas, as well as tangerines, salak, or other peelable fruit, and we will guide you to inexpensive (or expensive, if you like!) restaurants where you can enjoy Indonesian, Chinese, or European dishes. One eats well in Indonesia, and the people are famous for their friendliness and politeness to visitors. Some areas of Indonesia continue to have political unrest as the country moves toward a new, more democratic, way of life, but Bali and Jogyakarta have remained islands of calm and are expected to continue that way. We will try to see places and visit people off the usual tourist track. Of course, you will be able to see important tourist sites, as well as a number of performances. Many groups have enjoyed living and travelling as a kind of extended family, looking out for one another's needs or interests and savoring the sociability of a special-focus group. I hope that this will answer some of your more burning questions about the tour and workshops. You will probably want to read up on Bali before you leave. The APA Guides (Java, Bali, and Indonesia), published in Singapore, are available in most bookstores and highly recommended. They have beautiful color illustrations. The recent Indonesian travel guides put out by Periplus in Berkeley, California are also very good. The Knopf guide to Bali, filled with beautiful illustrations, is highly recommended Try to look at Miguel Covarrubias' Island of Bali, a classic from the 1930s, now in paperback reprint, with lots of still valid information about Balinese performing arts, customs, and the unique Balinese Hindu religion. My teacher, Colin McPhee's,A House in Bali is another classic that has just been reprinted and it has a lot about life in Bali in the Golden 30s. If you want to do some listening, you might try some of the Indonesian recordings available in any large record store.. For Bali, begin with David Lewiston's Bali: Gamelan and Kecak, or Music from the Morning of the World, on Nonesuch. My own Nonesuch recording of Javanese Court Gamelan is available, and four more of my Nonesuch Explorer series recordings from Java and Bali will soon be released. If you have further questions, please email me at
Robert E. Brown, Tour Leader and Host |
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Modified: April 26, 2001 |
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