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Travel
Advice 
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| Climate
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Although Indonesia is hot and humid throughout the year, the official
wet season runs from October to April and is marked by heavy, short
rain-storms after which the air is fresher. Temperatures range from
21 to 33 degrees C in the lowlands. Higher altitudes enjoy cooler
conditions.
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| Airport
Tax and Transport |
Passengers departing on international flights will
have to pay Rp. 100,000 and for domestic flights Rp 30,000 airport tax respectively.
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Customs
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On entry to Indonesia, each adult is allowed to bring in tax-free
a maximum of two litres of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco.
There is no restriction on the movement of foreign currencies in
and out of the country. On entry or departure, however, you may
only carry a maximum of 50,000 rupiahs.
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Communications
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Long-distance telephone calls within Indonesia are by direct dialling.
International direct dialling (IDD) is available in all 32 provincial
capitals and in more than 320 cities throughout the country. For
the business traveller facsimile and telex services are available
in most hotels and at service outlets.
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| Currency
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Exchange facilities for the main foreign currencies are available
in the major cities of Indonesia. Rupiahs come in denominations
of 100.000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100 in bank notes,
and 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and five in coins.
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Time
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Indonesia is devided into three time zones. Western Indonesia Time
(Sumatra, Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead
of GMT, Central Indonesia Time (Bali, South and East Kalimantan,
Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara) is eight hours ahead, and east Indonesia
Time (Maluku and Irian Jaya) is nine hours ahead.
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Electricity |
50 Hz at either 110 or 220 volts. |
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Office Hours
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Most government offices are open from 8am to 3pm. On Fridays, they
close at 11.30am. On Saturdays, they are open until 2pm or 3pm.
Business offices open from 8am or 9am to 4pm or 5 pm. Some work
halfday on Saturdays. Banks open from 8am to 3pm on weekdays. Foreign
banks are closed on Saturdays.
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A General Word of
Advice
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DO
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shop around for the best money exchange rates
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wear lots of sunscreen when travelling around or swimming
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drink a lot of water
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take care of your belongings at all times. It is better to
leave your valuables your hotel safe and wear your bag across
your shoulder.
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avoid stepping on ceremonial offerings in the street
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bargain when shopping except on fixed price tagged goods
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make sure that you have personal or travel insurance that
will cover any accidents
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be careful when driving in Bali, keep your eyes and your mind
on the road.
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wear a sarong and sash when visiting temples and attending
ceremonies

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DON'T
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swim outside of the designated areas as currents and undertows
can be very strong
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take drugs - it can result in imprisonment and can carry the
death penalty
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touch peoples heads - this is offensive to Hindus
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enter a temple when menstruating
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worry about the ice - it's government controlled in established
restaurants
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sit higher than the priest or the offerings at a ceremony
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use flash cameras during ceremonies
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forget to reconfirm your outbound flight - Airport Tax is
Rp 100,000 for International & Rp 30,000 for domestic flights.
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