INDONESIA

A good source of health information for travelers is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

A good source of health information for travelers is the Center for Disease Control (CDC). You can visit the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov. Please be advised that high-standard medical care is not available in the more remote areas of Indonesia. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two, and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled, containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your med­ical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink, but please do not drink the tap water while travelling in Indonesia. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water and additional bottled water can be purchased throughout your trip.

Indonesia’s unit of currency is the Rupiah (RP), which is divided into 100 sen. It is available in the following denominations: Banknotes: 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 rupiahs; Coins: 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 rupiahs. No more than 50,000 rupiahs can be brought into or taken out of Indonesia at one time. Major credit cards can be used for transactions in hotels and larger shops that are frequented by tourists. Generally, credit cards cannot be used to obtain cash advances in Indonesia.  The exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, but it can be found to be approximately 1 USD = 11,250 IDR. For the most updated exchange rate, please check http://www.xe.com

Electrical service in Indonesia is supplied at 127/230 volts, 50 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you are planning on using electronics (i.e. cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.

Indonesian cuisine varies vastly by region, because the country is made up of approximately 6,000 populated islands that each have their own cultural and foreign influences. Indonesian cuisine is rather diverse and many regional cuisines exist based on these different influences. Indonesian meals are commonly eaten with the combination of a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left hand, to push the food onto the spoon. However, in some other areas, it is also common to eat with one’s hands.

Indonesia’s staple food is rice. In fact, the Indonesian expression “makan nasi,” (meaning “to take a meal”) when literally translated, means “to eat rice.” Rice dishes are usually supplemented with meat and vegetables and complemented with sauces and pastes. Influences are many and varied, from early Indian and Arab traders to the later contributions of the Chinese and Dutch. There are many curries, usually combined with coconut milk to produce a rich flavor and a creamy texture. Chilies are used in varying amounts throughout the country, and you can enjoy your food either hot or less spicy on request.

The official language in Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia. However, there are numerous other languages in local use (such as Javanese). A few people speak Dutch from Indonesia’s colonial days, and the substantial resident Chinese community speaks a variety of Chinese dialects. English is widely used in tourist areas such as hotels, airports, and major restaurants, although please extend your patience as this is not their primary language.