(picture source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/indonesia/ )Useful informations about Indonesia from WIKIPEDIA:
The Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a nation in Southeast Asia. Comprising 17,508 islands, it is the world's largest archipelagic state. With a population of over 234 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation, although officially it is not an Islamic state. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected parliament and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom formed trade links with China. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources.
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia)
Let's the boring things go, explore the Jakarta NOW!!!
- Don't forget a passport & VISA...however, Thais (and other SEA citizens) can enter Indonesia for 90 days without VISA.
- Money: please see money topic below
- Check with you booked hotel to confirm your reservation
- Air ticket confirmation, not recommend to use Jakarta airline, many people got sick with it.
Money using in Jakarta...
Indonesia Rupiah (Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia.
Rate: 1 US$ = 9,137 (28 SEP 07 by Bank of Indonesia).
Don't try to obtain Rp from your country, the rate is cut by half (Oh my gosh!!). My recommendation is that you carry international recognised currency with you, US dollar is the best, followed by Euro dollar & British Pound Sterling, and change some of your money at the airport. The best rate money changers I could find are in the department stores.
My trip...
This first jakarta experience of mine was on 13-19 March 2005. To be frank, I went to Jakarta on duty of training in the EC-ASEAN co-operation programme on Standard, Quality and Conformity Assessment: "Training for GMP inspectors". However, there are a lot of experiences outside the class that I would like to share ^^
This is where I stayed during my period at Jakarta, 'AMBHARA HOTEL'. The Hotel is located in the south of Jakarta which is called 'blok M'.
Hotel facilities were fine but the environment in the 'blok M' was not quite friendly; People are crowed, a lot of traffic conjection, and air smell is quite bad. However, the hotel is near the main bus station of the 'blok M' which you can find shop with good bargain price in its basement and travel to many places in Jakarta.
On the other side of the road in front of the hotel, it is one of the biggest shopping mall in Jakarta named 'Pasaraya'. In this huge 2-wing building, you can find many stairs filled with stuffs to buy, including 1 floor of native products, perfectly place to find souvenior.
(continue on part 2...)
