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Travel information and tips on Indonesia including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Indonesia, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. 

Travel Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out. TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide travel. Our features and articles are written by professional journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Cities and Towns In Indonesia

Jakarta

My preferred hotel chain is Marriott. I have stayed Residence Inns, which are prefect for longer stays with all the comforts of home; Spring Hill Suites, which I have found nice for longer stays as the have up to 25% more room than comparably priced rooms; Towne Place Suites, again when I want more room or am on a longer stay; Courtyard by Marriott, which has everything the business traveler needs, as well as families; Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, which I find spacious, comfortable and affordable. Another great idea is to stay at one of the JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts where you can enjoy a new dimension for your vacation or holiday. and Marriott Hotels and Resorts and have found them all to be of consistent quality and service. I have also stayed at some of their Vacation Club properties and have enjoyed each visit. AAA members can get discount rates at Marriott, as can Seniors. Click on Great Getaways for less at Marriott for special officers and great deals at Marriott hotels worldwide!

Surabaya

My preferred hotel chain is Marriott. I have stayed Residence Inns, which are prefect for longer stays with all the comforts of home; Spring Hill Suites, which I have found nice for longer stays as the have up to 25% more room than comparably priced rooms; Towne Place Suites, again when I want more room or am on a longer stay; Courtyard by Marriott, which has everything the business traveler needs, as well as families; Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, which I find spacious, comfortable and affordable. Another great idea is to stay at one of the JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts where you can enjoy a new dimension for your vacation or holiday. and Marriott Hotels and Resorts and have found them all to be of consistent quality and service. I have also stayed at some of their Vacation Club properties and have enjoyed each visit. AAA members can get discount rates at Marriott, as can Seniors. Click on Great Getaways for less at Marriott for special officers and great deals at Marriott hotels worldwide!

If you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

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Some Suggestions For Accommodations In Indonesia
International hotels are found only in major towns and tourist areas. Several of these have business centers with a variety of services. High hotel taxes are charged (10 per cent service, plus 11 per cent government tax). Hotels of all grades from deluxe to standard can be found in most towns around the country. Resort hotels on Bali vary from international class, luxury hotels to beach cottages along the shore. Most hotels have pools and can supply most leisure equipment.

For accommodations in Indonesia, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in Indonesia

My preferred hotel chain is Marriott. I have stayed Residence Inns, which are prefect for longer stays with all the comforts of home; Spring Hill Suites, which I have found nice for longer stays as the have up to 25% more room than comparably priced rooms; Towne Place Suites, again when I want more room or am on a longer stay; Courtyard by Marriott, which has everything the business traveler needs, as well as families; Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, which I find spacious, comfortable and affordable. Another great idea is to stay at one of the JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts where you can enjoy a new dimension for your vacation or holiday. and Marriott Hotels and Resorts and have found them all to be of consistent quality and service. I have also stayed at some of their Vacation Club properties and have enjoyed each visit. AAA members can get discount rates at Marriott, as can Seniors. Click on Great Getaways for less at Marriott for special officers and great deals at Marriott hotels worldwide!

All hotels in Indonesia are graded according to facilities. For more information contact the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Wisma Nugra Santana, Fourth Floor, Jendral Sudirman Kav. 8, Jakarta 10220 (tel: (21) 570 6909; fax: (21) 570 6888).

Indonesia Hotel and Accommodations  - Offered through AccommodationLine, this site offers you a select group of accommodations for cities throughout Indonesia including Bali, Jakarta, Java and Lombok. They also offer great accommodations World-Wide. Check  AccommodationLine today for information on world-wide accommodations.

Major hotels add an 11% service charge and 10% government tax to bills. Where not included a tip of 5 to 10 % is satisfactory depending on the type of establishment. Giving tips to taxi driver is not mandatory, but rounding up the fares to the nearest RP 1,000,00 will be much appreciated.

 

Book Hostels in Indonesia Online  You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

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Some Suggestions For Dining In Indonesia
Rice, which the locals call "nasi," is the staple diet for most Indonesians. In some areas, this is replaced with corn, sago, cassava and sweet potatoes. Rice dishes include nais campur, nasi uduk and rasirames. Indonesia's spices make its local cuisine unique. Specialties include: rijstafel (a Dutch concoction consisting of a variety of meats, fish, vegetables and curries), sate (chunks of beef, fish, pork, chicken or lamb cooked on hot coals and dipped in peanut sauce).

Almost every type of international cuisine is available in Jakarta, the most popular being Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese and Korean sate ajam (broiled, skewered marinated chicken), ajam ungkap (Central Java; deep-fried, marinated chicken), sate lileh (Bali; broiled, skewered fish sticks), ikan acar kuning (Jakarta; lightly marinated fried fish served in a sauce of pickled spices and palm sugar), soto (a soup dish with dumpling, chicken and vegetables), gado-gado (Java; a salad of raw and cooked vegetables with peanut and coconut milk sauce), babi guling (Bali; roast suckling pig) and opor ajam (boiled chicken in coconut milk and light spices). Indonesians like their food highly spiced and the visitor should always bear this in mind. In particular look out for the tiny, fiery hot, red and green peppers often included in salads and vegetable dishes. 

Seafood is an excellent choice here and is featured on menus everywhere (with salt and fresh water fish, lobsters, oysters, prawns, shrimp, squid, shark and crab all available). 

Coconuts, which are found everywhere, are often used for cooking. Vegetables and fresh fruit, such as bananas, papaya, pineapple and oranges, are available throughout the year; some tropical fruit such as mango, watermelon and papaya is seasonal. 

An interesting dining feature of Jakarta are the many warungs (street stalls). Each specializes in its own dish or drink, but travelers are probably best advised not to try them without the advice of an Indonesian resident. There are restaurants in the hotels which, along with many others, serve European, Chinese and Indian food.

Indonesia is a major producer and exporter of coffee and tea, which is available on almost every street corner. Bali produces a delicious rice wine called brem while in Tana Toraja (southern Sulawesi), visitors may wish to sample a Tuak, a famously potent local brew. Local pilsner beer is also available.

All water should be regarded as a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. I would suggest you drink bottled water only. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. My suggestion, just avoid dairy products. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

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Some Favorites In Indonesia
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

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Some Interesting Links For Indonesia

Book Hostels in Indonesia Online  You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

For accommodations in Indonesia, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in Indonesia

Ilala Yacht Charters provides exclusive sailing and diving holidays throughout South East Asia and the Andaman Sea and the Andaman Islands. They also provide opportunities in Thailand, Malaysia, Burma and Indonesia. Their luxury, air conditioned charter yacht offers you spacious comfort, good food and service, and privacy. The yacht is designed for up to 8 people for comfortable relaxation and enjoyment. You can find additional information at the Ilala Yacht Charters website or by email. mailto:yacht_ilala@hotmail.com

Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more. Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

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