Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
states. In the capital, it's possible to find
mosques situated across the street from
nightclubs that would make the
raunchiest bar back home seem positively
prudish. Although there are regional
variations in accepted social norms, with
Aceh among the most conservative
provinces and Bali the most liberal, there
are also differences within provinces.
Following your common sense is the best
course of action. Outside the main tourist
resorts, dress conservatively, especially if
visiting religious sites, to avoid giving
offence. Be especially sensitive during the
Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Visitors to
Balinese temples
(
pura
) show
respect to the shrines and dress modestly
- no skimpy clothing, bare shoulders or
shorts. Often you'll be required to wear
a sarong and a ceremonial sash around
your waist (usually provided by the
most-visited temples).
Indonesia shares the same
attitudes to
dress and social taboos
as other Southeast
Asian cultures (see p.40). In addition,
Indonesians are generally very sociable,
and dislike doing anything alone. It's
normal for complete strangers engaged
in some common enterprise - catching
a bus, for instance - to introduce
themselves and start up a friendship.
Sharing cigarettes
between men is in
these circumstances a way of establishing
a bond, and Westerners who don't smoke
should be genuinely apologetic about
refusing; it's worth carrying a packet to
share around even if you save your own
“for later”.
get further afield you'll probably have to
rely on live aboard cruises or even on
having your own gear. A day's diving
costs anything from $45 to upwards of
$100. Ask about the reputation of the
dive operators before signing up, check
their PADI or equivalent accreditation
and, if possible, get first-hand
recommendations from other divers. Be
aware that it is down to you to check
your equipment, and that the purity of
an air tank can be suspect, and could
cause serious injury. Also check your
guide's credentials carefully, and bear in
mind that you may be a long way from a
decompression chamber.
SURFING
Indonesia is also one of the world's
premier surfing destinations, with an
enormous variety of first-class waves
and perfect breaks. he best-known
waves are found on
Bali
,
G-Land
(Grajagan) on Java and around
Krui
in southern Sumatra; further afield,
Sumba
and the
Mentawai Islands
are
also increasingly popular.
In June and July, during the best and
most consistent surf, you can expect
waves to be crowded, especially in Java
and Bali. Several surf companies in
Bali offer all-in surf safaris to other
destinations in Indonesia. Try to bring
your own board, though in the popular
surf spots you can rent some decent
boards on the beach. Most public
transport charges extra for boards, but
many surfers simply rent motorbikes
with board-carrying attachments.
For detailed reviews of surf breaks,
see the topic
Indo Surf and Lingo
,
available from
W
indosurf.com.au and
from surfshops and bookshops in Bali.
Good surf websites include
W
baliwaves
.com,
W
wannasurf.com and
W
wavehunters.com.
4
SPORTS AND OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
DIVING
Indonesia has many of the world's best
diving sites
, among the finest of which
are Pulau Bunaken off
Sulawesi
and
Pulau Weh
off northern Aceh in Sumatra.
Bali
has many good sites, including the
famous
Liberty
wreck, and reputable tour
operators at all major beach resorts. he
best time for diving is between late April
and early October. Most major beach
resorts have dive centres, but once you
TREKKING
here are endless
trekking
opportunities
in Indonesia. he most popular
volcano
treks
include Gunung Batur on Bali
and Gunung Bromo and Gunung Merapi
on Java; more taxing favourites include
Gunung Rinjani on Lombok and
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