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TIPS.
| Visas: see Indonesia Introduction page |
Warnings:
After the recent turmoil of the elections, Java is now (Jan, 2000)
relatively quiet. Stay away from any demonstration you might come
across. |
Money:
As with all of SEAsia, US$ rules. Take US$ cash to remote areas.
TC's & Credit Cards are sometimes no good. |
Coming & Going:
Trains, planes, buses and boats...see in the cities below. |
Yogyakarta:
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Introduction:
Yogyakarta was founded in 1755 with the rise of Dutch influence.
But it has maintained its Javanese roots proudly and has been
a centre of resistance to colonial rule over the centuries. It
is the cultural and intellectual centre of Indonesia and retains
an easy-going attitude.
Accomodation:
is good value and plentiful. The Sosrowijayan area has most of
the cheap rooms. Jalan Prawirotaman has mid-range.
Tourist Info:
office at Jalan Malioboro 16. tel.566000. Mon-Fri 8-7:30pm; Sat.
8-12noon. Also at the airport and railway station.
Communications:
Telephone area code is 0274. Country code is 62.
Main post office is on Jalan Senopati. Mon-Fri. 8-8pm. Sat. 8-5pm.
Telkom office. Jalan Yos Sudarso, open 24 hours.
Money:
Banks give the best exchange rates. There are plenty of other
money changers. BNI Bank, Jalan Trikora 1. BCA Bank, Jalan Mangkubumi.
Attractions:
Kraton. the old walled palace of the Sultans, still a living city
within a city. Taman Sari (Water Palace).Benteng Vredeburg, an
old Dutch Fort.
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Borobudur:
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On a hill only 42 km from Jogyakarta, this enormous Buddhist temple
dates from the 9th century. The site isopen daily 8am-5pm, entry
is 5000rp.
There are a few places to stay, see below.
From Yogyakarta, Bus via Muntilan is 1200rp, 1.5 hours. |
| Solo (Surakarta): |
Situated between Yogya and Surubaya, Solo is rivals Yogya as a
Javanese cultural centre, with palaces, batik centres, dance schools
etc.
Tourist Info: Office on Jalan Slamet Riyadi 275. tel.711435. 8am-5pm.
Telephone area code is 0271
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| Bogor: |
Popular place to visit, only 60km from Jakarta, it's cooler and rains heaps in the wet season.Botanical Gardens, Presidential
Palace and Zoological Museum are the attractions.
Tourist Office on Jalan Merak I. tel.325701.
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| Surabaya: |
a big city, port and capital of East Java. Often a transit stop for Bali and Sulawesi.
Tourist Office. on Jalan Pemuda 118, tel.5324499. 9am-5pm.
Telephone area code is 031
Money: Plenty of Banks etc.
Coming & Going:
AIR. flights to Jakarta, Denpasar, Yogyakarta, Banjarmasin, Ujung
Padang, and others.
BUS. Terminal Bungurasih (10km south of downtown) for buses to Yogyakarta
(8 hours, 7.5-13k.rp), Pandaan (1 hour,1k.rp), Malang (2 hours,
23k.rp), Blitar (4 hours, 3-3.6k.rp), Probolinggo (2 hours, 2-3.5k.rp),
Banyuwngi (6 hours,6.5-11k.rp), Bondowoso (5 hours, 5-8.5k.rp),
Solo (7 hours, 7-12.5k.rp), also Pulau Madura.
Terminal Oso Wilangun (10km west of downtown) for buses to North
Coast. e.g. Gresik (500rp), Tuban (2.4k.rp), Kudus and Semarang.
Train. to/from Jakarta anything from 10-20 hours depending on type of
train. Fares vary from 14k.rp to 100k.rp. for luxury service.
To/from Solo, (5-6 hours, 4.5-17k.rp), to/from Yogyakarta (6-7
hours, 4.5-17k.rp.). Also to Malang, then Blitar; Banyuwngi, via
Probolinggo.
Boat. Surabaya is a major hub. Services to Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Madura,
etc.
Getting Around:
Airport transit to downtown by taxi 12k.rp (15km). A bus for 2k.rp
if you can find one.
Taxis, becaks and bemos for around town.
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FACTS.
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Communications:
Telephone area code is 0251
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