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| TRAVEL TIPS & USEFUL INFORMATION
A. INFORMATION
A1. CUSTOM REGULATIONS
You must have at least 6 (six) months validity of passport to enter Indonesia.
Visa On Arrival (VOA) can be obtain at Mataram Airport.
Due to customs regulations, one adult is allowed to bring into Indonesia a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 1000 grams of tobacco, and reasonable amount of perfume.
Photographic, video and filming equipment radios, typewriters, and cars are admitted provide they are recorded in your passport on entry and taken out of the country on departure.
Narcotic, firearm and ammunition, TV set, and Chinese medicine are strictly prohibited.
Fresh fruit, plants and animals must be passed by Quarantine Office.
A2. TRAVELING ALL OVER LOMBOK
Visitor can explore the tiny island by using various kind of transportation such as: Chartered/Car Hire, Taxi, Bus, Bemo/Angkot (local’s public transportation) and Motorcycle.
Taxis operated from all major hotels and airport with rate varying according to destination. Taxi companies in Lombok are Lombok Taxi (627000), Lendang Express (634444) and Airport Taxi. Taxis are metered and charged accordingly to distances.
Public Transportation or known locally as "Bemo", a non-AC minivan (in yellow color) are available in major town i.e: Mataram, Ampenan and Cakranegara, founded in every corner of the island with quite inexpensive price. They take and drop off local passenger and often load over capacity, without travel insurance coverage. For those who prefer to travel more privately, car-hire option or charter or motorbike rental may be the choice. The prices, however, do not always included insurance. And they vary depending upon the type of vehicle and the duration of hiring. Petrol pomp and service stations are available at every large town. In emergency there are always road side kiosks fuels out of drums at a bit dearer price.
If you rent a car (self drive), you may find the rental fare are much more expensive than in Bali because of limited car available on Lombok. While driving yourself, please take out most care since the traffic rules may be some what different from those observed in your country. Indonesian and any other Asian Countries uses "right side steering system"
An international drivers license is required, but one can apply for temporary permit in Lombok and go for test driver in tourist driving license office in Jalan Langko Mataram Lombok.
It is compulsory to wear a crash helmet while you ere on the road on a motorbike. Helmets are available at motorbike hire outlets. Small horse drawn carts called Cidomo serve as convenient transportation during off hours and off the beaten track.
RAMADHAN (FASTING) BREAK
Most tourist facilities in Lombok (Gili Islands & Senggigi) remain open during Ramadhan. Local Restaurants might close in residential area in Mataram or Cakranegara to respect the majority of Moslem Fasting. Tourist are suggested to eat and drinks in hotel's or resort's area.
Clothing
With temperatures ranging between 20-35½oC, light, casual
clothes are the most practical. Natural fibers like cotton
or linen are the most comfortable in
Indonesia's often humid conditions. Casual clothes are
acceptable in most places and a lightweight suit and tie are
usual for business or formal meetings. Light cotton dresses
are generally acceptable in most situations. Batik is
popular for both men's shirts and women's dresses.
Electricity & Water
Indonesia
runs 127V AC/50Hz but is in the process of converting to a
230V AC/50Hz. This conversion is complete in principal
cities.
Indonesia
uses a type C, F, and G plug so North Americans travelling
with electronics will need adapters.
It is not advisable to drink tap water in
Indonesia, but bottled mineral water is safe and available
everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard
hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street
stalls or in country areas.
Mobile
Telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Coverage may be limited to main
towns and cities.
Fax
Faxes can be sent and received from WARTEL shops.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in all major cities and tourist
destinations.
Telegram
These can be sent from any telegraphic office; in
Jakarta
facilities are available 24 hours a day, but services
outside Jakarta
are less efficient.
Post
Airmail to
Western Europe takes up to 10 days. Internal mail is fast and
generally reliable by the express service (Pos KILAT), but
mail to the outer islands can be subject to considerable
delays.
B. LOMBOK TRAVEL TIPS
1. Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe.
2.Drink always from bottled water and eat well done cooking food, unless when eating at recommended restaurants/cafes or hotel's outlet.
3. Street or beach vendors are often pushing too hard on selling and most visitors feel inconvenient. Never try to look at any of their item/s even they might be interesting to you, even this could be fun for those who want to learn about bargaining tactic. For most visitors this is hassling.
4. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat.
5. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.
6. Due to the limited number of flights to Lombok, during the peak season we highly recommend you to make flight booking far in advanced. Don't forget to ask your local tour operator to re-confirm your ticket minimum 24 hours in advanced to ensure yourself to get seats.
DURING YOUR TRIP TO GILI ISLANDS
1. Do not let the local porters carry your bags for whatever reason. This guys are usually try to be gentle or act like a boatman crew. They often charge an expensive and unreasonable amount. If you have to pay, a regular porter cost is about Rp. 1000-2000/bag.
2. Do not buy any mosquitoes coil from some kids at the harbor, as they are trying to sell things at the highest they can. There are lots of shops on the Islands selling those stuffs with better prices.
3. Do not try to look at the things that they offers, and do not make any promises to say "maybe later". Those guys can recognize your face and ask for the promises.
4. When you returned from the Islands, many kids brings water to wash your foot. At first you may feel convenient, but at the end they ask some money. Give them some school needs i.e: pens, or writing book. It's better not to let them do anything to you.
5. Carry small changes to pay public buses or taxi. Call the taxi operator: 627000 (Lombok taxi) if you need to be picked up. If you have to go by private car, try to fix the price first rather than argue at the end of the journey.
6. Stonefish are found on the coral reefs where they are camouflaged and almost invisible. They are poisonous if stepped on.
7. Also, be aware of strong currents while swimming or snorkeling. It is best to ask the advice of a dive master before swimming alone.
8. Jelly Fish is almost invisible on the water. It looks like a crystal/plastic, but very dangerous.
Some kind of jelly fish is making your skin itchy, and some are poisoning.
9. Use a high protection of Sun Cream. The weather can be very hot on the afternoon.
10. Do not leave any valuable belongings unattended at the beach while swimming or snorkeling. Ask for a deposit box at the hotel where you stay.
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