Indonesia Country Guide

Indonesia has become an extremely popular tourist destination due to the range of activities and attractions it can offer to its visitors. There are many religious and cultural attractions for those who are looking for a holiday filled with exploring and sightseeing. Indonesia also has many beaches and exotic scenery for those who want to enjoy a relaxing retreat away. It is also advisory that you learn about the country prior to your trip so you can enjoy a stress free and comfortable break away.

Climate

As Indonesia is close to the equator, the country has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather. The climate is divided into two very distinct seasons. The rainy season takes place between the months of October and April; during this time the rain starts at around noon and lasts all the way through the afternoon. There can also be random bursts of rain for up to two hours at a time. It is advisory that you do not travel to Indonesia during this period as your holiday may be ruined by the weather.

The dry season occurs between the months of April and October; there is less humidity and the weather is cool and pleasant. The temperature on the coast has an average of 28 degrees but drops considerable in the highlands. You must also be aware that there is rainfall during the dry season, it is normal to have tropical showers during the afternoons.

Indonesian Cuisine

The staple food that is found with most Indonesian dishes is rice; however the eastern islands also serve corn and sweet potatoes with their foods. Some of the traditional Indonesian dishes you must try are nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles and gado-gado (vegetables topped with peanut sauce and boiled egg).

There is also a great emphasis upon fish within the Indonesian diet. Seafood is found in abundance in the seas which surround the country; these include such things as lobster, oyster, prawns, shrimp and crab. Another staple within Indonesian cuisine is coconut as it is found throughout the country and used as cooking oil, as milk and the pulp is also added to many dishes. You can also sample a range of exotic fruits such as jackfruit, starfruit, papaya, pineapple and mango.

Travel Tips

It is recommended that you are immunised against Hepatitis A before holidaying in Indonesia. You should also get jabs for Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid and hepatitis B if you are staying for a long time or are staying in an unsanitary area. Malaria and Dengue Fever are also found within certain areas within Indonesia. You must take adequate precautions for mosquito bites as well as take anti-malarial medicine away with you on holiday. You must also only drink water from bottles, eat well cooked food and avoid swimming in fresh water lakes as disease-causing organisms can breed there.

There are also a few customs and taboos you should be aware of. It is considered rude to call someone by crooking your finger and you must not pat an adult or child on the head. You should not climb upon any monuments or religious buildings as this is considered to be disrespectful. Also make sure you take off your shoes when entering a place of worship and also take your sunglasses off if you are entering another person’s home.