I still remember the first time I heard the name of the island of Bali, Indonesia. At that time I was still studying design and styling in Barcelona. One of my companions left everything to go behind love, and her destination was Bali.
I would never have imagined that, many years later, I would do the same journey.
My trip to Indonesia was one of those things that you do not expect in life but you feel the strong impulse to carry it out. Without organization, without a guide, without time to plan, I bought the ticket and got on the plane.
CONTENT
- TRAVEL ROUTE (MAP) – Bali, Alor Island.
- PREPARATION OF THE TRIP – visa, flights, vaccinations, route, transport, hotels, guides …
- WHAT TO SEE IN: Bali, Alor
- TIPS- to travel to Indonesia
1-MAP
2- PREPARATION
VISA
To travel to Indonesia you need a visa. But, if your stay is less than 30 days, the good thing is that you can ask for it on arrival at the airport (Visa on arrival / Visa upon arrival).
You have all the information about it at: http://embajadaindonesia.es/como-getting-the-visado/
FLIGHT
To look for flight, it is clear that there are infinite possibilities where to get a flight; each one has its own strategies to get the cheapest flights. I usually look for Skyscaner, and compare with the websites of the companies. I leave this link in case you need more information on how to get cheap flights:
VACCINES
Regarding vaccines, you have all the information on this website:
ROUTE
As I already told you, for this trip I did not have any organization since in Bali I was with a friend, who I accompanied for two weeks. But it is always good to have an idea of which cities or towns to visit. For that you have wide information online.
It is also true that once there you meet people and you join them modifying your route, or you are so well in a place that you prefer to extend your stay there. But it is necessary to know what you are going to do during the days that your trip lasts, for many changes that you then make in situ.
To plan your trip through Indonesia you have to keep in mind that it is an archipelago of thousands of islands. So, transportation between islands will be ship or plane. And I assure you that the times of the boat trips are long. And flights, depending on which destinations, there are only two flights per week, and can be cancelled due to bad weather. Therefore, however, it is better to know an island well, than just visit four.
HOTELS
On my arrival in Bali, I stayed in the same hotel as my friend. A hotel of an Indonesian family, the few remaining in Kuta, authentic, cheap and frequented by surfers. Let’s make reservation made in this same hotel, for our return from Alor Island. And I before leaving with the motorcycle to know the island of Bali, I will also leave the reservation for my last days before catching the flight back. The good thing is that you can leave a backpack for a small fee and they keep you. So you should not charge it during your route on the island.
There are many hotels in Bali, specifically in Kuta and surroundings. You must inform yourself of the towns where you will find more hotel offer.
Regarding the hotels on the islands, it will depend a lot on whether the island is tourist or not. For example, on the Figi Islands, there is a big hotel offer, however if it is on the island of Alor, there are only two hotels on the island.(when I’m was there)
TRANSPORT
The most practical, fast and expensive … The plane, especially at the destination is another island. The other option is the boat. What you should take into account are the routes to be made and the time that is delayed to be sure that you arrive in time to catch your flight back.
To move around the islands, it is best to rent a motorbike and discover the island at your own pace.
If you plan to drive in another country, keep in mind that you will need an international driver’s license. You can get it for a small fee at the head office where you must renew your ID.
GUIDE
I believe it is imperative for any trip in which more than one city is visited to take your guide, whether purchased or made by yourself. It’s good that the guide has information of all kinds relevant to your trip.
I have travelled with and without a guide, and evidently without information you are more lost.
LUGGAGE
The luggage you use will always depend on the type of trip you take. I personally to travel through Indonesia I recommend Backpack on shoulders.
The weather in Indonesia accompanies wearing little clothes, even when it rains it is not cold. What is essential is a good raincoat. I recommend that the raincoat is a coat, so covers your backpack.
Another important part is to take a little kit, what you need, something for vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration and above all good repellent mosquitoes.
In a matter of personal hygiene you can easily buy there.
It does not hurt to bring a mosquito net (although I do not use it throughout the trip).
3- WHAT TO SEE IN:
4-TIPS
Try to be among the first to disembark, otherwise the queues for the On Arrival visa can be eternal.
- Eye with the dogs, which are thrown at you. When I went with the motorcycle, I had to avoid them.
- A good raincoat is essential; I recommend that it be a layer so that you can also cover your backpack.
- Buy the shampoo at any supermarket in Bali. Did you notice the shiny black hair that women have in Bali? I bought a shampoo with an extract of a flower, it was black. It’s a wonder for my hair. I advise you to take some boats as a souvenir, once at home you will appreciate it!
- Do not forget to buy tea, Indonesia tea is great.
- It is always good to buy a bottle of Arak (hot rice water), so at home you can prepare your own Arak Madu.
CUSTOMS:
