Five Things You Need To Know Before Traveling To Indonesia

Taking a trip to Indonesia will lead you to exploring and experiencing the norms and traditions that you can only find in this side of Asia. To help you prepare for your trip, here are some of things that you must know about this place.

1. Indonesia is a place where respect for the country's norms and traditions are highly practiced. One of the common practices here is the gesture of giving. Visiting one's place in this country and leaving without even giving a simple gift to the owner of the place is considered as rudeness, Oyster says. But if you are going to buy or prepare something for gift-giving, you need to take into consideration the religious beliefs of its recipients since many Indonesians are Muslims.

2. Most Indonesians, especially women, are conservatives. So if you are planning to go on a trip to this country, be sure to pack the right clothes .Avoid wearing revealing pieces of clothisng--instead, choose clothes which can cover your shoulders, chest and knees so that you can easily get along with the locals.

3. Indonesia has some of the most wonderful gifts of nature. There are many spots in this country that can connect you with the beautiful rhythmic sounds of the jungle and lush rainforests. You can also have a closer encounter with the orangutans that can only be found in Borneo, Go Girl Guide says. So if you are a conservationist or a typical nature-lover, a trip to Indonesia will surely be perfect for you.

4. Indonesia is located in the so-called Ring of Fire - an area where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are mostly experienced due to the grating and grinding of the tectonic plates. Therefore, Indonesians are already used to experiencing occasional shakes and eruptions. As a visitor, be sure to be knowledgeable and prepared enough for these kinds of events.

5. One common Indonesian etiquette is the use of the right hand as a sign of respect to the person you are talking to. It is often considered discourteous when a person who is shaking hands with them uses his left hand. If you are paying in a store, eating, giving a gift to a local, or simply pointing into something, use your right hand. But if a left-handed tourist unintentionally used his left hand, uttering the words "Maaf saya menggunakan tangan kiri" is the proper way to express apologies.