Traveling overseas has always been fraught with difficulties, but now many tourists rightly conclude that to go overseas will be outright dangerous given the present coronavirus concerns. Indonesia has been a fantastic and highly underrated vacation destination, with great cities, amusements at a fair price, and natural wonders like the beaches of Bali. But like so many countries across the world, Indonesia is concerned about the virus with Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan declaring an emergency similar to that of cities across the globe. Indonesia has reported 369 cases and 32 deaths at the time of writing, though the former number is almost certainly much higher. The result will be catastrophic for Indonesian tour companies which conduct many trips such as the Umroh, which could mean better deals for the determined traveler.
But whether you simply want to plan out a trip to Indonesia in a few months after this crisis has abated or want to take the risk of traveling now, here are a few things about traveling to Indonesia to consider.
Can I Go?
Like practically every country, Indonesia has placed strict limits on who can currently enter the country. Indonesia currently bans visitors from China, Iran, and most Western European countries including France and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the Indonesian government has suspended short-stay and visa on arrival visits for at least one month, and it is reasonable to expect that it may be extended after the one-month period has expired.
This is not a blanket ban on tourism. But it does mean that visitors to Indonesia must submit or re-submit a visa application to the nearest Indonesian embassy, and any application must have a health statement. This is a certificate issued shortly before departure which proves that you have been tested and do not have the virus. Given the global difficulties in obtaining such a test, and the reality is that traveling to Indonesia over the next month at least will be incredibly tricky at best.
The Indonesian Language
Even if you cannot go to Indonesia right now, there are things you can do today to prepare for a future trip to Indonesia. And as with any trip overseas, learning the language is key if you want to do more than the typical tourist traps.
The official language of Indonesia is called Indonesian or Bahasa Indonesia, but there are over 750 languages among the numerous islands. Many islands have their own language which is commonly spoken among the people of said island such as Javanese, Balinese, and Sumatran. Learning phrases from those languages can help, but your main goal should be to learn Indonesian.
There are basic phrases which you can learn for your trip, but it should be noted that Indonesian is fairly easy to learn compared to other Asian languages. Indonesian uses the Latin alphabet due to the Dutch, and its grammar is flexible.
Food, Water, and Shopping
Indonesia is filled with tourist destinations, but its markets and food are as interesting as any natural or historical landmark. Indonesia is a gateway between Asia, the West, and the Middle East, giving its own unique cuisine which has not achieved significant penetration in the West. Each island also has its own take on similar foods, influenced by its local culture.
Indonesia was once known as the Spice Islands, as so its food uses a great deal of spice which a Western visitor may need some time to adjust to. Some popular dishes are nasi campur, nasi goreng, and rendeng. Prepare to eat a lot of rice, accompanied by a wide range of side dishes.
Indonesia's most popular beer is Bitang, and travelers can also drink local coffee as well as coconut water. However, do not drink the local tap water and stick strictly to bottled water.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
