Hi all,

My name is Mark and I will be visiting Indonesia in Sept.  I found this site while doing a little research and I have to say it has been an eye opener in many ways.  The personalities here are refreshing and the banter is lively and intelligent.  Even when there are skirmishes (like the Ross and Achmad insult battle) it is generally good natured, despite the sometimes passionate differences of opinion. 

I do have a few questions, though, particularly about what I need to do regarding a visa for entry.  I will be flying into Jakarta from the US and although a friend who travels the world far more than I do assures me that I don't need a visa beforehand, I am reluctant to just arrive at customs empty handed. 

My question, then, is do I need to have a visa to visit (I will be there for 10 days) before I arrive, or can I purchase it once I get there?

My visit is personal and I will be traveling alone.  Also, what else do I need to be mindful of when traveling to Indo from the US?  Should I leave my laptop computer at home?  Is it wise to bring a less expensive camera, or should I bring my Nikon DSLR?  Will my cell phone work over there?  My carrier is AT&T and it is supposed to be a World Phone, whatever that means. 

Thanks in advance for any replies and my very best wishes to all.  Indonesia is an unappreciated treasure on the world stage and her people are a huge part of that. 

Mark

Thanks Patung!  You do a fantastic job with this site, by the way.  I am really impressed.  Indonesia is very diverse, and you manage this little online community very well indeed.  I have leaned more about the "real" Indonesia from this this forum than from any other source.  An interesting blend of traditional and contemporary values and characteristics. 

Thanks again.

So, I am preparing for my trip to Indonesia and finally tell my ex about my plans.  She is one of the most germ phobic people in a country (U.S.) of germ phobic people.  So, now I am assaulted with her paranoia about all the diseases I could get and bring back here.  Not that she really cares about me, but we do have two young children and she is hanging this potential threat to them over my head.  I suppose that is my mistake for even telling her about my trip, but that is another story.  My real concern is that I don't really share her germ phobic nature, but I don't want to be stupid either.  As a result of our recent phone conversation I went to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website and looked up the recommendations for those traveling to Indonesia.  To say it was somewhat alarming would be an understatement.  Here is an abbreviated list of what they suggest you be prepared to deal with:

• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Rabies (?)
• Japanese encephalitis
• Malaria
• Yellow fever
• Dengue fever
• Chikungunya
• Filarsiasis
• Plague (WTF????)
• H5N1 (avian flu)

Ok, some of those are remote risk depending on where you go in Indonesia,  but it is a bit overwhelming when taken at face value.  So I called a local travel medicine clinic to ask about getting a few of the vaccinations, and as an example the price of the typhoid vaccine was about $130 USD.  Yellow fever and Hepatitis B were each about $80.  Then there is the Malaria treatment, which I didn't even get a price on.  She also mentioned worms (at this point I'm ready to tell her to get bent.  It wouldn't be the first time….) and that they are a problem in Jakarta.  Also there is the supposed issue that all medical facilities in Indonesia are substandard and that, according to her, I would be better off going to Singapore if I needed any treatment whatsoever. 

Now I realize that all this, in it's totality, is absurd.  What I need to know is what to disregard (perhaps all of it) and what to actually prepare for.  Honestly?  I don't want to get any of the vaccines, unless I perceive there is really a credible threat to my health, and as a result, a threat to the health of my kids when I return.  If there are any expats that can provide some guidance based on experience it would be greatly appreciated.  And for that matter, advice or observations from anyone who is either a native Indonesian or someone who has visited would be super.  I will be spending a couple of days in Jakarta, 5 days in Gili and a couple of days in Semarang.

Please forgive the astronomical number of health threats listed here.  It is not my nature to be afraid of bugs.  But as I stated previously, I don't want to be stupid either.  I am leaving in about 16 days, so my preparation is quite delayed for this kind of thing (I honestly didn't think it was a serious consideration until now, perhaps THAT was stupid). 

You folks on this site have taught me more, in the last few months I have been lurking here, about Indonesia than any other source.  Again, I appreciate Patung's effort to administer this site.  You rock!

Mark

Should I buy the anti-malaria tablets here in the states, or when I get there?  I assume it would be better to get them at home, but I could be wrong.

DW – what time of year was it when you got the Dengue fever?  Was it the rainy season?

Oztrack – When you say the antimalaria tablet cost a fortune, what kind of fortune are we talking about here?  Just out of curriosity.  I'm not the wealthy variety of bule.  ;)

Mark