Tips & hacks, useful information for staying in Indonesia

Here is some more useful information for those who are planning to stay in Indonesia longer.

Mobile operators

In Indonesia you will find 4 main mobile operators (“Telkomsel”, “XL”, “Indosat”, “Smart”) with different prepaid cards – for example “Loop”, “IM3” and etc.  One of them is more expensive but covers mostly all Indonesia and you will be reachable will be hiking in volcano or camping somewhere further from civilization. Others will be cheaper but sometimes with delay SMS delivery and etc.

Cheap travel insuranceBefore choosing the mobile operator ask yourself what you need mostly – write SMS, use internet in mobile or something else? Ask local students; people which operator they are using, like most probably they are using the cheapest one and which has good connection in the exact (their) area.

Compare some mobile operator’s prices by your requirements and then choose which one suit you best. For example in Yogyakarta, you can find many mobile operators in one place – “Jogjatronic” mall.

In Darmasiswa scholarship opening ceremony, most probably, will be one mobile operator who will suggest their SIM cards for free and will give some extra benefits. Like speaking between Darmasiswa students for free and etc. It’s nice offer – BUT! Most probably it will be one of the most expensive mobile operators. My suggestion – take that free SIM card for couple of first months and then change to that one that suits your needs (believe you can save some money:)).

When you will choose mobile operator you will need to put money to prepaid cards (“pulsa”) each time when you will finish your limits. The “pulsa” amount depends on how much you want to put to prepaid cards. Usually its fixed amount – 5 000, 10 000, 15 000, 25 000, 50 000 or 100 000 Rp. Not in all places you can put bigger amount like 50 000 or 100 000 Rp. As well the “pulsa” validation depends on mobile operator – one suggest validation of 1 month, others – to use till you will finish it (no matter if it will be even couple of months).

Internet access

Indonesia can’t proud with fastest and very good quality internet :) As well, internet not accessible everywhere. Not many houses have WI-FI, so USB internet modem can be your “best friend” during using internet.

Before choosing the internet provider, if you have possibility, borrow internet USB modem from someone (neighbors, other students) and check if it works in your place. Like different providers have different signal quality, some of them won’t work in your places, others – will be excellent quality.

You will need to put money to prepaid cards (“pulsa”) each time when you will finish your internet limits. The “pulsa” price depends which operator you will choose, how much monthly limit of GB you want to have.

You rare will find any free WI-FI spots in cities. But many cafes suggest free WI-FI access, to attract more customers (you will see that even in their sign outside first “reason” to convince you to go to their place will be written “FREE WI-FI” ;)). But main problem, that most cafes try to save money and make not proper access. If somebody will come first, he will get better quality connection and speed, than those who will come later. So you can imagine if many people at once are using WI-FI how “fast” it can be ;).

You can as well use internet in internet cafes (“warnet”). Usually 1 hour access cost 3 000-5 000 Rp. Some of the places works 24 hours, have all needed equipment like scanners, printers, headsets for “Skype” calls and etc. Some of Indonesian people go there to copy the movies from already downloaded movies folder (usually it’s English movies with Bahasa Indonesian subtitles). You can stay only 1 hour and copy more than 20 GB of newest movies :).

Mostly all universities have free WI-FI but you can log in only with students ID information.

Bank account

If you plan to stay longer in Indonesia you can easily open your Indonesian bank account. It’s useful when you are traveling, so no need to take bigger cash amount with you. As well if you are a student, you can ask to transfer you scholarship amount to account (maybe not all universities will agree, but at least you can try to ask ;)).

In Indonesia you will find private, governmental or half governmental banks. Which one to choose you can ask couple of local people or students. Most probably they will be using that bank that gives the smallest amount of fees, don’t charge for cashing money in ATM’s. As well check which bank’s ATM is nearest your living, working or studying place. Some of supermarkets “Indomaret”, “Alfamart” have ATM’s too. But not all banks and not all this brand supermarkets gives opportunity to cash the money.

If you want to open your bank account you will need your ID card or passport, visa (KITAS or another one which allows you to stay in Indonesia longer than like a tourist) and if you are student – student card.

Driving license

You must have international driving license if you plan to drive in Bali. If you don’t have – it’s matter of your negotiating skills when you will be stopped by policemen. In Bali policemen are most “hungry” to “hunting” foreigners and get some extra money.

In other places, the main thing policemen will check motorbikes technical passport (brown paper). So be sure that when you will rent motorbike to get this document and check if it’s still valid. And usually policemen don’t ask foreigners to show driving license. In worst case, just show any document (ID) from your country :).

If you want to buy motorbike you need to get as well blue bigger book – owners documents. My advice to buy motorbike in your city, in another case, you will need to go to another city to extend your documents all the time.

You can get Indonesian driving license as well. You should have permission to live in Indonesia and will need to pass theoretical and practical exams.

Laundry

Like probably at home you won’t have washing machine, at least time to time you would like to use laundry service rather that washing all blankets by hands and etc. Different places can give you different prices. For example in some places you will pay for a kilos of laundry and if you want to wash blankets, bags and similar stuff they can ask for it separately money.  Other places ask money not for kilos but for the stuff that you give – jeans, jackets and etc. and they will calculate separately each cloth.

Around your place you will see quite many laundry services, try to wash in different ones and see how quick which works, how pack washed things, working hours and then choose which one suit you best.

Important thing – sometimes you can lost your clothes in laundry or find something that not belongs for you. As well in laundry they don’t wash separately white and dark clothes – everything goes together. So after some time light close can change color. As well they use only cold water and sometimes your clothes can be damaged. Doesn’t matter which place you choose – it’s just happen time to time everywhere :).

Markets

Most of the bigger markets have morning and night working time.
In the morning best time to go there till 8:00 am. They will work till ~12:00-1:00 pm, but at such time you won’t find many options left, just couple sellers. In the morning they sell mostly food.

“Night market” in the same place usually working ~6:00-~10:00 pm. At this time you can find second hand clothes, things for motorbike and etc. They sell new things as well. Best time to come to “night market” on Saturdays, but at that time will come a lot of local people as well. Some “night markets” works separately from day market in some city areas, for example in Yogyakarta, in front of Beringharjo market is parking area (in the morning). In the evening in that parking area is “night market”.

Bathing water cleaning

Like you know (probably?) – in Indonesia mostly using cold water. Often it’s taken from borehole by automatic pump, in some places people as well use well. The water is low quality, it’s treated with chemicals (DON’T drink it from the tap).

After some time using such water with combination of sweat, dust, sun and etc. it can start irritate your skin (even influence your hair condition). Every person’s skin can react differently – can start acne, other skin problems (or maybe nothing at all ;)).

I found out that cleaning often the water trough and plastic dipper helps to prevent some skin problems.

What you should try to prevent skin problems (what I do):

  • At least couple times per week, in the evening, put “Dettol” bottles 2 filler-cap to almost empty water trough. Let the water with the cleaning liquid stay over the night. In the morning let out all water away and clean all water trough. Then give a rinse couple of times and full fill the new water.
  • Every couple of days let out all water and brushes all water trough walls. Again give a rinse couple of times and full fill the new water.
  • At least once per week, clean plastic dipper with “Dettol” like water trough, just put dipper to a bucket, to clean not only inside but outside side as well.
  • After some time using dipper buy a new one, depends on dipper condition, decide when is better to change it.

As well I’m using “Asepso” soap, to prevent skin from acne.

If you got any skin problems and cleaning bathing water doesn’t help after sometime, I suggest to visit the doctor.

Protection from “pets”

In Indonesian houses sooner or later you will see couple of frequent visiting “pets”: ants, lizards, geckos, cockroach, and maybe mice.

From lizards and geckos, you won’t probably find protection – and no need :). They are not harmful. Just time to time, maybe, you will need to clean their shit, hear them and see falling from ceilings, running through walls in any places.

Cockroach not harmful but not everyone’s feel pleasure to see them running from corner to corner, flying over your head. If you really can’t stand them, try to spry on them couple of times with spry from mosquitoes. For a moment they will be still very alive, but then you will see how poison kills them (so don’t spry too much and expect that effect will be sudden ;)).

Most harmful are ants and mice. Both of them like your food that you may leave not carefully closed. As well ants like to live I wooden parts of doors or windows.

  • First of all keep your food in bigger plastic boxes (or other type boxes, bags) closed properly.
  • Clean the dishes that contain any sweet things (ants love sugar and you will see how quick they will “attack” your cup of coffee that is even already empty).
  • Don’t keep longer that for 2 days fresh vegetables or fruits that you already cut (if you don’t have a fridge).
  • Take out often trash bin with food remains from the house.
You can buy chalk from insects and draw around places that you don’t want ants to come. After some time you need to repeat this action. If it’s doesn’t work, put the salt on the place that you see ants are coming from.

 

If mice disturb you too much and make any harm – you can buy poisons.  I tried several but only once helped. The main thing that when the mice eats this poison, after some time you even don’t feel any smell or know where mice disappeared. Just be careful taking the poison from the box, better do it with napkins or tissue, not straight with hands.

 

Hope this information will help you during your stay in Indonesia :).


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Tips for safe travel in Lombok island

Lombok is a very beautiful island with various things which you can see and do there. As well, it’s not too big, so most destinations you can reach by driving a couple of hours. Most travelers come to Lombok during the dry season and to the most popular destinations, like Senggigi, Kuta beaches, 3 Gili islands and etc. But during the rainy season, in some places, you feel like spending time in a small part of paradise – no people and surrounding just breath-taking.

Heymondo insurance discountOn another hand, sometimes in paradise as well can be some danger. I think, the main thing – if you hear that people warn you, take it seriously. You are just a guest, no matter from which country, how strong you are and etc. Don’t overvalue yourself in other countries, where people live, think, and act differently than in your surroundings.

When people talk about bad experiences, others, sometimes start to think, that this can’t happen to them. That’s why, a long time I didn’t want to share this post, but some happenings with foreigners in Lombok, made me change my mind. I don’t say that “don’t go to Lombok, it’s dangerous” (like bad things can happen in any place around the world). I just want to share what you need to be careful about. Then you will have safe travel in Lombok and I believe you will fully enjoy the trip.

When we were planning a trip to Lombok (for 3 weeks in the rainy season) I read some stories about not nice experiences there. But at that time I thought “Ok, people were just unlucky, maybe some things happen because of their own behavior, nothing bad can happen with us”. When we arrived and met with Indonesian friends, showed our route map – we got the same warnings from them, saying in which parts of Lombok we should be more careful. Then I started to worry a bit more. So we followed their suggestions and advice. I’m happy that nothing happened to us, but we saw and heard stories from locals, foreigners who had incidents at that time there.

So here are tips for safe travel in Lombok

When is safer to travel?
You know that crimes never choose time or place, anything can happen anytime. But there are some common things that happen recently in Lombok.

In Indonesia, there are only 2 seasons – dry and rainy. In Lombok even during the rainy season can be drier than in other islands. For example, during our 3 weeks trip, was raining only a couple of times and at night.

In the dry season in Lombok will be more travelers. In any destination you will go to, you will meet people on the way, on the beaches, visiting other places. Less chance to happen something bad. Like more people will be around who could help you in emergency case and more witness if somebody would want to robber you. But more people around as well as bad side – hard to see who, when and how made a crime.

In the rainy season – everywhere is fewer people, on the roads as well. And around some roads don’t live anyone, so more chances for crimes. But if you will follow advice about timing, how to take care of your things, which roads not to choose – everything will be fine.

You should know as well that the low season in Lombok counted from January to June; September to December. Low season is a great time to negotiate deals on accommodations and find cheap hotel packages.
The high season is in July; September; Chinese New Year and Easter week. Accommodation is harder to find and almost as expensive as in peak season. Roads aren’t as congested as at their peak, but it is still difficult to get around with ease.
Peak time is in August; from the end of December to the beginning of January. The roads become heavily congested. Expect to pay almost double for accommodations, will be harder to barge with sellers. As well the same condition will be during the Indonesian holidays.

How to choose safer place to stay?
Don’t search only for the cheapest accommodation. Like it’s most probably will be a bit further from peoples living area, center. Choose places where some other hostels/hotels/home-stays are, around lives local people. Important as well, to check if that place has a secured parking area. Like there are people who steal motorbikes just in front of hotels – if there is no security.

In Sekotong we stayed in Krisna Bungalows and restaurant (Tripadvisor), in Kuta Lombok – Seger Reef. Both places were with security parking, a fence around the territory.

Which time of the day is not safe?
Our local friends suggested we come back to a place where we stay till 8 pm. This advice they gave us for Mataram city and South part of Lombok.
After last praying in mosques, roads are quite empty and you, like a foreigner, can be more interesting for criminals.
Which crimes happen more often?
Stealing. Thief takes belongings in beaches. As well as steal motorbikes and belongings while you are driving or in parking areas. Motorbikes they steal not only from foreigners but from local people as well.

How motorbikes are stolen on the way? First of all, thieves making situations when you need to slow down while you are driving. Usually, it’s 2 motorbikes, one comes in front and makes the situation you to slow down (like they know you are foreigner, will try drive-by rules and won’t go in front of them), and another driver comes beside you, tries to take the keys from your motorbike. Motorbike finally stops or you stop it and they take it from you threaten by knives.
Really pay attention to what’s ahead of you, if you see anything blocking your way, quickly turn around and go to the nearest village.

Scammers – you can meet them everywhere (read below about them).

On the hills
Beautiful rice paddies view on the way through the hills
Which roads are safer?
If you are planning to drive by yourself – choose the main roads. Yes, the trip time can be longer, but there you will be safer (better road condition, more people drive through it).

If you will drive from North or Central Lombok to the South part, you probably will pass some roads through the hills. There won’t be many villages or people. As well you can get lost (no signs on the way). So if you will need to ask directions – don’t stop to ask it in younger men groups (just not to give them a “sign” that you are “easy spoil”). Stop to ask the way to women, elder people. Probably they won’t speak English but show them the final destination spot and use body language. Of course better if you would learn a couple of Bahasa Indonesian expressions for asking the way. But don’t trust first met people fully – Indonesian people are very polite, even if they don’t know the answer, they want to help you and will try to figure out it. Maybe will say not the right direction. So to be sure, ask more people in the same area. Kids can be very helpful as well.

Our experience: we had a situation when we a bit lost in the hills on the way to the South part. We stopped in motorbike service, there were guys hanging around. My friend was Indonesian, so he asked for the directions. They told them the way but as well asked him a strange question “This girl is a virgin? If yes, leave her here, we will know what to do with her”. Even if it was a joke, it’s not nice at all, especially knowing that in Lombok there are some crimes happening.

You should know that people who live in the hills area don’t meet foreigners so often. Don’t feel strange if they will stare at you. Just in other islands people wondering and smiling when looking at you, in Lombok, I didn’t feel comfortable when people were looking at me – it was a very straight, deep look with a flat face.

Which destinations are not safe?
Ask the administrator in place you are staying, which roads to choose, and go through them, even if it will be long ones. Listen to what locals will say and don’t ignore their advice, they live there most of their lives, so they know more.

Be extra careful and never to stop for anything in these areas:

  • Awang
  • Tanjung Aan
  • All the way towards Selong Belanak
  • All the way towards Pink beach
  • Are Guling

Our experience: from Kuta Lombok, we wanted to go to Pink beach by a route which was more close, an administrator in the hotel was laughing and asking “From where you came, that you are so brave to go through this way?”. He recommended choosing a longer way but safer – we listen to him. Like we were in Lombok during the rainy season when fewer people around, so we didn’t want to give opportunities to be robbed.

As well on the way from Sekotong to Bangko Bangko guys who were collecting money on the road advised us to be careful and park motorbike near our staying, keep eye on it. We did that like if your motorbike left alone in parking place without any other people, it’s very easy to steal.

We met on the way to one surfer who was going to Gerupuk bay and we saw stones in his motorbike pockets. We asked why he has them. He told that day before some robbers tried to steal a motorbike from him while he was driving. So he decided to have some stones with him in case if somebody would try to do it again. Like if he will take a knife it can be the worst and stones you can just through to a driver, injure him and he will slow down his motorbike.

In Kuta home-stay as well we saw one girl who was injured in the same road day before. The thief stole her motorbike and all her belongings when she was driving. So better drive a motorbike with someone, don’t drive alone.

After taking with people we met who were attacked, we didn’t take with us any bags or purse. Just some amount of money (not all) and phone that we kept under the seat, so visually we looked like not carrying anything. As well after meeting that surfer, we collect some stones and put them in the plastic bag in front. Maybe it sounds funny, but we just wanted to be safe in any case.

So if you go somewhere try to keep as few as possible things with you, not much money, documents (better have copies with you, original leave in a safe place).

What you should know about trekking in Mt. Rinjani?
If you want trekking on Mt. Rinjani you need to take a guide. No matter how high you want to climb. Do you think you are an amateur in trekking and nothing hard just go by the path? It’s not right thinking. Like after rainy season some paths are ruin, guides searching for new ones, they know surroundings and know what to do if something happens. As well trekking in Mt. Rinjani not so easy – you need somebody to lead you.

Don’t enter Mt. Rinjani national park in places that are not “official” entrances. At the official entrance – you will be registered as a traveler and if something will happen people will know that you are missing and will try to find you. There are many cases when overconfident travelers were trying to find “illegal” ways to enter the national park and not pay the entrance fees, wanted trekking without a guide, and what happens? They lost.  Some of them broke body parts and couldn’t take care of themselves. They were staying a couple of days without food, water, camping equipment, and nobody knew that in the national park there is such a person. Only in the hotel, after couple of days people started to ask where is the guest and informed police that the guest didn’t come back a couple of days. Somebody heard that he planned trekking and then the rescue team was searching for him in Mt Rinjani. Luckily they found him. Probably you don’t want to be in such a situation? You can read more stories even which ended with death.

As well, during the rainy season trekking in Mt. Rinjani is forbidden. It’s quite dangerous; the water from the mountain can come with the very strong and high stream. There will be “guides” who will still suggest their service to lead you (of course not to the top) even during the rainy season. Just because they want to get extra money without thinking that it can be dangerous. Especially for people who climb there first time or trekking is not the main activity in their life’s.

So if you want trekking in Mt. Rinjani be wise choosing the right time, guides, and legal entrance – then you will avoid bad incidents.

What you should know about scammers?
You can meet them in any place and most probably each time they can be more creative. Here are our experiences.

Public ferry port

We were traveling to Lombok by public ferry from Padang Bai port in Bali. The ferry itself was safe. Yes, you are going with many other people ~4-5 hours. Of course, you need to keep eye on your stuff – but it’s the same in any journey in any country.
But in Mataram port, there are “local” rules that you should know. After you will get out from the ferry many men will suggest their transport to bring you to any destination in Lombok: straight to Gilis, Kuta Lombok, or other places. There are no public transports, so you need to use their service, even if you won’t just go to Mataram center.

Yes, they have taxis, that you could use, BUT no taxi will go to the port. Why? Because locals won’t allow them to enter that area, they want to earn money suggesting their cars/buses.
We thought it’s a joke. But when we called the taxi and asked to pick up us (like those man’s transport prices were too crazy, we knew that trip cost less), the taxi refused to come straight to port. They asked us to come to a “meeting point” in one of the shops. Till that place, it’s walking distance ~20 min. But even we went there, the taxi didn’t show up. One guy was following us from the port and all the time suggesting his car, we told that “We are waiting for a taxi, we are fine”. He was just laughing and said – “Taxi won’t come here, they are afraid and we don’t allow them to enter”. So in the late evening, waiting more than 30 min. for taxi finally agree to take that man service (for 80 000 Rp till Mataram center). His price was much cheaper than those who were in front of the port.

My advice:

  • In ferry find other travelers and agree to share the transport costs (like it will be quite high, they know that you don’t have any other option to get out from port)
  • Negotiate. If the price that they offer still too high, just start walk away and somebody for sure will suggest a better price. But don’t be rude, negotiate in a polite way :).

Entering temples

Many temple’s entrances is based on donations (but not all), but nobody regulates it. So local people living around already have a “donation amount” that can ask from you before entering. They present themselves as workers, responsible people, and collects money (where it goes nobody knows). In some places, the amount is quite normal 10 000 Rp per person, but in some temples, they ask hundreds of Rupiahs just for entering, then additional money for parking. You won‘t get any tickets for sure – like it‘s a donation.

If you want to enter without a donation – people won‘t allow you. Most of the time in such places gathering 5-10 local men, so trying to negotiate with them or say that it’s donation-based and it’s impossible. We had a situation when “workers” asked from each of us ~60 000 Rp for entrance and separately for motorbike parking. For us, it was too big an amount and we told us like it’s donation-based we will leave how much we can. They didn’t agree with that, became angry and told us that we need to pay how much they said. Other guys saw that we try to negotiate and don’t pay at once, started gathering around – trying to frighten us. We could just go inside but we started to think that they can damage our motorbike-like revenge after we will come back. So we decided just to leave that place and continue our trip to another place. Even if they saw that we won’t pay and leaving they didn’t suggest a lower price.

Entering beaches

As well to enter many beaches you will need to pay plus pay for parking – situation the same as with temples. It’s not legal, but local people try to earn money like this. The gathering together around and won’t let you go inside till you won’t pay – so just don’t be too brave. If you want to come back to the same place you will need to pay again, no matter if they will say that you need to pay just once.

Also, remember that nothing is free. You can see some bunks on the beach and nobody will be around to inform you that if you want to use them, you will need to pay. People will come to you when you will decide to leave and ask quite a big amount of money. Will start to explain to you about more hours you were using it than it was.

About how works motorbikes scammers you can read here.

Extra tip for safe travel in Lombok

Beware of buying local alcohol from your “new friendly friends” (it’s common in all of Indonesia). They can suggest you a cocktail, try a local drink and etc. Seems adventurous to drink something that it’s forbidden BUT their cases when people died after drinking alcohol in Indonesia. People are mixing or make alcohol be diluted with methanol. Do you know that it’s very dangerous? You can google some news about it. Some insights here.

All trips will be safe if you won’t overvalue yourself and will hear, follow advice and warnings. Don’t be brave – be smart and wise before deciding to do something and your journey will be just amazing!


Travel tips for traveling in Lombok
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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

  • Have you been to Lombok island? Did you feel safe there?
  • Do you have any other travel tips on how to stay safe during trips?
  • Have you faced any scammers while you were traveling in Asia?

 

Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

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Vaccinations for Indonesia

You can find many information what kind of vaccinations for Indonesia you may need, if you are planning to come to here for longer time (or shorter). But the risks to health whilst traveling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities in Indonesia, length of stay, in which part of Indonesia you will stay and general health of the traveler. As well maybe some of the vaccines you already got in the childhood?

It’s recommended that you consult with your general practitioner or practice nurse 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. They will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travelers can’t be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.

Travel insurance cover covid 19

My suggestion:

    • First of all check in your medical report which vaccines you got in the childhood and for how long it valid (or ask your parents)
    • Second, talk with the doctor, give as much as possible information – where exactly you will stay in Indonesia, for how long, what are your plans for traveling around.

The doctor will recommend vaccines and you can choose which one you really need. Don’t make too many vaccines just because of safety. Many things will depend on you, for example where you will eat, how you will take care of your hygiene, how you prevent yourself from mosquitoes and etc.

Before coming to Indonesia I made such vaccines:

      • Hepatitis A (I manage to make only 2 before coming and after all I found out that I didn’t need this one at all, like I got it in childhood)
      • Hepatitis B (I made 2 before coming to Indonesia and 3rd in Indonesia)
      • Tetanus-diphtheria
      • Typhoid

 

Which vaccines to make suggest some internet sources (you can find and other recommendations)
  • Courses or boosters usually advised: Diphtheria; Hepatitis A; Tetanus; Typhoid.
  • Other vaccines to consider: Cholera; Hepatitis B; Japanese Encephalitis; Rabies.
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travelers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Notes on the diseases mentioned above:

  • Cholera: spread through consumption of contaminated water and food. More common during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. It would be unusual for travelers to contract cholera if they take basic precautions with food and water and maintain a good standard of hygiene.
  • Diphtheria: spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Risk is higher if mixing with locals in poor, overcrowded living conditions.
  • Hepatitis A: spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.
  • Hepatitis B: spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.
  • Japanese Encephalitis: spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. This mosquito breeds in rice paddies and mainly bites between dusk and dawn. Risk is higher for long stay travelers to rural areas, particularly if unable to avoid mosquito bites.
  • Rabies: spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when per-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite.
  • Tetanus: spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.
  • Typhoid: spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.
Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.
  • Malaria risk is present in most areas, except Jakarta municipality, main cities, urban areas and the main tourist resorts, throughout the year. Risk is highest in rural areas and in the five eastern provinces of East Nusa Tengarra, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua and West Papua.
  • In North Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Borneo/Kalimantan, Central, South East and North Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara, risk is not high enough to warrant antimalarial tablets for most travelers, however, it may be considered for certain groups who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen.
  • There is low to no risk in Jakarta municipality, the main cities, urban areas and the main tourist resorts, including Bali and Java.
  • Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets. Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is the first choice.
  • Malaria precautions: avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
  • If you have been traveling in a malaria’s area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly.
  • Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
  • If traveling to high risk malaria’s areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.
Dengue Fever
A viral illness that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads dengue bites during the day and is more common in urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, severe joint, bone and muscular pain – hence its other name “break bone fever”. There is no vaccine and prevention is through avoidance of mosquito bites. Every 5 years in Indonesia exist outbreak of Dengue fever, this year (2015) was the 5th year, so many people got it.

Some information used from internet sources.

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