In Part 1, which is available for viewing here, we looked at Indonesia’s most popular backpacking locations which provide visitors with a feel and impression for the entire country. In Part 2, we delve a little deeper and turn our attention to the country’s transport infrastructure and how best to move around, Indonesian cuisine and its most popular dishes, society and culture, and the accommodation options available to those backpacking and moving through the islands.
Transport
When traveling through any country on a budget, one of the most important considerations a backpacker will have to make is how to travel around the country on the cheap. Once an itinerary has been finalised and the list of places to visit is confirmed, how to get there is the next issue to contend with. Indonesia is an island nation, with over 17,000 islands in fact, so moving around is not as straightforward as one would hope. There are, however, numerous options available to suit everyone.
Boat / Ferry
The simplest and most natural way to move between the islands of Indonesia is by boat or ferry. The larger islands will have a number of different port terminals at which to arrive and depart from, and numerous different companies will operate a choice of routes to both the main or nearby isolated and smaller islands. Although the cost of traveling by ferry is low and not much of a concern to most travelers, health and safety can be an issue. Every year in Indonesia overcrowded boats capsize causing serious injuries and even death. While the government is taking steps to improve safety, individual passengers should remain vigilant when traveling by sea.
Train
The island of Java is really the only part of Indonesia with a viable rail network. The capital city of Jakarta is well connected to most parts of the island and traveling by train offers a quick and easy way to move around the island. A typical overnight economy ticket from Jakarta to Yogyakarta or Surabaya will cost in the region of US$12 one way.
Bus
The most convenient way of moving between most towns and cities in Indonesia is by bus. National and private companies have a wide choice of routes and many will offer passengers a combination of ferry and bus tickets if traveling between islands. Again, costs are quite low and are usually priced at around US$1 for each hour of travel. Be warned, however, Indonesia’s roads are in poor condition and travel by bus can be slow.
Air
Given the distance between some locations, travel by air can often be the quickest form of travel. Airlines such as AirAsia, Lion Air and Express Air operate numerous travel routes throughout the country. In total, there are over 20 domestic airline companies, so bargains and cheap fares are there for those willing to search them out.
Accommodation
When looking for accommodation in Indonesia, one of the big positives is the fact that most hostels are actually in the form of guest houses. While large groups traveling together can still find a traditional style hostel that will allow up to eight guests share a room, most guest houses comprise single or double rooms with their own private bathroom.
Costs are very reasonable too, ranging from US$3 – US$20 per night for a double room. Prices at the higher end of the scale are typically found for accommodation in Jakarta, Bali and other popular destinations and will include air-conditioning, and a daily cleaning and laundry service.
Food
National cuisine in Indonesia is wonderful and full of variety. Food and snacks are available just about everywhere, with hawker stands and food stalls dotted along most streets. These vendors will typically sell large bowls of ready made meals for as little as US$2. Snacks and other smaller items such as meat skewers are even cheaper. Those looking to sit down inside a restaurant can expect to pay around US$10 for a full meal, excluding drinks.
Rice, noodles and sambal constitute most of these street foods. Indonesians love chilli and add sambal sauce to everything, vegetables included. Those not used to eating spicy foods may take some time getting used to Indonesian cuisine, but there are usually plenty of non-sambal foods available too. Some of the country’s most famous dishes include nasi goreng, beef rendang and satay.
Nightlife
As a majority Muslim country, alcohol is not widely available. Most restaurants and street vendors will sell water, fruit juices and soft drinks with their meals. Some of the more popular tourist areas will have a small number of bars and nightclubs, and prices here can range between US$2 – US$5 for a bottle of local beer, Bintang. A cover charge may also apply at some nightclubs in Jakarta and Bali.
Culture and Society
Indonesia is a vibrant and ethnically diverse country with many different traditions. There are over 300 ethnic groups, many of which speak their own language and have their own unique cultural aspects. Arts, music, architecture, cuisine, crafts and textiles are just some of the ways the various ethnic groups express their identity. Overall however, the diversity and social interaction between ethnic groups are a major reason why so many backpackers and tourists visit Indonesia each year.
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