About Sri Lanka and Indonesia
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Nelek wrote:
i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer.
Nelek wrote:
What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)?
You plan to drive there? Google Map says "cannot get driving directions from Germany to Indonesia", so I tried Germany to Vietnam, it is about 12000 km and it is only 7 days 11 hours of non-stopping driving. ;)
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Nelek wrote:
i'm planning a big trip
I find clown shoes and an unobtrusive step provides the best success rate. ;) Oh and a couple of big glasses of gin before hand will probably help too... :-D Sorry ... can' resist. :-O
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
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Nelek wrote:
i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer.
Nelek wrote:
What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)?
You plan to drive there? Google Map says "cannot get driving directions from Germany to Indonesia", so I tried Germany to Vietnam, it is about 12000 km and it is only 7 days 11 hours of non-stopping driving. ;)
Driving to Vietnam! who are you the wehrmacht?
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
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Nelek wrote:
i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer.
Nelek wrote:
What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)?
You plan to drive there? Google Map says "cannot get driving directions from Germany to Indonesia", so I tried Germany to Vietnam, it is about 12000 km and it is only 7 days 11 hours of non-stopping driving. ;)
Sorry, I probably said it wrong. I am no driving from germany to destiny. I am going to rent a car there, but I am doubting on "with or without" driver. And if I choose with driver, how to find the better prices. Because through the hotels is a bit expensive.
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Nelek wrote:
i'm planning a big trip
I find clown shoes and an unobtrusive step provides the best success rate. ;) Oh and a couple of big glasses of gin before hand will probably help too... :-D Sorry ... can' resist. :-O
"State acheived after eating too many chocolate-covered coconut bars - bountiful" Chris C-B
XDDD, only a couple? With that you don't even leave your neighbourhood. If you want a big trip, you need at least two bottles. The problem will be afterwards when you try to keep the floor stable enough to walk once you reach the destiny ;P
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
(you probably know all of these) - Get your vaccination shots and all the related pills. - learn to pack tight and light. (wash on the go) - Leave your heavy hardware at home. - Do not drive; rent a car'n'driver for a day to do some sightseeing. Remember if you get involve in an accident, your insurances might not like it and worse if you are injured.
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(you probably know all of these) - Get your vaccination shots and all the related pills. - learn to pack tight and light. (wash on the go) - Leave your heavy hardware at home. - Do not drive; rent a car'n'driver for a day to do some sightseeing. Remember if you get involve in an accident, your insurances might not like it and worse if you are injured.
Watched code never compiles.
I already started with the vacunations. I guess I will buy one of those big backpack. I am not sure but I think it can be quite messy with the wheel-suitcase over there. I have read in a forum that if you have an accident over there you can even get to jail or have problems with the crow (even dangerous situations) :omg: :wtf: I think the option of self-driving has just been placed on the "no way". I will do a bit research about prices. Thanks for the anwer
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Sri Lanka This place is no longer cheap, the Govt has decided that they can build their way to recovery and that tourism will pay for it. Train are cheap and reliable (the few that run), forget driving, not as bad as India but not nice. Your typical days driver/car will cost $60/90 usd. Game parks are a joke, entry fee to Yalla is approx $50usd per couple which is fine if the stupid bastards tell you before you drive 40 minutes through the pot holes having locked the bulk of your cash in the hotel safe! We stayed at one place where the room price variaed by the owners assesment as to your worth. We got in cheap! Sri Lanka used to be nice, less so the second time and we will not be going back. Indonesia - we live next door and have never been there (Bali does not count), have no intention of going, nor the Philipines.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I already started with the vacunations. I guess I will buy one of those big backpack. I am not sure but I think it can be quite messy with the wheel-suitcase over there. I have read in a forum that if you have an accident over there you can even get to jail or have problems with the crow (even dangerous situations) :omg: :wtf: I think the option of self-driving has just been placed on the "no way". I will do a bit research about prices. Thanks for the anwer
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
There are no road signs in most places in Indonesia. So, driving yourself is out of the question. Get a local driver. Most car companies will likely include the driver in the cost of the car rental (which has been jacked up to include the driver's pay).
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Sri Lanka This place is no longer cheap, the Govt has decided that they can build their way to recovery and that tourism will pay for it. Train are cheap and reliable (the few that run), forget driving, not as bad as India but not nice. Your typical days driver/car will cost $60/90 usd. Game parks are a joke, entry fee to Yalla is approx $50usd per couple which is fine if the stupid bastards tell you before you drive 40 minutes through the pot holes having locked the bulk of your cash in the hotel safe! We stayed at one place where the room price variaed by the owners assesment as to your worth. We got in cheap! Sri Lanka used to be nice, less so the second time and we will not be going back. Indonesia - we live next door and have never been there (Bali does not count), have no intention of going, nor the Philipines.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
Thanks for your opinion. About Sri Lanka have already read some "extras" that are coming to us. I.e. Visum fee ($25) and other things that you can not avoid. In Indonesia we will be in Sumatra, Java and Bali (Lombok was in the packet too, but we want drop it from the list, too much place changing) I can imagine than things are changing (as in many other lands), but it is one of the few opportunities where my girlfriend and me will have such a big amount of holidays time together (she is medical doctor, I am industry software developer and no children at the moment), that is the reason we are going so far. I don't see any other chance to do it in the near future. I think that it will be a nice experience though. :)
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Thanks for your opinion. About Sri Lanka have already read some "extras" that are coming to us. I.e. Visum fee ($25) and other things that you can not avoid. In Indonesia we will be in Sumatra, Java and Bali (Lombok was in the packet too, but we want drop it from the list, too much place changing) I can imagine than things are changing (as in many other lands), but it is one of the few opportunities where my girlfriend and me will have such a big amount of holidays time together (she is medical doctor, I am industry software developer and no children at the moment), that is the reason we are going so far. I don't see any other chance to do it in the near future. I think that it will be a nice experience though. :)
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Given a choice I would go to Cambodia, Laos, Burma or even Thailand (not the sleaze area but Chang Mai/Chang Rai region) before I went to Indonesia.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Get travel and medical insurance. Our local news in the south-east UK reported a story of a gap-year traveller who let his insurance lapse and he was eventually badly injured in a motorbike crash (didn't wear a helmet). He was in a coma for quite a while and his family could not afford to repatriate him. Eventually a businessman loaned them something like £80K to cover his bills, etc which his family have to pay back. The lad eventually recovered but at great cost to his family. Learn the lesson from this. Don't neglect the insurance. It might seem expensive and unnecessary but ask that lad who didn't have it and I'm sure with hindsight he'd have made sure he had it. Sounds like your trip will be fun. Keep a wise head on your shoulders and you'll enjoy it.
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Get travel and medical insurance. Our local news in the south-east UK reported a story of a gap-year traveller who let his insurance lapse and he was eventually badly injured in a motorbike crash (didn't wear a helmet). He was in a coma for quite a while and his family could not afford to repatriate him. Eventually a businessman loaned them something like £80K to cover his bills, etc which his family have to pay back. The lad eventually recovered but at great cost to his family. Learn the lesson from this. Don't neglect the insurance. It might seem expensive and unnecessary but ask that lad who didn't have it and I'm sure with hindsight he'd have made sure he had it. Sounds like your trip will be fun. Keep a wise head on your shoulders and you'll enjoy it.
[joke ON] Wise head... I am not sure if I will be able to ;P [joke OFF] It is a good advice, I had already thought about. Have to inquire about my actual cover, but I guess I will get an extra package for that time. In such situations I always had to remember a very good advice my father gave me before moving abroad: Get use to slow down for a while and observe around you when you get to a new place, you will never waste your time if you pay attention, learn how people behaves and try to adapt yourself to them. It will save you a lot of embarrasing situations and help you to get a nicer feedback from the people you want to interact with for the first time [joke ON] Insurance... another object to add to the list with: jacket, umbrella and condoms. better to have and not to need, than to need and not to have ;P [joke OFF] I think (and hope) too, it will be a nice trip. Thanks for your opinion.
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Given a choice I would go to Cambodia, Laos, Burma or even Thailand (not the sleaze area but Chang Mai/Chang Rai region) before I went to Indonesia.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
We would have liked to go to Thailand as well, but in the time we have free is rain season over there. Thats one of the main reasons we looked for another area
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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[joke ON] Wise head... I am not sure if I will be able to ;P [joke OFF] It is a good advice, I had already thought about. Have to inquire about my actual cover, but I guess I will get an extra package for that time. In such situations I always had to remember a very good advice my father gave me before moving abroad: Get use to slow down for a while and observe around you when you get to a new place, you will never waste your time if you pay attention, learn how people behaves and try to adapt yourself to them. It will save you a lot of embarrasing situations and help you to get a nicer feedback from the people you want to interact with for the first time [joke ON] Insurance... another object to add to the list with: jacket, umbrella and condoms. better to have and not to need, than to need and not to have ;P [joke OFF] I think (and hope) too, it will be a nice trip. Thanks for your opinion.
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Make sure you read the T&C as well. I've heard of people who, when they needed to claim, suddenly found the insurance was void because they never revealed they once cut a finger while tying a shoelace on their left foot before 13:00 on a Tuesday. Remember, the insurance companies don't make money by paying out more than they take in premiums. BTW, if you're going to think of hiring a car, shop around for CDW before you get to the rental desk. I did and got a more comprehensive independent quote that was about 25% cheaper than the daily rate the rental companies offered. When they try to manipulate me into taking theirs I tell them, fine, I'll take it, but I'm going to use it. They soon change tack. :)
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Hi CPians, i'm planning a big trip (aprox 2 months) around Sri Lanka and Indonesia this summer. I am trying to organize as much as I can here at home but it is quite difficult to have everything tied up in such a long travel. I am not the tipical "never been out of my land" and I am pretty good adapting myself to new places, but anyways... Any tips, advices or experiences out there that I should pay attention to? What about moving out there (car + driver rental and so on)? Thanks in advanced
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Hi Nalek, a couple of tips from a software developer living in Bandung, West java, Indonesia: 1. DO NOT DRIVE (unless you are immortal. :laugh:) Now, I'm serious. You'll get a nice rental car with an English-speaking driver easily in major cities in Indonesia. Look for "Toyota Rent-a-Car" in yellow pages in your hotel room. If you prefer easy-and-simple, you can contact your travel service (or local travel service upon your arrival) to arrange a city tour. You'll get the tour _with_ the driver _and_ the car in one price :) . Don't depend on cheap public transport. It's horrible. 'Decent' mass public transport only available in the Jakarta. Other than that, if you have to choose, it's better to use taxi (with meter). You'll find "Blue Bird" taxi in most major cities in Indonesia. 2. Most school in Indonesia will be on a long holiday in June and July. So, if you will travel on those months, most sights/tourist places will be crowded especially on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). What style of travel are you interested in? Will you look for an adventure? Or romantic places? Or shopping? Or sight-seeing? Or culinary? I might be able to give you more suggestion if you tell me what you want. (sorry. I know nothing about Sir Lanka. :) ) hth, foxyland
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Hi Nalek, a couple of tips from a software developer living in Bandung, West java, Indonesia: 1. DO NOT DRIVE (unless you are immortal. :laugh:) Now, I'm serious. You'll get a nice rental car with an English-speaking driver easily in major cities in Indonesia. Look for "Toyota Rent-a-Car" in yellow pages in your hotel room. If you prefer easy-and-simple, you can contact your travel service (or local travel service upon your arrival) to arrange a city tour. You'll get the tour _with_ the driver _and_ the car in one price :) . Don't depend on cheap public transport. It's horrible. 'Decent' mass public transport only available in the Jakarta. Other than that, if you have to choose, it's better to use taxi (with meter). You'll find "Blue Bird" taxi in most major cities in Indonesia. 2. Most school in Indonesia will be on a long holiday in June and July. So, if you will travel on those months, most sights/tourist places will be crowded especially on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). What style of travel are you interested in? Will you look for an adventure? Or romantic places? Or shopping? Or sight-seeing? Or culinary? I might be able to give you more suggestion if you tell me what you want. (sorry. I know nothing about Sir Lanka. :) ) hth, foxyland
Hi foxy, thanks for the tips. We are going to rent cars, for the long ways we are doing it directly from germany, the "day tours" will be arranged on the way. I know about the overcrowed places, but there is no more possibilities for such a big trip than those dates. We are wanting to see things that deserve to be seen (I know, that sounds too vague). My girlfriend likes culture things and so on, I am more for the people-aspect, I like to know the not so turistical side. Romatic can be as well, shopping I dont think so, culinary I would like to but my GF has problems with fructose so I see it a bit difficult. I'll contact you in the future if you don't mind.
Regards. -------- M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpfull answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
