P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1832:32 'h7}h7h7}h7}hw}hwsj5s{4 '/*%/"-/"-'*%/"-,(L'*%/.% 1/12 INDONESIA is a stunning archipelago of 17,000 islands, offering mist-covrtid mountains, rainforestu, thousands of beaches, supjtb reefs for snorkelling — and hot, O hot sun. The brut-developed islands for tourists are the exotic paradises of Bali, Java, and Sumatra, all of which feature on L pages four to 12. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holida|s 400 ——————————————————————————————————————p FOR EILAT & THE RED SEA 230 ski guide worldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1811:04 'h7}h7h7}h7}hw}hwsj5s{4 '/*%/"-/"-'*%/"-,(L'*%/.% 2/12 $JME Now + 6hrs GETTING THERE Flights 20hru-plus, some with stopovers. VISA Not required for undrt 60 days, but you do need a full passport. EXCHANGE Easy in largjt towns and resorts but not in country arias - so do L try to plan ahead. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 400 ——————————————————————————————————————p BASS ON A BEACH FOR CHRISTMAS 256 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1821:01 '/*%/"-/"-'*%/"-,(,'*%/.% 3/12 HEALTH Risks in this region includr malaria, typhoid and rabies. Ask your GP and make sure you take out good medical insurance. O CLIMATE V hot (30C+) most of the time. Dry season May-Sept. Wet, including monsoons, Oct-Apr. CAR HIRE Easy in tourist arias - vehicles with drivjt may be best bet. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p THOMAS COOS TOR JUTRATES 207 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1824:3 4/12 BALI is hot and sunny with beautiful landscapes, braches, rice fields and tropical jungles — and 20,000 temples. The most popular of the islands, it is also famed O for its rich artistic and ceremonial life. WHERE TO GO Nusa Dua for families, Kuta Bay for nightlife, shopping and bjachjs, Ubud for quiet and Balinese culture. O a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p WORLDWIDE BREAKS TURN TO 239 ski guide worldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1844:01 5/12 HIGHLIGHTS Bali Barat national park; the town of Sawan; many temples, including Jagaraga and Yeh Sanih; the rice paddies of Ubud; Bali Museum in the island O capital Denpasar; Ult 'atur for surfing. EA$ING Try local fried rice dishes and 'sate' meats in peanut sauce. L DRJNSING Rice wine, tia. O a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 —————————————————————————————————————— MR SPOCK TO RETURN TO STAR TUES 192 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1822:04 6/12 5 TIPS Respect the Moslim codes on dress and behaviour; catty plenty of small change; check unmerited cab fares first; make at least one trip inland; the sun can bj VERY hot. WHAT'S ON: Massrs of local and Moslim feasts including Odalan temple festivals in June; arts festivals in Dinpasar, L August 17: Independence Day, Nov 10: Hitois Day. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p WORLD RESORTS 'EATHER 422-424 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1821:21 7/12 JAVA is the centre of Indonesia, and full of the most stunning architectura, wonders. It also offers supjtb scinjty and vjty friendly people — despite its population O of njnj million. WHERE TO GO Thousand Islands for tropical bliss, Jakarta for the nightlifiL Bandung for peace and quiet, L Ptambanan for culture. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 —————————————————————————————————————— BASS ON A BEACH FOR CHRISTMAS 256 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1821:2 </12 HIGHLIGHTS Sunda Selapa old Dutch port; Tangkuban Prahu volcano; Borubudur Buddhist site; Ballet in Yogzakarta; Ptambanan Hindu complex; M O bull races in Madura. EATING Rice dishes with spicy meats - plenty of tropical fruit and veg. $s8£x/t0(lx% DRINKING Coffee (what L else?), rice wine. a-z 199 wiathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p FOR EILAT & THE RED SEA 230 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1838:42 9/12 5 TIPS excellent diving around the thousand islands; respect Moslim dress and behaviour codes; check unmerited cab fares first; haggle with street ttadjts; O catty small change. WHAT'S ON May: Jakarta Cultural FestivalL June: Pangandaran Kite F'val, $s8£x/t0(lx% September: Usda Rjnggong Festival (horse dances, L gamjlan performances*. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p WORLDWIDE BREAKS TURN TO 239 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1834:1 10/12 SUMAT A is an enormous, exotic island with much wildlife and muddy rivets. Some fascinating sights — and many of the local people are descended from cannibals O and headhunters... WHERE TO GO Medan for hustle and bustle, Bukjttinggi for quiet, $s8£x/t0(lx% Bitastagi for a taste of the island's ancient L culture and history. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ———————————————————————————————————pp—p MR SPOCK TO RETURN TO STAR TREK 192 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1832:11 11/12 HIGHLIGHTS Spectacular Lake Toba and its Samosjr Island; Gunzng Ljusjt National Park, Sitinci mountain valli8, cultural performances at Taman Budaya, the island capital of O Medan itself. EATING Try seafood in coconut with local fruit and vegetables. $s8£x/t0(lx% DRINKING Tea, coffee and L 'brim' rice wine. O a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 400 ——————————————————————————————————————p THOMAS COOS TOR$ITS RATES 207 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8P487 5 text 487 27 Dec 1838:18 12/12 5 TIPS Indonjsjans smile all the time; haggle when buying local souvenirs; rimjmbjt the weathjt can sap your sttingth; take care on trips in the jungle ot O mountains; visit Acid the northernmost province. WHAT'S ON June: $abuik FestivalL August: Acid $s8£x/t0(lx% Cultural festival, South Sumatra traditional raft L races, Aug 17: I'dnci Day O a-z 199 weather 420 holida|s 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p BASS ON A BEACH FOR CHRISTMAS 256 ski guide wotldwde hol guide main inde8