"Irian Jaya-tips from my "end-of-mission"... " a Papua Province Travel Page by carolerica

CURRENCY:
Rp. (roupiah) (1USD roughly equals Rp. 8500, but subject to big fluctuations)

VISA:
First check with the Foreign Affairs Ministry of your country wheather you can get a “tourist” visa upon entering Indonesia, at the airport. If you can (like most european countries, except the Netherlands) you can make it in a booth either on the right or left hand side just before immigration. It takes about 10mn do be done, allows you 30 days in the country, not extendable, and costs USD 25.

SECURITY:
In Jakarta some places are better not to go to at night!!! Otherwise, I never had any problem in Irian Jaya, but must admit that I stayed in when night fell.

HEALTH:
This place has malaria, so bring the usual pills, otherwise, you can find some medication at local pharmacies (apothek). Bring some sun lotion as well, it’s hard to find good quality sunscreen with a high exposure in remote places, but you’ll find it all in Jakarta, and all the touristic places in Indonesia (Papua is NOT a tourist destination!!!). And also good mosquito repellent if you go in the jungle! And in Papua, use an electric mosquito repellent, such as Baygon (sold in any supermarket, even in Papua!!!)

COMMUNICATIONS:
Get a cell SIM CARD from Simpati Telkomcell. Go for the 100.000 Rp. recharge cards since communication can be quite expensive, and if you’re in Papua, then you’ll have to pay the roaming (when people call you, you pay half the price, and that’s a lot). Use SMS (mini-messages) it works real well is far more cheaper then a one minute conversation!

INTERNET:
In Jakarta there are some internet cafes, or just use the exorbitantly charged business center of the hotel.
In Biak, great internet café, works fast, on the corner of the Arumbai hotel.
Otherwise, you can try to connect your computer to telkomnet, even though picking up the line is a bit tricky, don’t hesitate to try 6 or 7 times, then give up and use faxes!!!! Connection to internet cost 150Rp. A minut, but since you use the hotel line, they charge what they want.
Username: telkomnet@instan
Password: telkom
Tel to dial: 080989999

TRANSLATOR:
It’s really necessary to have one in Papua, or you get crazy (I did!!!), and to find one, it’s almost mission impossible… really hard to find someone who speaks good enough English, and is available!!!

Accommodation: I first stayed in Le Meriedien Hotel, in Jakarta. It has all the facilities you wish, but internet is VERY EXPENSIVE at the business centre. I also stayed at Gran Melia, nice, but far from city centre. Then I stayed at the Aston, which his an apartment hotel, and kept on returning there, good price (3 bed room appartement for 100USD/night, including taxes), good service (except for business centre, they have crazy prices), mall 3mn walking distance from it!!!
In Biak, I stayed at the Arumbai hotel, in town. A bit crappy, but right next to a very efficient internet café!!! The best hotel is the Nirmala BEACH hotel (not to be confused with gloomy Nirmala hotel in town). Very nice, but real fart and not accessible other then by expensive taxi or private car!!!
In Jayapura, I actually stayed in Sentani, closer to the Kapubaten and Bupati’s office (45km closer!!!) at the Sentani Indah hotel… not that great, but has a swimming pool, and NO INTERNET CAFES in this town! I made friends with missionaries from Mission Aviation Fellowship who let me used their internet. Otherwise, go to Telkom Kontor to send international faxes.
In Merauke, I first stayed at the Nirmala hotel, since all was booked up… no hot water there. Then I moved to the Asmat hotel, with hot water, but a bit noisy!!! Nice, very, very nice staff there! No internet, and the only place to send faxes international is the Telkom office (say Telkom Kontor!) 4km away!!!
In Sorong, the Mariat is the best, but has prices outrageous. The next best is Grand Pacific Hotel, be sure to take a room far from the karaoke bar!!! Hot water, satellite TV, but almost no one speaks English. No internet cafes either there!
In Serui nothing special to recommend, Merpati Inn is I think the nicest of the creepy hotels!!!
Nabire, they had an earthquake in February 2004, so the buildings have suffered!!!

Transportation: Taxis, or find someone with a car who would take you around…. I used so many that I can’t give real advices!!! In Jakarta the traffic is a real night mare!!! Take your time, or use the transjakarta bus system, it goes faster!!! But the lines are limited!!!
In Irian Jaya, the mico buses are very easy to use, they always follow the same route, and are quite inexpensive!!! And you'll be their attraction!!!!

Well, if you are lucky to be in Bali, no comment!!! In Jakarta the puppet museum I thought was very interesting and worth visiting.
In Biak there are some nice places to go to, such as the water falls in the north, or the orchid garden with beautiful birds… Again, I used the Lonely planet on WE to try to visit some places.
In Merauke, there is strictly nothing to do at all!!! Besides going to the beach for great see breeze and suns sets in the evening!!!
Serui has nice walks out of town, nice beaches.
Sorong has nothing to offer, besides many creepy bars full of prostitutes!!! However, their is a great dive resort not that far, 1h30 by boat... Papua diving! The diving is great, the staff so nice, the premisses so indonesian!!!
Sentani has a beautiful lake and you can visit were McArthur had his headquarters, a great view on the lake from the top of the mountain. A very very nice beach ouest of Sentani/Jayapura, go to the village Depapre to catch a boat there, worth to organise for a full day, and pretend you’re Robinson Crusoe on a deserted island with spotless white sand beach, a nice reef to snorkel (bring your gear), and coconut trees!!! Bring your own food!!! (bargain hard to get a good price for the boat, and a car to bring you and pick you up!!!)
Some diving is possible, but a bit complicated to arrange when you’re on your own (they prefer groups!). Diving in Biak is easier to organise, their is a nice dive center there. The diving is sublime in Papua, so if you can, go for it!!!