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Anonymous
I'm just back from a 2 month trip to Indonesia. Experienced Bali, Jakarta and Padang as well as surrounding areas. Anyone else here gone? It was the most amazing 2 months of my life. The food is awesome (and cheap as hell), the people are the friendliest I've ever met, the shopping is great in Jakarta and Bali and the nightlife is great everywhere. I will be returning at the end of this year hopefully to check out some other cities and visit friends I made.
>> Anonymous
Saying you've been to Bali is like saying you've been to the local shopping centre
>> Anonymous
>>3559

How easy is it to get around there if you don't want to fly? are there ferries between all the islands (or, y'know, fishing boats i could hitch a ride on) and semi-decent roads for buses?

i have this idea for a trip (that probably will never happen, but dreaming is fun) where i would go to somewhere in northern Sumatra and make my way east, to East Timor preferably. Any thoughts on the feasibility of this?
>> Anonymous
I know, I really disliked Bali. It was just a crap version of Australia. I much preferred real Indonesia, especially Java and Sumatra.

Yeah, theres ferries between all major islands and transportation is a cheap dream. Even flights are ridiculously cheap. We payed $45 to get from Padang to Jakarta on one occasion and we just rocked up at the airport 1 hour before the flight to buy them, I bet it's even cheaper if you book. City transport is the best. You meet new people and pay about 15c AUD to go almost anywhere (more expensive in Jakarta). As for ferries, they leave from harbours all around Indo, just ask when you get there. Will be cheap as shit. Roads are fine also, a few pot holes but nothing bad. Even up in the hills it's alright.

Northern Sumatra is awesome. Check out Batusangkar (cool caves and such), Medan (capital of Sumatra), Padang (my favourite city) and Bukitinggi (capital of indo during WW2)for sheer awesomeness. Transport is EVERYWHERE on the road. You can go by car, van, bus, motorbike, boat, angkot, anything you want for cheap as hell.

I highly recomend it to anyone. Beats the shit out of Thailand and other Asian tourist areas IMO.
>> Anonymous
As for feasibility of E.Timor, I reckon it would be easy if you know some Bahasa to get a boat there for a low enough cost. I think E.Timor is easier to get to than Aceh anyway. Good luck and hope you enjoy Sumatra if you go, it's fkn awesome.