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Joining point

Nick’s Pension Hotel
JL. BISMA NO.32, UBUD,
Centre of Ubud
Ubud
80571
INDONESIA
Phone: +62 361 975636

Description
Nick's Pension Hotel is a traditionally decorated haven nestled amidst lush landscaped surrounds. All rooms are fan cooled and equipped with mini bars, telephones and Internet facilities. Bathrooms are adjoined to the rooms. There is also a restaurant, lounge area and swimming pool.
http://nickshotels-ubud.com/bali-hotels/nicks-pension.html

Instructions
We can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.

If you have booked an airport transfer please proceed to the Golden Bird lounge, which is on the right side approximately 50 meters after you exit customs. Note that The Golden bird lounge is before the area where all the drivers are waiting. Please provide your name to the Golden Bird staff and they will then take you to your driver. If your flight has been cancelled and you are arriving on a different flight number than planned, please call Golden Bird on Phone number: + 62 361 701 621 / +62 361 701 111. The transfer driver will wait up to 4 hours from when your plane has landed.

If you are arriving into the domestic airport the Golden Bird Lounge is located around 50 meters after the conveyor belt (baggage claim) just before the exit gate.

Alternatively, taxis are cheap, safe and reliable. As you exit from Immigration at Denpasar you will see a sign for public taxis. Expect to pay about IDR550,000. It takes up to one and a half hours to get to Ubud from the airport.

Check-in time is 2 pm.

Bumi Ayu Bungalow
Jalan Bumi Ayu no: 8X, Sanur
Sanur
Sanur
INDONESIA
Phone: +62 361289101

Instructions
If you have pre-booked a departure transfer your transfer driver will meet you approximately 3 hours before your departure time. Please ask your leader to reconfirm your pick up time.

Alternatively the hotel can help you book a taxi to the airport. Expect to pay about IDR150,000 (increased rates at night time) for the 20-30 minute journey to the airport.

MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES:
Several mosquito-borne illnesses occur in Indonesia, including malaria, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis. The risk of infection remains low. Protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses by taking measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent and wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. Speak to your doctor about prevention and vaccinations before you travel.

RABIES:
Rabies is a risk throughout Indonesia, especially in Bali. Avoid direct contact with dogs and other animals, including monkeys. Don't feed or pat them. This includes monkeys in popular markets, tourist destinations and sanctuaries where you may be encouraged to interact with them. If bitten or scratched, immediately use soap and water to wash the wound thoroughly. Seek urgent medical attention.

Pre-exposure vaccine is available but receiving rabies vaccine prior to travel does not preclude the need for post-exposure medical evaluation and additional doses of rabies vaccine. There is a shortage of rabies vaccine in Indonesia and if you are bitten by an animal you should consider travelling to a 3rd country or your country of origin for treatment.

POISONING FROM ALCOHOLIC DRINKS:
There are known cases of poisoning from alcoholic drinks contaminated by harmful substances, most recently in Bali and Lombok. Drink only at reputable venues, avoid home-made alcohol and seek urgent medical attention if you suspect poisoning.

PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES:
Do not consume any non-prescription drugs in Indonesia, including magic mushrooms. They are highly dangerous and illegal. Indonesia carries high penalties, including the death penalty.

You'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in Indonesia. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

VEGETARIANS & VEGANS:

Strict vegetarians should be aware that a lot of Indonesian cooking contains fermented shrimp paste (terasi) as a basic ingredient. Chicken and eggs are also common in many dishes. Although there are many vegetarian options available, please ensure you are specific as possible when ordering food to ensure that your meal suits your dietary needs. 

Here are 10 quintessential dishes you have to try while travelling in Indonesia: 

1. Nasi goreng (and mie goreng)

Like most fried rice dishes, nasi goreng came about as a way to avoid wasting rice. Typically served for brekkie using leftover rice and meat from the night before, it also includes ingredients like chilli, tomato, pepper and crispy onions for added bite. Different from other Asian recipes, the Indonesian version stands out because of its earthy flavour created by caramelised soy sauce and shrimp paste.

2. Gado Gado

A melange of steamed veg and boiled eggs, drizzled in a sweet peanut sauce – gado gado is a peanut butter lover’s dream. Literally translating as “mix-mix”, this dish is exactly that, often coming served with a side of crackers, fried tempeh (fermented soybean pancake) and tofu. You’ll find gado gado in local hawker markets across the country. Not surprising when you learn it’s one of Indonesia’s five national dishes, alongside sate, soto, rendang and nasi goreng.

3. Rendang

Created by the Minangkabau people, an ethnic group from the highlands of West Sumatra, in the early 16th century, nowadays rendang is available all over Indonesia. This spicy sensation materialised as a way to keep meat from spoiling in tropical climates. Traditionally less saucy than other Indonesian curries, it’s most commonly made using beef and is often cooked for special occasions or to welcome guests.

4. Sate (satay)

You haven’t tried satay until you’ve eaten proper Indonesian sate – juicy chunks of grilled meat, fish or tofu served on a bamboo stick with a punchy peanut dipping sauce. The sauce is made by grinding together peanuts, kecap manis (a sweet, syrupy soy sauce) chillies, lime and shallots. As the home of sate, you’ll find this Indonesian food staple on menus everywhere, from street food carts to fine dining restaurants.

5. Tempeh

Remarkably, tempeh is the only major soy-based foodstuff not to come from China. This fermented soybean cake is particularly popular with the people of Java and is a really important source of protein, much like tofu. Sliced and then fried, tempeh can be eaten on its own, with sambal, or as part of a salad, sandwich or stew.

6. Bakso

Bakso shot to fame thanks to former US President Barack Obama, who had fond childhood memories of the meal. Made using a fine beef paste and then boiled, bakso have a similar consistency to Chinese pork balls. They can be served up as part of a soup (bakso kuah), similar to Vietnam’s pho bo vien, or with noodles (mie bakso). You’re likely to see them lined up behind the glass of Indonesian street food carts.

7. Soto ayam

Born out of Medam, the capital of North Sumatra, soto ayam is a spicy yellow chicken noodle soup. Fresh ginger and turmeric are mixed with coconut milk, cumin, kaffir lime, lemongrass, lemon leaves and galangal (a citrusy ginger root) to create the signature broth. Rich and fragrant, it’s packed with rice noodles or lontong (a compressed rice cake), fresh green herbs, a boiled egg, fried potatoes and more.

8. Siomay

Heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine, siomay are steamed meat and fish dumplings served in – yep, you guessed it – peanut sauce. They tend to be packed full of wahoo, although tuna, prawn or other seafood fillings are not unheard of. You’ll find them in all Indonesian cities being sold from street-side stalls. Perfect if you’re in need of some food on the go!

9. Sambal

Admittedly more of a condiment, sambal is a hot sauce or paste. It’s created by pummelling chillies, shrimp paste, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, shallots, palm sugar, lime juice and rice vinegar using a pestle and mortar. Across the Indonesian archipelago, there are as many as 300 varieties and the combination of chillies used means intensity can range from mild to eye-watering. Served up alongside just about everything, you won’t be able to leave Indonesia without trying some.

10. Martabak

Sometimes described as a ‘King (or Queen) of Indonesian Street Food’, martabak takes two forms. When stuffed with savoury fillings like egg and minced meat, it adopts the shape of an Indian-style roti. But, when it’s slathered with margarine, chocolate and condensed milk it looks more like a stuffed bread or waffle sandwich – a nod to the country’s Dutch colonial past. A real must-try!

In Bali we travel by private minivan in order to access more remote areas such as Bedugul, and for safety on the busy and narrow Balinese roads. Depending on the size of your group you may be split over multiple vans and your leader will alternate between the vehicles throughout the journey.

ESSENTIALS
- Day pack: for carrying essentials when exploring destinations.
- Lightweight clothing: A mixture of covering lightweight clothing and some warm layers (depending on the season) are recommended. It is best to check the weather and seasonal information before travelling.
For visits to religious sites you will also need to wear clothing that covers shoulders and pants/skirts that go past the knee. Perhaps carry a scarf or sarong for these visits. Modest and covering clothing is also preferable when visiting areas outside major cities that are more conservative.
- Walking shoes or hiking boots with a good grip: Closed-in shoes that are comfortable to walk for an entire day are recommended for Mt Batur climb, city and countryside walks, and are necessary for cycling activities
- Sandals/flip flops
- Sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Head torch (a head torch is best for when you are climbing to Mt Batur before sunrise)
- Waterproof jacket (particularly if travelling from October until March)
- Warm layers (While climbing to Mt Batur before sunrise temperatures can be very cold, so make sure you pack several layers that can be added/removed as you ascend/descend).
- Swimming costume

RECOMMENDED
- Warm hat (for Mt Batur Climb)
- Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as, mild pain killers, adhesive bandages and electrolytes.
- Camera with spare batteries/charger/power bank: You will have access to power to recharge your electrical items most days, however these are a good backup.
- Electrical adapter plug
- Hand sanitizer
- Water bottle – some hotels may have filtered drinking water to refill your bottle.
- Money belt or pouch
- Water purification tablets
- Waterproof bag cover or plastic bags

OPTIONAL
- A good book, a journal and music player
- Playing cards
- Travel washing line and Bio-degradable washing detergent

FLOODS & MUDSLIDES:
Floods and mudslides can occur during the wet season (October - March). Heavy rains during this time can result in areas of the Jakarta region being affected by flood waters. Key services, such as emergency and medical care, telecommunications, transport, and the supply of food and water are often disrupted during floods and mudslides. Should our trips be affected by floods during this time we may need to reroute our itineraries and travellers may need to use their contingency funds to cover additional costs.

VOLCANOES:
Indonesia has many active volcanoes that can erupt at any time and cause widespread disruption. Alert levels may be raised and evacuations ordered at short notice. Follow the instructions and advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. In the event of or following an eruption you should contact your travel insurance provider directly to ask if your policy is affected by the volcanic activity. For information regarding whether your itinerary has been affected.

The most recent eruptions have been:
- Mt Agung, East Bali. Mount Agung has shown increased volcanic activity since late-September 2017. Ash from the volcano has disrupted flights. There is currently an exclusion zone around the crater, which may change at short notice.
- Mount Merapi (near Yogyakarta). Following an eruption in May 2018, people in the area were evacuated by local authorities.
- Mount Rinjani, on Lombok (near Bali), has erupted numerous times in recent years causing flight disruptions in Bali and Lombok.

EARTHQUAKES:
Indonesia is in an active earthquake region with a high level of earthquake activity, sometimes triggering tsunamis. Earthquakes can occur anywhere in Indonesia. In the event of a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities. In the event of or following an earthquake you should contact your travel insurance provider directly to ask if your policy is affected by the event. 

The most recent earthquakes have been:
- Lombok & the Gili Islands. A series of powerful earthquakes caused widespread damage and loss of life in northern Lombok and the Gili Islands in July and August 2018. Tourist facilities such as hotels and restaurants that temporarily closed as a result of the earthquakes are progressively reopening and ferry services are operating.

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY:
Always celebrated on August 17, this is Indonesia's national day and marks Indonesia's declaration of independence from the Netherlands in 1945. Around this time you may experience some delays to transport due to events, or alternative accommodation may be need to be sourced due to it being a peak time.

NYEPI - BALINESE NEW YEAR :
Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa according to the Balinese calendar. It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali. Custom requires that all people in Bali observe a day of silence and do not leave their homes. Flights to/from Denpasar airport will be suspended for this day and majority of services and businesses do not operate. It is expected that travellers will respect the traditions of the Balinese people during Nyepi and stay within their accommodation at this time. Dates for Nyepi may change, but are currently: 14th March 2021, 3rd March 2022

RAMADAN
The important month of Ramadan will be in progress 22 March - 20 April 2023 and 10 March to 08 April 2024, and the Eid ul-Fitr festival will be held directly at its conclusion for 3-4 days. Ramadan is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan, business hours are shortened, including opening hours at some tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you should expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month is a fantastic opportunity to travel in a Muslim country and witness this unique period, particularly the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken. Please note that although the Eid ul-Fitr festival can also be a fascinating time to travel it's a period of national holiday. Most government offices and businesses will be closed and some tourist site opening hours may be affected.