Backpacker Girls

Ok, take a deep breathe, i was just woke up and want to check flights for my next holiday when i saw all of this madness promotions for flights---aaarrghhhh!!! my travel addiction kick in!!

Start from March 23, 2012 Indonesian International gates (airport and sea) dismissed the rules to fill out the embarkation and disembarkation card! Indonesia now becoming one of the 44 countries that apply the border control management.

buh bye Indonesian embarkation card!

To deposit or withdrawal using Wire Transfer (also known as telegraphic transfers), you will need the code SWIFT (Society for World-wide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) is a unique code in the form of CAPITAL LETTERS as many as eight pieces (some are written with 11 letters CAPITAL, where the last three letters of the form letter XXX), which is owned by a bank for money transfers to and from overseas. Each bank has its own Code SWIFT, and nothing is the same between one bank to another. The SWIFT address is also known as BIC (=Bank Identifier Code). To send money to the regions of Europe, often also used code IBAN (International Bank Account Number) or also a combination of the IBAN and SWIFT.This is the following SWIFT code for some popular banks in Indonesia.

• ABN AMRO Bank: ABNAIDJA
• Hagabank: HAGAIDJA
• Bank Artha Graha: ARTGIDJA
• Bank Bumiputera Indonesia: BUMIIDJA
• Bank Bumi Arta Indonesia: BBAIIDJA
• Bank Buana Indonesia: BBIJIDJA
• Bank CIMB Niaga : BNIAIDJA
• Bank Danamon: BDINIDJA
• Bank Mandiri (not Bank Syariah Mandiri): BEIIIDJA
• Bangkok Bank: BKKBIDJA
• Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI): BNINIDJA
• Bank BNP Paribas Indonesia: BNPAIDJA
• Bank Resona Perdania: BPIAIDJA
• Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI): BRINIDJA
• Bank Bukopin: BBUKIDJA
• Bank Central Asia (BCA): CENAIDJA
• Deutsche Bank AG: DEUTIDJA
• Bank Mizuho Indonesia: MHCCIDJA
• Hongkong and Shanghai Banking (HSBC): HSBCIDJA
• Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII): IBBKIDJA
• Bank Indonesia: INDOIDJA
• Bank NISP: NISPIDJA
• Pan Indonesia Bank: PINBIDJA
• Bank Rabobank International Indonesia: RABOIDJA
• Bank UFJ Indonesia (formerly Bank Sanwa Indonesia): SAINIDJA
• Bank Swadesi: SWBAIDJA
• Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN): BTANIDJA
• Bank UOB Indonesia: UOBBIDJA
• Bank Permata: BBBAIDJA
• Bank Maybank Indocorp: MBBEIDJA
• Bank Chinatrust Indonesia: CTCBIDJA
• Woori Bank Indonesia: HVBKIDJA
• Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Indonesia: SUNIIDJA
• Bank Finconesia: FINBIDJA
• Bank OCBC Indonesia: OCBCIDJA
• Bank Kesawan: AWANIDJA
• Bank Commonwealth: BICNIDJA
• Bank Ekonomi Raharja: EKONIDJA
• Bank DBS Indonesia: DBSBIDJA
• Bank CIC International (formerly Bank Century Intervest Corp): CICTIDJA
• Bank Ekspor Indonesia: BEXIIDJA
• Bank Mega: MEGAIDJA
• Bank of China, Jakarta Branch: BKCHIDJA
• Bank Syariah Mandiri (not Bank Mandiri): BSMDIDJA

1. Sebelumnya anda harus menscan dokumen sesuai dengan persyaratan yang telah ditentukan (KTP, Surat Lahir, Surat Nikah, Kartu Keluarga, dll.) dalam format image (*.jpeg, *.gif, *.bmp, dan ukuran tidak lebih dari 2MB)
2. Ketik address website imigrasi "www.imigrasi.go.id" pada browser anda (disarankan menggunakan mozzilla firefox)
3. Kemudian pilih menu "LAYANAN PASPOR ONLINE"
4. Muncul 2 (dua) menu antara lain "PRA PERMOHONAN yang berfungsi untuk melakukan pengisian form permohonan SPRI/paspor dan "STATUS PERMOHONAN untuk melakukan ricek/trace terhadap status permohonan.
5. Halaman informasi pemohon, isi formulir yang tersedia, dan hal yang perlu diperhatikan adalah "KOLOM KANIM" yang merupakan tempat tujuan pembuatan paspor contoh : pilihan>Kanim Jakarta Selatan, proses pembuatan paspor ditujukan di kantor Imigrasi Jakarta Selatan> lanjutkan proses
6. Halaman alamat pemohon, isi formulir yang tersedia > lanjutkan proses
7. Halaman pengisian dokumen/upload data > lanjutkan sampai dengan proses submit terakhir
8. Simpan nomor registrasi sebagai bukti permohonan secara on-line. Terakhir Diperbaharui 

Every religion or culture all over the world has their own way to define and celebrate their new year. For example, the Chinese have the Imlek year and to celebrate it, have, as they called it in their own language, "Gong Xi Fat Choy". The Moslem societies have their Muharam year, and any of the people over the world using the Gregorian calendar, celebrate the New Year on January 1st.

Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that falls on Bali's Lunar New Year's (in 2010, was on March 16). It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New year Gudi Padva in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in India.

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for Self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed. This year of 2010 Bali closed the airport start at 06.00 am. There is no flights in or out-no activity at all at the airport. And they request for all Indonesia tv station not to broadcast their programs in Bali. This year its really those moment of silence.

At 06.00 too other gate to Bali entrance are closed too (airport & harbours) for 24hrs (re-open again at same hour next day). So Bali is like grave yard for 24hr, very quiet. Any hotels that enoucourage their guest to stroll around will consider as insulting the holiness of the day.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

• First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in temple near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea. Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies. There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.

• Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala by Pecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually mak e ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogoh-ogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people's house. In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives. .
  

• Third, The Nyepi Rituals is performed with the following conditions:
  • Amati Geni: No fire/light
  • Amati Karya: No working
  • Amati Lelunganan: No traveling
  • Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment
• Fourth, The Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 AM (e.g. March 26, 2009) and continues to 6:00 AM the next day.
• Fifth, The Ngebak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come. Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).
• Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed as the Nyepi Day or "Day of Silence."

Right on valentine days February 14, 2010, where Chinese also celebrate lunar new year, the year of the tiger (miaww!) i wake up earlier. Rushing to get ready to go to Boom Baru, Palembang sea port.

Its been two night i spent my day in Palembang, staying at a friend from same office in BLK area.
Been very nice there and i already get my boat ticket to Bangka Island. I get it from a ticketing agent at Jln Lingkar no 20C/Lingkar street #20C (phone number: 0711-364581). I use "Sumber Bangka" fast boat. The ticket price is Rp 161.500,- and i also get shuttle bus (its cheaper if you get it with the boat ticket) from Mentok (Bangka harbor) to Sungai Liat town (where my friend live) with the price Rp 60.000,- All shuttle car price from Mentok to other destination have same price Rp 60.000,- (even to the other harbor-Pangkal Balam).

Good news is there are straight flight from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang (Depati Amir Airport), Bangka. Direct flight from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang, Bangka are: Sriwijaya Air (4 flights/day), Lion Air, Batavia Air, Mandala Airlines. If you want to start from Palembang, they also have a direct flight to this pretty island with Sriwijaya Air, its a very early flight at 06.00 am and only one flight/day.

I am quite lucky because i got the ticket at the Lunar new year day. Lots of chinese went to Bangka since two days before the owner said. I had to wake up at 5.20, did packing night before and go shower and double check my stuff. My friend family, already wake up and they want to take me to the harbor (luv yaaa all!!).



From BLK we went to "Boom Baru" harbor. Its Palembang port/harbor for passenger at 6.35 am. You will see boats-ferry from/to Jakarta and Medan here too. I just check in, the officer will take the "boarding pass" off the ticket and i have to pay Boom Baru Port Tax Rp 3.500,- to the officer.

There's actually two boat going to Bangka island. The other boat is "Express Bahari" but it leave Boom Baru Palembang on mid day (around 12-1pm). Express Bahari is cheaper than Sumber Bangka, but i don't know exactly how much the ticket is.




The boat is quite comfy. Its the same type like the one that i use crossing Batam to Singapore. The difference is its not well maintain and its more crowded. I could also see the life jacket under the seat, so its good. The AC work just fine not too cold. I also saw the same view of plastic chair for extra passenger, but thankfully there are no extra passenger but the seat are full (100-150 passenger?)! You could put your luggage at the compartment/checked luggage, but i choose to carry my backpack inside the boat and put that near the TV area, place where i could see it (its over 13 kgs!). There are economy class right on the top back of the boat. The economy seat had no AC and i think they had great view ! I cold also see lots of boxes, motorcycles, new bicycles, plants (dont ask! haha), even cupboard and bed (lol) tied on the back of the boat.

My boat leave Boom Baru at 7.05 am, its scheduled at 7.00 am. The weather is not so good the sly is grey and cloudy. Ive been prepare for bad weather and high wave as lots of people said to me. But instead of high wave its a very smooth sail. We had to go trhough Musi River for 2 hours and open sea for another 1 hour. During on the Musi River the boat have to go very slow, because there are plenty wooden houses along the river bank. And, bad news, no snack along the sail, only a cup of mineral water. But you could get instant noodle and bread sold on this ship.

The view that i got is almost identically with Batanghari river in Jambi. The difference maybe with the floating house. Jambi government not allowed people to build floating houses along the river bank since like 10 years ago, so the river bank would be wide and clean to ship to sail.


At 7.46 the boat amazingly went to full speed and i know we are right on the river mouth (muara) and yes i could feel the wave not long after that. Its not too big, that i still could walk inside the boat. The views is amazing, crytal clear blue sea seemed endless with the sky. And i could smell the fresh salty air!

From distance i could see Bangka Island with a RED LIGHT HOUSE, its so beautiful.

I arrive in Mentok port/harbor in Bangka Island at 9.55 am. Bring my backpack, some people call me Mr Bule for some reason (hahaha!), i walk pass to the passenger bridge to the main building, here we go the porter/people who offer to carry your bag, taxi guys, and i dont't know hahaha so many! but i am happy just consider them as people who pick me up (T.T)

I walk to the parking lot and ask a guy who walk where my shuttle car is. I saw on a white paper on my ticket said "Garuda 14"--shuttle number to Sungai Liat. He just walk by and said, "no i didn't see it, you better use bus over there".. yada ya yada ya... i know this game.. hahah! so i just ognore that guy and just look more intensively through the crowded parking lot.

I saw plenty white shuttle bus and there are numbers on it. Bingo! i just look up and find it!! #14 on 2nd last row of the parking lot! the driver seemed very busy so i ask if its the correct shuttle and he said yes jump in !

Hahahah!! so guys.. if you read this.. once again! ASK MORE PEOPLE!

I jump in and sit nicely between a lady and a young guy. The passenger include me are 8 people. I sit on the last row. The shuttle car leave Muntok Port at 10.10 am.

It took me another 3 hours to go to Sungai Liat. Pangkal Pinang is more further, it took 1 hr to go from Sungai Liat. We stop once at a Restaurant in Kelapa region. The toilets are much more cleaner than most of toilets i saw on my trip between Jambi and Palembang. The restaurant also clean. But i didn't eat, just get my self a fresh melon juice (oh its very refreshing!!) for Rp 15,000,-

I arrive at my friend house almost at 1.20 pm. Very hungry! get some rest and go for little sight seing around the small town of Sungai Liat, planning for next day destination.

I am in Bangka, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!



Total Expenses Day 1:
Fast Boat from Boom Baru, Palembang-Muntok, Bangka Island: Rp 161,500,-
Shuttle Car from Muntok Port to Sungai Liat: Rp 60,000,-
Boom Baru, Palembang Port Tax: Rp 3,500,-