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 You may think that converstional hypnosis and Indonesia have little in common – if you do then think again!

Whether you are buying a simple shawl in a marketplace or taking a ride in a rickshaw or listening to a politician speak you will be having conversational hypnosis used on you. If you are completely unaware of the power of conversational hypnosis then you are utterly at its mercy!

Just picture the simple act of buying in an Indonesian marketplace. There are so many different sales people all saying whatever it takes to get you to buy. Some of these individuals are well practiced and extremely clever at using the right language in a repetitious way that does start to get “under your skin” after a while. It is a form of conversational hypnosis that eventually makes you feel compelled to purchase after you have been exposed to it long enough. Any form of marketing obeys the same rules whether it be marketing a new type of beer, to marketing medical services such as chiropractic marketing to marketing large products such as water tanks.

On a different note, let’s think about politicians. It doesn’t matter what country you are in you will notice that politicians are polished speakers who have been trained to re-orient the thinking of their listeners in order to have them support their policies. It is also important for any politician to employ an seo consulting professional in order to take advantage of the power of the internet to persuade others and get their message to a large number of people quickly. A politician needs to make people love them and approach them so attraction marketing is also a powerful technique here.   The power of persuasion can certainly not be sneezed at when we see even the most unlikely of leaders be elected or rise to positions of authority.

As you can see it doesn’t matter what country you call home or you intend to visit and Indonesia is not exception. You will find plenty of examples of conversational hypnosis at work in the ordinary streets of Indonesia as well as in the most senior halls. Fat Loss 4 Idiots This is not necessarily a bad thing – it is simply the tools of the trade for politicians and sales people but if you are aware of it and have the same skills then what you can achieve in Indonesia or any country for that matter is without question.

 

Meal Time in Indonesia

 

Breakfast

Breakfast
almost always includes a bowl of steamed rice with mild curry, vegetables and  soy sauce and chicken or prawns. Breakfast is then often topped off with fried eggs and cucumbers. TFF Fruits, toast and pancakes or omelets also make it to the  breakfast table from time to time.

The  Main Meal

The  mid-day meal is prepared in the morning after breakfast and is eaten around  noon in western and central Indonesia. There is typically no established meal  time for all family members to be present and eat. The recipes made are foods  that can be cooked and left on the table for long periods of time without  refrigeration. The food is often eaten at room temperature. Msd Chicago The same food is often reheated for the last meal of the day. The family helps themselves to  food as time permits. There is less communal eating than other cultures but  there is communal cooking.

Most  meals revolve around highly polished, long grain rice. Meals also include salad  and soup or vegetable with garlic and one other main dish such as chicken, vegetables  or fish. Soup is almost always included with most meals and is usually poured  over the rice. All meals are accompanied by several different relishes. truth about abs review A light meal might be steamed rice, dried fish and Chile sambal, a spicy condiment.

Manner of Eating

Most Indonesian meals are eaten with a spoon fork combination – spoon in the right  hand and fork in the left. It is also common to eat with bare hands. In  restaurants and households where bare hand eating is used, each person usually  has a bowl of water and lime for the purpose of washing hands before and after  eating. When eating with their hands, Indonesians only eat with their right.
They always leave some drink in the glass and food on the plate as a sign they have had enough.

 

Volcano on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra

 

Indonesia is located in the Pacific Basin, and it’s on the “Ring of Fire.” The “Ring of Fire” is the term given to an arc of  volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Basin. The volcano was named Mount  Sinabung and erupted in the year 1600 then lay dormant until it erupted again  in August 2010. Mount Sinabung is located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, 25 miles  from Lake Toba supervolcano.

Geology

Most of Indonesia’s volcano’s come from the Sunda Arc which is created by the  convergent point of one tectonic plate moving beneath another such plate. As  the plates converge the convergent points also sink into the earth’s mantle.  When two tectonic plates move towards each other subduction occurs. Apartments Milan Mount  Sinabung is an andestitic-dacitic stratovolcano with a total of four craters.  Only one is active at this time.

A stratovolcano is a tall, conical shaped volcano built up by many layers of  hardened pumice, tephra, lava and volcanic ash. They are also characterized by  a steep profile and explosive eruptions from time to time. The lava that flows  from this kind of volcano typically cools and hardens before flowing to far.  Icon The lava is called magma and has high to intermediate levels of silica with  smaller amounts of mafic magma.

Eruptions

Mount Sinabung erupted in the year 1600, and steam, gas and lava was emitted near the  summit in 1912. That was the last documented evidence to take place at the  volcano until 29 August 2010. The power of conversational hypnosis On that day, ash spewed up into the atmosphere  less than a mile, after a few days of rumbling and ash was observed overflowing  the crater. 30,000 villagers were evacuated, and 6,000 of them were allowed to  return to their homes on 3 August. The volcano was classified a category B  volcano because it had not erupted in over 400 years. A category B volcano does  not require intense monitoring.

On 03 September 2010, Mount Sinabung erupted twice more. The first eruption occurred  in the early morning hours and again in the early evening that same day. The  first eruption spewed ash approximately 2 miles into the air. The second  eruption was accompanied by earthquakes and the tremors could be felt about 15  miles around the volcano.

On 07 September, Mount Sinabung erupted again with the biggest eruption since  becoming active again a few weeks earlier. Volcano specialist believes it will  not be the last eruption. Mount Sinabung has been the subject of monitoring for  eruptions as well as quakes since September 2010.

 

 

Bicycling In Indonesia

 

Indonesia is not the first place bicyclists think of when planning a bicycling vacation. Because of the geography, some  think Indonesia is considered an impossible place to cycle. It does have its  challenges, but cyclists have found it is a great place to tour on bicycle.

Before You Go

Indonesia is a tropical country which means heat and lots of it. For those not used to  riding a bicycle in extreme heat, the first trip might just make the cyclist  consider other places for the next trip. Then there is the traffic in some of  the major cities such as Java, Bogor and Bandung. Between the heat, and the  traffic just might make a cyclist go home early. However, that would be a  mistake. Indonesia is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit  and a great deal of that beauty can be found off the beaten track in places  only a bicycle can find.

If you bring your own bicycle, bring spare parts such as a tire patch kit, tire valves,  extra chain links, spokes, brake and shifting cables. Make sure your bike  repair kit has the tools necessary to do some repairs, as well. In the major cities, parts of that nature are readily available but once outside those  cities, bike shops are few and far between and spare parts are even fewer and  farther between. If you plan to go to remote areas of Indonesia via your own bicycle it would be a good idea to bring your car or rent a car just as a backup transport plan. However make sure that you have current auto insurance before you go driving. Look up street maps on the Internet and print them out or  check with your local map store for such maps. They are a difficult item to  find in Indonesia, and for the most part GPS navigation systems are not readily  available as of yet.

Travel Documents

It is necessary to obtain a Passport and VISA when traveling to Indonesia. Visa’s can  be purchased upon arrival in Indonesia at the airport. To purchase a visa, the  traveler has to have a passport from one of 62 approved countries. That list  can be found on the Internet. The passport must be good for a minimum of six  months from the date of arrival in Indonesia. The traveler must also be in  possession of onward travel tickets. Visa’s can be obtained at one of the 15  airports or 21 seaports approved as the official international gateway to  Indonesia. The visas are valid for 7 or 30 days. There are also 11 countries that do not need visas to enter Indonesia.

Bicycle Tours

There are several travel entities that sponsor bicycle tours of Indonesia. The  packages are all inclusive providing transportation from the airport to the  hotel or guest house, entrance fees to any National Park, ferry tickets (if  applicable), reservations to any non-bicycle related activity as well as the  bicycle tour itself. At the completion for the trip, transportation is provided  back to the hotel in time for the plane ride home.

 

What is Indonesia All About?

 

Officially Indonesia is named the “Republic of Indonesia.” It is a country located in Asia and Oceania. It is made up of over  17,000 islands and has a population of about 238 million people. Indonesia  ranks the fourth most populated country in the world as well as has the world’s  largest population of Muslims. Indonesia is a republic and has an elected  president and legislature. The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, and its  official name is “Special Capital Territory of Jakarta”. Jakarta is located in  Java, on the northwest coast, has an area encompassing 661 square kilometers  (255 square miles) and the 2010 census places the population of Jakarta at  9,580,000. Tours of Indonesia are famous the world over and are popular with tourists from Australia, the UK and America thanks to internet advertising and search engine optimization for local US areas such as Dallas SEO. In Jakarta you can expect to see friendly people and vibrant local markets offering fantastic bargains from cheap rugs to silken scarves.

Finding a Foothold in the World

Following World War Two, Indonesian Republicans, during their fight for independence,  withdrew from allied occupied Jakarta and established a capital in Yogyakarta.
When independence was won in 1950, Jakarta was once again declared the capital of Indonesia. Jakarta was envisioned as a leading international city, and the  founding president Sukarno instigated large projects funded by the government.
The projects included shopping centers, monuments, highways, hotels and a brand  new parliament building.  Argan Oil In 1965, Jakarta saw a coup attempt in which six top  generals were killed culminating in a violent, anti communist purge. A half a million people were killed during the siege, signaling the beginning of  Suharto’s New Order.

The Capital City

In 1966, Jakarta was declared a “special capital city district” gaining status  approximately equivalent to that of a state or province. Ali Sadikin served as  the Governor from the mid 1960’s until 1977. While at the helm, he built  several hospitals, and new schools, he encouraged the arts and rehabilitated  bridges and roads. In the same spirit there is a great push today  for realizing the importance of technology for Indonesia and the use of items such as PDAs and audio visual equipment is encouraged amongst business people. He also tried to ban street vendors and rickshaws but found  he was up against an immovable wall of support for the two. Foreign investment  contributed to a real estate boom which changed the face of the city greatly.

 

The Cuisine of Indonesia

 

There is no one single food that is typical of Indonesia. Instead, there are a diversity of cuisines defined by local cultures  and influences from foreign countries. Historically, Indonesia has been a  leading trading nation due to its geography and natural resources. Indonesia’s  ingredients were influenced by the Middle East, India, China and Europe. Spain  and Portugal were contributing produce to the nation long before the Dutch  arrived to settle most of the archipelago.

The Spices

The island of Maluku is known as “the Spice Island.” It is famous for native spices  such as clove and nutmeg, shallot, lemongrass, turmeric, cinnamon, candlenut  and coriander. Spices such as garlic, leek and ginger, originated in China but  were introduced in Indonesia in ancient times and have become an integral part  of Indonesian cuisine. Hot and spicy foods became a trademark of Indonesian  cuisine after Spain introduced chili pepper in the 16th century. “Bumbu” is the  Indonesian word for seasoning or spice, and it often appears as part of the  name of a spice mixture.

Peanuts

Along with spices, Indonesian cuisine is characterized by peanuts in many of their  signature dishes. Merchants from Mexico, Portugal and Spain traded peanuts with  Indonesia during the 16th century. They found a home in many dishes whole,  halved or quartered or chopped finely and roasted. They are used in marinades  and dipping sauces as well as garnishments in a variety of dishes. One of the  most commonly used cooking oils in Indonesia is peanut oil, which is extracted  from peanuts.

Coconut Milk

The tropical climate of Indonesia is perfect for the production of coconuts.  Indonesia has put the fruit to beneficial use, using the milk in many recipes,  including main dishes, as well as deserts. Two different types of coconut milk  are found in Indonesia, thick and thin. The difference depends on the water and  oil content of the coconut. Thin milk is typically found in soups while the  thick is used more for deserts.

 

Have you ever been scuba diving in Indonesia? I would like to tell you that you are missing out on the adventure of a life time, if you haven’t. Have you got imagination? Now couple that with the excitement that comes with scuba diving, and you will have magic. What we are talking about here is the absolute joy you will get as you dive deep into the blue ocean to experience the chills and thrills of scuba diving.

Indonesia is certainly one of the best destinations where you can do just that. It has been placed on par with places like Malaysia as the place to be for a scuba diving holiday. Many of the dive sites are remote. So we suggest that you make use of cruise operators. Cruises can vary in length anywhere between 5 to 14 day safaris.

With its glassy waters and endless beaches coupled with breathtaking undersea landscapes it is no wonder Indonesia is classed as such a fantastic holiday destination. This is where you get to experience the awesomeness of booming fish populations. There is lots of fun to be had when enjoying the warm waters of the South Chinese sea. The wide variety of dive centers here makes for an unforgettable experience.

It is good to know that Indonesia’s beauty is not spoiled by the constant appearance of other divers. This should come as a surprise, since there are easily 15,000 islands within Indonesia. The endless reefs are generously peppered with dive sites. The vast array of shops in Indonesia are plentiful and have high ratings. Indonesia is well known for its diversity and natural settings. This way you will not be bored when surfacing every now and again for some fresh air.

There are of course premier diving options within Indonesia. They are certainly worth exploring as there are exotic diving destinations such as Raja, Sulawesi – Bunaken, Komodo, and Bali.

Did you know that Indonesia sits on the western edge of the Pacific Rim? The rich environment created by warm currents, rich upwellings, and beautiful climate all contribute in making Indonesia a hot bed of marine bio-diversity. Indonesia is home to more than a quarter of the fish species found on the earth. Scientifically it has been proven that Indonesia has the most diverse marine habitat on our planet. The most experienced scuba divers and divers who are just beginning to dive, will all find something special here.

That is why scuba diving in Indonesia is sought after by many aspiring scuba divers. There are diving places that offer such a wide variety of packages to choose from. You get exceptional value for your money. There are just so many diving options available to pick from. It is enough to make your head spin. We urge you to make Indonesia your next holiday destination. Do all you can to get actively involved in trying scuba diving in Indonesia.

Traveling opens your mind. You get to see things that you never thought existed before. You also meet people who belong to other cultures. Traveling makes you appreciate the universe and everything in it. There are many places and countries to visit in this world and one of these places is Indonesia. Indonesia has a lot of breathtaking sites and tourists are spoilt for choice. Let us look at Indonesia’s top tourist destinations.

The first we will talk about is Bali. This population of this place is four million. The population is very friendly. Bali is rich in natural resources. The climate of this area is very pleasant all year long and this makes it easy for tourists to get acclimatized to the temperature and climate of the country. The beaches in Bali are not your normal beaches. At night, they are the hot spots as they come alive with dancing, parties and lots of fun. The animals and plants found in this island make it very unique.

The next site that is satisfying to the eye is Istiqlala Mosque. This is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and was constructed in 1975. It is so large that it can accommodate 120,000 people. However, this number of people is not regular. The times that you can witness a number of people that is close to that number are during Idul Firti and Idul Adha which are the holiest days of the year. When you are at the top floor of this mosque, you can witness the great number of people who come to pray. This mosque does not only offer religious activities as there are provisions for social and cultural activities. If you are a tourist, this is a chance for you to learn more about the Indonesian people.

Next, let us talk about Prambanan Temple known among the locals as Roro Jonggrang. Again, this is one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia. It has three main shrines that are dedicated to three Hindu gods; Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. The shrines are not the only sites of the temple as there are a total of 224 temples in the complex. It is easier for tourists to see the three shrines from a distance as they rise above the scattered ruins of former temples. The sun rise behind the Prambanan Temple is worth the sight as you will be overwhelmed by its beauty.

Another place to visit is Sulawesi which was formerly known as Celebes. It is unofficially referred to as Orchid Island. It is situated between the Maluku Islands and Borneo. The people of Sulawesi will impress you as they are diversely gifted in artistic abilities such as pottery, weaving and dancing. Intricate weaving is also part of their abilities. When you are in this beautiful island, make sure you visit Bunaken. Bunaken is one of the world’s most famous diving areas which draw scuba divers from all over the world. The waters are filled with dolphins and whales.

Finally, visit the largest volcanic lake in the world; Lake Toba, whose view is spectacular. It is so large that it has a small lake within itself. Indonesia has a beauty that has to be witnessed.

 

Tired of spending your last $5 on that overpriced latte? Go to Indonesia, where your dollars go further. According to Airtreks.com, total daily expenditures for a frugal tourist in Indonesia clock in at $24! looking at the Big Mac index, the typical price of those sandwiches in the USA is $3.58, vs. only $2.24 in Indonesia.  And if you travel outside of Bali, the capital of Indonesia, your expenses can drop even further. Check out these prices in Indonesia for comparison to typical US or European prices.

You can get a four star hotel in Bali starting around $60 USD if you watch the sales. Five star ones start around $120 USD. Hostels are a much more affordable way to go. In Jakarta, the next major city in Indonesia after Bali, hostels start at just $11.50. And this $11.50 is for a bed and breakfast in a converted mansion in the old section of the city! A search in any hostel directory for Indonesia turns up several such bargains, along with a Yelp! type rating and review system so you can know what you’re getting into.

Moving along to food, an Aussie-style steak, sides, and a big mug of Bintang beer will run you $5 US at the Warung Totemo in Bali. A grilled whole fish will run you 20.000 Rp, or about $2.50. As with many local businesses, they still love the American dollar and encourage you to pay with your US money, rather than convert it into the local currency and then spend it. It saves you the hassle of conversion and the storekeeper gets to keep some money in a solid currency and away from the taxman. Street food or cafe food is another great bargain in Indonesia – most serve a full meal with a drink for under $4 USD. Check with the hostel or hotel you’re staying at – the employees there can steer you to some great eats for just a few dollars.

Other great bargains in Indonesia abound. Factory outlet stores are very popular, just as they are here in the States. They’re usually called asli-palsu stores, which roughly translates as “real fakes”. Depending on how cynical you are, these stores either sell tons of factory excess, or they live up (down?) to their nickname and sell tons of knockoff goods. There are many true factory outlet stores in Indonesia, so check around and shop at the real deal – you’ll still do very well. Many stores even put the suggested price in the United States – say, $65.00, and then put their price next to it – 45.000 Rp, or about $4.50 USD. Yes, the deals can be this good. Again, the best way to find out about the factory outlets, which ones to avoid and which ones to go to, is to talk to the employees of the place you’re staying.

Now pay down those credit cards so you can light them on fire racking up charges in Indonesia to take advantage of all the great deals over there! You’ll never want to drink another over-priced $5 latte again.

 

Indonesia is a country that is prone to a lot of severe earthquakes, such as the earthquake that caused the devastating  tsunami in 2004. If you are planning to travel to the country of  Indonesia, it is important that you try to avoid traveling to the areas which have been badly affected by earthquakes in recent times.

While visitors should try not to be overly concerned by the threat of earthquakes, it is nonetheless an important factor to consider when traveling to Indonesia. Traveling to certain areas E.G. the western coast of Sumatra isn’t advised, in the aftermath of a recent earthquake.

It is important that before you travel, you gather up-to-date information about which areas have been hit recently, which areas are likely to suffer in the future and how severe the recent earthquakes have been. If you find that the area you want or need to visit has been struck recently, it may be best to put off traveling there for a while (until the area has managed to regenerate).

As well as the threat of earthquakes, there are other natural disasters that could affect the time you want to travel. Indonesia has many active volcanoes and every so often, there will be warnings about eruptions given out and evacuations of certain villages will occur. Check before you go whether any eruption warnings have been given out and whether they will affect your flights or destination.

Another factor that may affect your decision to travel to Indonesia, at the current time, is terrorism related warnings. Some Western governments have issued warnings regarding travel to Indonesia and you should check with your local consulate if there are any such warnings being issued at the time you want to travel. You will feel safer if there are no  warnings being issued and you might want to wait until travel to Indonesia has been given the all-clear instead of risking a flight/travel to Indonesia when the government/consulate has advised against it.

If you want to get the most out of your vacation to Indonesia, there are two cost factors that you should consider before you get up and go.

Flight prices and currency exchange rates are two things that you need to keep an eye on before you travel to Indonesia. You may want to co-ordinate your flights with a particular time of year because it will be cheaper to travel E.G. during off-peak travel seasons. Traveling during the off-peak travel season is guaranteed to save you money. Sometimes it is also better to book your flights relatively close to the time you want to travel E.G. Instead of booking the flights 3 months before, book them 3 weeks before your intended travel date. This will ensure that travel advisers and consulates will be able to give you a lot more up-to-date information about current travel arrangements – It’s easier to see 3 weeks in advance than it is to see 3 months in advance. It will usually mean that you can get cheaper flights too!

With regards to currency exchange, it is better to only take a little bit of exchanged money with you if you are planning to travel to one of the main destinations. Once you are there, you can head to a bank to exchange more. If you exchange newer U.S. banknotes you will receive a better exchange rate than if you exchange old, battered or torn ones. The currency exchange rate may have a bearing on the time you should travel – the currency exchange market fluctuates so you may want to wait until you can get the best deal.

With 238 million people, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. There is an amazing 300 distinct ethnic groups among the people of Indonesia, and an equally amazing 742 different languages and dialects spoken there!

The vast majority of Indonesians are of Javanese extraction. They make up 43% of the population, or about 83 million people. The Javanese people are believed to have originated in Taiwan, and scholars believe they migrated to Indonesia some 3,000 years ago. They speak Javanese, which is part of the Austronesian class of languages. Interestingly, Javanese contains large numbers of words that are of the Sanskrit language. For centuries, the Javanese were Hindus and Buddhists, but after the coming of Islam, most of the population of Indonesia became Muslims. In fact, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. More than 86% of the population follows Islam.

The largest non-Javanese groups are Sudanese, Malays and Madurese. Another fairly large group are the Melanesians. An influential ethic minority are Chinese Indonesians who make up just 4% of the population, but who wield considerable sway in Indonesian society.

With so many ethnicities, one might think there is a great deal of ethnic, political and religious strife within the country – and so there is. Frankly, ethnic and religious violence has occasionally been explosive and destructive. But it can also be said that, in general, the many ethnic groups of Indonesia manage to live in harmony more than they live in strife. In recent years, ethnic violence has been somewhat muted.

The official language of the country is Indonesian, which is a form of Malay.

Anyone who attempts to pin down broad cultural generalities among the Indonesian people is in for a considerable challenge considering the millions of people and the dizzying array of cultures and languages. Perhaps the biggest influence on Indonesian culture is that of India, but Arabic and Chinese influences are also prevalent. There is even some European culture mix in the daily lives, art, styles, foods and dress of Indonesians.

Most people who visit Indonesia come away thinking that the food seems most like Chinese, but with a strong hint of spicy Indian cuisines in the mix.

Like many nations with rapidly emerging economies, more Indonesians live in large urban centers today than ever before. The rural-to-city shift is happening at a rapid rate as Indonesia moves aggressively to modernize and industrialize. The biggest city is Jakarta, the Capital, which is home to some 9.6 million people.

In general, the people of Indonesia have rejected a Communistic form of government in recent years, and are moving towards a much more pro-West but also pro-China posture. Indonesian leaders look to the recent economic boom in China and are attempting to emulate the Community-Capitalist mode China is using to gain ascendancy on the world stage.

So Indonesia is one of the most vibrant, ethnically diverse and robust countries in the world, and with a powerfully emerging economy to match. Educational standards are also improving rapidly and dramatically. Visitors will find friendly, modern-oriented people who are very cognizant of their growing importance among the global family of nations.

Indonesia is a nation where walking and public transportation are preferred over driving, especially for the traveler. It is possible “to get there from here” without driving. Driving in Indonesia is on the left side of the street. The streets are narrow, including the major roads, and a car traveling in each direction has but a few inches of passing room. The challenge is escalated when cars are parked along the street as driveways and garages are not terribly commonplace. There are also motorcyclists to contend with as well as pedestrians who cross the streets wherever there walking feet will take them.

Driving In Indonesia

Indonesia requires drivers to have a driver’s license to operate a car or motorcycle. They are one of many countries that use International Drivers License. Foreigners who visit Indonesia are required to obtain an International Drivers License if driving is to be permitted while in that country. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles or Registry of Motor Vehicles for the laws surrounding an International Drivers License and the procedure to obtain one.

Public Transportation

Public transportation includes busses, trains and taxis, mini busses, motorcycles and a “becak” (three wheeled cycling seats that the drivers peddle from the back). Anyone of theses modes of transportation will take you where you want to go as long as you know where you want to go.

Trains, Busses and Taxis

Trains connect the larger cities and are the most popular mode of transportation. Clean trains are not a priority, but they are a convenient way to get around. Some of the coaches are air conditioned while some are not. For a more comfortable ride, choose one that has properly working air conditioning.

Busses are the main mode of transportation between and in and around the major cities. The busses are subject to crazy drivers like most anywhere in the world, but if you can survive a cab ride in Boston, New York, Chicago or LA, you will survive a bus ride in Indonesia. Busses are less expensive than trains but run more often. Busses in Indonesia have the same public safety problems as anywhere else in the world. Always pay attention to your surroundings and know where your carryon bags are at all times.

Taxis are present in the larger cities but only in Jakarta are they common. The taxis are metered but sometimes the driver would just haggle with the passenger. Some taxis that patrol train and bus stations do not use the meter at all. The drivers would rather establish a “flat rate” based on what they think they can get for a ride.

In 1950, the draft constitution of Indonesia stated that the goal of the government was to provide at least six years of primary school education to each Indonesian child. Even in the late 1980’s that goal had not been met especially among females. Some of the reasons for that were high-birth rate and a shortage of qualified teachers and school facilities. In 1973, a portion of oil revenues were set aside for the purpose of constructing new primary schools. As a result, 40,000 schools were repaired or constructed by the late 1980’s.

Playgroup

The school year begins in July, and the first introduction to school for kids is playgroup for the three and four year’s old kids. The playgroup is more play than group and the setting is certainly not a school setting. The playgroups are held in the morning for the purpose of introducing the kids to social situations and the intermingilation with other kids.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten begins at age four. It serves as a transition between home and formal schooling. Children learn basic skills and knowledge through creative play and social interaction. Formal lessons are introduced to help prepare the child for a more formal class setting when primary school begins. It is not mandatory for a child to attend kindergarten but it gives them a better knowledge base when beginning grade one.

Elementary School

Elementary School is grades one through six. Children begin first grade at about age six and complete sixth grade at about 12 years old. Elementary school provides the first phase of formal education. In Indonesia, the school year is broken into two semesters, each ending with a formal grade for that semester. Grades are based on testing the learning skills of the child of the child through a series of exams. Homework and extra credit projects are often included in the course of study and subject to grades that count toward the completion of each year of schooling.

Junior High School

Junior High covers grades seven, eight and nine. The child begins grade seven at about age 12 and completes grade nine at about age 15. Even though compulsory schooling ends at grade six, students are encouraged to continue with their schooling at least through high school. In Junior High, the students learning skills are increased through more advanced study than in elementary school. Their knowledge base is tested from time to time resulting in a final grade for the year and the ability to continue on to the next grade.

Senior High School

High School covers grades 10, 11 and 12, ages 15 through 18. Senior high school is not mandatory in Indonesia and is looked down by some people. Some schools in Indonesia are not attended by some students as they may teach one career path. There is not a diversified field of study for senior high school students. Depending on the school a student graduates from determines the type of certificate received.