Accommodation and transport
Travelling without a planned itinerary, or alone, is not an issue of concern in Indonesia. All you have to do is to decide which of the many interesting islands you want to visit.
My annual travel to Indonesia begins in Bali. I then decide which island I would like to visit. This year I decided that I wanted to see the tau-tau (statues of the dead) inTanah Toraja, Sulawesi. Off to Garuda office located in the Hotel Kartika Plaza to book my ticket to Makassar. Garuda from Denpasar to Makassar and return to Denpasar $200 (Rp 1.5 million).
No, I did not have accommodation or transport booked. Quite simply you don’t need it when travelling to the islands where the economy is not reliant on tourism. Every airport has extensive information regarding accommodation and transport. Pick a price and books full of hotels in your price range can be perused.
There is also the option of internet booking of hotels and tickets when you arrive in Bali.
I selected hotels priced between $25 – $35 a night, located by the beach’ in the city of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. I chose the Losari Hotel at $35 (Rp 250.0000) with breakfast included. The hotel was on the beach front and was very comfortable. The Losari Hotel had air conditioning and all of the comforts one looks for in a hotel with a much higher price tag.
Transport arrangements were made and I departed the next morning at 8am. From Makassar to Tanah Toraja, the trip usually takes 8 hours by car. Car and driver cost approximately $50 (Rp 350.000) a day in a new, air conditioned 4-wheel drive. This cost included all petrol and parking fees. Bartering will save you a significant amount of cash.
Accommodation in Tanah Toraja was a cottage with fan – air-conditioning was not necessary up in the mountains, and breakfast was included. Accommodation costs varies according to individual requirements. I paid $20 (Rp 150.000) for a basic, clean cottage. I stayed at Toraja Cottages located on the mountain slope approximately 5 kms out of Rantapeo. The beautiful gardens of Toraja Gardens Cottages.
With the driver and car at my disposal, the quiet of the cottages was a retreat after the bustle of Bali , Makassar and the city noises, and the market atmosphere of Rantapeo. The car at my disposal 24 hours a day also ensured that I was in control of what I wanted to see and when I wanted to see it. I was very comfortable with my driver, Peter, who was a Torajan. And I was very fortunate that his knowledge of the local area ensured entry into areas not frequented by tourists. He also gave me an insight into life in Tanah Toraja, with invitations to his niece’s wedding and introductions to his family.
Travelling without a planned itinerary, or alone, is not an issue of concern in Indonesia. All you have to do is to decide which of the many interesting islands you want to visit.
My annual travel to Indonesia begins in Bali. I then decide which island I would like to visit. This year I decided that I wanted to see the tau-tau (statues of the dead) inTanah Toraja, Sulawesi. Off to Garuda office located in the Hotel Kartika Plaza to book my ticket to Makassar. Garuda from Denpasar to Makassar and return to Denpasar $200 (Rp 1.5 million).
No, I did not have accommodation or transport booked. Quite simply you don’t need it when travelling to the islands where the economy is not reliant on tourism. Every airport has extensive information regarding accommodation and transport. Pick a price and books full of hotels in your price range can be perused.
There is also the option of internet booking of hotels and tickets when you arrive in Bali.
I selected hotels priced between $25 – $35 a night, located by the beach’ in the city of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. I chose the Losari Hotel at $35 (Rp 250.0000) with breakfast included. The hotel was on the beach front and was very comfortable. The Losari Hotel had air conditioning and all of the comforts one looks for in a hotel with a much higher price tag.
Transport arrangements were made and I departed the next morning at 8am. From Makassar to Tanah Toraja, the trip usually takes 8 hours by car. Car and driver cost approximately $50 (Rp 350.000) a day in a new, air conditioned 4-wheel drive. This cost included all petrol and parking fees. Bartering will save you a significant amount of cash.
Accommodation in Tanah Toraja was a cottage with fan – air-conditioning was not necessary up in the mountains, and breakfast was included. Accommodation costs varies according to individual requirements. I paid $20 (Rp 150.000) for a basic, clean cottage. I stayed at Toraja Cottages located on the mountain slope approximately 5 kms out of Rantapeo.
With the driver and car at my disposal, the quiet of the cottages was a retreat after the bustle of Bali , Makassar and the city noises, and the market atmosphere of Rantapeo. The car at my disposal 24 hours a day also ensured that I was in control of what I wanted to see and when I wanted to see it. I was very comfortable with my driver, Peter, who was a Torajan. And I was very fortunate that his knowledge of the local area ensured entry into areas not frequented by tourists. He also gave me an insight into life in Tanah Toraja, with invitations to his niece’s wedding and introductions to his family.