Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). £1= 17,250 IDR approx.
Money Matters
The Indonesian currency is the rupiah. The most useful
current is the US dollar; the British pound is not
accepted. It is possible to change traveller’ cheques in
larger towns and dollar travellers’ cheques are the most
widely accepted. However it is not possible to use
travellers’ cheques in local shops, dive centres and
resorts. Travellers’ cheques can only be cashed in the
bank by the owner of the cheque. Credit cards are only
acceptable in major towns and tourist centres.
Most guests run a “tab” at the KBR, charging drinks
etc to their room and pay the bill on their credit card.
You will require some currency for Singapore as a hotel
accommodation is on a room only basis and transfers both
to and from the airport and client’s own responsibility.
US dollars are usually fine. There is a currency limit
on the amount of rupiah you can take with you into
Indonesia. At the present rate of exchange it is only
about £5.00, so again, small denominations of US
dollars will be useful.
Shopping
In Indonesia it is customary to barter for the most
goods and the asking price is only the starting point!
Bartering should be an enjoyable experience and requires
ingenuity and skill. You should never lose your
patience. If however, the price is displayed on the
goods, then this is a fixed price shop and the cost of
the item is what you will have to pay.
Food & Drink
Eating out in the local restaurants in the villages can
be risky business. Dog, fruit bat, wild pig and jungle
rat are commonly offered. Food hygiene and preparation
do not really suit European stomachs and clients should
be careful indulgence does not ruin their holiday!
Stop over in Singapore
On arrival at changi airport in Singapore once you have
retrieved your luggage you will be directed to the
Singapore airlines T2 arrivals desk to collect your
hotel vouchers, sightseeing vouchers and voucher for
your airport transfer on the Singapore hotel hoppa.
If you prefer to not take the hotel hoppa bus, you can
arrange your own taxi. There is a booking fee of S$3 –
S$5 for each taxi originating from the airport and
approximate fare to the city ranges from S$16 0 S$24.
Alternatively, quests can also book the airport shuttle
service at a fixed fee of S$7 per person.
Singapore is a busy international hub and has therefore
many excellent restaurants and a few places of interest
e.g. little Indian, Chinatown raffles.
Leaving Singapore
Please check the Singapore hotel hoppa times at your
hotel reception desk for the times. Make sure your leave
plenty of time to check in at the correct
terminal/check-in.
What to take
● Pack for hot conditions. Lightweight clothing will be
required.
● Swimming gear, and clothes to protect you from the
sun, including a wide brimmed hat.
● Comfortable shoes and sandals.
Additional Costs
● Any personal expenses, i.e. souvenirs.
● Meals not included in the base price.
● Additional diving costs (see separate diving sheet)
● Departure tax for international departures is 150.000
Rupiah
Visa/ passport information
Please note the following visa requirements. We advise
you check these details prior to your departure in case
of any late changes.
Visitors to Manado require a visa. Currently, visas can
be purchased on arrival at the airport. A 30 day visa
costs US $25. Passengers travelling to Manado must have
six months valid on their passport from the date of the
return to the UK. Passengers be will required to pay
departure tax when leaving Manado, see above.
Please ensure you reconfirm visa requirements prior to
your departure by visiting
www.travcour.com
Health Advice
There are no compulsory vaccinations to travel to
Manado, but we recommend protection against typhoid,
tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.
Officially, north Sulawesi is a non-malarial. However,
if you do not react to the tablets it is always best to
err on the side of caution. We recommence that all
guests travelling to Manado take malarial protection.
Please consult you travel clinic for the latest advice
about malaria, and different prophylaxis available.
Vaccination requirements are subject to change and
should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to
date advice please consult your travel clinic. Further
information regarding vaccinations for the travel to
this country can be found at
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
and for your local healthcare provider.
Flight Details
14th
October 2008 - Depart 11:55 London Heathrow - Arrive
07:45 15th October Singapore
15th
October 2008 - Depart 09:25 Singapore - Arrive 13:05
Manado
24th
October 2008 - Depart 13:45 Manado - Arrive 17:10
Singapore
26th
October 2008 - Depart 12:50 Singapore - Arrive 18:55
London Heathrow
You will receive your flight letter and final vouchers
two weeks prior to your departure along with your flight
tickets.
We recommend that you re-confirm your flight time with
the air lines 72 hours before departure.
Diving At Kungkungan Bay Resort
There is said to be a greater variety of marine life in
the seas off north Sulawesi than anywhere else on the
planet and outstanding diving is available year round.
The area is a centre of marine bio diversity and is home
to many unusual species, ranging from prehistoric fish
like coelacanth through to some recognised household
names like reef sharks and eagle ray.
Water Temperatures
The water temperature is around 27-29 °C and a 3mm
wetsuit should suffice.
Those who feel the cold a little more should consider
taking a 5mm suit.
Full coverage suits are a good idea for overall
protection and to guard against marine nuisances as
stinging hydroids.
Dive Sites
World famous for its macro life, Lembeh is host to a
cornucopia of weird and wonderful creatures, found only
here. The boat moors over shallow black sandy slopes
where seahorses and nudibranches are in abundance. Other
inhabitants include the inimical devilfish, dwarf
lionfish, scorpion fish, puffer fish, octopus, Pegasus
sea moths, frog fish, ribbon eels and flying gunnards.
A truly unique opportunity for underwater photographers
or anyone seeking the unusual. The dive guides and
instructors will take you on a guided tour around
lembeh’s wonderland and thrill you with its magic. The
lembeh strait also contains WWII shipwrecks at “dive
able depth”, waiting patiently for the adventure to
explore. Night diving is also available. (All diving is
subject to weather and sea conditions).
The dive guides are well informed and there is no
obvious language problem, but please ensure that you
fully understand the dive briefing, care should always
be taken when surfacing to avoid other boat traffic.
Currents are prevalent on almost every dive and that can
be unpredictable but great care is taken to use this to
advantage and consequently the diving is very relaxed.
Divers should take their own delayed marker buoys to
facilitate pick-ups and florescent sticks, or strobe to
attach to your tanks for night diving.
Dive Centre Info
The expertly run dive centre at “KBR” is run by eco
divers. The diving here is highly specialised. The
centre, recognising this, guarantee a maximum group size
of just 4 guests to each guide, so there is never a
crowd of other divers getting in your way. A fleet of
small speed boats access all 30 dives sites in no more
tat 15 minutes.
If you have pre-booked your diving with regal dive,
please go to the dive centre on the first morning of
your holiday. You will receive a letter on arrival
detailing the time of dive check-in. you will need to
take your passport; certification card and logbook with
you along with a medical statement of you need to answer
“yes” to any of the PADI medical questions.
Extras
● Marine park fee: Annual ticket $18; Daily ticket $6.
Equipment Hire
The dive centre has the following equipment available
for hire. Payable locally;
● 1 day dive set: €20
● Regulator: €8
● BCD: €6
● Wetsuits, Masks, Fins/Boots, Torches: €5 |
