1. General
The following advice results from my previous personal experiences in
and around Bunaken.
Should you have further questions or should you be in
difficulties, then address the manager of your Homestay. On the one hand
most of them know the mentality of his compatriots and on the other
hand they already have learned, too, to think modernly.
2. Dangers
- In Manado: Look on your way! Pay attention to pits
and holes on the pavement particularly at darkness. Danger places are
not indicated particularly like in your country.
- The roofs of stalls usually are located in a
height where an average tall Indonesian cannot hurt himself but
a European or American tourist
awfully well .
- If you go for a walk on Bunaken, then pay attention to falling coconuts
particularly at a strong wind.
- Alcohol is a problem in North Sulawesi particularly
also on Bunaken. Before all the local "Cap Tikus " which
is made from the fruits of a palm tree is so cheap that everybody on
the island can easily afford it. Therefore you
will often meet there drunk guys especially in the evening. Do
never take a risk by verbal or even physical discussing with
them. It
could find a bad end for you.
- Categorically do not go barefootedly in
the evening
- Do not have any garments hung in the bathroom
("mandi"), also no bathing clothes. Check always before you put on
a garment whether it was not choosen
as a hiding-place by an (poisonous) animal.
3. Health
-
If you are not already insured with your diving club, you should
effect a health insurance especially for divers. And make sure,
that it is valid during the whole period of your stay in Indonesia.
Hand over
phone number and insurance number to your homestay/divecenter and
explain the procedure at an accident. As a rule, hospitals or decompression
chambers in Indonesia refuse the admission if you cannot prove your
ability to pay or the coverage by an insurance. By the way: There
is a decompression chamber in Manado.
-
Carry always the phone number of an Indonesian friend, an acquaintance
or your dive center when you are away.
-
I am often asked
whether I recommend a malaria prophylaxis. I always answer that I
had only a stand-by medication till now. I do
not know yet what I will do on my next journey. I use to ask on the
Internet (see links) and my GP in addition. It would be irresponsible
to give you medical advice at this point. You must yourself ask
about the current situation and take a decision together with your
doctor.
- I incurred a serious wound infection with streptococci
in 2006. Despite medical treatment in Germany the cure was carried
out only after 5 weeks. I advise you therefore to go to a doctor immediately
if you state, that wound (if also so small) does not want to cure
or that
it even becomes enlarged.
4. Accommodation
-
Always ask about exact prices and performances before move into
a bungalow. Always articulate special requests and ask for the extra
costs before, too.
-
There are Resorts, where non-diving guests must
pay a surcharge. Ask before!
-
"Mandi" means "bathing" or "having
a shower" .
This is a typically Asian way to wash: The "Kamar Mandi" (bathroom)
contains a basin filled with water. A kind of scoop is besides it.
You fill this with water from the basin and pour that over yourself.
So the basin is not provided to take a seat inside.
However, the scoop also fulfils another purpose (see below).
-
As a rule, the toilet ("kamar kecil") is
in the same room. It may vary from only a hole in
the ground up to a western style toilet with or without flush.
The traditional Indonesian toilet is a hole with places on the two
sides for your feet. You must only squat down and aim precisely.
-
Indonesians normally do not use a toilet paper. For
cleaning themselves, they use their left hand while they let
much water flow
from the scoop (right hand) centrically down the end of their
back. (Therefore it is not polite if one gives an Indonesian something
with his left hand.) If you cannot force yourself to this method,
then agree with the management early enough that a loo roll
is always available in your "kamar kecil". However, take
care that you do not stop the drains up.
- Most bungalows have mosquito nets. However, these very
often already have many holes so that it would be advisable to take
an own one. One can also - if necessary - closure these access openings
by pasting up, clipping, or tying up. Before going to bed, check whether
gnats have already lodged themselves and only wait for your fresh
blood. In this case you can "clean" the area inside. For
this purpose I have bought a kind of tennis racket in Jakarta with
which I use to kill the mosquitos by means of high voltage. There is
this chargeable equipment in Manado meanwhile, too.(e.g. in the department
store Mata Hari/Manado in the electric department, ground floor). It
is not expensive.
5. Diving and Snorkelling
-
As said already under item 2, alcohol is a problem
on Bunaken. Unfortunately, many dive guides are also affected by
it. For your own safety notice their behaviour (also in the evening
before at the bar) and expresses your doubts if you think your dive
guide still has considerable lots of rest alcohol in the blood. Require
another guide if necessary. You can contribute to a changed consciousness
also by your behaviour and by your influence in this respect.
-
Before you go to snorkel for the first time,
ask about dangerous currents
(particularly in front of the village of Bunaken).
- Act always as a model for the local people by your
environmentally compatible behaviour ashore and diving as well .
6. Behaviour
-
Do not overtax Indonesians by asking virtues, such as punctuality,
precision, reliability, hygienic behaviour etc., of them. You may
nevertheless practise criticism -at all appreciation of the strange
culture- tactfully and friendly if you yourself are concerned. In
addition, it cannot harm in contributing to more environment conscious
behaviour or to the improvement in the tourist offers.
-
Most locals are kind and sociable people.
Return their kindness! A certain caution nevertheless is advisable.
The kindness in some cases focuses less on your person and rather
on your filled purse.
- Avoid misunderstandings when negotiating prices.
Later the local may
namely react extremely emotionally and dangerously if you do not comply
with his demands. Close a larger deal only with witnesses and
written if possible. Do not only trust the kind assurance: "You
can trust me".
7. Transportation
You find detailed information about local transportation with taxis, mikrolets
(mini-buses), buses, rented cars, boats, ojecs (a method of motorcycle
transport) and bendi (a traditional cart pulled by a horse) on Peter's
website
Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés, Pubs,
Internet Cafés
You find detailed information about Hotels, Restaurants,
Cafés, Pubs/Discotheques, Internet ... on Peter's
website
Please!
If you want to pass a small comment on
this web site or if you like to write about own experiences,
then take a little time for my Guest
Book. You may help other travellers by this.
I willingly answer your questions...
(info@bunaken-klaus.com)
but
please, read carefully my pages first. And consider that I am
not an expert for everything, also not for medical questions or for cheap
plane tickets. |
