TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Travel to Medan‐Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) Your Trip Will Start in Medan–Kualanamu International Airport
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TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Travel to Medan‐Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) Your trip will start in Medan–Kualanamu International Airport. Therefore please arrange your flight to arrive in Kualanamu International Airport, in Medan, North Sumatra. Pre-Sumatra: 1. You will have to complete the confirmation form and send it to Diana [email protected] and Mathias [email protected] 2. As soon as you have booked and confirmed your flight, please forward your full travel itinerary to Diana and Mathias. Please ensure that you include: departure airport, flight number, dates of travel, airline name, and arrival airport; 3. Ensure that you have a return ticket booked; you will need to present this when you arrive in Kualanamu/Indonesia. WELCOME TO SUMATRA: Day 1: Arrive in Kualanamu International airport Here is some information for your arrival: 1. When you arrive at the Airport, after you have cleared immigration and got your luggage, walk toward the exit of the departure hall. There will be Ms. Tia (mobile: +6281376797650) waiting for you with arrival sign; 2. Your escort will bring you to Jangga Guest House, in the centre of Medan city, 27km from the airport, where everybody will stay for the first couple of nights. You may have to arrange your own check in, the booking will be under your name; 3. For this night, since everybody will be arriving at various times, dinner will be served at nearby restaurant. Visas The fees for visa on arrival are: Visa up to 30 (thirty) days = US$ 35 (check on the internet for the list of countries with free visa on arrival) General notes for visa applications: Please ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months after your intended date of arrival; Visa applications often require proof of onward travel, namely an airline ticket; In accordance with the Regulation of Minister of Law and Human Right of the Republic of Indonesia, citizen from 61 countries and 1 region are eligible for obtaining Visa on Arrival (VOA). Please do your research for this in regards to your own home country; Ensure that you apply for your visa well in advance of your planned departure date (for participants from countries that not eligible for VOA). Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is in conjunction with YEL’s local partners, NGOs, charities and agents and is offered in good faith. YEL or any of its affiliates cannot be held responsible for incorrect or out of date information or for failed visa applications. What to pack Packing for a long international adventure can be confusing; here are a few things to think about before you start spending your hard earned cash on any new items: For Medan-Bukit Lawang: it can be 40 degrees during the day and below 20 at night. For Takengon: it can be 28 degrees during the day and below 15 at night; Season for March and April: it should be dry season, but you will be in the rainforest and highland, so always expect some rain, especially in Takengon; Dress code – there are many destinations in the world where both men and women are expected to wear modest and polite clothing in public, one of them is Aceh (Takengon). Here wearing what is deemed inappropriate clothing locally can easily offend! Write a list of everything you think you’ll need, if possible, gather it together and lay it out – looks like a lot!? Here’s the first tip – halve it! Remember that whatever you pack, you’ll have to carry! Whatever you do choose to take, here are few items that you are sure to be glad you packed: Small first-aid kit Waterproof pouch/dry bag Waterproof poncho Indonesian/English Dictionary (at your discretion, but it might make your trip a bit more immersive – these are also available as apps) Reef boots/wet shoes Torch or headlamp Travel tips You are about to embark on an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime, but don’t forget to ensure that you are properly prepared: Documents & money: Pocket money for treats, SIM card, toiletries, etc. Remember to take four photocopies of all your documents (eg insurance card, tickets, passport) leave also one behind and take the rest with you. Take some US dollars and / or local currency (Indonesian Rupiah-IDR) in small denominations with you for immediate expenses after arrival. Check with your card issuer for its compatibility with local ATMs (also at ATMs, never hand your card over to anyone offering to help you, even if they say they are working for the bank - this is a somewhat common scam). Things to take: Think about the project that you are going to visit and what might be useful for them and see if you have any spares or cheap supplies to fit in your luggage (eg clothes, toys, CDs, writing/art /educational materials, beginners’ English dictionaries). Remember, however, that many things will be available more cheaply at your destination so don't over pack - you can often buy what you need out here. Stock up on favorite personal/prescription items (eg sanitary protection, contraception, medicines, eye care, etc) as it's unlikely you'll find all the same brands. Take a gift(s) as a token of appreciation for the coffee farmers (completely optional!). Items that represent your regional/national culture or landscape (eg typical food or drink, calendar, book) are a great gift or an interesting way of telling people about where you come from. Cultural Awareness: Do your research – learn as much about your destination as possible, what is socially acceptable behavior, what are the cultural do’s and don’ts. Try to speak as much of the local language as you can to local people - they'll appreciate your efforts even if it's just please and thank you. Be respectful of local their culture at all times and be a good ambassador for your own country. Always remain mindful that you are visiting another country and culture; if you are not sure how to behave, take a look around and see how local people are acting. Accept your local surroundings; you’ll probably soon recognize that different cultures have a different concept of time, don’t get too hung up if people are late! Your personal space may be very important to you, however some cultures regard leaving a “visitor” alone the height of rudeness, so be prepared to have constant company! Dress appropriately. Again if you are not sure what the local protocol is, take a look around; if you are the only person wearing shorts and a skimpy t-shirt, its probably regarded as inappropriate dress! As a general rule, dress conservatively and avoid leaving too much skin on display. Be conservative with resources; water, firewood, electricity etc may be in short supply. Refrain from aggressive bargaining. It’s often difficult to know your limits in bargaining so if you’re not sure, ask your local host for tips. Remember that the purchases you make directly affect vendors’ livelihoods; so decide if you really need to hang onto that extra dollar or if it could impact the vendor more. Remember that you are going to a different country with a different culture and a different way of doing things. Please be careful not to judge others too quickly and remember to keep an open mind. Any concerns you have, discuss them with the local staff member, it is likely that any issues are a simple difference in cultural approach. Educational material: Bring with you a paper notebook and pen to take notes during lessons, ipda/computer could be useful, camera to take picture, go pro camera for videos. Country Fact File Capital city : Jakarta Language : Indonesian is the national language, with there being a great many local languages spoken throughout the archipelago. English, although not widely spoken fluently throughout the country, is also taught in many schools. Time Zone : GMT +7 Dialing code : 0062 Currency : Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) – approximately 13.300 IDR = 1 USD Religion : Muslim (majority), Christian, Hindu, Buddhism and traditional religions Population : 255 Million as of 2016 Electricity : 220V European socket – 2 circular pins Responsible Travel Tips on how YOU can be a responsible traveller: You have already made a conscious decision to join the 2017 Coffee Tour. This in itself is a selfless act, you’ve made a decision to support others, now maximize your positive contribution and minimize your negative impact by becoming a “Responsible Traveller”. Environmental sensitivity: No matter how sensitive you are, there is always an impact, so be mindful to “tread lightly”. Be considerate with the use of water, it may be in short supply. Consider you modesty while washing; you may enjoy bathing “au natural”, however others may not! Be careful not to damage any flora, particularly in cold or high altitude environments where plants take a long time to grow. Don't be tempted to buy souvenirs made from wild animal products, including skins, ivory or bone. Not only is it illegal to import or export them in most cases, you're likely to be supporting poaching practices that have had devastating impacts on animal populations. Similar principles apply to wooden products: check that you're not purchasing a chunk of old- growth rainforest. On your return: Distribute your responsible travel tips. In addition to telling family and friends about the wonderful memories you made, also consider sharing tips on how they too can be a responsible and keep the environment. Share your photos. Pictures can say a thousand words. Show us and tell us about your experience.