Lonely Planet Indonesia (Paperback)

~ Patrick Witton (Author), Mark Elliott (Author), (Author), Virginia Jealous (Author), Etain O'Carroll (Author), Nick Ray (Author), Alan Tarbell (Author), Matt Warren (Author) "The Indonesian archipelago was first inhabited by Pithecanthropus erectus, or Java Man, one of the earliest human ancestors, who migrated via land bridges to Java..." (more)
Key Phrases: opelet terminal, babi rusa, bemo travel, Ahmad Yani, Nusa Tenggara, East Java (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

As usual the guidebook standard is set by Lonely Planet

-- Outside --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Includes a colour section on Indonesian arts and crafts, tips on the best places to stay for any budget and notes on Indonesian cuisine. This title provides detailed information on getting around Indonesia's thousands of islands, and a chapter on Bahasa Indonesia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 960 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 7th edition (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740591542
• ISBN-13: 978-1740591546
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #740,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but Could Be Better, April 6, 2004

By	Laszlo Wagner (Hungary) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This is currently the best overall guide to Indonesia for independent travellers. It covers enough attractions to keep people occupied for months, and is more than enough for those with an average interest in the country.
As usual with this series, it is strong on practical details like prices, public transport and city maps, though one should never forget that prices in particular will have changed by the time one gets there - this 7th edition was researched in 2002, and reflects the situation as it was then.
There is also more than enough background information about culture and history for most readers.
Note however that coverage of remoter, less-visited regions is poorer - the chapter on Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) is nearly useless, and the one on Papua (Indonesian New Guinea) is little better.
Those with a deeper interest in Indonesia, or with an interest in a particular region, might want more detailed guides to those areas - Lonely Planet has great guides to Java and Nusa Tenggara, while Periplus has eight separate ones to all parts of the country, though the Periplus ones are best backed up with this book for practical details.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Starting Point, Reference Material, December 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Indonesia (Paperback)

This is a good guidebook and fairly accurate. In a country like Indonesia, however, things change quickly so use this book as a reference not as a bible. Do you own research and talk to other travellers. Since LP Indo is the default travellers' guide to this region, most of the restaurants and hotels are not the best values. Many get a steady stream of customers just because of a good review and never bother to maintain the facilities. The best deals require a lot of footwork and bargaining! Also, bus/boat schedules always change. So don't plan a rigid itinerary based on the data in this book. I know a couple that lost a week because they planned a trip around a ferry described in this book but didn't actually exist! Be prepared to wait if you're going off the beaten path. Some boat services are infrequent between the islands.

Learning some bahasa indonesia always helps bargaining. The language section is adequate but the phrasebook is much better.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indon - easier !, June 17, 2000

By	Lancelot S. Castle (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Indonesia (Paperback)

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This is a valuable text for the economical traveller who wishes to enjoy the people,customs and natural beauties of this country.

It has all the usual features many have come to expect from the 'Lonely Planet' guides.Good area/city maps,travel details, pointers for the culinary delicacies of particular areas,good information on inexpensive places to stay,as well as fascinating sights,places and people to visit,a brief introduction to the(amazingly simple and easy to learn)language,and interesting cultural,religious and other useful notes.

This edition and it`s excellent predecessors have played a major part in assisting me in all of my travels to Indonesia,in both the planning and research stages,and during the travel itself.I am certain that I would not have travelled to some of the unique and rarely visited places that I was privileged to see without the aid of this weighty and at times indispensible tome.

However,the most important thing to take with you is an open mind and heart,a friendly nature,and a desire to get to know the people and their customs.(Language is a great help too.)These ingredients(and the book !)tend to make for a most memorable and enjoyable stay. Bon Voyage !

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