Just got this email from Fotografer.Net organizers ...........
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I am sure you are still keeping your mind on CB 6 trip preparation
Padang, Bukittinggi, Rumah Gadang (big house, traditional house of West Sumatra), nasi kapau (kapau rice, the famous Padang cuisine) and Indonesian fellows are waiting for you
Here are some information, do-s and don't-s which might be useful to make our trip fun and comfortable:
Weather
West Sumatra is located in the equator, crossed by the zero degree longitude in one of its city
Mainly, the weather is hot and humid
We are going to land in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, which is in east coast of Sumatra. The temperature will be around 25-32 degree Celcius.
It is also scheduled to visit Sikuai Island, about an hour boat ride from Padang, which has tropical beach type of weather condition
Bukittinggi, Maninjau Lake and some other area are located in West Sumatra highland. Temperature will drop to 15-24 degree Celcius
Respect to The Locals
West Sumatra is Moslem majority province and a bit fanatic. Non-moslems are prohibited to enter mosque. There is also 5-times-a-day prayer call, announced loudly from every mosque, big and small.
People in suburban area and villages are kind and friendly. It is suggested to pay their smile with your smile, talk where you find English-speaking locals and even shake their hand to introduce yourself.
Keep low profile, as we are a visitor to somebody else's home
If you enter local people houses, put off your shoes/sandals as a respect to the home owner
If you are in doubt about anything, ask Indonesian fellows.
Dress Code
General dress code is a polite type of cloth as we are visiting a Moslem fanatic area.
Gentlemen are allowed to wear short. Not too short, at least it reach your knees. Ladies are suggested to wear bottoms which cover knee.
A trouser or 3/4 short might be allright when you are out. Ladies and gentlemen are also suggested to wear polite type of tops, for example: t-shirt, polo shirt or a simple and casual shirt.
It is not suggested to wear tank tops (ladies) and basketball-jersey kind of shirt (gentlemen), while you are out.
Light and casual but polite when you are in Padang, Sikuai and some other lowland and coastal area
Jacket and other thick type of clothes to keep you comfortably warm when we visit Bukittinggi, Maninjau and other highland area
Caps, hats and other thing to cover your head might be helpful to resist from the heat of sun.
Money Matter
Indonesian currency is Rupiah (Indonesian Rupiah), which code is Rp or IDR
USD 1 = Rp 10,080.00 at the moment of writing. It fluctuates everytime
Most places accept major credit cards
Some smaller shops and handicraft stalls only accept cash in Rupiah
ATM is widely distributed in Padang and Bukittinggi. It also may cash overseas credit/debit card within Cirrus and Maestro networks
Money changer is available in Padang and Bukittingi, as both cities are main tourist area in West Sumatra. Just in case we have limited time to bring you there, you may change your USD in Padang airport. I doubt money changers in Padang accept Singapore Dollar and Malaysia Ringgit.
USD is the best to bring and to be exchanged. Make sure the notes are clean, plain, not folded and has no any kind of marks.
Airport tax for International flight is IDR 100,000 will be collected upon departure
Food
Most of the time meals are served with Indonesian cuisines. Breakfast is served in hotel, and menu is vary depends on hotel availability.
Those who might have problem with food and stomach are suggested to bring their own anti-diarrhea pills, i.e Diatabs and Norit.
It is not suggested to eat in/on/from street food stalls, unless you are used to that kind of food.
Drink only boiled water and bottled water. Do not drink tap water.
Travelling in Group
The spirit of Crossing Bridges advises anyone in the group to blend in to the group, interact to other group members and put respect each other no matter what is their country of origin.
You may, and surely will, find you favorit subject of photography. Just in case you have to separate yourself a bit away, make sure you are still in, at least, one group member sight and inform them your position.
Pay attention to the organizer and your group leader
Please respect time
Contribute yourself where and when needed
Involve yourself in all group agenda
There is no reason to push yourself if you have a physical limitation. Simply inform your group leader your condition.
Your travel mate is your family when you are away from home. Treat them as if they are.
Crossing Bridges kind of trip is not an ordinary trip served by a professional travel agent.
Please kindly help yourself or kindly ask help from surroundings if you are really in need of it.
Useful number in emergency:
1. Kristupa Saragih: +62 8122982670
2. Dodi Sandradi: +62 81393931000
Best regards,
Kristupa Saragih
cheers man...
