Indonesia’s roads can lead to adventure and good times, but they can also lead to an abrupt accidental end to your holiday. The roads can be extremely crowded, pot-holed and dangerous.
You’ll be sharing the narrow roads lots of traffic-truck, buses, jeeps, minibuses, cars, motorbikes, pushbikes, soup carts, pedestrians, horses, dogs, pigs, goats, ducks and chickens (remember, there are over 200 Million Indonesians crammed into a relatively small are the size of only Victoria and Queensland!)
The traffic buzzes along at warp-speed, with everyone seemingly hell bent upon overtaking everyone else constantly, often two or three abreast with horns blaring. People casually enter from side streets and blind alleys without so much as even glancing, completely oblivious of the dangerous oncoming traffic who are just expected to give way to anything in front.
It’s not very relaxing to be driving amidst all this chaos, but just remember to keep one foot hard down on the accelerator, the other ready on the brake, and your hand on the horn. Some “rules” include constantly check your rearview mirror for overtaking trucks, and sound your horn whenever you approach another vehicle or person just to let them know you are there. This is considered very polite behaviour on Indonesian roads.
Hazard lights flashing as a car approaches an intersection seems to mean “I’m coming trough no matter what, so get out of my way”. Right flashing indicator seems to mean “I’m passing no matter what, so oncoming traffic had better pull over off my road”.
Motorbike should expect no respect whatsoever from approaching cars who will overtake even if it means forcing you off the fringe of the road into a ditch. Expect this to happen to you every day. The safest rule in to give way to anything bigger than you, and be well insured.
If you intent riding a motorbike regularly bring a full face crash helmet from home. Although when you rent a bike in Indonesia you get compulsory helmet included, they are often just lightweight construction-style hats, with no face protection. Gath helmets aren’t for road use.
For many reasons, it is much better to hire a car with a driver included. Often it is only a few dollars more and you will be free to relax and enjoy the view while the driver’s local knowledge gets you to the surf with a minimum of fuss. Plus it can be more fun traveling with a local who will know the best place to eat, unusual sights and maybe even introduce you to his family.
On the next page are a few words and sentences that may come in hand on your Road to Discovery.

Remember ceremonies are seriuos occasions and should be treated as such.

Guidelines :
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