Rule for Registering IMEI in Indonesia?
By The Spot
Under the regulation, phones with international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) — a unique code assigned to every SIM card slot a phone has — that have not been registered in Indonesia will not be able to connect to any of the country’s cellular services.
UPDATE
The rules have slightly changed, now foreigner can use their phone for a period of 90 days without registering!
Read more in our Blog about this:
http://samesame.id/news/how-to-register-your-phone-as-a-foreigner-in-indonesia/
The Ministry of Industries, one of the initiators of the regulation, has launched a page where users can enter their phone’s IMEI to see if it’s registered in the government’s database of legally approved phones.
You can view the page here.
Your phone’s IMEI should be available in the about section of its settings. Alternatively, you can dial *#06# to automatically bring up your phone’s IMEI.
What to do if it’s not registered?
If you register device at airport within 24 hours of arrival you don’t pay customs tax on devices less than the value of US$500. Anything above that you have to pay 40% tax.
If it’s more than 24 hours after you arrive you pay 40% tax regardless of the value of device. In this case you have to register your mobile device at the tax office
Bring your:
- Passport,
- boarding pass or flight ticket
- IMEI number
You can WhatsApp them from their official website, if you have any questions.
Link to official website : https://www.beacukai.go.id/lang.html?language=en
Best time to visit Lombok
Frequently we’ve been asked what is the best time to visit Lombok. This question can’t be answered easily because it depends on many variables. However, we will try to give you some advice in this article.
We have lived on the island for 7 years and therefore experienced all of the seasons multiple times
Best travel time for Lombok & the Gili Islands: When should I go?
Basically, you can travel the islands at any time. However, the best time of the year (high season) starts at the end of May/beginning of June and lasts until the end of September.
You will have by far the least rainy days during the dry season from July to September. Here you can almost be sure that the sun is shining every day. Good weather is nearly inevitable and you don’t need to worry about raining when planing some nice day trips. At most, a few clouds can occasionally wind up.
Please note that in this so-called peak season the hotel and flight prices are the highest. Often rooms (especially on the Gili Islands) are sold out or only very expensive.
Another small disadvantage during the dry season is that the islands don’t have their lush green color as usual. If you visit Lombok during that season of the year for the first time you will still be very impressed. But I have to say it is more beautiful when the mountains and landscapes are in a bright green.
Otherwise, don’t be afraid of the rainy season!
This season takes place from November to February (partly even March). Most of the time it’s raining on a daily basis and the showers are quite powerful, but the rain stops often after one or two hours. However, sometimes a shower of rain can last half a day or continue until the night falls – something like that is rarely predictable and luck of the draw. If you are lucky, you can also experience hot and sunny days without any rain during that season.
Usually there is a daily routine during the rainy season. This means: early in the morning the sun is shining and the sky is clear, at noon the first clouds start to show and in the afternoon the rain will start.
If you decide to visit Lombok during the low season/rainy season, you should plan your day trips in the early morning if possible. You will note this daily routine especially on the Gili Islands, which have their kind of own microclimate. While the clouds get stuck over the mountains of Lombok, they pass the Gilis much faster.
During the rainy season on the islands the air is really hot and humid and the average temperatures are slightly higher than in the dry season. In that season the heat is really bearable and at night the temperature can drop to 20° (in the mountain regions like Tetebatu oder Senaru even below that). Sometimes it’s a pleasant cool down for a change.
The months of April and May are often unpredictable, but it’s still a very good time to visit Lombok or Bali. There can still be some rainy days, but they are quite limited.
My personal recommendation for the best time to visit would be the months after the rainy season and before the high season, in other words from April to May (and beginning of June). The islands are still in a lush green and not so dry, there are just a few rainy days.
What to do in Lombok in 2022
It was the waves that first attracted tourists to Lombok, located centrally in the Indonesian island chain just a short distance from better-known Bali, and while the surf scene still flourishes, there are also no scarcity of other attractions in or out of the water. Wondering what to do in Lombok in 2022? Here are the 12 best things to do and discover on Lombok Island.
1. SOAK UP THE SUN AT TANGSI BEACH
Lombok’s beaches are universally adored for their fine sand and bliss-inducing desert island look, and there are plenty of crowd-free stretches to choose between. But for that extra sense of distinctiveness you’ll want to head to Tangsi Beach, one of only two pink beaches in Indonesia. Here you can enjoy sunbathing on the oddly-hued sands before snorkeling amid the offshore corals, or even heading out onto the sheltered bay by canoe.
2. TAKE A SCENIC HIKE IN MOUNT RINJANI
Not only is Rinjani the second highest mountain in Indonesia, it’s also an active volcano. Towering over the island at 3,726 meters high, a hike to its summit is a phenomenal multi-day experience that also takes in another wonder, the crescent-shaped crater lake Segara Anak. But if you don’t fancy the long hike here, there’s always Bukit Pergasingan, a hill that looks out onto Rinjani and the colorful patchwork quilt of fields below.
3. ISLAND HOP AT THE GILI ISLANDS
Offering two very different slices of Lombok life, by day Gili Trawangan – the largest of three islands – is a tranquil beach getaway. However as the sun goes down the beach bars take to the fore, offering live music and the odd dancefloor too. By comparison, Gili Air can’t boast about its nightlife, but has some highly-rated diving spots, while Gili Meno is a good bet if you’re eager to encounter a sea turtle.Tours in Gili Islands
4. VISIT THE TRADITIONAL VILLAGES OF SASAK
The indigenous Sasak people of Lombok (making up 85% of the population) are well-known in Indonesia for their skill at weaving, a practice that can be observed up close in traditional villages such as Tetebatu and Sade. At Sade, just 10 kilometers from the main surfing beach of Kuta, volunteer guides escort visitors through the maze of narrow alleys that wind between the distinctive palm and adobe buildings while local women spin yarn as they must have done for centuries.
5. ENJOY SUNSETS AT KUTA BEACH
Lombok’s Kuta is a smaller and more restful version of Bali’s beach of the same name. Though parasailing and banana boat rides are available, the main draw are the sunsets, which ignite the sea and sky with reds, oranges and golds. The center of Lombok’s backpacking scene, Kuta manages to maintain its village feel despite the range of eating and drinking establishments, giving the area an egalitarian atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
6. EXPLORE TIU KELEP AND BENANG KELAMBU WATERFALLS
Surrounded by the emerald green jungle of Lombok’s north, Tiu Kelep is one of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls. An hour’s gentle trek through the jungle from the village of Senaru, the cooling crystal clear waters plunge 45 meters into a pool perfect for cooling off in. Though only tumbling half the height of Tiu Kelep, the waterfalls at Benang Kelambu are equally mesmerizing, with spectacular photo opportunities existing from behind the curtain of roaring water.
7. WALK THE STREETS OF MATARAM
For a sense of modern Indonesia you must head to Mataram, Lombok’s ‘capital’, where the constant splutter of motorbike engines along grand tree-lined streets adds to the cacophony of market-stall traders selling their wares and the sounds of worship from mosques and temples. Don’t miss the stunning pagodas of the Pura Meru Hindu temple, dating from the early eighteenth-century, or the colonial buildings of the Dutch period of rule in the once separate district of Ampenan.
8. STROLL NARMADA WATER PALACE
Also known as Narmada Water Palace, a more fitting name for the site, the park was constructed in the 1720s by Balinese King Anak not far from Mataram. Designed to pay homage to Mount Rinjani and perhaps act as a royal retreat, the park echoes the volcanoes shape with stepped terracing that leads down to large rectangular pools. Natural springs ensure the gardens remain a lush oasis throughout the year, and the perfect place for a relaxed morning or afternoon stroll.
9. DISCOVER SEMETI BEACH
Semeti Beach, on the western side of the island, is famed not for fine sands but for the formations of volcanic rock that stretch down into the shallows. Over time the action of waves has created a series of blow holes, pools and inlets that are well worth exploring if you enjoy the gentle scramble over rocks. The best way to take in the whole landscape, however, probably comes through heading out into the warm sea and looking back to land.
10. HIKE AROUND NATURE AND HISTORY AT TANJUNG RINGGIT
Hikers will love the paths around Tanjung Ringgit, one of the best trekking sites on Lombok. On the island’s southern approaches, the path passes through verdant fields and onto low cliffs. Offering endless views out to sea and to Mount Rinjani, its occasionally possible to look down onto turtles bobbing in the waves, while on the cliffs you’ll definitely come across defensive gun emplacements and bunkers built by the Japanese during their occupation of the island in World War Two.
11. GO CAVE EXPLORING AT BANGKANG
The dramatic and rarely visited caves at Bangkang, pierced by shafts of daylight, should be on the list of any adventurous traveler visiting Lombok. The vast caverns below ground, reached by precarious ladders, stretch up and all around you like something from another world. Be warned though, the caves are also home to several thousand (rather smelly) bats belonging to seven different species. Head to the cave just before sunset to witness them depart their roost for a night’s feasting.
12. TAKE A COOKERY CLASS
It is one thing to sample the fine local cuisine from a stall or restaurant and quite another to learn how to cook Lombok’s flavorsome concoctions for yourself. There are several cookery schools around the hotels of Senggigi offering day and half-day courses aimed at teaching you all you need to know about the most-used local ingredients, and show you there’s more to Lombok’s cuisine than just fiery chili!
Often overshadowed by the more famous neighboring island of Bali, Lombok more than holds its own when it comes to things to do. From the underwater marvels of its corals to the heights of Indonesia’s second highest mountain, by way of its beaches, waterfalls, Sasak cultural heritage, and colonial legacy, Lombok rivals any island with its vast range of top-class attractions.
Work from Lombok, it is the new working remotely from Bali, government says.
With the government keen to get the Work From Bali initiative rolling, we are already hearing about possibilities that the program may later be replicated in other popular tourist areas in Indonesia — including Lombok and Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). — as part of an effort to revive the country’s tourism industry.
The possibility is a “breath of fresh air” for NTB officials amid the COVID-19 pandemic, who plan on following Bali’s lead in prepping the region to better comply with health protocols and by vaccinating tourism workers.
“It doesn’t rule out the possibility that other tourist regions will see the same policy implemented, such as Work From Lombok or Work From Labuan Bajo,” Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said at a press briefing this week that the plan to promote remote work from Indonesia’s popular tourist destinations is still currently focused on Bali. As the initiative may require participation of civil servants from seven ministries under the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Sandiaga said that details are still being ironed out among those involved.
For the time being, officials are targeting the involvement of about a quarter of civil servants working in those ministries, which would essentially guarantee higher occupancy rates for hotels in the Nusa Dua complex at least, with whom the government has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Work From Bali program.
For reliable fast wifi, available at same same in Kuta Lombok
Published on https://coconuts.co/bali/news/work-from-lombok-is-the-new-work-from-bali-government-hopes/
The History of coworking space
The choice to open a coworking space in Lombok was an obvious and easy one. At SAME SAME, we have proud ourselves with having the best and most reliable internet on the island of Lombok. When during the pandemic, we saw a change in how people work and travel, we decided to transform one of our spaces into a co-working space.
Before opening our coworking space, we did our due diligence. The history of coworking space is part of this. Since it was interesting, we decided to post it on our website.
1995 – the first “coworking” space was actually founded by hackers in Berlin. The idea was to share thoughts, space and information to complete tasks to those who joined the membership. Presently, they have added seminars, classes and a variety of social events, helping with the trend to open up more community spaces. There are hackerspaces in San Francisco, Santa Clara and Brooklyn and they keep growing.
1995 – The word “coworking” was first used by Bernard DeKoven, who described it as “working together as equals.” Individuals who are self-employed or working for different employers but , can share ideas with tools and coordinated meetings through a computer network. A space opened up in New York that same year by a software company with a flexible desk setting.
2002 – The first coworking space opened up in Schraubenfabrik, Vienna, in an old renovated factory, which began as a community center for enterprises. It expanded to include freelancers and other professionals working with cell phones and laptops. The spaces continued to grow and function under the name of Konnex Communities in 2004 – the commencement to the local network of coworking spaces.
2005 – San Francisco hosts the first coworking space in August by Brad Neuberg – he believed that home offices and business centers were unsocial and unproductive. The space offered desks, free wifi, shared lunches, bike tours, meditation and massages closing at 5:45 PM sharp. It closed after a year and replaced in 2006 under the name of the Hat Factory. London opened up 40 coworking spaces by a franchise network on five different continents. In Germany, St. Oberholz opened up its first cafes in Berlin and offered free internet. Presently, St. Oberholz offers a true coworking space above its cafe.
2006 – Coworking Wiki space opens up in San Francisco. Chris Messina, who created the Twitter hashtag, is one of the co-founders. The first full-time coworking space opens at the Hat Factory. Co-founders are Brad Neuber, Chris Messina and Tara Hunt. At this time, it was one out of about 30 coworking spaces throughout the world. Jellies opened where groups can exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere, without a commitment – the community can later develop into a coworking space if they wish.
2007 – The first time the word “coworking” is seen on Google’s database. The searches have increased tremendously. The term coworking has become a megamedia name. “Coworking” got into the English version of Wikipedia.
2008/2009 – Unofficial coworking meet-ups happen and planned the first Coworking conference in Brussels in 2010. In August, the Coworking Visa is cultivated- allowing members of various coworking spaces to visit other spaces for free. Cubes & Crayons was the first coworking space to open alongside the facilities for children a few months old to preschoolers. At year’s end in 2008, there were approximately 160 coworking spaces worldwide.
2009 – Germany opens Betahaus, the first official coworking space and was noted in the largest new magazine, the Spiegel. In 2010, Germany is known to be the first country in Europe to use the term “coworking”, pursuant to Google trends.
2010 – The first #CoworkingDay was celebrated by the movement. The first European coworking conference took place in Brussels. At this time, there were at least 600 coworking spaces worldwide, with more than half located in North America.
2011 – The first “Coworking Unconference” was located in Austin, Texas. Angel funding starts for a network of spaces. Large companies began to explore the coworking idea and opened their own chain of coworking spaces specializing in corporate coworking.
2012 – Coworking spaces worldwide adds up to more than 2,000 established. Media outlets such as twitter have a huge increase of tweets (over 50%) with hashtag “coworking” – more than the prior year.
2013 – As many as 100,000 members worked at a coworking space at the beginning of the year. Mid-year, the 3,000th coworking space is founded. Most of the coworking spaces run independent of networks. In an Ontario coworking space, they offered the first health insurance plan.
2015 – The New York Times writes about a new idea that sees coworking mixing with the home office at a resort or hotel. The story is, “Co-Working on Vacation: A Desk in Paradise”. The main idea of the story is combining coworking and coliving on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands – a surfing destination. The Surf Office was born, originally opened two years earlier as an experiment, making it a place attractive to freelancers, surfers and travelers.
2016 – Coworking and coliving idea broadened. WeWork offered residential coliving in New York City, named WeLive. The units are mostly studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom – all have a private kitchen and at least one private bathroom. They are typically furnished, decorated and set up with cable, also internet move-in ready. They also have a community manager to plan events, etc. New York and California Campus coliving closes its 34 locations.
2017 – WeWork raises funding and becomes the most highly valued US private tech companies and its company is Uber and AirBnB. Valued at $20 Billion. 1.2 million people worldwide would have worked at a coworking space.
2018– As of 2018, the market has a variety of huge players that are giving WeWork a run for its money. Coworking franchises such as Impact hub, Venture X, and Serendipity are expanding throughout the space.
2019 – WeWork had an unsuccessful IPO attempt with SoftBank causing WeWork’s valuation to drop from 49 billion to 8 billion allowing SoftBank to seize control of the company and fire its management team.
2019-2020 New coworking platforms are rising to the scene to filll the void between coworking software, spaces, and remote workers.
2022 – SAME SAME in Lombok is opening their first coworkingspace
See you soon !
Bali starts opening borders
SURAT EDARANNOMOR IMI-0525.GR.01.01 TAHUN 2022
SPECIAL TOURISM ARRIVAL VISIT VISA TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN BALI DURING PANDEMICFrom March 7 Visit Visa on Arrival will be issued for the passport holders of the 23 countries below.
- USA
- Australia
- Canada
- UK
- Germany
- Netherlands
- France
- Qatar
- Japan
- South Korea
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Turkey
- UAE
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
- Philippines
Visitors need at least 6 months validity of the passport, get 30 days initial stay that can be extended one time to maximum 60 days only. No extensions possible. Must have a return or onward ticket withing the validity of this visa.
Visitors on VOA can not convert their visa to a another visa or stay permit onshore at all. (so not to a B211 long stay or a Kitas)
Conditions apply to adhere to health protocol during the pandemic.
[This SE is about immigration only so details about quarantine will be in another SE from Satgas]
Requirements for International Arrivals to Bali from 14 October
In light of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport reopening international travels starting 14th October. Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito has laid out the travel requirements that international travellers must comply with.
The countries gaining entry access to Bali are:
- South Korea
- China
- Japan
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- New Zealand
“If they don’t meet the requirements, they will be asked to return to their country of origin,” said Wiku.
The instruction from the Home Affairs Minister number 47 of 2021 clearly explains that Bali will be opened to international flights.
“Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport will open on 14th October as long as it fulfils the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, testing, and the readiness of the task force,” the regulation said.
In particular, one of the rules that must be met by travellers is that each passenger must have proof of a hotel booking for a minimum of eight days of quarantine at their own expense.
Furthermore, the general rules for passengers on international routes are:
- They must have been vaccinated with two doses or a valid full vaccination.
- Indonesian citizens who have not already received the vaccine abroad will be vaccinated at their quarantine place upon arrival in Indonesia.
- Travellers from abroad must also be free from COVID-19 as evidenced by the results of a PCR test and undergo a quarantine period of eight days.
- Three PCR tests must be carried out: 24 hours before the traveller departs for Indonesia, shortly after arriving in Indonesia, and the day before the quarantine period ends.
If at the end of the quarantine, a negative result is obtained, the traveller will be allowed to continue their journey. Meanwhile, if it is positive, Indonesian citizens will be treated at the hospital at a cost borne by the government whereas foreigners who are positive will independently pay hospital costs.
Previously, international flights were only allowed through two airports, namely Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang and Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado.
Bali Airport Opens for International Travellers 14th October
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has announced that I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali will reopen for international travellers starting 14th October 2021.
However, Luhut said that there are several provisions that every international passenger must comply with, one of which must be mandatory self-quarantine.
“Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali will open internationally on 14th October 2021, as long as it meets the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, COVID-19 tests, and the readiness of the Task Force,” Luhut said at a press conference on the weekly evaluation of the implementation of PPKM on Monday 4th October.
Luhut explained that every international arrival to Ngurah Rai Airport must have proof of booking a hotel for quarantine for at least eight days at their own expense.
“The countries that we will open to are South Korea, China, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and New Zealand,” said Luhut.
The government is currently still implementing restrictions at the arrival gate for international travellers. These restrictions will be carried out both at the National Border Post (PLBN), ports, and airports.
Other airports that are currently open in Indonesia are at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang and Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado. Furthermore, the sea ports opened at the moment are Batam, Tanjung Pinang (Sumatra), and Nunukan (Kalimantan) ports. Also, PLBN is only opened at Entikong and Aruk Terminals (Kalimantan) and Motaain (East Nusa Tenggara).
Welcome to Lombok
As beguiling, beach-blessed and downright blissful as its near neighbor Bali, Lombok is now much more than just a surfers’ paradise.
Surfing
It was American surfers who first awoke to Lombok’s great appeal, providing the germ of today’s tourist industry. And it’s the island’s southern coast they were drawn to. From Desert Point in the west to Ekas in the east, this variegated succession of bays, reefs and rocky inlets provides the greatest number and quality of breaks in Lombok. Unlike Bali, when surfing peaks in the dry season (April to October), Lombok’s breaks are usually at their best during the wet (roughly November to March). Kuta, halfway along the coast, is the natural base for wave-chasing.
Trekking
Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, dominates Lombok’s topography, and is a magnet for trekkers. Winding up its jungle-clad slopes (which takes a few days) reveals an ever-changing succession of fecund tropical vistas. Once on the summit, the sight of jaw-dropping sunrises and volcanic calderas, and a sense of conquering the entire island, are rewards for the weary. Green trekking initiatives such as pathside trash removal make it possible to give something back to this genuinely awesome, active volcano, sacred to both Sasaks and Hindus. It’s also possible to while away a few pleasant hours hiking in little-visited Taman Wisata Alam Kerandangan.
Partying
Aside from the backpacker-friendly hubs of Kuta and Senggigi, Lombok’s party scene isn’t technically on the island at all, but in its tiny offshore satellites, the Gilis. And one Gili in particular, Gili Trawangan, is internationally renowned for beach parties, raucous hostel bars and blissful beachside cocktail joints. While there’s much more to Gili T than laidback drinks and excitable twentysomethings, it’s clear what many come here seeking. The young things that throng its streets, hung-over but discussing what’s going down later that night, is all the confirmation needed.
Fishing
A less considered way to explore Lombok’s briny bounty is to take a guided fishing trip. Whether you talk your way onto a traditional outrigger boat, or go with the bigger boats or more solid safety record of a modern sport-fishing outfit, you can expect bottom and deep-sea fishing for tuna, trevally, barracuda, mackerel and plenty of other species. With reefs, sea walls and deep channels surrounding the island, there are plenty of diverse spots to sink a line, depending on what you’re chasing. Bangko Bangko (Desert Point), the Lombok Strait to Bali and off the southern coast from Kuta are good spots.
Event calendar 2021
February – March 2021: Bau Nyale Festival
Bau Nyale Festival will be held at Seger Beach of Mandalika, Central Lombok. The exact time will be set based on the Sasak Tribe calendar.
April 2021: Tambora Festival
The establishment of the Tambora Festival is to commemorate the Tambora volcano that erupted two centuries and six years ago. The volcanic eruption that affected two regencies; Bima and Dompu, killed 71,000 lives and destroyed three kingdoms.
In the series of Tambora Festival, there will also be Lawata Festival at Lawata Bima Beach, the Teka Tambora or hiking activity at Mount Tambora, and Tambora Challenge. This is an extreme ultra-marathon event of 320 kilometers that starts from Poto Tano in Sumbawa to Doro Ncanga in Dompu.
April – May: Khazanah Ramadhan Festival
The event will be held during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan in April-May 2021 at the NTB Islamic Center complex. It is scheduled that Grand Imams from Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan will take turns to lead tarawih prayers at Hubbul Wathan Mosque.
July 3: Iron Man
Iron Man is a sports event which will be held at the beach.
August – September: Lombok Sumbawa Month
The agenda will be held in a full month, starting in August to September 2021. There will be a variety of festivals, such as Mataram Carnival, Gumi Selaparang Week in East Lombok, Senggigi Festival in West Lombok, Gili Tramena Festival in North Lombok, and Moyo Festival in Sumbawa.
October 2021: MotoGP Mandalika and L’Etape
The L’Etape is part of the Tour de France which will be held at the beginning of the month. It will be followed by a MotoGP race at the Mandalika circuit in Central Lombok.
November 20: Taliwang Festival
The Taliwang Festival will be held in West Sumbawa on November 20. There will be a buffalo race, or Berapan Kebo at the muddy rice field, cross country, and West Sumbawa culinary tour.
Desember 2021: Accomodation and Tenun Festival of Lombok Sumbawa
This festival will conclude the 2021 and become the peak of the various agenda throughout the year.
