arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr iam i going to die in indonesia??

Well gals, I just came from Bali and I can assure you youll be more than alright there. I spent a bit of time in Indonesia back in the day and I understand things have changed but my first re-action is dont believe the hype. Im curious about the other responses so Il hang around this thread and see what ya get. Have fun--BTW August is the cremation month in Bali - dont miss it if you can!

"arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr iam i going to die in indonesia??"

Probably not...unless you fall in love with the place and keep returning through you're old age. Outside of one incident...the Bali bombing five years ago...did your advisors tell you of another single incident of a Western tourist being killed in Indonesia. Bet not. There are nutters everywhere...Spain, Egypt, the UK, the US, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia...

Street crime is a lot worse in many other places than Indonesia...where it's almost unheard of outside a bit in Jakarta.

"We're both girls and everyone ive spoken to tells me that i should be really carefull in indonesia and that its not a safe place to travel."

Obviously these are all experts on Indonesia because.....? Well, because they just THINK it's dangerous...after all,they aren't going there ;-)

"Ive done my resurch on this place and alot of places tells me that there's a lot of religious views flying about"

There are a lot of religious views flying about everywhere. Go to Thailand, Burma, or Cambodia and you'll see lots of Buddhism. India lots of Hinduism. The US, Australia, and the UK a goodly number of Christian Churches. Indonesia has all of this. But does that make it dangerous ???? Most people are not going to bother you about your religion except perhaps to "ask" (an odd cultural trait that also includes asking if you are married, have children, how much money you make, etc.)

"making 2 westen girls quite unsafe traveling"

Baloney. The fact that people are "religious" doesn't make you unsafe. It's when they are violent religious fanatics that it might pose a risk. Butthe vast, vast, vast majority of Indonesians are religious moderates,; in fact, the Conservative religious political parties have continued to lose about 25% of their previous support every election.It's now about 5%.

< i just wanted some people who have been there to tell me their views and stories!!
much apprechiated, x>

Stories of violence? To confirm your "research"? Most people who've been there don't have any such "stories"...I got pickpocketed once, though. But I've seen far more tourists hurt on motorcycles, get malaria because they refused to take prophylactics...and more people have credit card fraud in Thailand than are robbed in Indonesia.

Do a search using the "looking glass" search engine above..."type in the key words "Indonesia" "Danger" and you'll find lots of people who have been to Indonesia saying...it's safe.

I've recently returned from Indonesia, and had no hassles (apart from some delayed and messed up internal flights - does that count?)

You say you want to travel for 3 months - make sure you check up on Indonesian Visa regulations, think you can only get a 60 day tourist visa (non extendable) then you may have to leave then re-enter the country with a new visa.. Have fun though, its a great destination!

#2 I agree with your general sentiments but just for the record, western tourists died in both bali bomb incidents in 2002 and 2005 and a Dutch guy was killed in the Jakarta Marriott bombing.

thanks guys for all your comments, really helping! just getting stressed out at the mo as everyone ive talked to so far hasnt said 'hope you'll have an amazing time, it'll be the time of your life', all ive hurd from people (even random people that have come into my shop) just saying that i will have to be extra carefull and the fact that iam western will be a bit dodgy for me.

I know about the 2 month visa's so we've arranged a internal flight to k.l airport then we're gona get a ferry and make our way back down Sumartra, depending on times and what comes up!:) one question though, does anyone know how long you have to be out of the country before you can re-enter?? ive hurd that you dont have to be out long but i didnt know this for sure!

Can anyone tell me any tips for traveling indonesia and where to visit. we want to stick around in places so we can get the feel of the culture and also the villiage life.
thanks again, x

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<hr>just getting stressed out at the mo as everyone ive talked to so far hasnt said 'hope you'll have an amazing time, it'll be the time of your life', all ive hurd from people (even random people that have come into my shop) just saying that i will have to be extra carefull and the fact that iam western will be a bit dodgy for me.<hr></blockquote>

Have you asked any of these 'random' people whether they have ever spent time in Indonesia and are speaking from experience or are just parroting some line from the State Department/DFAT/FCO?

I run a small tourist complex in Bali. As such I come across numerous people with the same concerns as you. After a few days here, nearly all of the newer travellers make the same comment,
"I can not believe that I was worried about coming here!"
Mostly the negative comments had come to them from people who have never travelled.

Thanks for asking all these questions, it's saved me from doing it:-) I'll be in Indonesia all through June traveling east across Java from Jakarta and ending up in Bali, if you wanted another traveling companion it'd be cool with me:-)

Also, does anyone know how often to expect to run into locals who speak English? My girlfriend speaks Bahasa and I learned it in high school, but I'm REALLY rusty.

There is a much, much greater chance that you will die or be seriously injured tomorrow in your home country. Don't listen to the government reports --- they are all nonsense. Just use common sense when you travel in Indonesia.