Long term solo backpacking - Java, Lombok, Flores, Timor, possibly Maluku and Papua - advice welcome

I have travelled a lot in those parts and would recommend taking malaria pills.
The major destinations in Maluku are easy to navigate even if you are new to Indonesia. Of course bring the guidebook, and also look through the Maluku pages of my website, linked in my signo lines.
Raja Ampat is pricey, but you should manage a week or two there with careful planning.
To get from Timor to Maluku, you should probably go via Makassar, and perhaps even backtrack to Bali or Surabaya.
And if you are already there, you should also look around Sulawesi, at least visit Tanatoraja.

I can't answer many of your questions but I will try to give you more information. Longtime TT member Laszlo is an expert on many of the regions you have mentioned. Look for a post by him and click at his signature line -- he has documented a lot of which you need to know.

Visas:- If you get a 60 day visa you will need to show a ticket out - usually an air ticket. If you want to stay longer you need a flexible ticket or a throw-away ticket as you will have to show a ticket out if you extend. You can only extend a visa inside Indonesia -- this can be done at most immigration offices. If you leave your visa terminates.

From what I have read on TT you can get a new visa in Timor Leste or reenter Indonesia and get a visa exemption for 30 days or a VOA (not free) which can be extended once. I have read also that you can fly to Bali from Timor Leste too -- same conditions apply.

Full visas (not VOA or free exemptions) can be extended up to 4 times (the first two are easiest) - but , of course, you need the ticket out. You need a ticket out for extensions too as I said above.

There is a lot of discussions of visas and getting on to planes (you should be OK with a visa) on TT so read a lot.
I can also suggest you look at North Sumatra if you have time left over. And buy a guide book. Where you are going there won't be so many tourists -- and so not so much English spoken. Learn some -- before you arrive if possible -- there are a lot of free lessons available and also a few on YouTube.

Paul

Thanks for the answer Laszlo, I have read this forum before and know you are the expert on this part of the world. I like the idea of going first to Sulawesi and then to Maluku (it makes sense even when I look at the map). Surely there must be boats from at least Labuan Bajo to Makassar, as there does not seem to be direct flights.

My concern is that I should be finished with East Timor by early November, which is already full rainy season, isnt it? I was worried there will be no trekking/snorkelling possible in Sulawesi in November, thats why I wanted to head straight to Maluku for November-January as its dry season then.

Would you take malaria pills from Flores onwards? I plan to take the daily ones (really do not want any hallucinations). Did you ever get malaria or dengue while alone in Maluku, Papua, Timor or some of these more off-the-beaten track areas?

Also, do you think the crossing to East Timor and back is ok for visa extension?

Thanks a lot again!

East Timor is OK for a visa run, not an extension.
In Dili you might even get a 60 day visa.

I wouldn't worry about the rainy season in Sulawesi too much.
It is one of the regions with less marked seasons.

In the past there were flights between Makassar and Kupang. Check if such still run when in Kupang, even if you can not find them online. There should also be Pelni ships. Otherwise fly via Bali or Surabaya.

I know many people who got malaria in those parts.

I am not Laszlo -- I am just suggesting that you look at his signature line.He knows a lot about the Indonesian language too. OH -- Laszlo has answered now.
Paul

@lungpaul , we must have been posting at the same time! :-)
Thanks for the recommendations.

You are the SME -- Subject Matter Expert.
Paul

Btw, I second the suggestion to learn the basics of the language for such a long trip to remore regions before leaving home.
It is quite easy. I might be a bit biased, but I think the LP Indonesian Phrasebook is also a great resource.

Actually, my dream was to go from Aceh to Papua, but I really do want to take it all slowly and stay in each place a few days. Thats why I had to cut Sumatra, half of Java and Sulawesi from my itinerary. However, as Papua may be too pricey/inaccessible to visit (or at least to stay longer), I will probably manage to see Sulawesi, as it also makes sense to go from Timor/Flores to Makassar, maybe travel from South to North Sulawesi and cross from there to North Maluku or Ambon.

So I understand that I always need a return ticket when applying for 60 day visa or a visa extension. You usually buy the cheapest flight ticket to another country (probably KL will be cheapest) and then do not fly right?

Are the visa extensions usually easy to get? I thought I would actually have to fly out and in every 30 days after my 60 days visa expires to get VOA for 30 days. But if it is possible to extend the 60 days visa for another 30 days for 2-3 times, that makes my whole trip duration. Alternatively, I can leave to East Timor and get another 60 days visa in Dilli, which would I then extend while in Maluku.

Regarding the language, I will definitely try to learn some and take the phrasebook/e-book with myself.

With malaria, I will take the malaria pills and use the precautions (net, DEET, long clothes), I am just quite scared there is still chance of getting it somewhere on an island which I do not know - I have heard healthcare in Indonesia is very bad. I am also considering my insurance options now - any advice about that?