Print

nicolai197620:53 UTC17 Jun 2007

I'm trying to find out if it's doable (and worth it in terms of the effort/experience ratio) to cycle Borneo and Sulawesi. My 2005 map of Borneo shows a road under construction from Pontianak all the way down in a SE direction to Banjarmassin. A Google-search confirms the existence of this road and that there's both a southern and a central link. Has anyone travelled any of these roads and is there anything other than tropical jungle to see along the way?

Another option would be to go Kuching to Kota Kinabalu (through Brunei) and then on to the eastern side, catch a boat to Nunukan (Kalimantan) and then somehow make it down from there and eventurally take a ferry to Sulawesi. Would this be a better way to go around Borneo, you think? I know it's definitely longer :-)

From what I read I can get an Indonesian visa in Kuching, 2 months. My problem is that 2 months probably isn't enough to go Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the some island hopping, ending up in either Bali or Timor and then plane or (lucky-lucky me!) yacht ride to Australia. Is the Indonesian visa extendable at all?

I head a rumour that the Indonesian officials are planning a 4 month tourist visa in order to attract more travellers. Just a rumour or can anyone confirm?

Finally, do you see any logistical problems in my itiniary here?

Would love any piece of advice!

Nicolai (Langkawi, Malaysia)

redape17:58 UTC19 Jun 2007

Nicolai- I responded on the Indonesian branch to this. The basic problem is that you can't get a 2 month tourist visa in Kuching. In fact you have to fly to Pontianak, and even then you only get a 30-day visa. The road that you talk about is erely some dots on the ma...and some Indonesian loggers dream.

Better to go the east...pick up a 60-day visa in KK or Tawau at the Indonesian consulate there. These are non-renewable...but you could renew in East Timor.

More about the issues of biking and ferries in Kalimantan Timur on the Indonesian branch. Beware of the deadly lumber trucks!

nicolai197619:22 UTC19 Jun 2007

RedApe...

You are a hero. Thank you so much for your gold info...Appreciate it big time.

Nicolai

Travelling Kalimantan or Sarawak/Sabah? Country forums / South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula / Malaysia
nicolai197620:53 UTC17 Jun 2007	I'm trying to find out if it's doable (and worth it in terms of the effort/experience ratio) to cycle Borneo and Sulawesi. My 2005 map of Borneo shows a road under construction from Pontianak all the way down in a SE direction to Banjarmassin. A Google-search confirms the existence of this road and that there's both a southern and a central link. Has anyone travelled any of these roads and is there anything other than tropical jungle to see along the way? Another option would be to go Kuching to Kota Kinabalu (through Brunei) and then on to the eastern side, catch a boat to Nunukan (Kalimantan) and then somehow make it down from there and eventurally take a ferry to Sulawesi. Would this be a better way to go around Borneo, you think? I know it's definitely longer :-) From what I read I can get an Indonesian visa in Kuching, 2 months. My problem is that 2 months probably isn't enough to go Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the some island hopping, ending up in either Bali or Timor and then plane or (lucky-lucky me!) yacht ride to Australia. Is the Indonesian visa extendable at all? I head a rumour that the Indonesian officials are planning a 4 month tourist visa in order to attract more travellers. Just a rumour or can anyone confirm? Finally, do you see any logistical problems in my itiniary here? Would love any piece of advice! Nicolai (Langkawi, Malaysia)
redape17:58 UTC19 Jun 2007	Nicolai- I responded on the Indonesian branch to this. The basic problem is that you can't get a 2 month tourist visa in Kuching. In fact you have to fly to Pontianak, and even then you only get a 30-day visa. The road that you talk about is erely some dots on the ma...and some Indonesian loggers dream. Better to go the east...pick up a 60-day visa in KK or Tawau at the Indonesian consulate there. These are non-renewable...but you could renew in East Timor. More about the issues of biking and ferries in Kalimantan Timur on the Indonesian branch. Beware of the deadly lumber trucks!	1
nicolai197619:22 UTC19 Jun 2007	RedApe... You are a hero. Thank you so much for your gold info...Appreciate it big time. Nicolai	2

Travelling Kalimantan or Sarawak/Sabah?