Indonesia Safety...

I've been checking out everyone's photos and videos here on wetpixel and think that indonesia is now on my list of places to dive. my concern is the safety of indonesia for americans. i understand that there have been some travel warnings for americans in indonesia, and i've heard that there are terrorist groups that like to target westerners, especially americans. what has been your experience? is the risk something to consider?

There are plenty of Americans living in Indonesia and they don't seem to have an issue with safety. If you are going for diving, you will way off the typical tourist traps which increase your exposure risk.

There's always a risk as there is a small faction of people who want to do harm. Having lived there before and go there frequently, I don't see it as an issue any bigger than being run over by a car or hit on the head by a coconut. Now you may think I'm being frivolous but I'm not. Perception of risk is the most difficult to comprehend. I jump in baitballs with sharks or salt water crocs as often as I can but think thrice about bungie jumping or sky diving because of the risks!

No one can say there are no risks, but if you think about it, the risks are comparable to other things we do which we deem 'safe'.

Depends on destination, a big country. Have gone every year since 2005, Bali, North Sulawesi, Ambon, Raja Ampat. Most everyone very friendly. With Obama in office, Americans even more popular. He went to school in Indonesia, and has Indonesian relatives.

Never experienced or heard of any kind of problem other than the two Bali bombings. Taken into perspective, you could say New York is far more dangerous. No place is safe from terrorists.

I would not hesitate to go to any diving area.

I agree with all the above. I've been going to Indonesia for over 10 years - Bali, Lombok, Manado, Lembeh, Yogykarta and just got back from Toraja. A fascinating and beautiful country. The people are wonderful - friendly, accommodating, happy to have you there. Nothing to worry about. Just like traveling anywhere in the US or Europe, just be a little bit aware and steer clear of anything that sets off your radar.

Oh yeah - the diving is spectacular

Phil

I've just spent a year living in North Sulawesi, Indonesia; and I spent a few months in Aceh province a few years back. I'm a Brit and we have been almost as much in the firing line as Americans. I never once felt threatened or concerned for my safety.

As others have said, Indonesia is an enormous country. Although mainly Muslim, other religions are very visibly present in many parts of the country. I have never seen so many churches per square mile anywhere as there are in North Sulawesi.

It's always worth taking a look at the latest "travel advice" offered by, eg, State Dept and the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. As a former British diplomat I know this is up to date, sensible and helpful.

Diving in many parts of Indonesia is excellent and it would be a shame to miss out because of fears for personal safety. As things stand at the moment, I'd have no hesitation recommending diving in Lembeh Straits, Wakatobe, Bali and Bunaken. No worries. Have fun!

so ishould be able to rationalize this trip by saying "if I don' t go dive Indonesia, the terrorists win!!!" ; )

so ishould be able to rationalize this trip by saying "if I don' t go dive Indonesia, the terrorists win!!!" ; )

Do you feel the need to rationalise it? You could get hit by a bus crossing the road to go to the ATM. Why worry?

one of the most dangerous parts of a dive trip is arguably the car ride to the airport. i don't need to rationalize it, that was just a weak attempt at humor...

I've lived here 3 years now. i would be a lot more scared going to LA and driving into the wrong neighbourhood that is for sure... have yet to see a gun other than on a cop.. can't say the same going to the US. i think the worst you would have to worry about is people calling you Mister or Bule (foreigner, white man). that gets annoying after a while...

Go for it Matt, you'll love it. I was in Bali last week and we loved the place. Wonderful friendly people, an amazing culture, happy to see Americans. (we're easier to understand than the Aussies) Hey, that's what our guide told me.

Three recommendations for you Matt,

1) don't even think about renting a car or god forbid a scooter. Hire a driver/guide when you're in Bali., I have a brother there named Komang, who I just met last week. Let me know if you need his number.

2) If you go to Ubud, and you should, carry a small flashlight when you go walking around at night (yes you can do that) so you don't fall through the cracks in the sidewalk. Probably the only thing we saw on the whole island we'd think of as unsafe.

3) Never leave your room without your camera and extra batteries. Every place you look is an image. The danger here is image overload. I'm guessing a bunch of folks never take a picture for the first couple of days because they can't get it off without seeing something else to shoot.

Have fun,

Steve

Do you feel the need to rationalise it? You could get hit by a bus crossing the road to go to the ATM. Why worry?

The risk assessment by human beings has always been a bit odd. We do accept higher statistical risk activities if it's 'essential' to our lifestyles yet balk at dangerous activities. Look at how many people are climbing Everest, 1 in 15 chance of dying and people line up to pay $$$ to do it.

Thing is Matt is right in that if we allow terrorism to alter our lifestyle, then they do win. I remember living in London in '83 as a kid and how the IRA terrorists activity took away the trash cans and shopping at Harrods. Yet people still went back to Harrods after awhile. Ok London is still a dirty city with no trashcans, but you can thank Tony Blair for that.

I've lived here 3 years now. i would be a lot more scared going to LA and driving into the wrong neighbourhood that is for sure... have yet to see a gun other than on a cop.. can't say the same going to the US. i think the worst you would have to worry about is people calling you Mister or Bule (foreigner, white man). that gets annoying after a while...

Hey mister bule , the near equivalence of driving through South Central LA (especially in a Lexus or MB in the early 90s), was probably Banda Acheh before the tsunami or central Sulawesi, which is still a JI recruiting base. Let's also be real in that there have been bombings (mostly failed, thus thanks to Allah that these particular deluded flock are dummies!) in Manado and Makassar. So let's not make it out to be a walk in the park either. Most localized bule live in relative isolation from the general tourist population. The targets have been US hotel chains or places like McD or KFC or any place there are lots of tourists or of political value.

Been to Indonesia multiple times now...from Tana Toraja, to Kaimana, to Sorong, to Bali, to Jakarta, etc and I have never had a problem. Just a couple of years ago a German tourist was mugged and shot to death on Santa Monica pier here in LA....and Santa Monica is one affluent community! If you're watching certain cable news outfits, I am sure traveling outside of the USA would seem quite scary...

i just checked the state department's website, and there are no warnings for travel to indonesia. the philipines did have some warnings. hmm. that just goes to show you that i know very little and have possibly fallen victim to the media!!!!!!

If you live in Mexico, there are travel warnings to ARIZONA, USA....(although I would guess the diving is mildly better in Indonesia)

We all should check the State Department's travel warning in the USA! See the link below...

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15718234?source=rss

Well I think Arizona is fabulous. Apart from the diving. It sure must have been tough though living in Tombstone in the 1860s. Makes North Sulawesi look very safe. Gotta say, no-one from JI approached me to join up whilst I lived there...... I have been thinking though of going back to Afghanistan....

actually i would guess that Mexico must have the worst warnings these days? all the drug gang murders is just plain scary.. but damn those whale sharks Eric and the others just posted.. i still want to go