Job Discussion Forums

[chek]

Hello, I teach here in Vietnam. I am interested in heading to Indonesia to teach afterwards, I have a CELTA, BA, and experience. I am coming to Sumatra to visit and check a few places to see if I would like to work there. I'll be visiting in February over the TET holidays here.

I am wondering if this is a decent time as far as weather goes or if this is the rainy season?

Also, is it possible to get to Bukit Lawang and Gunung Leuser National Park to the North via Padang? Is it best to take a bus or can a motorbike be rented for a week? It is easy to travel by motorbike here in Vietnam and am wondering if this is possible in Indonesia?

I'm having a difficult time locating travel info on the web and my Lonely Planet isn't too helpful. Thank you so much.

[derya]

hi there

u can take a bus but it will be a very long journey...maybe u can consider flying to save time...many ppl use motorbikes here ..dunno how it's in vietnam but no traffic rules here so u better be very careful..and about the rain, it usually happens in the afternoons for a few hours...by the way if u need more travel info about indonesia check this page where u can post ur questions...it's quite good.

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=23&iCountryId=95

good luck

[gugelhupf]

I've been asked this travel question several times before. My response is always the same: fly from Padang to Medan and pick up a bus to Bukit Lawang from there. Usually, though, travellers ignore my advice and choose to go by bus so as to 'see the scenery', not realising that most of the journey takes place at night and there aint a lot to see. Also, smoking is not only tolerated but seemingly compulsory on buses, safety standards are poor, and conditions are cramped. The few dollars extra paid for a flight is well worth it. The flight takes an hour tops while the bus takes all night.

It is possible to rent a motorbike in Padang but this would have to be returned to the same shop meaning you would have to do a VERY long and tiring journey twice. The roads are in poor condition, the driving manic, and frankly the stretch between Bukittinggi and Medan is pretty boring with few good places to eat or stay. It is just possible to ride from Padang to Medan in one day, but I'd never consider doing it if there was any other option.

Sumatra is big.

[gugelhupf]

Almost forgot... if you are qualified and job hunting in Sumatra try The British Institute (TBI) in Medan or Gary's English Centre in Pekanbaru.

[chek]

thanks so much, that cleared up some questions that I had. It may be best for me to fly or go by boat to Medan and then head to Bukit Luwang, then to the lake, then south to Padang and fly out of there. We'll see as I have some time. Thanks

[derya]

Worldstar Language Center in Medan and also in Pekanbaru are good schools to work for.