Read only if you want to hear me bitching

Asia for beginners -crash course is now over, I've landed in Indonesia. Okay, I can only blame myself as I didn't want to follow the beaten path and go to Java or Bali but decided to make it difficult for myself and explore Sulawesi.

In beforehand I had thought Borneo would be the place where things get difficult but no, I hadn't seen this place yet. I flew from Kuching to Singapore and yes, I've got to admit that Changi lives up to its reputation. Everything WORKS. Not like the next place I had to change planes: Jakarta. NOTHING works. No signs and no staff who knows something. I asked the check-in crew and also the flight attendants if I have to clear customs&get my visa in Jakarta or in Makassar. All told me its in Makassar. But no, actually I had to do it in Jakarta and I also had to change terminals between the flights, with a bus. Which leaves from departures level, not arrivals level. What???

All this would have been nice to know. Lion Air crew told me that I just have to get to the next gate. It took me about an hour to figure out what's even happening and how to get to the other terminal, as everybody is very helpful but don't have a clue what they are telling me. And no guys, I don't want to have your phone numbers and yes, I am traveling alone. I had a good flirt with the immigration officer though, as always haha.

As I finally got to the right plane at least it was nice from the captain to speak also sometimes english. I was the only foreigner in the plane. Luckily next to me sat a nice local dude who was more than helpful, especially as we at some point started to turn and I only understood the word “Bali” from the speakers. Due to bad weather the plane couldn't land in Makassar but had to turn to Bali instead. But I had good chats with Sam and at the end (3AM) we finally reached our destination. I had left the hostel 8AM so it was quite a journey, considering I was only going from Borneo to Sulawesi...

Next problem: bus tickets. No, I can't buy them in the hotel, online or from travel agents in town. I have to go to the bus company's base and for sure they aren't located near to each others or in the town center. So if the bus is full, you have to travel somewhere else and keep your fingers crossed. Meaning get the ticket in advance! I decided to walk to the office but as always, I was getting really confusing information from everyone so taxi was at the end the best option. The busses are really cheap, but after paying taxis there and back and once more there well, that kind of doubles the price. Yes I know I could make it difficult to myself and go with the local mini-busses but it rains like hell, I haven't really slept and I feel like complaining. If you read the blog this far I hope you enjoyed me having a bad day. But if you did it from Finland I'm sure you aren't enjoying the snowrain either haha!

Now to Tana Toraja with a bus, which hopefully leaves in time, takes me to the destination safely and has a toilet. And no pics on this page as I haven't shot any. After TaTor I probably head to Togean Islands for Padi OWD if my bank account allows it.

P.S. ...and all this might have been just me trying to find an excuse to go back to Borneo. Eroahdistus!