My worst experiences during the two past immigration processes. Indonesia
does not offer a welcome if they raised the visa fee to 25 US $ - even for
a short stay. They offend visitors with their sluggish immigration procedures,
manning far too few counters and leaving tourists waiting for hours.
Although I love this island and its people I decided not to visit for the time
being. I am fed up !
The only VIP service offered was by Intercontinental Executive Club. If this
arrangement was suspended - even worse.
The worst happened to me when I arrived with Singapore Airlines around noon. It coincides with the arrival of two Russian low-cost carriers. They
did not distribute entry cards in the plane, so these people without practically no knowledge of English and filling in a card with Indonesian and English only were left to themselves. You can imagine what this means. Tried to help several people, but without speaking Russian, hopeless. They could not read Latin, only Kyrillic. The whole thing was aggravated by the authorities as they couldn't care less and sent people back to fill in the forms.
My subsequent visit was even worse. Coincided with the arrival of a big
Australian airline full of families. The aircon did not work and we had to stand
in line like sweatshop cattle waiting for two hours until they opened two
additional counters. Australians with kids started to fight for a place in line. Very unpleasant.
I do not want to sound politically incorrect, but do the Muslim authorities
in Jakarta punish this island because of its Hindu faith ? How stupid to
diminish tourism by increasing entry fees and having the most unpleasant
immigration !