high cost of domestic air travel in Indonesia.

[cetacean]

@Luko
A number of Americans (if they have been with their companies long enough now get 4-6 weeks of vacation). We spent 3 1/2 weeks in Raja Ampat & Komodo about a month ago.

Are you traveling to Raja Ampat or somewhere else (like Cenderawasih Bay) next month?

BTW - we are talking about Sorong, not Paris, your comments about the Aston brand (related to the hotel in Sorong) is irrelvant. As I said, it's cleaner, newer, and better located. I rarely eat food from a hotel so we didn't try... many more options locally.

 

[Dan]

We europeans have more holidays than americans when we come to Indonesia we don't expect to focus on only one destination in 2 or 3 weeks time.

I’m “retired” American. So, I have more vacation than you, 365 day/yr.

Last year I went to 13 dive trips (Malapascua, Visayas 360, Similan, Bahamas, Jardines de La Reina, Cozumel, Bali, Komodo, Sangalaki, Cocos, Galapagos, Banda Sea, Raja Ampat), logging > 300 dives.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I've been pleased with the SwissBel, except for their restaurant. Lots of ghosts around there too. I do not find staying at the SwissBel to be inconvenient to the airport and can't see why staying closer to the airport in Sorong is particularly important all things considered. As has been pointed out earlier in the thread, it's not Paris, it's Sorong.

The last time that I tried to fly from Sorong to Bali going by way of Makassar, ultimately, I was routed through Jakarta anyway with a 4 hour stop over, despite earlier assurances that, that would not happen.

If the Aston is the Meridian renewed, it won't take long before it's very like the Meridian of old. A most unpleasant place.

 

[cetacean]

@chillyinCanada

The only reason location matters is if you don't want to rely on transport (you can walk across the street) or when Sorong traffic comes to a standstill because of the seasonal heavy rains

 

[chillyinCanada]

I

@chillyinCanada

The only reason location matters is if you don't want to rely on transport (you can walk across the street) or when Sorong traffic comes to a standstill because of the seasonal heavy rains

I guess that I've been blessed, never having been stuck in traffic long enough for it to be of concern.

 

[Luko]

I’m “retired” American. So, I have more vacation than you, 365 day/yr.

I was not specifically talking about your own case Dan. Just to put some context in, we usually take 2 to 3,5 weeks holidays 3 times a year.

@cetacean my wife and I get more than 7 weeks holidays on top of the national paid off days. usually we take 3 or 3 1/2 weeks in August each year. Will be in Raja Ampat and Bali next month : since my wife is a non diver, I try to acccomodate everyone's interest.

BTW - we are talking about Sorong, not Paris, your comments about the Aston brand (related to the hotel in Sorong) is irrelvant.

Now that's an irrelevant comment of yours, mind you. Who's talking about Paris but you? I was speaking about the Aston franchise in INDONESIA... not Paris nor Kansas, Toto.
I was telling you that in my opinion Aston hotels in Indonesia are quite sketchy, since you brought up the franchise topic.
(May I tell you that for instance I litterally had to wake up and threaten the night manager at Aston Natsepa hotel in Ambon to have him drive us to the airport in his personal car because he forgot to call a taxi at 4AM.
"Sorry forgot" is the motto of the Aston Hotels in Indonesia.)
.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I was not specifically talking about your own case Dan. Just to put some context in, we usually take 2 to 3,5 weeks holidays 3 times a year.

@cetacean my wife and I get more than 7 weeks holidays on top of the national paid off days. usually we take 3 or 3 1/2 weeks in August each year. Will be in Raja Ampat and Bali next month : since my wife is a non diver, I try to acccomodate everyone's interest.


Now that's an irrelevant comment of yours, mind you. Who's talking about Paris but you? I was speaking about the Aston franchise in INDONESIA... not Paris nor Kansas, Toto.
I was telling you that in my opinion Aston hotels in Indonesia are quite sketchy, since you brought up the franchise topic.
(May I tell you that for instance I litterally had to wake up and threaten the night manager at Aston Natsepa hotel in Ambon to have him drive us to the airport in his personal car because he forgot to call a taxi at 4AM.
"Sorry forgot" is the motto of the Aston Hotels in Indonesia.)
.

But it's OK in this case because cetacean can walk to the airport!
By the way, mola mola started showing up a week ago!

 

[Centrals]

I

I guess that I've been blessed, never having been stuck in traffic long enough for it to be of concern.

Location is absolutely irrevalent otherwise there will be far more airport hotels than now.
I always give myself tons of time to make it to the airport. And finger crossed and yet to miss a flight no matter which country I was visiting.
I have yet to try to walk to any airport because the idea has never ever entered my mind.

 

[Dan]

By the way, mola mola started showing up a week ago!

That’s a good news! I’ll be in Nusa Penida in August. Plan to do it twice, at the beginning & end of our trip to Komodo, to make sure we see them this time, as we missed it last July.

 

[cetacean]

@Luko

"Aston franchise in Indonesia..." - umm... that was my point. When traveling in West Papua I don't expect much (cleanliness and some level of competency is about it). You were the whining about the service you received (at another location).

The comparison was meant to be absurd (by design) because you clearly have misaligned expectations for hotels in more remote locations in Indonesia. As an aside, I don't believe the Natsepa is an Aston hotel anymore...

I don't expect Aman-like service in Sorong...