Hi,

I did Borneo - Java - Bali last year, so can at least comment on that part.

Your map shows arriving at the top of Borneo, which is Malaysia (Sabah). Assuming you can find a shipping route, that will certainly be an easier point of entry than anywhere in Indo. My bike arrived there and I had no hassles with paperwork (except they didn't stamp the carnet ... maybe I didn't even need it!).

From there you can ride into Indo by either of two routes:

(a) East via Touwau - this requires another short water crossing. Easy for passengers, harder for bikes. You will have to arrange local shipping for that. I got ripped off badly. It arrives in Nunukan, which is an island. Most folks end up getting a ferry from there - ride-on-ride off. You could skip down to Tarakan or Balikpapan, or even over to Sulawesi. I bought passage for self and bike on a river boat and went straight across to the "mainland". Not a well-travelled route.

You can get a ride-on-ride off ferry from Banjarmasin to Surabaya.

(b) West via Brunei then Kutching. No water crossing, but one extra border. I've heard from a local you need a guide to navigate after crossing the border if you are going all the way down to Banjarmasin. But you can get a ride-on-ride off ferry from Pontianak to Jakarta.

You absolutely don't want to be in Borneo in the west season (but it still rains, every day, regardless).

About paperwork...

Indonesia has not ratified the vehicle carnet system, so the advice you've received is more or less correct. Some folks get a lucky break, others get a hard time. It depends on the who is working in the office that day.

I obtained a letter of authority from the Indo Consulate in Malaysia, confirming that I was allowed to enter. It cut the legs off a couple of local cops who sounded like they were shaping up to give me a hard time. But I still got delayed entering the country. They said I needed a letter of invitation from an Indo bike club. Will definitely try to get one next time.

Hope that helps!
Colin

__________________
www.motoindo.com
One-way and multi-island rentals ex Bali