Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #106  
Old 24 Apr 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Just a quick update.
There is one boat running from Penang to Belawan next week Thursday or Saturday (!
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #107  
Old 26 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemuli View Post
Just to let you know that I got a message today from Mr Lim that there are no boats going on during this week. Next week is still open.
Interesting indeed!
I have no updates so I will still assume that the next Cakra boat will be on May 7th from Belawan to Penang. This is what we will most likely do although I am looking at options from Jakarta as well as we could get a bit tight for time if the May 7th Cakra boat gets cancelled.

I am struggling to get much information here in Jakarta though. I contacted Hellman last Monday but they do not know what paperwork is required. They stil don't know as of today so I figure they have no idea at all. Strange for an international shipping agency :confused1:
Reply With Quote
  #108  
Old 26 Apr 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Quote:
Originally Posted by Row1 View Post
Interesting indeed!
I have no updates so I will still assume that the next Cakra boat will be on May 7th from Belawan to Penang. This is what we will most likely do although I am looking at options from Jakarta as well as we could get a bit tight for time if the May 7th Cakra boat gets cancelled.

I am struggling to get much information here in Jakarta though. I contacted Hellman last Monday but they do not know what paperwork is required. They stil don't know as of today so I figure they have no idea at all. Strange for an international shipping agency :confused1:
You should contact Mr Lim and get more information from him.
This Malaysia - Indonesia part seems to be quite tricky...
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #109  
Old 2 May 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Short update, next boat is going on coming Saturday.
At least 3 bikes will be on that boat to Belawan.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #110  
Old 4 May 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Shipped my bike today with the help of Mr Lim.
Everything worked perfectly in Penang.
On Monday I will get my bike from the customs in Belawan, hopefully things go as smoothly over there as in Penang.

Totally 3 bikes were loaded today to this onion-boat.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #111  
Old 7 May 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Got my bike back in Belawan

Couple important information:
- GPS coordinates: N03º46.833' E098º41.112'
- Do not wear shorts! You cannot get in to the customs area if you wear shorts!
- Taxi from Medan will cost you around 100 - 110000Rupiis.
- Customs clearance will take 2-3 hours.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #112  
Old 11 May 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 37
As I have some deadlines to meet and there were no boats from Sumatra scheduled until May 7 and I was unsure about the reliability of the boat from Balawan I decided to airfreight from Jakarta to KL.
This process appeared OK and timely but ended up being more and more drawn out and the price went up considerably from the original quotation.

The upshot is that I did manage to get over, albeit a little late and at greater cost than expected.

Now in Bangkok trying to arrange Chinese visas. It appears that there are some rule changes and added documentation is required despite having a tour company arrange all the necessary information for us.

Ah, the bureaucratic challenges of international bike travel eh?

Anyone up for in Bangkok?
Reply With Quote
  #113  
Old 11 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by Row1 View Post
The upshot is that I did manage to get over, albeit a little late and at greater cost than expected.
Just out of interest, may I ask: what was the quote for Jakarta-KL by air, and how much did you end up paying?

(+which bike, which airline, and sent crated or uncrated)?
Reply With Quote
  #114  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 62
Hi,

I'm in Sumatra currently and making my way up to Belawan. I have briefly spoken to Cakra shipping and have sent them an email to get all the details.
I'm presuming that i do not go on the boat. So I'm wondering how everyone heading north goes about this. Do i take a plane from Medan or a passenger boat and more importantly, do i need a visa or can i get one on arrival?
Thanks. I've tried finding the answers in this thread and others but have had no luck.

Cheers
Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #115  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 14
Hi Kurt,

you most probably don't need a visa for Malaysia, Europe/US/Australia and many more will get a 90 day stamp on arrival. More important is that your Indonesian visa does not expire. They ship only once a week (Tuesday if that is still correct), and customs closes paperwork 5 hours before. So best if you can be in Belawan with your bike at least 1 day before. I was not told so and had to put the bike in a warehouse and leave Indonesia due to my visa expiring.
Have a look at the -->PDF<-- I attached starting from page 10 for some more details. I did the crossing in July 2012.

You can find inexpensive accommodation in near by Medan, not really any reason to stay in Belawan. There are minibuses going back and forth all day, which you can use once you dropped your bike. From Medan you can catch a cheap flight to Penang with Air Asia (maybe also JetStar or Tiger). It was around 40+ USD. Remember to put engine oil and such on the boat rather then trying to check them in on the plane.

There is also a passenger ferry from Belawan once or twice a week, which would be an even less expensive option. I did Port Klang to Sumatra on a boat, took about 5-6 hours, not something I would want to do again.

Good luck!
Reply With Quote
  #116  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Quote:
Originally Posted by krammit View Post
Hi,

I'm in Sumatra currently and making my way up to Belawan. I have briefly spoken to Cakra shipping and have sent them an email to get all the details.
I'm presuming that i do not go on the boat. So I'm wondering how everyone heading north goes about this. Do i take a plane from Medan or a passenger boat and more importantly, do i need a visa or can i get one on arrival?
Thanks. I've tried finding the answers in this thread and others but have had no luck.

Cheers
Kurt
I did crossing some months ago and must highlight that the boat schedules can change quite fast.
Belawan is not a "nice" place to stay.
Cheap flights go several times a day between Medan and Penang.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #117  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 62
Hi c4traz and Hemuli,

Thanks for your replies. Mr lim has emailed and said there are no boats for the first week in August, something to do with a holiday and so the next one is the 13th which is a bit of a bummer. I'm keen to get up into Malaysia. It looks like I'll be in Medan for a week.
I'll probably try to suss out a cheap flight. I'm a bit over ferries at the moment and that sounds good with the visa. Nothing to worry about then. Just got to make it up to Medan.

Cheers
Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #118  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemuli View Post
I did crossing some months ago and must highlight that the boat schedules can change quite fast.
Belawan is not a "nice" place to stay.
Cheap flights go several times a day between Medan and Penang.
I thought the passenger ferry service between Belawan <~~> Penang was withdrawn some time ago? Ho-hum .. :confused1: .. I guess I must have been misinformed about that.

EDIT - I guess you mean the cargo boat, and not the passenger ferry. Sorry for my misinterpretation.

@ Kurt

I suggest you also take a look at Firefly, which is a low-cost subsidiary carrier of Malaysian Airlines. They operate daily scheduled flights from Medan to Penang. I flew that route with them back in July 2012.



Incidentally, Medan (Polonia International) Airport is incredibly close to the city, therefore a taxi ride will get you there quick and cheaply from your Medan lodgings, if that’s where you end-up staying. And yes, I agree with c4traz & Hemuli, Belawan is a typically sh!tty little port town – not a nice place to stay.


All the best


Keith
__________________
Right Way Round ...

Reply With Quote
  #119  
Old 31 Jul 2013
RTWbyBIKE.com's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by krammit View Post
Hi c4traz and Hemuli,

Thanks for your replies. Mr lim has emailed and said there are no boats for the first week in August, something to do with a holiday and so the next one is the 13th which is a bit of a bummer. I'm keen to get up into Malaysia. It looks like I'll be in Medan for a week.
I'll probably try to suss out a cheap flight. I'm a bit over ferries at the moment and that sounds good with the visa. Nothing to worry about then. Just got to make it up to Medan.

Cheers
Kurt
Go to Lake Toba and stay there for a week or two, it´s only 180km... We liked it a lot. Just take care if sbdy offers you a mashroom omelette!
__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com
Reply With Quote
  #120  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Quote:
Originally Posted by RTWbyBIKE.com View Post
Go to Lake Toba and stay there for a week or two, it´s only 180km... We liked it a lot. Just take care if sbdy offers you a mashroom omelette!
Lake Toba is really nice place! Recommendation also from here
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Indonesia - Good Bike Shop? mekonged West and South Asia 3 30 Dec 2009 03:08
What do i need todo to my 1200gsa for a rtw trip Sheikyabooty BMW Tech 34 17 Feb 2009 00:19
Insuring bike (theft or fire)? pecha72 Trip Paperwork 4 27 Jul 2007 16:35
Bike to bike comms - AR verus FRS pgray007 Communications 2 1 Nov 2006 20:20
Shipping from Malaysia to Indonesia Bossit Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 11 Apr 2005 01:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:04.