Now that's information ! Thanks Keith, much appreciated.
I'll try to keep this post updated when I get there.

So seems fairly easy, all things considered.

Which way are you heading now ?

@ Boags: Nothing to it mate. This particular thread (from the start) was of huge benefit. The least I can do .. is to contribute my experience(s).

Heading now to (a) Java, Sumatra -to- Malaysia (maybe down to Sing); then Thailand, Cambodia, Laos .. Vietnam (not exactly sure about this VN excursion).

Only slight cause for concern is this: LINKY .. gulp! .. :confused1:

Then fly over the Himalayas to Nepal. Dunno whereafter that .. I'll play it by ear when I get there. Nothing fancy .. usual choice of routes back to Europe .. maybe some of Africa .. and finally, Europe, England (home).

WHAT a fantastic experience though Boags. Everyone should try it! .. :thumbup1:

Cheers

KEITH

.

Right, when I meant "easy" I was referring to the ferries though :)

I'd be interested to read info on the flights over Myanmar, though I'm in a 4WD not a bike, prices will be much different.

Well, keep safe mate.

Border crossing experience...
 

Hi Keith,

Looks like you are still travelling! I thought you would be back home by now.

How did you find the border crossing from East to West Timor? Did you sail straight through, or get lots of grief about not having an invitation or some other unlikely document? Did they ask for a carnet? (and if so, did they process it?)

The process seem to vary a lot from one border crossing to the next.

I have the impression that Timor is one of the easier border crossings into Indonesia. What did you think? It gets plenty of traffic so hopefully the customs guys have got a pretty efficient routine there.

cheers

Indonesia - Malaysia
 

Just thought we would do a quick post about our experience getting from Sumatra - Malaysia about a week ago.
We went from Dumai to Port Klang. For everyone out there who will be doing the same, we just have one word of advice - guard yourself with a good dose of patience because it will be tested to the max!
First of all, whatever people tell you there is no way any of the ferry companies will take you as they are strictly passenger only, so you do need to find an onion boat, this is the only way. Secondly, don't bother walking around the jetty asking people if they will take your boat, they are not helpful and most of them don't have the authority to make such a decision anyway. You really do need to find an agent who can help you, alternatively go to the customs house, we found them to be the most helpful. We were in Dumai for 1 whole week trying to find a boat! It might be easier in Medan, not sure, but then you will need to get yurself back to Dumai to catch the passenger ferry as no ferries run from Medan. For more, check out this blog entry:

http://http://handfulofthrottle.blog.../10/dumai.html

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. At least now we know that it can be done.

However, I think you have made life unnecessarily difficult for yourself. Many others have crossed Belawan - Butterworth without any problems and I doubt it would take either a lot of patience, nor a week to do. You don't need to take the passenger ferry. In fact, I strongly recommend flying with Air Asia, 7 days a week.

We did this in reverse and the only negative thing I can say is that the refrigerated ferry was the pits, plus we had to wait 2 days to catch it. (It doesn't run any more, no loss.)

G’day Colin. Sorry to have taken so long to reply.

Here’s how the border crossing at Mota'ain between Batugade (Timor-Leste) and Atambua (West Timor) Indonesia, works:-

On the Timor-Leste side:

• 1. First stop – go the frontier booth, fill-out a departure form and gently persuade the officer to accept it and stamp your passport, if you can wake him up.

• 2. Then backtrack slightly to get the Carnet stamped out of the country by TL Customs.

• 3. Have a brief interview with the frontier guards, which for us consisted of a gang of three outwardly friendly blokes who seemed a bit bored with their lot in life. A smile and an exchange of two or three jokes warmed things up and do the ‘let me pass through’ trick. They even enquired and wanted to know about our religion, which struck me as a bit unusual.

Second main stop – on to the Indonesian side of the border:

• 4. Get the Carnet stamped into Indonesia by Indo Customs. Very friendly chaps. This was a quick and easy process.

• 5. Complete an entry form and get your passport stamped in. We already had 60-day visas – arranged with the London Indonesian Embassy back in July – so the admission process was straightforward and a formality for us.

• 6. Go to another booth and get interviewed by the Indo Army. Not sure why?

• 7. Go to a smaller adjacent building; at the desk outside, get interviewed again, this time by the Indo Police. Not sure what this was all about either?

Then .. you're into Indonesia, free-and-easy.

The whole process, from start to finish, takes just over an hour – no doubt a bit longer, if you have to queue at any stage, which we didn’t.

To answer your specific questions Colin. Yes, crossing the main land border from Timor-Leste into West Timor is comparitively straightforward. The question of having an invitation or some other unlikely document did not arise. No additional costs, fees (or dare I say bribes) involved.

And to clear-up one last final point that not even the UK RAC Carnet Dept could definitively answer: Yes, you definitely do need a Carnet to get a vehicle painlessly IN and OUT of Timor-Leste. I have both stamps in my Carnet doc to prove it.

Trusting you and Suzie are both well.

All the best

K&E

East to West Timor
 

Hi I did it hmm now 18 months ago and found the crossing even easier than that no real interviews and just a big smiley G'Day mate and after the paperwork was done I was away on both sides. Carnet is a must for anywhere in SE Asia !!!! Even though they are not technically Members Thailand and Laos ask for it. Shortly I will find out about Cambodia and I am trying to do Vietnam to so will keep you all informed. Funny but I have found Indonesia the easiest place to ride, paperwork and Carnet wise than any of the other countries so far and certainly the cheapest fuel.
Rick
:funmeteryes:

Sorry to contradict you here, but the only countries in that region that require a carnet are Malaysia and Indonesia. (Further afield also Timor Leste.)

Although some customs officers have reportedly asked for and stamped carnets, this is of no consequence. For Thailand you MUST have a temp import permit or you will very likely run into problems when leaving. I have spent a year in Thailand, crossed in and out several times and have never been asked for a carnet.

Laos is a little different. Technically, you need a paper issued at the border, but I have entered and left twice without it. I wouldn't bother with it, esp. since it costs money and time and is only valid for 2 weeks.

You can enter Malaysia from Thailand without a carnet. We and others did. However, I strongly recommend insurance for both Malaysia and Thailand.

Hmm, we have strayed off-topic. :nono:

Back to the topic ;)

Just my update on the ferries Est to West, with a 4wd, thought it might help.

Timur to Flores
From : Kupang
To : Larantuka
Frequency : twice a week, check for weather updates. Mondays and Thursdays.
Price : 1.170.000rp
Note : be there the day before, sleep on the docks. Boat is overcrowded and having bought a ticket does not mean necessarily you will board.
Length : 16 to 20h

Flores to Sumbawa
From : Labuhan Bajo
To : Sape
Frequency : once a day, tickets sells at 7AM, board at 8AM.
Price : 847.000rp
Note : there is a 10.000rp fee to register the car, then 837.000rp for the actual ticket.
Length : 8h

Sumbawa to Lombok
From : Pototano (Poto Tano)
To : Labuhan Lombok
Frequency : every hour, 24/7.
Price : 378.000rp
Note : last ATM is in Alas, 25km from Pototano.

I will keep this one updated with the info as I go.

PS : there are toilets on each ship, but don't expect comfort. Food and bevvies are sold at high price. Be the first to board and get comfy as soon as you can, bring a mat if you need sleeping on the floor. Or in your car of you can. Music non stop, don't expect much sleep, but it's fun and the trukkies are pretty cool.

Hey Boags

Where are you now in Indonesia? We are in Java, will be in Yogyakarta in a week or so.

No doubt you will catch up to us if you coming from the east - we're on bicycles!
Cheers