Before DepartureHTs Surf Resort wants to make it as easy as possible for you to make all your travel arrangements so you reach the resort with the minimum of stress.1. How do I get to Indonesia? You want to fly into Padang (Pa - Dang), West Sumatra Indonesia (PDG). Padang is the departure city for all guest going to the Mentawai Islands via flight or ferry. The resort staff can assit you with information on flights from KL and Singapore to Padang, domestic flights from Medan, Batam, Bali or Jakarta, ferries to Mentawai, and accommodation in Padang. For other international flights visit our agent links page. We have a ground crew that can meet you at the airport in Padang on arrival and help with transfer to the resort via Flights or Ferries. READ MORE 2. How do I get to Mentawai from Padang? You have two options:
3. What do I do about my flight arrangements? HTs Surf Resort can book your Padang to Mentawai flight but we recommend the following booking partners to handle your other domestic or international flights: READ MORE 4. Where should I stay if I have an extra night on land? (in Singapore? Padang? Jakarta?) This answer depends on where you have to stay for that extra night. We suggest the following: Singapore: We recommend using the Prince of Wales in Little India for the traveller looking for Singapore’s lowest private room rates and an authentic Aussie bar: 101 Dunlop St, Singapore, 209420, Singapore +65 6299 0130 There is a "Transit hotel" inside the main airport. http://www.airport-hotel.com.sg/  Jakarta: We recommend using the Sheraton Bandara Hotel. Just three kilometers from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Sheraton Bandara Hotel offers five-star, resort-style experience.  Padang: We suggest using the private bungalow at Villa Air Manis. Just 15 minutes out of town but very private and with awesome views over Air Manis surf beach. 5. What do you suggest I pack for my trip? We always suggest to pack light and we have given a check list that is helpful when traveling to HTs Resort. READ MORE.... 6. What kind and how many boards should I take? Most people bring 2-4 boards but remember that you will pay for one extra seat for every two surf boards you carry on the Padang to Mentawai flights. Most people bring 2-4 boards. (If you fly to Mentawai the limit is 2 boards) You will ride your standard shortboards most of the time but if the swell forecast looks like it will get big, bring something to handle it. Most surfers bring 4 surfboards - two shortboards, one mid sized board for when it gets a little bigger, and one gun for the biggest days. It is smart to bring a replacement for the board you ride most. 7. What types of services and amenities are available at the resort? Please refer to the "Resort Features" section. 8. What type of health precautions should I take? We suggest to speak with a travel docotor for up to date medications for Indonesia. If you have prescription medication make sure you bring paperwork for refills or emergency situations. If you have motion sickness or seasickness we suggest to bring Dramamine or Bonine. Before you leave on a trip always consult a doctor. 9. Should I be concerned about malaria? It is a matter of personal choice whether to take anti- malarial medication. Malaria is endemic in some of the places you will be visiting but with sensible precautions, the risk is very low. 10. Do I need travel insurance? Travel Insurance is mandatory for your personal safety. A decent travel insurance package will provide coverage for the following: trip cancellation and interruption, baggage delay, baggage coverage, travel delay, emergency medical and dental, emergency, medical transport and evacuation, and travel accident insurance. 11. What documents do I need to take? You must have a passport with at least six months left and one other form of identification. HTs Resort requires you send us your passport infomation (number, date of issue, place of issue) before your departure so we can arrange the necessary travel permits through the Mentawai Islands. We suggest you carry a back up photocopy of your passport, id, and travel documents while traveling. It is a good idea to leave a copy of your passport with a family member or friend. Upon entry into Indonesia you will be issued a small white immigration form that you must keep until your departure. When you leave they will ask to see it to determine how long you were in Indonesia. Please take care and keep this form in your passport. The most important thing to remember on this list is to make sure that you have an updated passport and a valid VISA. You will not be permitted to enter Indonesia if your passport is going to expire within six months of your departure or if you are from a country that requires a special VISA to enter. Most people can take care of their VISA upon entering Indonesia (see the detailed section at the bottom of this page). Before purchasing airline tickets consult local consulates in case these rules have changed. 12. How long can I stay in Indonesia? Most travelers coming from the US, Australia, and Europe are issued tourist visas upon arrival, but if you carry a passport from other countries it is worthwhile checking to see if you need a visa. The standard tourist VISA is applicable for up to 30 days and costs US$25. Make sure you have new notes and correct change. If you plan on staying longer in Indonesia you must apply for an extended stay VISA at your local Indonesian Embassy prior to departure. You can also get this kind of visa in Singapore. Ask for our help. 13. How much money do I need to take? Bring extra money for the following: 1. Traveling Money: $150US 2. Souvenir money: $50US 3. VISA money: $25US 4. Mentawai Tax - $5/day (collected in Padang) 5. Money for tipping the staff: say $75 minimum. 6. Beer, Alcohol & canned drinks: $ your call (Credit Cards are not accepted at the resort) Once you arrive in Padang the best way to exchange money is to simply take it out of a bank's ATM machine. If you do decide to exchange money please make sure you have immaculate, non-wrinkled $100 bills - even then they might not get taken if older than 2003. Travelers Checks are useless. 14. Is there a photographer available for my trip? Please contact us for availability. We often have resident photographers and we can arrange this in advance at your request. Ask about the cost options. 15. Can I recharge my video camera etc.. at the resort? The resort uses 220V electricity. Check the specs on your equipment and bring a proper converter set just in case. 16. Do you have fishing and/or diving gear at the resort? We have some fishing equipment at the resort, but if you are a keen fisherman bring some of your own lures and maybe your own casting rod. If you'd like to snorkel please bring your own equipment for sanitary reasons. Spear guns are prohibited by Indonesian Customs. 17. Can I be contacted while I'm at the resort? We are currently working on communication at the resort and all communications should be up by September 2009. Please ask when booking on updates. Most guests prefer to bring their own computers with their own Skype accounts and talk online. Ask family and relatives to contact our Padang office in the case of an emergency or urgent news. Call +62 751 767 888 or 765 010. E-mail htsresort @ gmail.com (leave out the spaces) or Skype us at “elmaceh”. CONTACT FORM 18. What is your policy on illegal substances? No illegal substances please. The laws in Indonesia are very harsh and Indonesian jails are not something you want to think about. 19. How many other surfers will be at the resort? We take a maximum of 16 guests and normally some are non-surfers. We make it easy for the guests to spit up and surf the breaks in the area.. 20. Can I celebrate a special occasion at the resort? Yes, let us know in advance. 21. What happens if my flight is delayed or my boards don't make it? This does not happen often because flights from Singapore into Padang are not full and the aircraft are larger. There are three flights per day via KL so try to fly on the first flight. If for some reason your boards are left behind the airline can send them on the midday flight and we can get them to the ferry well before departure. If you fly to Mentawai we can arrange for the boards to go out on the next ferry or charter boat heading towards our resort. There is a surf shop in Padang with a range of quality boards available for sale. 22. When is the best time to go? Good swells can hit at any time of year and the off-peak season can turn on spectacular days for the unhurried visitor. The most in-demand timeslot is April/May till August/September, which seem to be most consistent for high quality groundswells. 23. What happens when I arrive in Padang? You can now fly to Rokot airport in Mentawai from Padang on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays every week operated by SMA. Departure is at 9.30am so the flight connects with Air Asia from KL (first flight) or with some domestic flights from Jakarta. The cost is US$400 return including speedboat transfers from Rokot to the resort. (about 1.5 hrs) SMA use a robust Casa 212 turboprop for this trip. Capacity is limited to 9 surfers and their boards (2 seats per person) so you need to book your seat well in advance. If you prefer a more relaxed schedule, consider arriving a day early and spending the night at Villa Air Manis. Another less expensive option is to depart Padang on the large steel RO-RO ferry, Ambo Ambo. Cabins can be booked in advance. It departs every Sunday evening and travels overnight to Tua Pejat in Mentawai. Our speedboat will meet you for the 3 hr trip to the resort. Cost is US$150 per person. READ MORE...... PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR VISA IS VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER YOUR EXIT DATE AND PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE BLANK PAGE FOR THE VISA - IT TAKES UP AN ENTIRE PAGE AND IF YOU HAVE NO PAGES YOU WILL PAY A LOT OR BE SENT BACK HOME ON THE NEXT FLIGHT OUT. On 1 February 2004, the Indonesian Government implemented a new visitor visa regime at Immigration check points throughout Indonesia. Only 11 countries and territories are still eligible for a "Visa Free" facility, they are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam. All other nationalities must pay for a visa on arrival or arrange for a visa from an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before arrival. You are strongly urged to seek advice from the nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before departing for Indonesia. The key features of the new visa system regime are as follows:
Payment must be made in US dollars on arrival. It is recommended that travellers have the exact US dollars cash available as not all entry points will have full bank facilities in place until sometime later in the year. READ MORE...... |
At the ResortWe get asked a lot of questions about life at the resort. Here are some answers that we hope will help:1. What kind of waves can we surf from the resort? You will surf some of the most consistent, user friendly waves in the world. When the swell gets up these waves require experience and fitness to surf safely but we can almost always find surf options that suit your surfing level. Macas and Crusoes to the south and Telescopes, Iceland and Scarecrows to the north can be reached by special arrangement. READ MORE.... 2. Where will we normally surf? HTs is a short paddle from the resort beach. ETs is a 10 minute walk along the beach. Lances Left, Beach Breaks and Bintangs can be accessed by mountain bike, walking or taking a speedboat to the western side of the peninsular. READ MORE.... 3. What speedboats are available? The resort speedboats are modern PE designs that double as aid support landing boats. Powered by either one or two 40hp outboards, these double skin boats are incredibly tough and safe. Air chambers between the inner and outer skins provide floatation and even fully flooded the boat remains stable. These boats have passed ISO standards and Lloyds Insurance certification for 8 persons. Our speedboats have safety equipment and hand held radios. READ MORE.... 4. Can my family, friends and business associate contact me while I'm at the resort? Our V-Sat system is scheduled to be operational by mid September 09. Please bring your laptop. Skype calls can be made from your laptop or from the resort’s office center computer. You will also be able to send and receive e-mail with attachments. Your can have 24hr access to the internet for $50 flat fee for 1-2 weeks. Wi-Fi will be available in the office, restaurant, at the poolside and on the beach (COMING SOON - CHECK WHEN BOOKING). READ MORE.... 5. What should we do in case of an earthquake or tsunami? There is a 50 m high hill located NW of the resort about 350m from the dinning room. There is a map in each room along with a torch and drinking water in bottles. If you feel a strong earthquake, grab the torch, bottled water and some clothing and leave the villa quickly. The staff will guide you to the hill but most guests take the time to check the path out so they can find it in the dark. The area has experienced many undersea earthquakes over the past 5 years but none have generated tsunamis. READ MORE.... 6. What is the dining experience like at the resort? No Mentawai resort is located closer to a world class surf break. You can dine in the shade of the dinning room or out on the beach front terrace depending on the conditions on the day. We have a “guest chef” program with experienced chefs rotating through out the year. Check with us to find out if one of our visiting chefs will be in the resort during your stay. We include self service tea and coffee and bottled water free. Extra sodas, juices, beer hard alcohol, and mixed drinks are available at the bar for a modest fee. 7. What time are meals served? For early-birds, there is coffe, tea, cereal, fruit and toast available in the restaurant.
8. What types of alcoholic beverages are available? Beer, mixed drinks and soft drinks are available for at the bar or you can request that they be served in your room or near your splash pool. 9. What other activities are available ? You are under no pressure to do anything while at the resort and most guests spend their time out of the water around the splash pools relaxing. For your enjoyment we have a range of activiies:
10. How much should I tip the staff? The average tip is around $50 but if you've had a great time, please show the staff how you feel. The tips should be paid to the resort manager to make sure they are distributed fairly. 11. Can I celebrate a special occasion at the resort? Yes, let us know well in advance what you have in mind and we will organize it with you. 12. What is your policy on illegal substances? No illegal substances please. The laws in Indonesia are very harsh and Indonesian jails are not something you want to think about. 13. How do I access the bathroom from my bedroom? All villas have a large western style bathroom with modern fixtures. The bathroom is a few steps from your bedroom. You also have the option to book a villa exclusively. Please ask for rates. 14. How do I get back to Padang? Our speedboat will leave the resort in plenty of time for you to make the flight from Rokot airport or the nearest ferry port. Click here to view a typical itinerary. CODE OF CONDUCT HTs Surf Resort wants to give you the best experience possible! Here are tips on etiquette to enjoy life in paradise. .
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND When you arrive we will give you one big bottle of water, please use the permanent marker to write your name on the bottle and refill it in the restaurant free of charge. There is a charge for extra water bottles and we want to reduce our trash disposal at the resort.
|
E-mail: htsresort @ gmail.com
Skype: elmaceh Phone: +62
751 767888 or 765010 SMS: +62 81363669997
About Us : News : Links : BOOK ON-LINE : Payment Options : Terms&Conditions
: Members Area