 2Likes
 |
|
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 (! 
|
26 Apr 2013
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 37
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemuli
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:
|
26 Apr 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Row1
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...
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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?
|
11 May 2013
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Row1
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)?
|
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
|
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!
|
31 Jul 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by krammit
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.
|
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
|
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
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
|
31 Jul 2013
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by krammit
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! 
|
31 Jul 2013
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RTWbyBIKE.com
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
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 5 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 5 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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
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.
"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™ 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!
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.
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.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Linear Mode
