Border Crossings - Melaka, Malaysia to Dumai, Indonesia

Border Crossings - by Ken and Carol Duval

25 April 2001 Melaka

Accomodation - Robins Nest Guest House 16 to 23 Ringgit for a double room. Close to passenger and cargo terminals. Listed in Lonely Planet.

Passenger Ferry - Follow Me Express Ferry Service on the 'Indomal Express'. Morning and afternoon ferries. 59 RM per person (special price).

Cargo - Jalinan Muara Enterprise. Ph 012-6231867 Small office near
customs/ferry termal.

Customs - Between passenger and cargo dock/terminals.

Schedule :

• 8.00am Arrive at cargo terminal.
• 10.30am Carnet and invoice processed. 400 RM (negotiable).
• 11.00am Bike loaded onto 'Kurnia Jaya' S27-41 and lashed to wheel house. Bags of onions packed around bike.
• 12.00 Bike leaves. Journey 8 hrs.
• 3.45pm Low tide. Old ferry shuttles us to new ferry and we transfer 2-3 kms out to sea. Keep luggage to a minimum. Journey 2 hours.
• 6.00pm Dumai - Immigration - 60 day tourist visa. Return ticket or show of funds not requested. Customs - no searches. Both very easy.

The following is what we recommend you do to avoid 'rip offs'.

1. Leave ferry terminal - Walk or catch a rickshaw to the main customs office/bldg (approx 4-500 mtrs). Through archways to main road, turn left and it's on the right hand side.

2. Advise customs officals what is happening. E.T.A. of bike, company name and contact number and accomodation requirements. We stayed at the Hotel Srikandi for 70,000 Rs. There are cheaper but they were full. Don't stay at the Royal Hotel unless you have lots of money. Customs have a driver and a 4 x 4 and will probably drive you everywhere for no charge. They are extremely helpful. Be prepared to pay if this is not possible. There are touts everywhere trying to rip you off including the shipping agent.

3. Hopefully!! customs will drive you to cargo dock to collect the bike. 8 pm for us.

4. Collect bike after ten lads lift bike off boat and demand 100,000 Rs (approx US$10) You can negotiate.

5. Ride back to customs and process carnet. We could not as too late. Left bike at customs and driver took us back to hotel.

26 April 2001

6. 8.am to 11.30 am Customs picked us up, carnet was processed. They drive us to the police station to arrange permit for the bike. All done, no charges, very helpful. You need a rough itinerary for police permit.

7. Police permit requires you to check into police stations each overnight stay. We are doing this but most police do not understand proceedures. All are very friendly and helpful.

Good luck and enjoy.