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| For travel advice to countries affected by the tsunami, consult the Foreign Office. 10 January 2005 and the 28 March earthquake in the Indian Ocean, consult the Foreign Office. 12 July 2005 Visas: Citizens of Britain, Ireland, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, do not need a visa for a stay of up to 60 days. Public holidays: New Year's Day; Eid-ul Fitr; Balinese saka New Year (March/April); Good Friday; Eid-ul Adha; Waisak Day (May); Ascension Day; Muslim New Year; Maulud Nabi Muhammad; Independence Day (17 August); Ascension Day of Mohammed (December), Christmas Day. Good buys: Look out for local hand woven materials, silver and gold works and woodcarvings. Local dishes: The backbone of all Indonesian cuisine is spice. Typically, the spices are ground and fried in oil to form a paste with which to flavour curries. Rice is a staple, and noodles are popular, too. Seafood is traditional and very good. |