Page:Java, the wonderland, by Vereeniging Toeristenverkeer, Batavia, 1900.djvu/16

 INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS AND VISITORS.

There are no European guides in Java; but English speaking native guides can often be engaged at the first class hotels in Batavia and Soerabaya. As might be expected they are few in number and rather expensive; they get usually f 2.50 or f 3.— a day and free travelling.

Large parties or ladies travelling together should always try to get a guide: he will take sole charge of the luggage and will save much trouble and inconvenience.

For the solitary traveller a guide is hardly necessary because the hotel porter (in Malay called mandoer) looks after the luggage of the tourist, will have it sent to and from the station, can take tickets and will always arrange to have the luggage put either in the luggage van or in the railway compartments

Servants who are not natives of Java are a nuisance as a rule; the entrance of Chinese servants is prohibited. The man has to report himself at the police station to get a travellingpermit. Indian servants as well as Chinese generally do not speak enough Malay to be of any help to a foreigner.

For tourists who do not like to travel without a servant it is advisable to ask the assistance of the hotel manager or his employees to procure a trustworthy boy. The pay of the latter varies from f 18 to f 30 a month besides free transport and 20 to 50 cents per day for his food.

Travelling in Java is perfectly safe. In fact a tourist going from one end of the island to the other and knowing no other language but plain English or German, could travel without much trouble and in perfect safety. Still it is advisable to lock up everything of value when staying at a Hotel.