The typhoon destroyed many homes, blew the roofs off more than 25,000 others, and sank transport and fishing boats. There was also extensive damage to the provinces’ rice fields and other crop farms. Widespread blackouts were reported in the region and dozens of flights were cancelled.

The hardest hit regions include the south central provinces of Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Bình Dịnh, the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong, and the central provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Trị and Thua Thien-Hue, and Da Nang City, where the first events of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week were taking place. The Heavy rain and high tide combined to inundate many areas.

In Hoi An, many hotels were affected by the storm. Hoi An Silk Boutique Hotel & Spa experienced flooding in their restaurant situated at the basement level and we assisted in transferring their guests to a hotel in Da Nang City. Little Hoian Central Boutique Hotel & Spa is temporarily closing their resort and evacuating their guests to Da Nang as well.

In Hue, all hotels remain open and are operating regularly.

All of Phu Yen Province and Khanh Hoa Province except for Nha Trang City; and all of Bình Dịnh Province other than Tam Quan District suffered from total blackouts. Parts of Dak Lak, Kon Tum, Dak Nong and Quang Ngai provinces shared the same fate.

In Ninh Van Bay, the An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay has announced its temporary closure and will re-open on the 25th of November 2017. The Six Senses Resort has also informed us of their temporary closure until the 15th of November 2017.

In Nha Trang City, there is no flooding but some streets remained blocked by fallen trees. There is currently no electricity and WIFI connectivity throughout the city.

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More than 100,000 have evacuated their villages with government officials unhappy that perhaps as many as half the evacuees, acting out of fear and propelled by rumors, have fled homes located in areas considered safe from an eruption. The Governor is urging those coming from safe areas to leave the temporary camps and return to their homes or, at least, stay at a local hotel. Meanwhile, inside the “danger zone” Bali’s sacred Besakih Temple and the surrounding community have gone dark, abandoned, at least temporarily, until Mount Agung’s alert level is lowered.

The Ministry of Tourism has established a Hospitality Task Force to keep the public reliably informed on all developments related to Mt. Agung. In this connection, Bali’s Governor wants those spreading hoaxes and false news about Mount Agung charged with a crime and brought to justice.

In his efforts to keep the public reliably informed, Governor Pastika has met with foreign legations in Bali and asked them to keep their home constituencies informed that Bali is still safe for holidaymakers.

The Minister of Tourism visited Bali last week to review contingency planning and meet with Bali Hospitality Task Force’s Media Center. Minister Yahya estimates that cancellations of groups to Bali may be running between 20%-30%.

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News related to Mt. Agung dominates this week’s update. We have the latest summary update from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Meanwhile, scientist say magma that has risen from a depth of 100-kilometers below the crater to now just two-kilometers below the peak, is now at an impasse, momentary or otherwise, as its tries to break through the hardened crater floor. Satellites focused on the crater have detected a large fissure and a hotspot, both of which are now being monitored closely by scientists.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism insists that tourism to Bali remains unaffected by the warning connected to Mt. Agung. Governor Pastika pleads for moderation in reporting on the volcano, saying that in the event of an eruption, damage would be limited to areas immediately surrounding the mountain and far removed from the densely populated parts of Bali. Road officials have surveyed roads and bridges that could be affected by any eventual explosion of Mt. Agung.

While all eyes point to Mt. Agung, we have reports on the installation of 5 early warning sirens installed on the mountain’s slopes. The TelkomGroup has plans well in hand to keep telecommunications operating in the areas surrounding Mt. Agung in any eventuality. Banks in Karangasem are working with customer who may be economically disadvantaged by the alert warnings on Mt Agung. And, Airbnb implements an “Open House” plan for people who want to provide free, temporary housing to those displaced by developments on Mt. Agung.

Bali is witnessing an unparalleled response to the hardship of those living near Mr. Agung. Balinese are helping feed and clothe the homeless, save abandoned animals, and provide housing to fellow islanders. The Anand Ashram Foundation is providing anti-stress yoga training to evacuees. And, the villagers of Tejakula in Buleleng have welcomed those seeking refuge from the mountain with dances and music.

This report curtesy of Bali Update

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Read more on Khaosod here

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A low pressure system has brought heavy rain to parts of the south including the islands of Samui and Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, and floods have also severed the rail link to the south and Malaysia beyond.

Full story on Coconuts Bangkok here

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Severe flooding in central Vietnam has left at least 21 people dead and submerged tens of thousands of homes.

Worst affected is the province of Quang Binh, where at least 11 people have been killed, crops destroyed and livestock washed away.

The floods have been caused by torrential rain, but local media say sudden discharges from hydropower reservoirs worsened the flooding.

Typhoon Sarika could bring more bad weather if it strikes Vietnam.

Sarika battered the northern Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least 2 dead and more than 15,000 Displaced

Full story on BBC here.

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More from Channel News Asia.

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From 3 December 2016, Air Niugini is to launch twice weekly air services between Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea, and Chuuk and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Chuuk (sometimes spelled Truk) is renowned for being home to the World’s largest sunken fleet of Japanese WWII ships.

To test the market, three special flights were planned to operate to FSM before the scheduled passenger services commence. The first of the three special flights operated last week on 1 September from Port Moresby to Chuuk and later Pohnpei before returning to POM. It took 2hrs and 40 minutes to reach Chuuk and an hour across to Pohnpei before coming back to POM.

Most passengers on board the flight were Australian divers; about 50 of them who got off in Chuuk, the rest were individuals attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and businessmen based in Solomon Islands.

The next special flight will operate this week on 7 September to uplift delegation for PIF.

Once the scheduled passenger service comes into effect from December, Air Niugini will be operating two return air services a week, every Wednesday and Saturday from Port Moresby to Chuuk and Pohnpei.

These flights enable passengers between the Pacific, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines and FSM to connect through Port Moresby, saving considerable time and airfares.

Start planning your Pacific dive holiday today by contacting Symbiosis Custom Travel.

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Mount Gamala on the eastern island of Ternate erupted early Wednesday after a moderate earthquake in the area, sending ash up to 600m into the air and closing the island’s airport.

The airport on Lombok was closed overnight from Monday to Tuesday due to a drifting ash cloud from erupting Mount Rinjani, causing the cancellation of 29 domestic and international flights to the resort island.

The airport on neighbouring Bali remained open but several flights between Lombok and Bali were cancelled while a handful of services between Australia and Bali were also axed.

Mount Sinabung, a volcano on the western island of Sumatra which has been rumbling for some time, also erupted violently on Tuesday although its ash clouds did not disrupt any flights.

Full story on Coconuts Jakarta.

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Travelers from these countries will not be required to obtain a visa for traveling for up to 15 days in Vietnam. The change will be effective from 01 July 2016 until 30 June 2017.

For other nationalities : Citizens of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Japan, South Korea and Russia are also exempt from visa requirements until December 31st, 2019.

Travelers must have a passport with at least 6 month validity. Only single entries will be granted; guests entering multiple times will need to apply for a visa.

Please note that an official announcement from the Vietnamese Government is expected to be released in the coming days.

More info contact Symbiosis Custom Travel.

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NAM Air, a subsidiary of Sriwijaya Air, has launched a new direct flight connecting Jakarta with Sorong, West Papua (Papua Barat). The baggage limit is 20 kg. NAM Air has attractive prices and is cheaper than Xpress Air.
  
Flight times with NAM Air:
Saturday early morning, departure Jakarta 00:05 h – arrival Sorong 06:10 h
Saturday, departure Sorong 11:25 h – Arrival Jakarta 13:15 h

Sorong is the jump off point for some of the best diving in the world at Raja Ampat. More about the diving at Raja Amat can be found here.

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Presently, however, the torrential rains in Halong have significantly decreased and are expected to stop within the next few days. The road from Hanoi to Bai Chay Harbor, the access point for Halong Bay, has already been repaired. Only Cam Pha City, located about 30 km to the North of Halong, is still flooded with waste from the nearby coal mines.

Day cruises have been permitted to resume in Halong Bay, but overnight cruises remain prohibited.

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Nationals of 45 countries now do not need to get a visa on arrival (VoA), nor will they have to pay the visa fee of US$35. Not only will it save people from these countries money but will also speed up the entry process. You will still get a stamp in your passport, your stay will still be limited to 30 days and, most important, you still need your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from the time of arrival but, all in all, great news.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to start planning your next Indonesia visit.

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Lombok Airport has remained open since Saturday 11 July with international and domestic flights operating.

There is a possibility Mount Raung will erupt again in the coming days. Dependent on the wind direction, this could lead to some airports closing for safety reasons.

Passengers scheduled to fly are advised to contact their airline as many flights are currently subject to delay.

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