Travel to Indonesia

Why Travel to Indonesia:

The world's largest archipelago [13,677 islands], Indonesia has a huge variety of wonderful landscapes and strange islands, from the terraced rice paddies of Bali to the forests of Sumatra, from bizarre, diverse cultures and traditions of the primitive Dani folk [picture above right] to the weird Torajah buildings and customs [picture above left].
The people however strangely attired are calm and friendly; the food is wonderful, the wildlife diverse and there is no shortage of activities.
Finally, masses of gorgeous, stylish, little ethnic hotels offer chic comfort at the right price.

Downside:
- In some years, air pollution 'Haze' has been serious in summertime.
- Political instability may also be a problem, though not so much in Bali, Sulawesi or Lombok.

- Travel from one island to another is time consuming and expensive.
- Because of its popularity, some places such as Kuta in Bali are too touristy and the local people can be unusually mercenary.

Where to travel in Indonesia:

Bali: Despite high tourism, Bali maintains a rich and colourful Hindu heritage.
Ubud is a relaxed and charming rural town with terrific shabby-chic hotels, beautiful rice terraces, fantastic festivals and excellent arts and crafts.
Candi Dasa is one of the best soft beaches nearby, or Kuta for huge expanses of hard sand, frequently rough water, superb restaurants and a wild night life.
For more Balinese isolation try travelling 3 hours from Denpasar to northwest coast for black sands, turquoise water, grey rocky outcrops and green paddy fields. There's a lot to do here, including birdwatching in Bali Barat National Park, boating and fishing in Gilimanuk Bay and diving or snorkelling 5 miles offshore at Deer Island.
See Indonesia Pictures I

Java: Yogyakarta is an attractive market town, good for local culture and batik, while Pranmbanan,

the world's 8th largest Hindu temple complex is certainly worth a day.
Then there's Borobudur, one of the finest Buddhist monuments in S.E Asia.
Jakarta, on the other hand, we'd prefer to be hanged than spend another night in Java's unpleasant capital city.

Sulawesi [Tana Toraja]: for some really unique and bizarre indigenous customs [especially the funeral ceremonies], boat-shaped housing, lovely rural landscapes and excellent trekking.
See Indonesia Pictures II.

Irian Jaya [Balim Valley]: strangest of all Indonesia's provinces where the Dani people still retain an ancient culture and men wear penis gourds. Hiking here is often damp and accommodation can be basic [e.g. sleeping on straw next to a mummified body] but you won't forget this place. See Indonesia Pictures II

Kalimantan [Borneo] wildlife: for Banjarmasin, floating markets and Dayak people or Pangkalanbun as a base for Tnjung Puting National Park walks and boating