Indonesia is a beautiful country with many tourist destinations worth visiting.
Bali is popular destination. Many people do not know that Bali is a part of Indonesia, but it is.
Bali is one of 17,000 islands that make up this country, which is the world’s largest archipelago. Indonesia is the 7th largest country in the world by land and sea area, with a population of over 275 million people. With over 275 million people, Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.
About half of them live on the island of Java, where the capital city Jakarta is located. In peaceful coexistence with Islam, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and other religions also live in Indonesia.
From Colony to Economic Powerhouse
During the time of the discovery of the New World, the Dutch took over this archipelago and ruled for more than 350 years. The wealth that the Netherlands gained can be attributed to trading in spices and other goods. Belgium would never have had the best chocolate if cocoa had not come from Indonesia. Indonesia gained independence after World War II, although the Dutch tried to claim goods and cities with weapons and diplomacy for several years after the war. Today, Indonesia is a member of the G20 and is the 16th largest economy in the world, as well as the leading economy in Southeast Asia.
The capital city is Jakarta
The city is located on the northwest coast of Java island and represents the economic and cultural center of the country. It is a dynamic city that is developing very fast and living even faster. Jakarta is home to many cultural monuments, museums, parks, shopping centers, restaurants, and nightclubs. Some of the sights worth visiting in Jakarta include the National Museum of Indonesia, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Monument of National Hero, and skyscrapers such as “The Tower” and “Jakarta One”.
Batavia is the old part of the city developed by the Dutch
The name “Batavia” comes from the Latin name for the Netherlands, “Bataviae”. During the Dutch colonial period, Batavia was an important center of trade and political power. The city was known for its canals, fortifications, trading houses, and landmarks such as Taman Fatahillah (Square of Fatahillah) and the main building of the Dutch East India Company. It represents an important part of Indonesia’s history.
Cultural Diversity
Bali is better known to tourists than Indonesia itself. The fact is that the vast majority of travelers to Bali do not visit any other part of the country, which is actually a shame for them. Such diversity of peoples, languages, cultures, and customs in just one country is unique.
Hundreds of languages, various peoples, and tribes are a great wealth, but also a political obligation of unity. It is not a small country, so traveling to various remote parts is neither easy nor cheap.
It is said that a direct flight from Aceh in Sumatra to Jayapura on Papua island would take 11 hours, like flying from Europe to Los Angeles. With transfers, it takes even longer. Indonesia is simply large, and creating a transportation infrastructure on 17,000 islands is not an easy task.
There are many airports and air connections are very good. Several large domestic airlines such as Garuda, Citilink, Lion, AirAsia and Batik fly with hundreds of modern Airbus and Boeing aircraft, making connections possible to even the most remote areas.
Yogyakarta is a city worth visiting
The city is a cultural and student center. The Buddhist temple built in the 8th century, Borobudur, is the largest of its kind and the most significant shrine of Buddhism. On the other side of the city is the Hindu temple, Prambanan. Equally impressive in its beauty and significance. Only 35 km away from the city center is Mount Merapi, an active volcano that erupts every 4 years, releasing excess lava and poisonous gases that killed thousands of residents a decade ago. Yogyakarta is an autonomous province ruled by a Sultan. His palace is the central attraction of the city.
Where to travel in Indonesia?
Indonesia has enormous tourism potential, with thousands of undiscovered paradise islands waiting to be explored. Here are some of the most interesting ones:
Bali is one of the most famous islands in Indonesia, known for its beautiful beaches, green rice fields, Hindu temples, and vibrant cities. The most famous beaches are Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran. Ubud is the cultural center of Bali, famous for its art galleries, temples, museums, and traditional art. Mt. Batur is an active volcano on Bali that sometimes causes trouble and spews lava. Balinese rice terraces are known for their beautiful green color and unique cultivation methods. The islands of Gili and Penida are also located near Bali.
Lombok is an island east of Bali. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia, such as Tanjung Aan, Senggigi, Mawun, and many others. Mount Rinjani is the highest mountain on the island and is known for its spectacular landscape and crater lake. Visitors can visit local villages, such as Sasak villages, and learn about traditional ways of life and customs.
Flores is located between the island of Sumbawa to the west and the island of Timor to the east. Kelmimutu is an active volcano on the eastern part of the island, known for its three crater lakes with different colors (red, blue, and green). Visitors can hike to the top of the volcano and enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings. Cunca Rami waterfalls are hidden gems on Flores, located in the jungle on the western part of the island.
Raja Ampat is an archipelago consisting of hundreds of islands and islets, located in the northwest of Papua New Guinea. This archipelago is known for its unique nature, exceptional biodiversity, and crystal clear sea, making it one of the most popular new tourist destinations in Indonesia. Raja Ampat has some of the richest coral reefs in the world, making it an ideal place for diving and snorkeling. Here, you can see large quantities of different types of corals, fish, turtles, sharks, and other sea creatures. If there is the most beautiful sea in the world, then Raja Ampat is at the top of the list.
Komodo is known for its unique and rare species of flora and fauna, including the large lizards known as “Komodo dragons.” Komodo National Park is a protected area consisting of several islands, including Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. Here, visitors can see Komodo dragons in the wild, as well as other animals such as deer, wild pigs, and macaques. The fishing village of Kampung Komodo offers an insight into the life of fishermen and their traditions.
Sulawesi is an island in the shape of a spider. It has a population of around twenty million. Tana Toraja is a region in the south of Sulawesi, known for its rich culture, especially for traditional funeral rites that can last for several days. Visitors can see traditional houses and tombs, as well as witness rituals that are held in accordance with ancient customs. Bunaken National Park is located near Manado in northern Sulawesi and is one of the best diving spots in Indonesia.
Borneo is one of the largest islands in Asia and encompasses the territories of three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. On the Indonesian side, Borneo is known as Kalimantan. Tanjung Puting National Park is one of the best places in the world to observe orangutans in their natural habitat. Dayak is one of the traditional ethnic communities in Kalimantan, and their dances and customs are fascinating to watch. The Mahakam River is the largest river in Kalimantan and offers beautiful landscapes and opportunities to explore traditional communities living along the river.
Java is the most populated island in Indonesia and home to more than half of the country’s total population. In addition to cities like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya, the island has many interesting attractions such as the active volcanoes Merapi and Bromo. Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park encompasses three volcanoes and is known for its beautiful landscapes and volcanic activities. Visitors can reach the top of one of the volcanoes on horseback or on foot. Kawah Ijen is the crater of an active volcano on East Java, known for its blue flames and beautiful landscapes.
Sumatra offers a plethora of interesting sights. Gunung Leuser National Park is home to orangutans, tigers, and other exotic animals. Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and is known for its beautiful landscapes and cultural attractions. It has several islands and is inhabited by the Batak people, descendants of the “cannibal” tribe. The Batak Museum in Parapat offers insight into the culture and history of the Batak people as one of the most important ethnic groups in Sumatra. Bukittinggi is a cultural and historical city in Sumatra, known for its traditional dances, temples, and museums.
Not even a lifetime would be enough to discover all the interesting things in Indonesia, so it’s time to start exploring. There is no right answer to the question of where to travel in Indonesia.
It’s important to start, and the journey will take you to the places we need to see. That’s how I ended up on the exotic islands of Sumba, Sulawesi, traveled part of Sumatra and Java, and often enjoyed the food and temples of Bali in several journeys.
