The wonder of Indonesia
If you’re bored of the usual holiday hotspots, and you’re seeking something a little different, perhaps something a little more cultural or varied, then you need to cast your attention in an easterly direction, and land your attention on the largest archipelago in the world – Indonesia.
Indonesia has long been a destination which has been misunderstood, however it is hugely accessible, hugely varied, hugely beautiful, and hugely cultural.
What more could you want?
The great thing about visiting Indonesia is that it offers an off the beaten track destination, but there are also plentiful safety nets for visitors who might not be too used to visiting such places. Think about it – Bali is in Indonesia, and this is probably one of the most famous and paradise-ridden places on earth!
Jakarta
Indonesia sits on the equator, which means high temperatures and often high humidity too, however it is lapped by the waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, which lends itself towards rich marine-life and some seriously castaway beaches to enjoy. On top of this however there are some sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and vibrant cities to visit too, and the capital city of Jakarta is certainly the most iconic in the country.
Busy and bustling, Jakarta is a true experience, and if you are a shopping fan, then this is the destination for you! There are countless huge shopping malls, the best being the Grand Indonesia Mall, which are all thankfully air conditioned. For a more cultural shopping experience there are many traditional markets to visit, which will give you the best of both worlds. The city contains many rich examples of Colonial Dutch architecture, including Fatahillah Square, and the Museum Bank Indonesia which educates the public about the role of money/banking in Indonesian Society. Jakarta’s National Museum of Indonesia is the best in the country and well worth a visit. Jakarta is also a hotspot for nightlife, with bars, restaurants, and clubs to fill your evening’s entertainment. Accommodation is of a high standard and reasonably priced, the Aston Rasuna for example, and it is so easy to research and book your hotel online.
Bali is also a visitor’s dream, with loud, backpacking routes, and quieter, more sophisticated areas too. Honeymooners flock to this beautiful destination as the backdrop of their first holiday as newlyweds, whilst diving enthusiasts also love to explore the marine-life which lurks beneath the surface of the crystal clear waters.
If you’re an adventure fan, then Kalimantan is for you. This is better known as Borneo, and here you will find some deep and packed jungle landscapes, with flora, fauna, and wildlife. Borneo is the native home of the orangutan, whilst also offering opportunities for white water rafting and jungle treks.
There isn’t a lot which Indonesia doesn’t offer, and whilst getting around the huge landmass in its entirety is probably borderline impossible within a short space of time, choosing your particular area of interest and exploring it to the max is certainly very do-able. Java is the area of the country which is the most populous, and this is where most of the large cities are based, with Bali within very easy reach. If you’re looking for your holiday to be somewhere you can explore, but somewhere which offers that safety net we were discussing before, then Java is the destination for you. If however you want to be a little adventurous and head completely off the beaten track, then there are other regions which will certainly show you the beauty and wonder of Indonesia, probably leaving your mouth wide open in amazement.
Images by Stefan Magdalinski, Mighty Travels,
David Stanley under Creative Commons license.
This post was written in association with Traveloka.
