Destination Indonesia
Destinations in Indonesia
The first place that most people think of when they think of Indonesia is Bali. A small island which is rimmed by coral reef and filled with lush green rice fields, Bali is well set up for tourism and has something for everybody. Whether you prefer the luxurious spa holiday, or an action filled adventure, Bali is the perfect choice.
Further afield, there are so many options to choose from.
Lombok
Lombok is commonly called ‘Bali 20 years ago’, but we like to think that it has its own identity. A noticeably drier island than Bali, the lifestyle here is considerably more laid back, and the island is a huge melting pot of religion and culture. With stunning beaches, tiny islands, and of course the often grumbling Mt Rinjani, a very active volcano, Lombok is great for those looking for something a little different.
Java
Java is home to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, but this huge bustling city is not the reason most people choose to go to Java. Mt Bromo, in the far east of the island, is a rumbling active volcano that is best climbed before sunrise. The views from atop this cranky beast are stunning and the short climb is well worth the early wake up call!
In the centre of Java is the ninth century Buddhist monument of Borobudur. The monument was abandoned in the 14th century, and was rediscovered by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1814. Borobudur is decorated with 2672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, some of them sitting inside bell shaped domes. To visit Borobudur is an awe inspiring spectacle, and this is the reason that the monument is the most visited attraction in Indonesia.
There be Dragons
The fearsome Komodo Dragon was only discovered by western scientists in 1910, but their existence dates back to pre-historic times. Growing in lengths of up to 3m and weighing up to 300kg, these cannibalistic reptiles live for up to 50 years and survive on carrion and have been known to kill human beings. There are only a couple of islands that Komodo Dragons call home, these being Rinca Island and Komodo Island, in the far east of Indonesia. Easily reached by a stunning 1.5hr plane ride followed by a 4 hr boat trip which passes by many small islands. Komodo is one of our favourite places to visit because of the journey, and because these creatures are so fearsome, yet look so docile!
Kalimantan (Borneo)
Kalimantan is a land of unexplored natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Known for its tropical forests, rich natural resources and exotic flora and faunt, Kalimantan is a unique, unexplored world of its own. Home to over 10million people, it is the Dayaks who are the indigenous people of the area. The Dayaks, who were once headhunters, live in traditional ‘long houses’ which can be home to as many as 50 people. Whether it is hard core adventure trekking, rafting, or observing the lovely orangutan, Kalimantan is a wilderness that is just begging to be discovered.
