Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world and is made
up of over 17,000 islands; however, often when people think of
Indonesia, all that comes to mind is Bali. Although Bali is awesome in
its own right, Indonesia as a whole is a great place to visit and has much to offer. Here are my ten reasons why you should visit Indonesia.
The Komodo Dragons
Komodo Dragon. Photo by Cailin O.
Indonesia is home to Komodo National Park, named after its celebrity residents, the Komodo Dragon.
Currently the largest living lizard in the world and the closest thing
we have to dinosaurs, these fierce dragons are quite the tourist
attraction for the thrill seeker. Indonesia is the only place in the
world where they can be found living in the wild on the four islands
that make up Komodo National Park. Having been known to eat a human or
two, if you visit make sure you do so with a few park rangers as
protection to witness this deadly creature in the flesh.
Scuba/Snorkel
The beaches of Indonesia are perfect for snorkelling. Photo by Cailin O.
Indonesia
is home to 20% of the world’s coral reefs and some of the best scuba
diving and snorkelling you can find. There are many opportunities
available for beginner and experienced divers, with lots of gear rental
shops and liveaboard trips and more being offered. Indonesia also has a
lot of shipwrecks off its shores, which make for interesting dives. It's
almost a shame to visit Indonesia and not get your feet wet.
Food & Coffee
Gudeg, a tradition in Indonesia. Photo by Cailin O.
You
can literally eat for days in Indonesia and always be trying something
new. Some popular Indonesian foods are satay (like lamb or chicken
skewers), nasi goreng (a fried rice plate with other foods added to it
like fried eggs, vegetables, and chicken), gudeg
(a dish made from boiled young jackfruit, often served with rice,
sambal sauce and chicken) and my favorite, sambal sauce - a spicy sauce
that can be added rice and many other dishes. Indonesia is also one of
the largest coffee producers in the world - the phrase “a cup of Java”
actually comes from Indonesia’s island of the same name, where the
coffee comes from. They are also famous for Kopi Luwak, which is coffee
made from the poop of the Luwak - aka civet cat - that has eaten coffee
beans and pooped them out. Sounds gross but it is actually rare and
quite expensive coffee.
Bananas
Bananas are used in many Indonesian dishes. Photo by Cailin O.
When
we were visiting Indonesia, bananas were very popular everywhere we
went, which is no surprise seeing that the country is one of the top six
producers of bananas in the world. If we weren’t having them at
breakfast, we had them as dessert, deep-fried (aka pisang goreng),
drizzled with chocolate, or served many other ways.
Borobudur
Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Photo by Cailin O.
Dating
back to the 9th century, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in
the world and is found in Java, Indonesia. Made up of 2,000+ relief
panels and over 500 Buddha statues, this temple is an amazing monument
to see. Often crowded in the day, one of the best times to explore the
temple is early in the morning when you can watch the sunrise while
standing at the very top.
Mount Bromo and other Volcanoes
Selfie at Mount Bromo. Photo by Cailin O.
Indonesia
is located in what is called “the Pacific rim of fire” which is one of
the most active volcanic areas in the world. The country alone has 150
volcanoes. It also boasts some of the most gorgeous sunsets in the world
with one of the best being seen from Mount Penanjakan overlooking the
famous Mt Bromo Volcano. Although to get to the top, you must climb up
steep streets and steps covered in tourists and horses really early in
the morning in pitch-black darkness, it is definitely worth the effort
and the climb.
Beaches
One of the many beaches of Indonesia, photo by Cailin O.
With
over 17,000 islands it’s a sure bet that Indonesia has some gorgeous
beaches to lay on. Whether you want to enjoy some water sports like
learning to surf, go parasailing, ride a banana boat or just lay out and
get a nice tan, Indonesia is definitely a place where all of this can
happen. You can hang out on the popular Kuta beach in Bali, or the
secluded pink beach as part of the Komodo islands, just to name a few of
the thousands of options.
The People
The warm people of Indonesia. Photo by Cailin O.
Indonesians
are very friendly and welcoming people. In the majority of the places
you travel to throughout the country, you will be met with some of the
biggest smiles you have ever seen. They are also very proud of their
history, culture, wildlife, food and more, and are passionate about
sharing it with others.
Orangutans
Orangutan hanging out in the jungle. Photo by Cailin O.
The
island of Borneo is occupied by three countries - Brunei, Malaysia, and
the majority by Indonesia - and all throughout the rainforests of
Borneo you can find wild orangutans.
One of the best ways to see them in Indonesia is to rent a Klotok boat,
take it down the Sekonyer River and visit the Camp Leakey Orangutan
rehabilitation reserve in Tanjung Puting National Park.
Spas and relaxation
Aromatherapy center in Indonesia. Photo by Cailin O.
If
you are looking for a place to relax and get a good massage, then
Indonesia is a great place to visit. Any spa treatment you can imagine
can be found here, from seaweed wraps to fish spas, aromatherapy to the
most amazing massage of your life. Many of these services can be offered
at your hotel, as a separate business or even on the beach as you enjoy
the sun. Now that is relaxation.
Have you ever been to Indonesia? What other reasons might you suggest for people to want to visit?
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