Guides to Traveling Around Indonesia

There's A LOT more to Indonesia holidays than beautiful beaches, water sports and cheap colourful markets -- but there doesn't have to be. If Indonesia holiday-makers look past these tropical treats they'll find a lush jungle wilderness in Sumatra, the gateway to a rich ancient culture at Borobudur temple, central Java, and communities with thriving traditional lifestyles. And that's all without having to leave the main island, Java.

Each of Indonesia's 17,000 smaller island has its own treasures beyond the surf and sand, and most Indonesia holidays allow for some time 'off shore', staying on perennial favourite Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Lombok, or one of the Gilis or other small resort islands.

Most international flights land in Jakarta, so most Indonesia holidays begin on Java, an island of still smoking volcanoes rising out of fertile jungles and and ancient culture. Or course the coastline has many likely looking beach resorts if that's what your Indonesia holiday is about, but Java's highlights are more for culture vultures than beach bums.

If you're on a tight schedule, hop a plane straight to Yogyakarta, which has temples peeking out from between its more modern Dutch forts and older Muslim architecture. This is the best place to stay when visiting the beautifully preserved, ancient Buddhist temple of Borobudur, and nearby Prambanan, a huge Hindu complex. These two religious monuments deserve at least a day of your Indonesia holiday each, Prambanan, in its prime, was almost a city of smaller temples and religious buildings, and though many of them remain only as ruins there's still a lot to see. The Telaga Warna Colour Lake and Sikidang Crater are a drive out of town towards Dieng Plateau if you'd be interested in seeing another Hindu temple complex, and one of the best surfing spots in Indonesia, G-Land at the tip of east java is also reached by jungle trek out of Yogyakarta.

If you have more time for your Indonesia holiday, travel overland from Jakarta to Yogyakarta via Bandung for the Bogor Botanical Gardens, tea plantations, the Lembang Fruit market and the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano and Ciater Hotspring. From Yogyakarta heading further inland leads into the heavy teak forests and moist rice paddies, and eventually to Mount Penanjakan, which is said to have one of the most beautiful sunrise displays in the world. If you make it up for the sunrise you should continue on, over an unusually placed sand sea, to Bromo Volcano. From there Surabaya Airport is a few hours drive and from there you can catch a flight to Denpasar, Bali.

Indonesia holiday Extras

Indonesia's Wildlife

If your Indonesia holiday is about seeing the jungles and meeting some of the unique wildlife, and not just the colourful marine life, then Camp Leakey, a rehabilitation facility for orphaned orangutans, built into the Tanjung Puting National Park, or the Komodo Dragon island may be worth factoring into your Indonesia holiday itinerary.

Indonesia's Traditional Cultures


If stories of the old cultures and lifestyles still thriving in Indonesia's highlands have beguiled you in National Geographic, then visit the long houses around Lake Toba, or spend some time in one of the communities in the Baliem Valley - also a prime hiking destination, the Mentawai Islands or the Jayawijaya Mountains, during your Indonesia holiday. Some of these communities you can visit for a day by walking in to their villages, but some you can arrange to stay in: a pretty unique experience when compared with the city lifestyle of Jakata's population.

All these highlights cam be blended with hours or days on the beach for the perfect, individualised Indonesian holiday cocktail -- one of those exotic, colourful ones you drink out of a whole piece of fruit like they serve in the beach bars here.

independent reviews on Indonesia Holidays and travel guides to get the most out of your trip to Indonesia. Holidays in Indonesia are the most sought after because of the diversity of things to do and see.
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Things to do in Bali

ten things to do in Bali that everyone will surely enjoy.

1. Pamper yourself - massage anyone? Here in Indonesia, you can indulge with the great massage treats that are truly relaxing and soothing for your tired bodies. There are several massage centers here that offers very relaxing services for everyone. There are specific spas that are exclusive for tourists so one will definitely have a really great time.

2. Visit the Indonesian temples - when planning a vacation trip to Bali, include to your schedule to visit some of the well known shrines and temples of the place. A temple or two would complete your whole Bali trip.

3. Go Shopping - of course, one's trip to any place in the world will never be complete without the shopping spree. There are hundreds of shops in Bali that are ideal shopping destinations with amazing finds and affordable prices.

4. Check out the traditional dances - locally known as the "Kecak". Where the ck-ck sound is very fun to hear with accompanying native dances in some Bali public places.

5. See the Cheeky monkeys - these monkeys are pretty famous in Bali. Hundreds of these long tailed monkeys are seen in some parts of Bali that is a center of attraction here. Visitors can also feed these monkeys with bananas that are sold outside the gates from where the monkeys are kept.

6. Watch the beautiful Sunset - the days are quiet very hot in Bali and the perfect time for everyone to stroll outside is when the sun is setting. The beautiful sunset of Bali is very spectacular! Visitors always find time to stop and stare at the setting sun during sunset hours.

7. Run in the rain - Bali always have rains, and it is a great fun experience to dance along the rain. It is more fun when you have your friends with you to join you lose yourself along the dropping waters.

8. Eat - indulge with the delicious Indonesian cuisines that are very mouth-watering and delectable meals that are cooked by the Indonesians.

9. Watch the dolphins - in Lovina beach found in the north of Bali is where the lovely dolphins are found. Lots of tourists come to for them to get a chance of holding the dolphins closely and play with them in the waters.

10. Book your next Bali trip - once you visit this country, you'll definitely be back for more so it is ideal for everyone to book their next Bali trip right after your first trip.
by Pinky mcbannon. Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia's Culture and Great Food! at http://www.goingplacesinasia.com
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