As an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a country full of cultural diversity and natural beauty waiting to be experienced. Indonesia has a rich history, colorful cultural tapestry and diverse geography that caters to all styles of travellers. And if you are still on the fence and deciding whether or not to check out this little Southeast Asian gem, here comes 7 bite-sized reasons… which just might give your wanderlusting feet a reason to break free.
1. Breathtaking Natural Beauty
INDONESIA Indonesia is a country that has so much to offer when it comes to natural beauty, with different scenery from 17k islands—from rainforest in the end of islands and stunning beach. One of the very well known natural wonders is Bali Island where lovely rice terraces, volcanic mountains and clear blue oceans. Relax or take to the waves at world-class surf spots like Kuta Beach and Seminyak; Bali gets all of their first class beaches from exceptional sunsets.
Beside Bali, Komodo National Park in Indonesia is the only place youll find these enormous reptiles. Its rugged hills and savannah are a haven for naturalists whereas the reefs offer great diving opportunities. On Sumatra, meanwhile, you can explore the lush Bukit Lawang where there are guided treks into rainforests to see orangutans in their natural habitat.
2. Rich Cultural Heritage
Indonesia is a captivating mixture of cultures. The country has a wide array of traditions customs and arts as well, mainly divided among over 300 ethnic groups that speak up to more than languages. For instance, on the island of Java is Yogyakarta — a city boasting ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and a wonder of ancient architecture; Prambanan meanwhile is beautiful Hindu temple complex that dates back to the 9th century.
Bali, which is synonymous with traditional dance performances, such as the Barong that narrates episodes from Hindu epics. It is also known for its many festivities, like Galungan and Nyepi which gives a glimpse of their Pingitan Hindu culture.
3. Exquisite Cuisine
Indonesian culinary is fragrant mix of spices, herbs and fresh products that represent unique Indonesian cultures. It obviously produces the most popular: nasi goreng, a fried rice with fragrant spices that virtually served in every warung around Indonesia, even it's accompanied by an egg on top of other dish. Rendang which is a slow cooking rich and spicy beef stew from Sumatra has also become one of the worlds 50 most delicious foods.
Another important part of the Indonesian culinary experience is street food. In Jakarta, the first in command of Indonesian cities you will encounter various street vendors offering cuisines ranging from Sate (skewered meat), to Gado-gado— a series peanut-sauce salad. With each region boasting unique cuisines, traveling in Indonesia is a journey through the country's diverse food culture.
4. Affordable Travel Experience
Fortunately, travelling to Indonesia is affordable in general and can be enjoyed by travelers of all stripes. There are a got of accommodations available, such as luxurious resorts and budget hostels; oftentimes with homestay tariffs that do not cost an arm or leg and give you the genuine local experience. Transportation in Indonesia is also cheap and diverse, including local buses to flights of various prices that can drop by the individual islands.
Cheap stay and transportation are available here, along with one more thing as inexpensive — Food in Indonesia. Spending a few dollars at a local warung (small restaurant) where you will find tasty and cheap meals…this is one of the ways to eat well on budget in Indonesia.
5. Adventure & Outdoor Activities
Category: Where to Go For the Adventurous Indonesia is an adventure wonderland for those who love outdoor activities. With different types of landscapes, Indonesia has so many places for you to explore like a typical trekking or diving in the wild. If you do choose to go a little wild in Bali, consider waking up at dawn and taking on the 2 hour hike up Mount Batur for an incredible sunrise view or chasing waterfalls (there are hundreds of them that dot this island) – some popular ones located within reasonable distance include Tegenungan Waterfall and Gitgit Waterfall.
Lombok is an island situated just east of Bali which has also been attracting a lot of outdoor enthusiasts. This is your place if you want to hike up Mount Rinjani, a volcano with active craters and crater lake or explore the Gili Islands where swimming amongst tropical marine life of turtles while snorkeling in coral reefs. One of the top diving spots on earth (mantas, sharks and more) is Indonesia's Raja Ampat.
6. Warm and Welcoming People
But as we know, one of the best things about Indonesia is its friendly people. Indonesians are famous to be very warm and hospitable, that most visitors tend to end up being treated like long lost relatives. Be it a homestay in a village or the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, locals are an ever-willing bunch that wants to learn more about you — who knows, each new connection is essentially another cultural lesson for someone.
From cultural exchanges which this country is known for, you will get to enjoy Indonesian hospitality even more. For example, you may have the opportunity to observe a traditional ceremony or be welcomed in by locals for home-cooked meal and taught how to batik. It helps both culturally and leaves an impression of culture these interactions are not easy to forget.
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