Joanna James
The Indonesian archipelago consists of over 13,500 islands offering tourists quite the adventure. Look forward to exploring vintage temples, trekking to mountain tops and discovering a culture as old as time.
Bali is known to all sun-worshipers, the ultimate beach destination that is both a party central and a burst of culture. The world famous landmarks of Bali are as popular as its traditions and from surfing in Uluwatu to Full Moon parties in Kuta the little island is chock full of excitement. Nusa Dua is ideal for that laid-back holiday, punctuated with bouts of scuba diving amongst some of south-east Asia's most verdant coral reefs; explore and enjoy Bali.
Located close to Yogyakarta a vintage Javanese city rich in cultural history, Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The massive temple was constructed in the 8th century and is designed in the style of a traditional Buddhist Mandala; however, the humongous temple was forgotten for many hundreds of years, once a large chunk of the population migrated to eastern Java, fearing volcanic outbreaks. Rediscovered in the 1800's the temple is today one of the world's most iconic shrines. Choose a sunrise climb to the top, aided by torch lights and wait for the entire place to be engulfed in a fiery glow of sunlight. Guests at hotels the likes of Alila Solo can look to plan an excursion to this site which is around 2.5 hours away, ideal for exploring Yogyakarta and spending a blissful day out exploring the ancient side of Indonesia.
None should visit Indonesia without experiencing the orang-utans of Borneo. A sanctuary to the endangered species the area has several parks such as Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan. Borneo is home to the largest population of orang-utans in the world including reptiles, birds and other primates. If Borneo is not on your schedule and you are staying at a well located hotel Solo has to offer, check out the Bohorok Orang-utan Centre located in Bukit Lawang a lovely touristy village in the Sumatran Jungle, less than an hour's drive away.
The picture-perfect Gili Islands are Lombok's biggest attraction. The beaches are just as beautiful as Bali while diving and snorkelling within a turtle sanctuary is quite a treat. The turtle hatchery too is a pretty interesting place to explore, as it is home to a large number of turtles in various stages of growth. Kayaking is another top attraction on the Gili Islands which also boasts some excellent locations to practise yoga, which is popular too due to the islands' relaxed ambience.
The Komodo National Park, allows you to enjoy a personal encounter with fierce Komodo dragons of Indonesia. The place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of several islands of various sizes. While the dragons are the main attraction the park offers thrills of snorkelling, hiking, canoeing and even a chance to visit some of the charming little villages there.
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