Travel in Indonesia – Hotels, Indonesia Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide



Touring Indonesia

Vacation and Travel to Indonesia
very old traditional hindu temple near ubud, on bali island, indonesia

Indonesia is a country in southeast Asia, with a total population of 222 million people, it is the fourth most populated country in the world. Indonesia is comprised of 17,508 islands, making it the worlds largest archipelagic state. The culture of Indonesia has about three hundred ethnic groups that include; Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Malay and other European influences.

The city of Bali is a virtual tropical paradise. Bali has endless miles of pristine white beaches, greenery for miles and distinctive crafts made from silver and gold. The most popular tourist attractions in Bali are located in the south, complete with quaint villages and friendly people.

While in Bali, there are several sights that every tourist must see. Ubud Museum has an enormous collection of Balinese paintings and a permanent art collection containing modern works dating back to the turn of the century. Artists in Bali traditionally exhibit and sell their paintings at the Neku Museum. Ubud offers several small hotels and because it is located in a higher climate, it makes for ideal weather conditions.

The Nusa Dua is a tourist resort located in the Bukit Peninsula in south Indonesia. It is part of an enclave of five-star accommodations and was the location of the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The resort is known for its spectacular white beaches and crystal clear waters, some of the most beautiful resorts and hotels in Indonesia are found in this area.

Pura Besaklh, is also known as the “mother” Temple of Bali. Situated on the slopes of Mount Agung, the temple is the largest and most holy of Balinese temples. The temple is over one thousand years old and has steps that ascend through a split gate and into a courtyard. In the courtyard stands Trinity shrines which are wrapped in cloth and adorned with fragrant flower offerings. There are three temples dedicated to the Trinity; the Shiva, the Brahma and the Wisnu. Tourists and locals who visit the temples it is a special pilgrimage.

Indonesia is also home to the Banda Islands which are a small group of volcanic islands in the Banda Sea. The islands are most famous for being the worlds only source for the spices mace and nutmeg, until around the 19th century. Today, the island is known throughout Indonesia for being a popular place to snorkel and scuba dive.

Sumatra is one of the most visited islands in Indonesia. Sumatra is the largest island in all of Indonesia and the sixth largest island in the world. Some places that attract tourists are; the Mertua Waterfalls in Pekanbaru, the King Palace in Bukittinggi, Raya Mosque in Pekanbaru, Belitung Island and Mount Merapi. Lake Toba, a volcanic lake is set against the mountain scape and surrounds Samsoir Island. Sumatra is also known for its spicy Padang cuisine.

Yogakarta is in the capital of Java and contains Gajah Mada University. This region is rich with art museums, markets, galleries and craft bazaars. Yogakarta is perhaps best know for the art of “wayang kulit”, which is leather puppet making. Borobudur is a 9th century Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is composed of six square platforms and has 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Borobudur was hidden for many centuries under many layers of volcanic ash and jungle overgrowth. Under the work of a Dutch engineer, the whole complex was revealed in 1835. Every year in May or June, during a period of the full moon, Indonesian Buddhists gather to celebrate Vesak, which is a major holiday. The Buddhists make a pilgrimage by walking from Mendut to Pawon and finally ending up in Borobudur.

This monument is the single most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia to date and draws more than 2.5 million people each year. The monument underwent a complete restoration which took 600 people and around $6 million US dollars to complete. It was in 1991, after the renovations were completed that UNESCO added Borobudur as a National Heritage Site.

Today, Indonesia is a top tourist spot that offers many activities for a travelers enjoyment. From its temples to its beaches, travelers are sure to find something to enjoy all year round. Although temperatures will invariably change from region to region, the climate of Indonesia is perfect for traveling during the months of March through June.

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