Flying Solo

Traveling Indonesia

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Hands down, this is my favourite country. Trying to list all the reasons to visit Indonesia is a nearly impossible, and never ending task.

With over 17,000 islands spanning from South East Asia across to Oceania, you are spoilt for choice. The ever popular Bali became a second home for me and I discovered there is a good and the bad side to it. You can find remote paradise in Raja Ampat, explore some of the world’s most famous temples in Yogyakarta and be amazed at a million other things.

I hope this in-depth Indonesia travel guide will help you plan an incredible adventure to these islands and if you have any questions, just give me a shout.What to see in Indonesia

Erm, everything? Seriously, this country blows me away and after spending six months exploring it I still feel like I have barely scratched the surface.

My personal favourites were Raja Ampat and Komodo for sheer natural beauty, scuba diving and wildlife (think Mantas, Dragons and Dolphins). That said, I even managed to find a soft spot for Jakarta – undoubtedly one of the most slated cities in the travel blogging world.The top attractions in Indonesia

Cultural Hub of Ubud, Bali
Ubud is full of vegan cafes, yoga retreats and lush green rice paddies. There are a million and one things to do in Bali, but if you want to slow down, a few days in cultural Ubud is a winner. Visit the famous water temples, enjoy traditional dance and explore the famous Monkey forest before taking in the lush green landscape.

Mount Bromo, Java
An incredible spot in Java to catch the sunrise, Mount Bromo, with its aggressive smoke and surrounded by mist is now one of the most popular volcanoes to visit in Indonesia.

Ijen Blue Fire Lake, Java
The Ijen sulphur mines are not only a dangerous workplace for underpaid staff but now a popular tourist attraction thanks to the ‘blue fire’ that is emitted from the lake at night.

Hidden beaches in Bali
Whilst many people will stick to the long sands of Seminyak and Kuta, Bali has some incredible, and empty beaches just waiting to be discovered. Find my favourite on the link above.My Favourite Hidden Bali Beach

Scuba Diving in Batu Batong
Labuan Bajo, with its manta rays, dolphins and incredible underwater world is the ideal place to scuba dive or snorkel. The HMS Victory wreck in Bali is another popular dive site.

Tanah Lot Temple, Bali
This famous temple along the south coast of Bali draws in the crowds, especially for sunset. On a rock slightly out to the ocean, this is a typical tick on any Bali bucket list.

The Nusa Islands
These three islands close to Bali (Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida) have grown super popular in recent years as an alternative to Bali, thanks to how quick they are to get to. The islands are full of beautiful coves and relaxed spots, but there are plenty of things to do on Nusa Penida, the largets of the islands, to keep you entertained.

The Gili Islands, Lombok
These three spots of sand surrounded by crystal clear waters and huge turtles are a short boat ride away from Bali and an easy beach escape to a slower pace of life.Indonesia UNESCO list

Borobudur and Prambanan, Yogyakarta
In Yogyakarta, known locally as Jogja, you can find two of the most famous temples in the world. The Hindu complex of Prambanan and the towering structure of Borobudur can easily be done on a one or two day visit.
Komodo National Park
Home to the Komodo Dragon, a boat trip across the still waters of the bay will deliver you to this wilderness island which is protected. The huge lizards are impressive and a local guide will keep you safe (with a stick?)Gili Laba, Komodo

Rainforests of Sumatra
Sumatra is a wildlife and safari dream. With leopards, tigers, elephants and white rhinos it is a world away from the beaches of Bali. Due to continued deforestation, this natural tempat asal is sadly in danger.

Sangiran Early Man Site, Flores
The discovery site of a now extinct human species. Measuring in at only tiga.lima meters tall you can visit the place that the homo floresiensis was discovered, although the remains now live elsewhere.

Indonesia also has the cultural landscape of Bali province, Lorentz national park and Ujung Kulon park inscribed on the UNESCO list.Unique places to visit in Indonesia

Jellyfish Lake, Borneo
This inland lake is one of a few in the world where you can swim through the still water which is full of colourful jellyfish. With a sting so weak that it does not affect humans this is one of Indonesians most unique activities.

Raja Ampat, West Papua
Literally translated as four kings, Raja Ampat is billed as ‘the world’s last paradise’ and it does not disappoint. Think cabin living, perfect sands, no phone signal and even tribal islands. It will cost you time and money to get here but I promise it is worth every cent.Kri Island, Raja Ampat

See Wild Orangutans in Borneo
Borneo’s forests are stunning, and the chance to see Orangutans in the wild or support the conservation efforts is something not to miss if you venture to Kalimantan. With a whole host of options for staying right in the heart of the action, such as Uncle Tans wildlife camp, you are guaranteed to be at one with nature.

Toraja Land, Sulawesi
Sulawesi, one of the biggest islands in Indonesia, is full of unique and diverse cultures. One of the more popular to visit is Toraja land for their lavish funeral ceremonies which can go on for days.

The 1000 islands and Jakarta
A short boat ride from the manic capital of Jakarta, the 1000 islands are Indonesia’s answer to the Maldives. Think over water bungalows, undersea tunnel aquariums and the kind of beaches that beg for a coconut and a good book.Where to stay in Indonesia

I nearly always recommend booking accommodation on Hotels.com due to their great loyalty scheme, but sometimes in Indonesia, and indeed much of Asia, Agoda actually has a bigger selection of properties so is also well worth checking out when booking your Indonesia accommodation.

With over 17,000 islands, suggesting where to stay in Indonesia is no easy task but I have hand picked a couple of my favourite places I have stayed at, as well as some incredibly unique accommodation you might want to add to your Indonesia itinerary. If you are heading to the island of the gods, check out my in-depth where to stay in Bali guide.Maya Villas
Seminyak, Bali

These stunning villas right in the heart of Seminyak were my favourite treat. With private pools, breakfast cooked in the villa and a tranquil vibe even though you are in the middle of anything. If you are in Bali for a special occasion, this is a winner.Seraya Resort
Komodo, Flores

The area around western Flores, near to Komodo national park is stunning. Perfect waters and so much nature. The Seraya resort is a secluded paradise and a perfect base for relaxing and exploring from.TeraAilan Resort
Raja Ampat

I haven’t stayed here, but I am only including it as one of the few places in Raja Ampat you can book online. It took me four days and a few whatsapp messages to book my accommodation so if you want to save the hassle, this could be a plan.Karma Reef
Gili Islands

Gili T is happening, Gili Air is quaint, but if you really want to escape it all then Gili Meno is where to hear. The luxurious yet mellow Karma resort is the perfect escape from Bali for a few days.Elephant Eco Lodge
Sumatra

At the tip of Sumatra, just across from Java, sits Taman National park with Elephants, Rhinos and Tigers. If you want to stay as close to the action as possible then check this place out.Pulau Ayer
1000 Islands, Java

Nope, that is not the Maldives. No one seems to realise an hour from Jakarta sits the 1000 islands. With over water huts, perfect waters and great diving this is an ideal chill before taking your international flight home.Getting to Indonesia

Indonesia is well served by numerous international airports. Jakarta and Bali are great airports and the most popular but you can also fly into Bandung, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Aceh and Makassar as well as a few other international options.

Given the sheer size of the country trying to find the best airport to arrive into if you are already in Asia is a great idea. Use a search engine such as Skyscanner, which allows you to search by country rather than airport, to check what regional .options you haveGetting around Indonesia

Indonesia does not have the best rap sheet when it comes to safety, and this applies to both boats and flying. Always try to take a safe, regulated boat with life jackets not the cheapest and before booking a local airline check the online paling aman rating to at least be informed.

Flying Solo

dewa kipas Wednesday, March 30, 2022 edit Tags: travel