Indonesia
Made up of a whopping 17,800 islands, Indonesia is one of the most visited and most exciting countries to explore in Southeast Asia. Home to over 261 million people, Indonesia is the world’s largest island country and with inexpensive local food, reasonably priced accommodations, and spectacular, diverse geography, it’s no wonder this is such a popular destination amongst travellers.
Indonesia was once known as the Dutch East Indies (or Netherlands East Indies), a name used as early as 1884 by a German geographer who thought the name “Indonesia” was derived from the Greek indos, meaning “India” and nesos meaning “island”. Furthermore, the world’s Indonesian archipelago represents one of the most unusual areas, encompassing a major juncture of Earth’s tectonic plates that spans over two faunal realms, serving as the nexus of the people and cultures of Oceania and mainland Asia.
A large country with such diverse cultures, there is always something new and exciting to discover
However, forming a significant part of the “Ring of Fire” has meant the country is highly susceptible to environmental disasters as a result of seismic and volcanic activity.
A large country with such diverse cultures, there is always something new and exciting to discover. From the hubbub of the sprawling city areas, to the cool white beaches and active volcanoes – every island is a unique blend of adventure and cultural discovery. With thousands of islands to explore, experiencing it all in one trip might be quite a stretch but here are some great places to start!
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
Known for its famed dinosaur-esque creatures, Komodo National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the East Nusa Tenggara province and encompasses a total of 29 volcanic islands. Three of the major and most popular islands within the Komodo National Park region are Rinca Island, Padar Island and Komodo Island.
These volcanic islands are the last known refuge of Varanus komodoensis, huge lizards that once roamed across Indonesia and Australia, and it is thought the park is home to around 5,700 of the fearsome-looking reptiles. Furthermore, Komodo dragons exist nowhere else in the world in such great numbers, and they have been a great interest of study to scientists. It is believed that the rugged hillsides of dry savannah and thorny green vegetation on the island, against the white beaches and blue waters, are the reason the dragons have been able to thrive here.
Komodo National Park is located just a few hours away from the town of Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara and encompasses numerous islets covering over 600 square kilometres. Though many travellers arrive on the island to catch a glimpse of the famous lizards, the island also offers impeccable views, gin-clear water, and impressive stretches of sand, including the famous Pink Beach. Additionally, the seas around the national park also offer some brilliant dive sites, which have enthralled snorkellers and divers with vibrant coral reefs and exotic marine life – making the island a true paradise with activities for just about anyone.
Of course, no trip to Komodo National Park is complete without a meeting with the famed lizards. Found mainly on Rinca and Komodo Islands, the Komodo dragon is the biggest extant species of lizard, with the largest around three metres in length and weighing around 70 kilograms. It is related to the now- extinct Megalania, which inhabited Australia 50,000 years ago and may have been twice the size of the largest Komodo dragons. For anyone looking to snap a photo with the Komodo dragons, it is important to note that they are aggressive creatures and should be approached with caution. Despite evidence to suggest the animals have a mildly venomous bite, shock and blood loss are the more significant effects of being bitten.
PADAR ISLAND
Located within the national park, Padar Island is a small but surreal island. Mostly savannah-covered, Padar Island used to be home to Komodo dragons but is now a famous hiking spot thanks to its numerous green-capped mountains. A hike to the summit of this island will give you the best views of the entire national park. What is also fascinating is that the island is surrounded by three different bays each of which has its own different colour of sand. Standing on the summit you are able to see one that is pearly white, another charcoal black and the last one, a baby pink. Though the hike up Padar Island is not long nor is it steep, it can be rocky, so it is important to take care when making your way to the summit.
THE FAMOUS PINK BEACH OF KOMODO ISLAND
Known otherwise as Pantai Mera, Pink Beach is one of the most iconic destinations for anyone visiting Komodo National Park. One of only a handful of pink beaches on the planet, this exceptional beach gets its striking baby pink colour from the crushed shells of tiny sea creatures.
Why is the sand pink?
The beach gets its striking pink colour from tiny animals called Foraminifera which produce a red pigment on the coral reefs. When the tiny fragments of the coral combine with the white sands, this produces the soft pink colour that is visible along the shoreline
LOMBOK ISLAND
Considered the more relaxed alternative to buzzing Bali, Lombok is an island located in West Nusa Tenggara province, forming part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Lombok is much less commercialised and is a great place to partake in activities you would find in Bali… just without the crowds.
Offering its own unique version of Indonesian culture, this slower paced island is the perfect balance of Nature and culture, often paying tribute to the traditional Sasak animists that once dominated the island before the arrival of Islam in the 18th century. Compared to the crowded streets and traffic jams of nearby Bali, Lombok is tranquil and serene and though smaller in size next to other popular islands in the country, Lombok’s natural beauty and relaxing ambiance attract tourists from across the globe. The island is also a favourite destination amongst honeymooners and those looking for a more intimate and laid-back holiday.
TIU KELEP WATERFALL
Lombok is known for its pretty, Instagram-worthy waterfalls, and one of the island’s most famous ones is the Tiu Kelep Waterfall. This gushing natural wonder can be found in the north of the island, and is surrounded by a luscious emerald green forest. Located in Senaru Village, the waterfall requires a trek of around 45 minutes through the forest past trickling streams. Upon arrival, you will be treated to an incredible waterfall that plunges over 45 metres – the perfect place to cool off after a hot and humid hike.
CLIMB MOUNT RINJANI AND MAKE A PIT STOP AT AIR KALAK HOT SPRINGS
The most famous attraction in Lombok, Mount Rinjani is the sole reason that many visitors come to the island. Not only is this the main mountain of the island, but it is also a still-active volcano and the second-largest volcano in Indonesia. Trekking up the mountain will take you to the crater right at the summit, where you can find stunning views of the island. And though many say that hiking to the summit is one of the best experiences you can have in Indonesia, it is a long and strenuous one, so it is important that anyone attempting the hike is in a reasonably good shape.
Nestled close to the stunning Lake Segara Anak, Air Kalak Hot Springs is must-visit pit stop after your hike up Mount Rinjani. Taking a dip in the lake will not only soak away any of the aches and pains; it is also believed that the waters of the hot springs have medicinal properties due to the high volcanic mineral content.
VISIT TETEBATU VILLAGE
Similar in some ways to Ubud in Bali, Tetebatu Village is perfect for travellers to meet and learn about the culture of the indigenous people of Lombok, called the Sasak. Home to vast rice fields, hidden waterfalls and caves, the village is a far cry from the crowded cafés and fancy villas found on other islands, and a visit to the village takes you back to a simpler and more slow-paced way of life. Here, you can find traditional handicrafts – sometimes even having the opportunity to try your hand at their traditional techniques such as bamboo braiding – and observe and appreciate the way of life of these fascinating indigenous people.
Flores island
Named after the Portuguese word for “flowers”, Flores is a stunning small island in East Nusa Tenggara that is known for its natural charms such as mountains, beaches and tri-coloured Kelimutu Lake.
An underrated island in comparison to other popular destinations like Bali and Sumatra, Flores is a great place to start for anyone looking for an island to explore in Indonesia that is considered off-the-beaten track. One of the most beautiful islands hidden from touristy eyes, Flores is home to Portuguese Indonesians, an ethnic group that comprises of descendants of the colonial Portuguese settlers who landed in the wider region during the 16th century.
As a result of this, over 90 percent of the population on the island are Roman Catholics – a stark contrast to Indonesia’s predominantly Sunni Islam populace.
With much of the island having gone largely unnoticed, the coastline and luscious forests have remained largely untouched, making Flores an essential port of call along the Southeast Asia backpacking trail. It’s a similar story for the pristine waters surrounding the island, and dive liveaboards bring adventurous divers here to experience some of the country’s most unspoiled reefs.
The spectacular crater lakes are known for having constantly changing colours
TRI-COLOUR LAKES OF MOUNT KELIMUTU
Kelimutu National Park is one of the smallest amongst six national parks that stretch between Bali and the Nusa Tenggara islands. However, it is not the size of its centrepiece mountain that draws people to the area, but rather the spectacular crater lakes known for having constantly changing colours.
The three lakes are:
1. Lake Tiwu ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), which is usually blue
2. Lake Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens), which is known to be typically green in colour
3. Lake Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake), which is usually red in colour
The names of these lakes come from local folklore, which has it that the lakes are a resting place for departed souls. Mae, the god of the afterlife, is believed to send those who died to different lakes depending on their merits in their life.
Interestingly, the colours of the lakes change over time. At times the lakes have been white, turquoise and red, and in November 2009, they were black, turquoise and a Coca-cola brown, while in July 2010, the lakes changed to various shades of green. The general explanation for the phenomena is that volcanic gas may be triggering chemical reactions as a result of particular minerals in the water. But other scientists have suggested that the lakes periodically change colour due to oxidation-reduction chemical dynamics. But the exact science is besides the point: These striking lakes are a must-visit!
• To experience a taste of traditional Floresian culture, travellers can head to Bajawa to visit the traditional Ngada villages of Desa Guru Sina, Desa Langa, Desa Bela and Desa Lina Tiwa, which are nestled between two volcanoes in the remote inlands.
• These communities are characterised by a distinctive form of architecture that has survived despite the globalising forces of the modern age. Each village is organised by clans (or families) and the number of houses (known as sa’o) and shrines for male and female ancestors in a given village are determined by the number of clans in that village. The buildings in the village reflect traditional beliefs and you can often find the skulls of sacrificed animals adorning the village as a reminder of their religious practices.
They even use megalithic formations to contact deceased family members. These small villages are completely isolated and only connected to the town of Bajawa via a narrow, winding road. While the Ngada communities have demonstrated a strong desire to protect and preserve their architectural heritage, they have found that by allowing tourists to visit their village, they are able to earn a new form of living, through charging an entrance fee and selling their ikat (traditional handicrafts). While the village has maintained its traditional way of life, they have been impacted in various ways by the increase in tourist foot traffic. However, the villages still make for a fascinating visit, and you’ll rarely be able to experience such rich indigenous culture elsewhere in the country.