Indonesia

The beautiful Islands of Indonesia

BaliBali has been the favorite destination for locals and international tourists for ages. Full of magnificent beaches, breathtaking sceneries, marvellous trinkets and interesting culture, Bali is ideal for people wanting to escape from daily activities, enjoy a honeymoon, or even, have a great time with family and friends.Bali's reputation as a tourist destination is already established in the minds of so many people around the world. It is known as a beautiful island with mountains, temples, palaces and visits of terraced rice fields.It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.

BaliIt is volcanically active, and boasts mountainous terrain in its central, and 6 volcanoes towering between 1350m ad 3014m high, stretching from west to east of the island. The highest point is Mount Agung, also known as the “Mother Mountain”, soaring at 3142m.

JavaCentral Java

History has left its footprints across Central Java, an area rich in culture and tradition descending from a powerful Hindu and Buddhist past, and more recent Islamic influences.

Due to its colorful past, Central Java has become the place it is today, beautiful area full of modern amenities yet still retaining its tranquility and peace.

Borobudu TempleConstruction of Java’s Borobudur Temple, one of the world’s largest Buddhist monuments and a World Heritage site, began in the eighth century, under the Sailendra dynasty. Framed by four volcanoes, it stands 105 feet (32 meters) high.

Java East Java

The area might be the least populated in Java island, but its charm and unique terrain will captivate its visitors.

Capital of East Java province, Surabaya, is a cosmopolitan city and you can find any comfortable surroundings and facilities there.

However within a short trip you might be tempted to enjoy the natural charms such as Mt. Bromo and enjoying fabulous sunrise there or probably trying to conquer Mount Semeru, the highest mountain in Java (about 3676 meters above sea level).

Surabaya

JavaWest Java

The enchanting land of Sunda stretches from the Sunda Strait in the West to the borders of Central Java in the east. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of the province, Bandung.

SumatraNorth Sumatra

Medan, the third largest city in Indonesia as well as the largest in Sumatra, is located on the northern part of Sumatra Island. As the capital city of North Sumatra, Medan is the third most populous city, with approximately 2.5 million people living there.

Brastagi is a lovely tourist town in the Karo highlands, 70 km on the way from Medan to Lake Toba. Brastagi is well known for its flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the ‘Marquisa’ passion fruit. The local markets are swarming with activity and scenes from traditional Karo life. Days are extremely pleasant and nights can be quite cool. Gundaling Hills provides a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes, there is a pleasant colonial-style hotel with a golf course. While you’re here, make sure to visit the local markets and buy samples of the exotic fruits.

SumatraWest Sumatra

Much of its highland is formed by the Bukit Barisan Mountain range; virgin jungles inhabited by elephants, tigers, leopards and rhinos.

Padang is the capital of West Sumatra. Traveling is considered a mark of success, Padang restaurants are found in all major towns across the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent. They primarily speak bahasa Minang, with poetic style of speech.

SumatraSouth Sumatra

Stretching from the foothills of the mighty Bukit Barisan mountain range, this province is relatively flat but very fertile, with numerous rivers cutting across the landscape and meandering their ways to the sea. Coffee and tea plantations are scattered across the province, but South Sumatra’s enormous wealth comes from oil, natural gas, coal, tin and quartz reserves.

Palembang is a metropolitan city with population of more than 1.5 million. It is also the capital city and gateway to the province of South Sumatra. It is located on the banks of the great Musi River, which runs through the city and divided it into two parts, called the Ulu (upstream) area and the Ilir (downstream) area. The Ampera Bridge, a symbol of the city, connects Ulu, where the majority of the population lives, and Ilir, where most of the hotels, shops, offices, and well-to-do residential areas are located. Palembang is also the oldest city in Indonesia.

KalimantanOccupying two-thirds of

Borneo’s primeval land mass, Kalimantan is one of Indonesia’s least-visited provinces.

A void on the tourist radar, it’s a red flag to those hungry for the unknown. Mountains, forests and mighty rivers stretch across the interior, influencing the culture, history and livelihoods of villages throughout.

Although the logging and mining industries have had a 30-year feeding frenzy, the fury of the chainsaw and the tide of wasteland is beginning to slow.

SulawesiSulawesi is a landscape

of dramatic smoking volcanoes, ragged mountains and dramatic gorges,  tropical rainforests, deep lakes, green rice terraces and white sandy beaches . Beaches slope down to  deep seas with extraordinary coral formations that are home to colourful tropical marine life.

Sulawesi

Manado, on the northern tip of Sulawesi is nothing short of a paradise for nature seekers. It may not be bustling and jostling with urban activity at all times but instead is a fresh alternative for all things tranquil and natural. One of the top ten dive sites in the world, Manado is welcomes throngs of visitors each year to this garden of eden – literally, under the sea. Home to a multitude of corals, fish and on the path of rare migrating species, it is known to be the destination for many diving photographers. On land, Manado doesn’t fall short either; bursting with wildlife diversity found no-where else in the world due to its unique geographical location.

Formerly known as ‘the Moluccas’, these petite little pieces of paradise are a dream come true for seekers of superb snorkeling and picture perfect white sand beaches. Protected from mass tourism by distance and a (now outdated) reputation for civil unrest, this is one corner of the world where dreamy desert islands remain remarkably hospitable and inexpensive.

These are the famous ‘spice islands’ which drew Indian, Chinese, Arab and eventually European traders in search of cloves and nutmeg. In 1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate, and cornered the clove trade. The Dutch, who arrived in 1599, mounted the first serious threat to Pourtuguese control of Maluku’s treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a heavy toll from the island populations as well as the rival European powers. When the Dutch finally emerged as victors they enforced their trade monopoly with an iron fist. Whole villages were razed to the ground and

thousands of islanders died, especially on the island of Banda. The British briefly occupied Maluku during the Napoleonic Wars, but Dutch rule was restored in 1814 and it wasn’t until 1863 that the compulsory cultivation of spices was abolished in the province. Now fish and other sea products are Maluku’s major sources of revenue, but nickel, oil, manganese and various kinds of timber also contribute to the pro¬vince’s wealth.

Maluku

PapuaPapua is a land of many contrasts, with some of

the most dense jungles in the world and snowcapped mountain peaks towering over glacial lakes.

Papua is Indonesia’s largest and eastern most province and covers the western half of the world’s second largest island.

It is a land of exceptional natural magnificence; with beautiful scenic beaches, immense stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and powerful rivers carving gorges through dense forests.

The most heavily populated and cultivated parts of the island are the Paniai Lakes district and the Baliem Valley to the east.

Resources:http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesiahttp://www.indonesia.travel/http://www.airasia.com/id/en/destination/ID.h

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