In the past, the map of the world was full of empty spaces, unknown and unconquered expanses of land that aroused the curiosity of great travellers. Today there are no empty areas left, but our curiosity remains intact, we need to discover the world and we continue to share the same concerns as those explorers.
One such country that piques our curiosity is Indonesia which, blessed with countless wonders, is unique in its magnificent nature and diverse culture. This heritage is a reflection of its history and ethnic diversity and can be seen in the ancient temples of Prambanan, Borobudur, Toraja, Bali and Muara Takus, a Buddhist temple complex in Sumatra; in the historic centres of Jakarta, Sawahlunto, Semarang, World Heritage Sites in the process of being selected, as well as in the Hindu festivals; all popular destinations for travellers seeking to experience the cultural and artistic manifestations of this people.
Made up of more than seventeen thousand islands, the natural ecosystem of this huge archipelago consists mostly of tropical rainforests. From lush rice fields to breathtaking waterfalls, active volcanoes, beautiful lakes and fast-flowing rivers to the fascinating wildlife hidden in the deep jungles of Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia is an incredible country just waiting to be discovered. Natural diversity has been recognised by the declaration of seven World Heritage Sites: Komodo National Park, Subak Cultural Landscape of Bali (irrigation system), Ujung Kulon National Park, Lorentz National Park and the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, which includes Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks, home to extraordinary species such as orangutans, panthers and tigers.
With one of the longest coastlines in the world – 54,716 kilometres – Indonesia has 20% of the world’s coral reefs, as well as deep-sea trenches, volcanic seamounts, beaches, dunes, mangroves, marshes, estuaries… and an important marine biodiversity. Around 3,500 species inhabit Indonesian waters, including sharks, dolphins, manta rays, turtles and moray eels, making scuba diving one of the most popular tourist activities each year. The Bunaken National Park with more than 70 % of all known fish species in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, the Raja Ampat Islands, which, according to Conservation International (an American environmental organisation), has the greatest marine diversity on Earth, and the Tanjung Puting National Park, make the country one of the most attractive and important natural destinations in the world.
Three Indonesian temples you can't miss
Out at sea, with the waves crashing against the rocks, the Tanah Lot temple is one of Bali’s most popular icons. Located in Tabanan, just thirty kilometres from Denpasar, its origins are believed to date back to the 16th century and its construction is attributed to Dang Hyang Nirartha, a respected Balinese religious figure. The best time to visit what is one of the most photographed Balinese temples is during Odalan, which is celebrated every two hundred and ten days, when you can admire the women making their way to the temple to pray with offerings on their heads.
Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, is located on the island of Java and is one of those places you should visit at least once in your life. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, it stands majestically on a hilltop and was built between the 8th and 9th centuries AD and designed in Gupta architecture, reflecting the Indian influence in the region, although the scenes that decorate it make it a uniquely Indonesian temple. The 2,672 decorative relief panels, the five hundred and four Buddha statues and the architecture and masonry of this temple make it unlike any other, which is why it is deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the highlands of Bali’s mountainous Bedugul Regency lies Lake Beratan and in it, the majestic Ulun Danu temple. Built in honour of the goddess Danu, queen of waters, lakes and rivers, it consists of four sacred buildings; Linga Pura place of worship to the god Shiva, Pura Puncak Mangu dedicated to the god Vishnu, Pura Teratai Bang the main temple and Pura Dalem Purwa built in worship of Sang Hyang Widhi. Its existence is recorded since the 16th century and it was built following the Trimurti belief of the three sacred colours to represent the three gods: red for Lord Brahma the Creator, black for Lord Vishnu, the balance and preserver of the universe and white for the god Shiva, the destroyer.
Subak, the Cultural Landscape of Bali
Some of the most spectacular images of Indonesia are in Bali, where thousands of hectares of lush green rice paddies tumble down the slopes of the volcanoes and deep into the valleys. With a unique irrigation system that has been passed down from generation to generation for the past thousand years and taking advantage of the rivers and streams that provide the water needed to irrigate this staple food, villagers are grouped into cooperatives known as “Subak”. In order to successfully irrigate the fields and thus ensure an important livelihood for them and their families, the different “Subaks” form an inseparable link that unites them into a single system, the results of which can be seen in the terraced rice fields and which has earned it the declaration of a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
National Parks, islands and beaches
One of the last remaining peat swamp forests in Borneo is in Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan. With its almost 600,000 hectares, it is the perfect habitat for more than six thousand orangutans, which form one of the largest wild populations in the world. But the thrills don’t stop there; the top of Bukit Batu or Rock Hill offers incredible views of the entire park and fascinating landscapes of unspoilt hills. And Bukit Bulan or Moon Hill offers the possibility to walk on refreshing trails along the Sungai Bulan or Moon River. A sensory experience complete with fresh, refreshing and crystal clear lakes such as Bulat Lake, Punggualas Lake, Jalan Pangen Lake and Panjang Lake.
The Derawan archipelago comprises a total of thirty-one islands, the best known of which are Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki and Kakaban. The country’s largest nesting site for giant green turtles and hawksbill turtles, every day it is possible to watch them lay their eggs in the sand or share the warm waters with them. With a total marine conservation area of no less than 1.27 million hectares, it is the perfect tropical paradise with soft white sandy beaches, pristine seas changing from green to turquoise blue and incredible underwater life including giant turtles, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs and barracudas, stingless jellyfish, sometimes whales and 460 different species of corals.
Raja Ampat, the islands-regency, is located on the northwestern tip of the Bird’s Head peninsula in Papua, the easternmost island of the Indonesian archipelago. Raja Ampat, meaning “the four kings”, is an archipelago comprising more than 1,500 small islands and cays surrounding the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. Raja Ampat is home to five hundred and forty types of corals and according to a report developed by The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, about 75% of the world’s species have their habitat here. To discover this fascinating underwater world there are numerous diving and snorkelling sites: Kabui Passage, around Arborek Island Jetty, Sawandarek, Yenbuba, Friwen Wall, among others.
It is not possible to write about Indonesia without mentioning its dream beaches where you can enjoy the sun and the crystal clear, warm waters where relaxing is an option to be taken into account, as well as practising the most entertaining and daring water sports. The beaches of Adonara Island; Atuh Beach, Manta Bay and Crystal Bay on the island of Nusa Pedina; Pantai Padang Padang on the Bukit Peninsula; Pantai Semoti, Pantai Mawi or Pantai Senggigi on Lombok; Pantai Bingin, Pantai Beach or Pantai Medewi in Bali or the beaches of the Gili Islands are just a small part of what the Indonesian archipelago has to offer if you are looking for beaches where you can enjoy unforgettable experiences.
