Indonesia is made up of more than thirteen thousand islands that spread out along the equator starting near Malaysia and heading towards Australia. This chain of islands (the fourth most populous country in the world, according to the Columbia Encyclopedia) forms a natural barrier between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It’s no wonder, then that there are so many daring activities for travelers.
Underwater Adventures
The snorkeling and diving in Indonesia are legendary. Don’t miss the Coral Sea gardens of Bunaken Island. The marine life you will encounter and the breathtaking drop-off reef formation will be the highlight of any trip to Indonesia.
If wreck-diving is your thing, you won’t want to miss the USS Liberty wreck off Tulamben. The Liberty, which was torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II, sits on a black sand shelf just off shore, and is one of Indonesia’s most beautiful artificial reefs, teeming with huge coral, sponges and other sea life.
Lava on Java
Almost all of the larger islands have active volcanoes and trekking tours are popular for non-timid travelers. Mount Bromo, an active volcano situated southeast of Surabaya in East Java is one of the most popular destinations. Bromo is a crater within a crater, over six miles wide and 1100 feet high.
For shear landscape beauty, don’t miss Kawah Ijen. Kawej Ijen sits inside the summit of Gunung Ijen at the far eastern tip of Java. From this vantage point the surrounding vistas of grassy fields and soaring peaks creates a fairy tale vista.
You can’t ponder volcanoes in Indonesia without thinking of Krakatau, the infamous volcano that erupted in 1883, creating the largest explosion ever heard and producing tsunamis that killed more than 30,000 people. Located between the islands of Java and Sumatra, Krakatau is still active yet draws hikers from all over the world.
Shopping Indonesia Style
Because of its many natural resources, Indonesia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. For the hidden shopper in many travelers, places to shop are abundant. For the avid bargainer, shopping in Indonesia can be a heady experience. The general rule of thumb is “if it doesn’t have a price tag, the price is up for negotiation.” Before you leave for Indonesia be sure to memorize the sayings “barapa,” which translates to “how much?” and “mahal,” which means “expensive.” Say mahal every time you get a price on something and chances are the price will come down.
Things to shop for in Indonesia include batik textiles, pottery knick-knacks, leather goods and, of course, jewelry. In the larger cities, many jewelry shops design their own gold and silver creations, and the prices can be quite good for such unique items. You will also find great prices on locally made leather goods, such as pocketbooks, briefcases, and belts.
It is in searching for batiks (a method of dyeing cloth that involves applying intricate wax patterns where you don’t want the color to go), that you will have the quintessential shopping experience in Indonesia. These unique textiles, available as decorative items, clothing, and accessories will never fail to remind you of Indonesia once you are back home.
