
Admittedly, I haven’t been able to travel much at all this year and I am not going to dwell on it. That has just led to another bout of researching trips to put in my bucketlist and my wanderlust landed me in the current trendy part of the world, Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia might be a popular travel destination, especially with backpackers and those looking for some fun in the far-flung sun that doesn’t cost a fortune, but Indonesia isn’t exactly the first place people think of visiting in the area -Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia they all seem to be far more popular. This is such a shame because there are so many great reasons to take a trip to Indonesia…
Indonesia Is Really Cheap
If you want to go further afield, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money doing it, you could do way worse than visiting Indonesia. As you can see at https://rumahdijual.com/yogyakarta/perumahan-murah, accommodation in the country is pretty cheap, but so is the food, the transport and the entertainment. In fact, all of these things are amongst the cheapest you’ll find anywhere in the world, which means you can either spend much more time there, or you can live it up a bit, or a lot actually!
Jakarta is Amazing
If you like the bustling, exotic cities where there’s always something going on, then Jakarta is the perfect place to spend some time. Live music, sprawling shopping malls, restaurants serving up some of the most amazing Indonesian food and endless energetic nightclubs – Jakarta has it all.
You Can See Komodo Dragons
If you’re a nature lover, and you like lizards in particular, then heading off to Indonesia is a no-brainer. Why? Because Komodo Dragons – the biggest lizards on the planet – can be found in their natural habitat on five separate Indonesian islands. You might not want to get too close to them though because they have a toxic bite!
The Wilds of Sumatra is a Must-See
If you’re a nature lover, you’ll also want to get in on a visit to Sumatra where you’ll be able to see all manner of exotic animals, including orangutans, Sumatran Rhinos and tigers in the thick, dense forests of national parks like Kerinci Seblat. You might even be lucky enough to make friends with one of the many beautiful and friendly elephants that you’ll undoubtedly come across in Indonesia.
Get Your Yoga On
If you’re into yoga, or you want to learn more about the exercise that is said to condition mind, body, and spirit, then Indonesia is certainly one of the best places to do it, not only because it is one of the cheapest possible places to do a yoga retreat, like the one at https://www.bookyogaretreats.com/shanti-toya/8-days-wellness-yoga-retreat-in-bali-1, but also because some of the best yoga teachers around can be found there, and of course, the surroundings are beautiful.
Dive In
If yoga isn’t really your thing, perhaps you’re more of a diver? Well, Indonesia is great for that too. There are few places in the world that could even hope to compete with the diving on offer at the Coral Triangle – a part of the Pacific Ocean that can be accessed off the coast of Indonesia and various other countries including the Philippines and Malaysia. Take a liveaboard boat around the West Papua area of the country, and you’ll enjoy stunning waters, and you’ll see three-quarters of the planet’s coral species as well as many amazing tropical fish and some pretty impressive aquatic mammals.
Java Impresses
Java is the island with the largest population on the planet, but despite being home to over 140 million people, it is a surprisingly good place to chill out. That’s because it is home to no less than 12 national parks, including one UNESCO World Heritage Site – Ujung Kulon – and a number of volcanoes, which you can actually hike to the top of. That will make for some great selfies!
Another great thing about Java is Borobudur – a huge temple that is characterized by its extremely intricate stupas, and which is surrounded by stunning paddy fields. If you want to get your Zen on, it’s definitely the place to do it.
It’s Not Too Hot
This might not be a selling point for some of you, but if you like the heat, but you don’t like it too intense, Indonesia is a great choice because it isn’t quite so oppressively hot as other destinations in Southeast Asia.
Bali is a Backpacker’s Dream
If you happen to know any backpackers, then chances are they have spent at least a little time in Bali. The city is a veritable haven for people who are looking to travel on the cheap, but more than that it is the place where people who are looking for a spiritual connection, great surf and a good place to party to find all three things. Home to some of the most pristine beaches, affordable accommodations and impressive festivals, not to mention bouncing bars, it has something for everyone, and you really don’t need to have much money to have a great time. If partying isn’t your thing, Bali Barat National Park is a great place to retreat and watch the macaques and boar go about their business.
There’s Wilderness to Explore
If you’re interested in living life on the wild side and learning more about indigenous people is your thing, then the Indonesian island of Borneo is a dream come true. Not only has it stayed pretty true to it’s wild and tropical beginnings, although it has been a little touristified, it still has its own indigenous tribe, the Kalimantan living there amongst the orangutans in the rainforests of Tanjung Puting National Park, and getting to spend time in proximity to them is extremely interesting and exciting.
Lorentz is Mind-Blowingly Beautiful
Lorentz is the biggest national park and a Unesco World Heritage Site. Situated on the island of Papua, it comprises of around 9,674 square miles of equatorial glaciers, rainforests, and alpine tundra. You’ll not only find some exotic plant specimens and exotic animals there, but you may also come across Puncak Jaya, which is the biggest mountain in between the Andes and Himalayas.
As you can see, Indonesia really is amazing! Have you ever visited? Is there something else that I should add to my list to see when I finally do go? My fingers are crossed and my passport is ready. I’m still over here just wanderlust-ing waiting to hear about your stories, so let me know all about it in the comments below. I’m waiting impatiently… Oh, oh, by the way in between rendezvous you can keep up with me on Instagram and subscribe while you are here.
Until our next rendezvous…
XOXO
Trudy
This post was a collaboration.
You’d love Indonesia! It’s huge, so you can be in a city or the complete wilderness. There’s something for everyone 🙂 I’ve been to a few places but there’s so much more to discover. And the food is AMAZING!
That sounds absolutely fantastic!!!
Indonesia seems like an exceptional travel destination, especially for me as a yoga aficionado. Thanks for the practical tips, Trudy! 😉
I love yoga as well! I would love to do a retreat.
Have you ever gone on one before?
it looks so warm!!!!!
Ready to thaw out, Jim?
OMG YES!!! and it just started. LOL! :-).
good morning sweetie!
Good morning dear!
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I hear only good things about Indonesia ?
I’ve never been, but love yoga and have seen a lot of interesting retreats scheduled on Bali
Oh my gosh! Your photos are awesome. I’d love to go there. I’ve found so many place to visit from the blogs in this group. I don’t know if I’ll get to every place, but I’m certainly going to try.
Our group is pretty fantastic isn’t it? I have to visit Indonesia as well.
Yes. it is! Wouldn’t it be cool if we all met at one of these awesome places and had a blogger party?
That would be awesome and perfect!
I’m definitely adding Indonesia to my wishlist now!
I keep reading so many awesome things about Indonesia! Awesome inspo in this post.
Thanks so much! I’m adding to my inspirational travels as well. So many places…. with such a small wallet.
A very good article. Don’t forget the important work that is going on to protect the species and the environment of our beautiful Borneo – make sure if you are visiting that you remember to do so with an ethical and moral mind frame that helps to to further this protection – again, very good article that showcases Borneo in so many ways! Borneo Bob.
Thanks, Bob! It must be lovely to live in such a beautiful location. Leaving a vacation site the way you found it is always a priority to me and being as ecologically responsible as possible when you visit fragile ecology things like not using large amounts of plastic, paper and water should be, in my opinion, in everybody’s thought process.
My husband and I visited Bali a few years ago to elope. It was absolutely beautiful, and awe inspiring. I wish it was not so far a journey, perhaps when the kids are older, until then I love to become lost in the pictures we took in the meantime. <3