JAKARTA, 16 October 2004 — Saudi tourists have been flocking to Indonesia in large numbers since 9/11. Currently, they form the majority of visitors to the world’s largest Muslim country.

The country’s deputy minister of tourism in the Megawati government, Hamdan Rivai, told Arab News in a recent interview in Jakarta that Indonesia was fully geared to cater to the needs of Saudi and Gulf tourists. The country has over the past three years seen a proliferation of hotels and restaurants to satisfy the taste of Middle Eastern tourists, the minister said.

“Arab cuisine is now on offer everywhere,” he said.

The idea is to encourage Arab visitors to spend longer periods of time in the country known for its breathtaking natural beauty and its unique ethnic and cultural diversity. The idea seems to be working well.

In Banja, which is famous for its tea gardens, this reporter met several Saudis who are so much in love with the place that they decided to settle there. Most of them are into trading.

Mohammad Abdullah, who is from Riyadh, said: “The first time I came to this country with my family was two years ago. And I saw all the advantages this country has to offer so I decided to settle down here and start a cafe for Saudi and Arab tourists whose numbers and frequency of visits are increasing.”

Banja is a place where everyone wears a charming smile and simplicity is a way of life. There seems to be perfect harmony among different tribes. This was confirmed by Mohammad Al-Ghamdi, a teacher from Abha whom I met in Banja. “People’s love for others — be they Saudis, or other Arabs or other Muslims — is the most striking element I noticed in my visits to Indonesia and it increases with every passing day. And their numbers are increasing in this beautiful city.”

Not only does one find single Saudi men in this area but whole families as well. Arab tourists of different backgrounds and ages are to be found among them. What caught my attention was a Saudi man standing at one of the small restaurants “Um (uncle) Ibrahim Badawi” was how he introduced himself to me. He told me that he opened the restaurant 7 years ago after retiring from his job in Saudi Arabia. He has happily settled down in Indonesia since. The country has so much to offer in terms of goodwill and warmth.

Breath-Taking Sceneries

Going around Indonesia as a tourist was convincing enough to say that no destination can match the diversity of the country, a 17,000-island archipelago, and the world’s largest. This sets the stage for a stunning range of landscapes, cultures, languages and religions that makes Indonesia like no other place on earth.

There’s Bali, the mystical, lush jewel of equatorial Asia. Whether it’s Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, Lombok or Bali, they are all rich in tours, treks, resorts and hotels.

Bali has a vibrant culture, unique arts and ceremonies, friendly people and scenic beauty. These make Bali one of the world’s most desirable destinations for leisure travelers. Sanur, Kuta, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran are among the beach havens and Ubud the center for Balinese culture, arts and dance. In fact, Bali is Indonesia’s jewel.

Since ancient times, Java has been known as a verdant island paradise. Inhabited by more than 110 million people, Java is the most populated island of Indonesia. The Javanese possess a rich historical record, and a unique cultural heritage as found in the arts center of Jogyakarta and the ancient temples of Borobudur. Volcanoes including Mount Bromo dominate Java’s landscape. Jakarta, Indonesia’s teeming hub and capital, is found in the northwestern part of Java.

Relics of the Jurassic Past

Nestled between eastern Sumbawa and western Flores lie three tiny grass-covered islands, Komodo, Padar and Rinca, which together form the Komodo National Park, a protected wildlife reserve. This is the home of the giant lizard known as the “Komodo Dragon,” remnant of the Jurassic Era and thought to be a myth until the turn of the century (up to 170 kg heavy and 3 meters long. A tour of Komodo, a pre-historic heritage, is a must for every tourist.

The West Nusa Tenggara island chain, east of Bali, is dominated by the two main islands of Lombok and Sumbawa and hundreds of small islands spread around them. These islands are rich and fertile and home to very friendly people and famous for its ikat hand-woven textiles. It now has many spots for travelers from beautiful crescent-shaped beaches, waterfalls, international hotels and boutiques, providing a great extension to your visit to Bali.

Sulawesi, formerly known as Celebes, is a little more remote but worth the effort. Most travelers head to the rugged hill country of Tanatoraja and visit its unique rice farming, water-buffalo-loving people with their elaborate ceremonies, burial sites and traditional houses. The prosperous town of Manado, in northern Sulawesi, is renowned as the gateway to the stunning coral reefs off nearby Pulau Bunaken. Hire a dugout canoe to explore and enjoy!

Borneo (Kalimantan) is the world’s second largest island, shared by Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Kalimantan, Indonesia’s portion, has tremendous outspreads of jungle, rainforest, rivers and wilderness. The 20 main “Dayak” tribes, once feared as headhunters, have their homes in the river basins. Travel the mighty Mahakam River by boat, and see the famous fresh water dolphins that often accompany alongside.

A full 85 percent of Indonesians subscribe to the Islamic faith, 10 percent to Christianity, two percent to Hinduism, and three percent to either Buddhism or animism. With an estimated population of 238 million inhabitants this year, Indonesia is ranked the world’s fourth most populous nation after China, India and the United States.

Unity in Diversity

While largely of Malay stock, the inhabitants of the Indonesian archipelago constitute a rich array of some 300 distinct cultures, each with its own individual language or dialect. A common national language, Bahasa Indonesia, unites virtually all Indonesians.

The staple food of most of Indonesia is rice. On some of the islands in eastern Indonesia, staple food traditionally ranged from corn, sago, and cassava to sweet potatoes, though this is changing as rice becomes more popular. The Javanese cuisine is probably more palatable to the general taste and consists of vegetables, soybeans, beef, chicken and other varieties. The Sumatrans generally eat more beef compared to the other regions. West Sumatra particularly is known for its Padang (capital of the province) restaurants found nationwide. Besides the hot and spicy food, these restaurants are known for their unique style of service.

Further to the east, seafood features on the daily diet, either grilled or made into curries. For most people, a meal consists of steamed white rice with side dishes of meat, chicken, fish and vegetables along with a glass of tea.

Hospitable All-Year Round

A warm, generous people, Indonesians are always prepared to extend a warm welcome. Handshaking is a customary greeting in Indonesia.

Indonesia is a tropical country, and the climate is fairly even all year round. There is no such thing as an autumn or winter, the year being roughly divided into two distinct seasons, “wet” and “dry.”

The East Monsoon, from June to September brings dry weather while the West Monsoon, from December to March, brings rain.

With tailor-made and packages on offer, Indonesia can be your next best destination as a tourist.

During my visit I had the opportunity to discuss Saudi-Indonesian relations with the country’s then minister of information, Syamsul Mu’arif.

He also talked about what the two Muslim nations can do together in dealing with the present challenges faced by the Ummah. Mu’arif elaborated on the greatness of Islam, its resilience and tolerance.