No destination can match the diversity of Indonesia, a 17,000 island archipelago, 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. And there’s Bali, the mystical, lush jewel of equatorial Asia!
It is a vast and beautifully diverse country stretching for more than 5,000 kms across the equator. It would simply be impossible to see everything that this, the world’s largest archipelago, has to offer in a short length of time.
Indonesia has been a favorite destination for the Westerners throughout the ages. And the figures speak for themselves. In June 2004, the number of foreign arrivals reached 407,9000, growing by 10.51 percent compared to that of the previous month which number 369,1000.
In the past most popular destination for visitors to Indonesia has undoubtedly been Bali. In recent years however, other areas are also becoming popular and 24 top priority areas have been selected by the Directorate General of Tourism to provide visitors with the quintessential soul of Indonesia.
These are: Jakarta, Jogiakarta ,West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau Bengkulu, Lampung, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Maluku, and Irian Jaya.
Variety is the spice life and nowhere is this more true than in Indonesia. No two places are alike in unspoiled beauty, art, culture and people.
The towering mountains and primitive cultures of Irian Jaya contrast sharply with the terraced hills, and highly sophisticated societies of Bali and Java and the animistic beliefs that still have a major influence on the way of life in South Sulawesi.
“Unity in Diversity”, which is the country’s motto, accurately describe these diverse cultures and extraordinary people brought together to create one nation with one national language, Bahasa Indonesia.
For the traveler, Indonesia offers a fine blend of scenic beauty, fauna and flora, culture, marine parks and a wide collection of modern accommodation.International gateways providing easy access for travelers in Indonesia are: Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali) and Medan (North Sumatra). Other ports of entry and exit have been targeted as international gateways but are currently in the development stages. These include; Manado (North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku), Batu Besar (Batam), Pekan Baru (Riau), Balikpapan (East Kalimantan), Surabaya (East Java), Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara), Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and Biak (Irian Jaya).
An extensive network of air services connects the gateways with destination areas. Fares for domestic travel are offered in local Indonesian rupiah and dollars.
Jogiakarta is a popular resort that attracts a large number of tourists who visit Indonesia. Tourist go to the world famous Buddhist Temple “Borobudur” which is situated 43 Kms. northwest of Jogiakarta. It is really stupendous to see the spectacular sight of the rising sun here.
Jogiakarta’s royal palace depicts the history of the monarch who ruled the country. Jogiakarta is fast becoming a venue for international conferences where foreign delegates could be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Bali still is the prime tourist location. It has a friendly and remarkably artistic people, living amid breathtaking panoramas, and they have created dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, making Bali an island almost unreal in today’s hectic and changing world.
Terrace rice fields dominate the landscape, with rivers and small irrigation streams disecting a luscious green landscape, filling the air with enchanting sounds of running water.
Bali is divided by a string of impressive and authoritative volcanoes running almost through the center of the island. Mountains and particularly volcanoes are fine tourist attractions. Shrouded in mystery and magic, they stretch skyward in majestic splendor. Bali’s main volcano is the still active and sometimes explosive.
Gunung Agung, which is considered sacred among local people, as it is believed to be the center of the universe. The visitors do not just leave with the view but some leave with the same belief.
The ancient kingdoms of the “rajas” and princes of Bali were dismantled by colonial governments in the early part of this century, but many of the royal descendants still own traditional palaces and are very much respected as patrons of the arts. Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali’s unique form of Hinduism called “Hindu Darma”.
Classical dance dramas for example, are based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, but contain an element of local folklore, peculiar to the island.
The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms that have been passionately preserved over the centuries. It seems that almost every person is an artist, spending free time applying skills and images which have been passed down from generation to generation and grasped from a very young age.
Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings and dances, extraordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made for myriad shrines which can be found in public area, on roads, in paddy field or in homes, the island is alive with art.
The Balinese have been more exposed to international tourists and generally speak more English than people in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago.
They have managed to preserve their culture despite overwhelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever increasing number of tourist. Bali’s international airport, Ngurah Rai, is in the south of the island and is served by numerous international airlines and charters.
In order to keep up with the growing number of visitors and the need for their comfort, more hotel have been built, ranging from small bungalows types for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua tourist resort area, near the air port, on the southern tip of the island.
Water sports have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting.
