It’s almost summer vacation, so this month’s blog is all about: travel. Everyone dreams of a trip to snow-white beaches, good food and beautiful sights. Look no further, because Indonesia has it all to offer! In this blog, we discuss five Indonesian islands that are popular among travelers and who knows, maybe it will bring you inspiration for a great trip.
The islands of Indonesia stretch from mainland Asia all the way to northern Australia. With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is therefore the largest island state in the world. All of Indonesia is home to 255 million people and they are a diverse population. The Indonesian national motto, “Bhinneka tunggal ika” (“unity in diversity”) fits nicely with the diverse population that has emerged from the continuous fusion of cultures, peoples and languages. Indonesia has more than 300 different ethnic groups and more than 500 languages and dialects are spoken.
Java
One of Indonesia’s most famous islands is Java, partly because the capital city of Jakarta is located here. This is the most populous island in the country, being home to 141 million people, which is more than half of the total population. If you’re looking for conviviality and hustle and bustle, you’ve come to the right place. In the capital Jakarta, you can learn a lot about Indonesia’s colonial history. Some older residents still speak a little Dutch, and in the Batavia café you will find a picture of the Dutch royal family. Another city worth visiting is Yogyakarta. In this hip city, there is much focus on the Javanese arts, including poetry, music, drama, batik, literature and visual arts. Other sights not to be missed in Java are the Bromo volcano, the Borobudur temple and the botanical gardens in Bogor.
Bali
Say Indonesia, you say Bali. The island of Bali has grown considerably in popularity in recent years. Because it receives so many tourists each year, the island is well developed and everything is well organized for travelers. The island’s residents are also extremely hospitable. One tip is to get around the island by scooter. For example, drive to Uluwatu, located in the south, and enjoy magnificent views of Bali’s cliffs. Ubud is also a well-known highlight, as it is considered the cultural center of the island.
Lombok
Would you rather avoid the large groups of tourists? Then choose Lombok instead of Bali. In fact, the island of Lombok is sometimes called Bali’s little brother, and it is said that Lombok’s beaches are, if possible, even more beautiful than Balinese beaches. If you are up for a physical activity, climbing the 3727-meter Gunung Rinjani volcano is an absolute must. A visit to Pura Meru, the largest temple on the island, is also not to be missed.
Flores
The name actually says it all, this is the flower island. But besides the fact that you will find many flowers on this island, it is also full of volcanoes! In fact, you will find seventeen volcanoes here, of which Kelimutu is the most famous. The special thing about this volcano is that it has three crater lakes, each with a different color. Are you a true animal lover? Then hop on a boat to the nearby Komodo Islands, because with any luck you’ll spot the rare Komodo dragon there. Another activity you can do well on this island is snorkeling, for example from the fishing village of Lubuan Bajo or from Koka Beach.
Sumatra
The last island we will discuss is Sumatra, but it is by no means the least. Indeed, Sumatra is one of Indonesia’s largest islands. Medan, the island’s capital, is a good starting point for visiting the island. Here, visit the island’s largest mosque, Mesjid Raya, or feast your eyes on the Maimun Palace. What’s also nice about this island is that you can easily spot orangutans there. If you want, you can even sleep among the orangutans!
These were five popular Indonesian islands. We can imagine you can hardly choose! Fortunately, it is quite possible to island hop in Indonesia and thus combine several islands. While doing so, do not forget to visit the lesser-known islands and discover the most beautiful undiscovered gems.
