Destination: Indonesia

WHY VISIT INDONESIA

There are strings of islands in the Indian Ocean, mosaics of cultures and religions, jungles with exuberant wildlife; everything is fascinating and dazzling in Indonesia.

Hindu Bali offers beautiful beaches, mountains and rice fields, villages and temples, and great surf spots for the surfers.

Jakarta is no longer the poverty-stricken megalopolis despite the slums that remain. You can visit the old port of Sunda Kelapa and the National Museum, the Chicken Market Bridge, or the Lapangan Banteng square.

In Sumatra, you can choose between the famous Krakatoa gray volcano, Bukit Lawang with its orangutans, and the huge lake of Danau Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world.

The Lesser Sunda Islands are places of great interest: Beautiful beaches in Sumba, handicrafts in Lombok, the famous Komodo dragons, the beautiful and colorful lakes of Keli Metu in the volcanic island of Flores.

Finally, Celebes (Sulawesi) will fascinate you with stunning landscapes inhabited by extraordinary animals and with some exceptional diving sites.
Natural Resources and fascinating cultures make Indonesia a memorable destination, where dreams of adventures can come true like nowhere else.

WHAT TO SEE IN INDONESIA

Top destinations in Indonesia are:

Gili Islands
Bali
Lombok
Yogyakarta
Jakarta
Borobudur
Raja Ampat
Komodo
Bandung
Bukit Lawang
Labuan Bajo
Samarinda
Surabaya
Tana Toraja
Mount Bromo
Lake Toba
Baliem Valley
Cox’s

WHEN TO GO TO INDONESIA

The best period to visit Indonesia is from May to October.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

The climate is equatorial, hot, and humid with a rainy season between October and April, which reaches its peak in January/February, there is a dry season from May to September.

To find cooler temperatures, it is necessary to go to higher altitudes. The humidity can reach 75%.

A visit to Indonesia is, therefore, more pleasant during the dry season between May and October. Bali is also very popular in January.

Indonesian people play the tourists in June/July when the resorts get very crowded. Therefore, choose May and June or September if you want the best conditions.

Following is a list of typical festivals and celebrations of Indonesia.

Galungun: Bali. Takes place for ten days every 210 days and is celebrated for the coming of the gods and the ancestral spirits to dwell in the home of their descendants. During this festival, Hindus will drive off evil spirits with incantations and firecrackers, while express gratitude to their Gods by inviting them down to earth by celebrations of offerings, dancing, and new clothes.
Kesodo (Kasada) Ceremony: Hundreds of thousands of Tenggerese will gather at the famous Mount Bromo, an active crater in East Java, Indonesia, during the month of August. In order to ask for blessings and another year free of eruptions, the people will present offerings of rice, vegetables, fruits, animals and other local products to the God of the Mountain.
Asmat Cultural Festival: In order to preserve the cultural heritage of the Asmat tribe from Papua, this festival that is recognized and listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is an important event for the culture of the entire country. During this festival, you can explore the art of woodcarving and get some impressive insights related to this spiritual artistic expression that will guide you through the history of the people of this interesting tribe. If you visit this amazing event, you will also be able to enjoy original dances, traditional musical performances and also participate in the auction of the woodcarvings and other artistic works.
Java Soul Nation Festival: This festival is a must-visit Indonesian festival for all of the people who are lovers of soul, hip-hop, R&B, and rap sounds. It is an international event that doesn’t only gather some of the most popular musicians from Indonesia but also a wide variety of artists in mentioned genres from all over the world. The ratings of the Java Soul Nation Festival are really high and interest for this manifestation has been increasing that much that it won the JJK Awards in the year 2012 for Best Music Festival.
Balinale Film Festival: Non-profit and non-government charity organization named Balinale Film Festival was established in the year of 2007 and since then it represents an internationally accepted and popular event held in Kuta that provides chances for moviemakers from Indonesia to present their works to the wider auditorium. However, this Festival does not only have a promotional character, but it is also an important educational event in the area of movies since it has organized numerous free workshops, presentations, lectures, and seminars. Many of them were held by winners of other important film festivals, such as Oscar, Emmy, Cannes, and BAFTA.
Mawlid festival: This manifestation has a religious character and it represents the celebration of the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. This festival is held on the twelfth day of the third month in the Islamic calendar. The name of this holiday originates from the Arabic word that means to give birth.
Ramadan: This religious holiday takes part in the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar and starts with the appearance of the moon at the end of the eight months of the Islamic lunar calendar (approximately during August and September). During these 30 days and until sunset, believers must abstain from eating and drinking and having sexual intercourse. During the night, when the fast is ended, the temples are often hosting a large number of believers. The fast is ended by the Eid al-Fitr celebration.
Galungan Festival: is one of the important Hindu festivals in Bali. This is the time when people pay respect to their ancestors with prayers and offerings. Most Balinese will try to make their way back to the family place to visit their ancestral home and graves. Also, they will have a visit to the temple to make offerings. They will also visit homes of other families who may have helped their family in any way. The day after, they will visit their friends in their best attire and enjoy festive spirits in the streets. Galungan is also to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Kuningan Festival: marks the last day of the 10 days Galungan period. On this day, it will be spent with the family in prayer and offering to the ancestors’ return to heaven. It is usually done in the privacy of the family home and temple. After Kuningan day, Balinese people will go out and have fun with their friends again.
Saraswati: for the Goddess of Wisdom, Art, and Literature.
Banyu Pinaruh: the day after Saraswati where Balinese go down to beaches/rivers to clean themselves and pray for wisdom
Tumpek Landep: to bless all-metal creations like tools, kitchen utensils, and vehicles
Tumpek Uduh: for the God of all food, plants & vegetation
Tumpek Kadang/Uye: day to worship the God of cattle & livestock
Tumpek Krulut: to celebrate arts
Tumpek Wayang: the ceremony with leather puppets
Siwaratri: this is the time where Balinese do not sleep for a night to contemplate and purify themselves

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Pasola: West Sumba. Held four times in February and March, this festival to balance the upper sphere of the heavens culminates with a frenetic pitched battle between two villages of spear-wielding horsemen.

Pasola: During February or March, Pasola will be celebrated in various locations across East Nusa Tenggara. Every year there will be an announcement on where and when the celebration will be held. It is one of the most exciting Jousting Festival, well known around the world, where people on horseback without saddles will throw spears (know as hola) at each other to unseat the opponent. It is a traditional Sumba ritual sport to keep the spirits happy and to bring a good harvest.

Bau Nyale Fishing Festival: Lombok is definitely the hot spot of the country in the period of the Bau Nyale Fishing Festival which is usually held in February or March. A large number of people come from all over the country gathers to have a look at the first nyale (worm-like fish) caught during this really popular fishing event. The caught fish is immediately prepared – it is roasted in the leaves of banana.

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Nyepi: Probably the biggest festival for the Balinese Hindu, Nyepi Day, also known as the day of silence, is celebrated every year as the Hindu New Year (Saka new year). The date changes according to Balinese calendar every year but would usually fall between March and April.

Sekaten: Central Java. March or April. The celebration of the birthday of the prophet Muhammed, includes a month-long festival of fairs, gamelan recitals, and performances.

Festival Teluk Kendari: In April, there will be partying and dragon-boat races in Sulawesi’s Kendari Bay.

Bali Spirit Festival: The Bali Spirit Festival (www.balispiritfestival.com), is a gathering of world-renowned musicians, yogis, and dancers from around the world for a celebration. Weeks before the day, Ubud will be filled with travelers who are gathering here for this inaugural event. There will be workshops, fairs, and many yoga activities. At the same time, this festival aims to raise money as part of the annual Karma outreach initiative, which includes funding for children programs, education, health, and the environment.

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International Jazz Festival of Jakarta: This Indonesian festival that is usually held at the beginning of May and lasting three days is one of the greatest music festivals of Indonesia and one of the most important and most popular jazz festivals not only in the country but in the entire Asian continent. During these three days, Jakarta becomes a real music paradise that gathers some of the most popular and most quality musicians from all over the planet.

Funerals: Tanah Toraja, Sulawesi. Mostly May to September. With buffalo slaughter, bullfights, and sisemba kick-boxing tournaments.

Waisak: (Vesak) commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. During the full moon in May or June, Indonesian Buddhists observe Waisak at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. The ceremony is centered at the three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur.

Bali Arts Festival: The largest annual celebration of art and culture in Indonesia, with a full month (between June-July) of daily performances, art exhibitions, dances, food, and other cultural offerings. Read more about this famous Bali Arts Festival. It is important to search for a cheap Bali hotel a couple of months before this festival since they will increase their rates a few weeks to a month before.

Yogya (Jogja) Arts Festival: In June – July, you will find shows and exhibitions in the Java’s cultural capital Yogyakarta.

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Funerals: Tanah Toraja, Sulawesi. Mostly May to September. With buffalo slaughter, bullfights and sisemba kick-boxing tournaments.

Bali Kite Festival: This annual event is held every July in Padang Galak Area, Sanur Beach, Bali. People from Denpasar villages will make their traditional giant kites and fly them in a competition. This event is a religious festival as it is intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to give them abundant crops and harvests. A team will normally consist of 70-80 people, and each team will have a Gamelan band, flag bearers, and kite flyers. Traditional kites take hold in forms of nature like fish, birds, or leaves.

Krakatoa Festival: If you are visiting Indonesia during the month of July, be sure to plan your visit to the province of Lampung during the seven-day lasting Festival of Krakatoa. This manifestation is actually the commemoration of the Krakatoa volcano eruption that happened in 1883 when it killed approximately 35 thousand people. During this period, various sports activities are taking place. Some of them are boat races and exhibitions of some of the most amazing kites that can be seen.

Jalan Jaksa Festival: At the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, you may at least find a festival worth a visit. It usually takes place in July / August, where you can find the street closed to all traffic and replaced with food stalls, craft workshops, street artists and musicians. You may try food from all kinds of Indonesian specialties while immersed in the rest of the art shows like traditional martial art combat or Betawi orchestra. You may also find batik making workshops in the midst of it all.

Bidar Race: In August, you can find lots of vivid bidar (canoes) race in Sumatra’s Sungai Musi.

Independence Day of Indonesia: Every August, the 17th, the streets around the country are covered with garlands and Indonesian flags to commemorate the anniversary of the country’s independence.

Baliem Valley Festival: This Baliem Valley festival unique only to the Papua people, tracing its root in the belief, held by the various local tribes, that war is not just a conflict but also a symbol of fertility and prosperity. Celebrated in August, the main event is the mock-war between the local tribes, with more than 20 different tribes, each with 30-50 people, clad in traditional clothing, and fighting gears. There are also side performances and attractions of local traditional games, dances, and local food showcase. It is a rich and unique celebration in the Baliem Valley of indigenous culture.

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Funerals: Tanah Toraja, Sulawesi. Mostly May to September. With buffalo slaughter, bullfights, and sisemba kick-boxing tournaments.

Erau Festival: Tenggarong, Kalimantan. September. A big display of indigenous Dayak skills and dancing.

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Krakatau Festival: Lampung, Sumatra. October. Five days of events highlighting Lampung’s cultural heritage, including Tuping Karnaval (Lampung Mask Carnival); part of the celebration occurs on the island of Anak Krakatau itself.

Ubud Writers Festival: (www.ubudwritersfestival.com) This is a major annual event for the non-profit foundation of Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati. It is initially conceived by Jane Deneefe, co-founder of the foundation as a healing project in response to Bali’s first bombing. This festival’s mission is simply to create a literary event that encourages free speech among people from all walks of life, race, and gender to celebrate the beauty of the written words. Therefore, the festival facilitates the sharing of stories on a world stage arena by bringing Indonesians and international writers together while expanding literature across cultures.

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Kasada: Bromo, East Java. Offerings are made to the gods and thrown into the crater. Held on the fourteenth day of Kasada, the twelfth month in the Tenggerese calendar year (Dec).

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HOW TO REACH AND TRAVEL THROUGH INDONESIA

You can get there by air via Singapore and land in Jakarta or Bali. Several airlines serve different areas. There are few trains, except in Java and Sumatra, but buses are very numerous though sometimes dilapidated! You can also rent a motorcycle if you feel up to riding on bumpy roads and tackling various obstacles…

by plane, the main airports are:

by train

by car

GENERAL INFORMATION ON INDONESIA

health tips & vaccination: drink only bottled water and avoid ice. The vaccine against hepatitis A and B and malaria prophylaxis is recommended.

local currency: Indonesian Rupiah

local time zone: GMT+7-9

electricity: [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/C_plug.png”]type C[/su_lightbox] and [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/F_plug.png”]type F[/su_lightbox] (220 V, 50 Hz)

mobile phone operators:

WHAT TO DO IN INDONESIA

typical food in Indonesia

Rijsttafel: A Dutch-invented smorgasbord of 12 various meat, fish, vegetable and curry dishes
Nasigoreng: Considered the national dish it consists of fried rice, flavored with spices and usually eaten with accompanying vegetables
Ayam goreng: Fried chicken, a national staple
Soto: Traditional soupy broth with rice cakes and noodles, often with chicken or beef
Sambal: A fiery chili sauce condiment served with every dish
Bakso: Indonesian meatballs usually made from chicken or beef
Sate: Skewers of beef, fish, pork, chicken or lamb, cooked on hot coals and dipped in peanut sauce
Rendang: A specialty of Sumatra; a densely spiced coconut curry with lime leaves and buffalo meat
Gado-gado: A Javan salad of raw and cooked vegetables with peanut and coconut milk sauce
Babi guling: A roast suckling pig, a delicacy from Bali

souvenirs from Indonesia

batik cloth (a kind of patterned fabric)
ikat fabrics (textile made using a sort of tie-dye technique)
woodcarvings and sculpture
silverwork
woven baskets and hats
bamboo articles
krises (small daggers)
paintings
woven cloth

SIMPLE DICTIONARY

Hello: Halo

Goodbye: Selamat tinggal

How are you?: Apa kabar?

Thank you: Terima kasih

What is your name?: Siapa namamu?

How much is it?: Berapa harganya?

Sorry: Maaf