Enchanting tourist destinations around Indonesia

Enchanting tourist destinations around Indonesia

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia has many other fascinating
resorts to choose from beyond Bali for both domestic and foreign
tourists.

Tourist attractions abound here, with each province having its
own quintessential appeal. From the wonders of nature, cultural
interests, holy charms to adrenaline-pumping adventure quests; it
all makes up the diversity of Indonesia.

Bintan island and Batam island, both in the Riau archipelago,
Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Pulau Seribu or the Thousand Islands,
located north of Jakarta, Pelabuhan Ratu, in Sukabumi, West Java,
Bunaken in Manado, North Sulawesi and Senggigi beach in Lombok -
to name but a few - are among the top seaside resorts in
Indonesia beyond Bali.

Each seaside resort has its own uniqueness.

On Bintan island, for instance, most parts of the resort site
are still surrounded by forests. So, a stroll through Bintan's
nature trails while enjoying the lush tropical flora and fauna
might even provide a glimpse of the shy mouse-deer.

Unlike Bintan island, Batam has grown into one of the largest
industrial centers in the country. However, both Bintan and Batam
are known for their pristine white beaches and azure waters, rich
with marine life. Bintan is the largest of 3,200 islands in the
Riau archipelago.

Located just 45 kilometers southeast of Singapore and twice
its size, northern Bintan is easily accessible via a 45-minute
ride on a high speed catamaran from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry
Terminal.

Other surfing and diving sites can also be found in the
Thousands Island, Banten, Pelabuhan Ratu and Senggigi Beach in
Lombok.

If you are a real lover of sea, sand and sun, the Thousands
Islands are an ideal place because several the islands have been
developed specifically for holiday retreats from the big city.

The Thousand Islands are scattered in the Bay of Jakarta, some
just 20 minutes away, while others can be two hours away by
speedboat. The Thousand Islands consist of around 340 islets and
sand bars.

The further out one goes the cleaner and bluer the sea
becomes, filled with a myriad of tropical fish living among
multicolored corals, they are tremendously tempting place to
spend a weekend.

The islands can be reached from Tanjung Priok or Pasar Ikan
(Sunda Kelapa) by ferry or by chartered boat.

While a variety of water sports have partly contributed to the
popularity of the Thousand Islands, Pelabuhan Ratu is
increasingly popular among Western visitors or expats, not only
because of its ideal place for world-class surfing and diving,
but also the legend of Nyai Loro Kidul or Queen of the South Seas
surrounding the resort.

Pelabuhan Ratu is located about 90 kilometers south of
Jakarta. It has also become popular weekend getaway spot from
Jakarta. The resort is reachable by road (around four hours) from
the capital.

However, if one is a diving fanatic, it is best to head over
to Bunaken Island in North Sulawesi. The Bunaken dive resort is a
magnet for travelers from far and wide due to the breathtaking
beauty of colorful fish and other marine life.

Bunaken National Marine Park was established in 1991. The park
covers an area of 89 hectares and includes the five islands of
Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Montehage and Nain as well as parts
of the coastal area and coral reef of over 8,000 hectares.

The marine park's extremely deep seabed coral walls and large
seagrass beds are home to an astonishingly rich variety of coral,
fish and sponges.

Lombok, located some 50 kilometers east of Bali, is a perfect
alternative to Bali's crowds. Top tourist resorts in Lombok
include Senggigi beach, the Gili islands, Saranah and Mount
Rinjani.

Senggigi Beach is frequently said to be Lombok's equivalent to
Bali's Kuta Beach, but is in many ways totally different. It's
far more quiet and peaceful, the nightlife here is also more
limited. It is located north of Mataram and not far from the
airport, many tourists prefer to stay here for the first few days
before they explore the rest of the island, but you can also use
Senggigi as your permanent base.

In addition to seaside resorts, Indonesia is also rich in
mountain resorts where you can spend your vacation trekking or
climbing. Among the country's top mountain resorts include
Krakatau volcano in Banten province, Mt. Merapi in Central Java,
Mt. Bromo in East Java and Mt. Rinjani on Lombok.

Another choice is Krakatau volcano, which lies in the Sunda
strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Krakatau volcano
offers an exciting sight of caldera, remnants resulting from the
nearly cataclysmic eruption that occurred on Aug. 26, 1883. It
takes just 20 minutes to climb the 150 or so meters to the rim of
the new crater. Inside, the steaming cone is surrounded by a
lunar landscape of fumaroles.

If you enjoy scenic beauty while trekking in a tranquil
atmosphere, then Mount Bromo, a volcanic mountain in East Java,
is the right place. Bromo is famous for its spectacular and
beautiful views of the sunrise panorama from its peak. It also
features a remarkable and vast "sand sea" covering some 10 square
kilometers across which is the caldera of an ancient volcano.

Other ideal sites for trekking include Ujung Kulon National
Park, home of the nearly extinct one-horned Javanese rhino.

The park is situated at the Southwestern tip of the island of
Java, in the administrative district of Pandeglang regency of the
Province of West Java. It's a good place for a real
nature/rainforest experience, with bird watching, jungle
trekking, photographing and camping.

But for those who are fond of historical and cultural remains,
they can visit Yogyakarta in Central Java.

The 300-year-old city of Yogyakarta is the cultural heart of
Java. Here you can find the country's oldest palace 'The Kraton'
with its ancient heirlooms.

Most areas of interest in the city center around Jalan
Malioboro, with its wide, canopied sidewalks offer shelter from
the mid-afternoon heat and by night turn into a colorful street
market where you can buy various handicrafts such as leather
goods, textiles, batik and wayang puppets.

From Yogyakarta, you can travel easily to archaeological
sites, such as the temples of Borobudur, which is the world's
largest Buddhist Monument, and the magnificent Hindu Temple at
Prambanan.

Several other mountain resorts in Indonesia are also famous
for having communities that can maintain their unique culture and
ancient tradition. They include Torajan in Tana Toraja in South
Sulawesi and Badui in the Kendeng Mountain in south Banten, West
Java.

Plentiful resorts with varied places of interest are available
in Indonesia beyond Bali and now the choice is yours!