Indonesia

Indonesia, known as the largest archipelago in the world is located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The islands can be grouped into the big 5 including, the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra (Sumatera), Java (Jawa), the southern extent of Borneo (Kalimantan), Celebes (Sulawesi), and the western extent of New Guinea (Papua). The capital city if Indonesia which is Jakarta Raya/ DKI Jakarta, located near the northwestern coast of Java. In 2021, Indonesia becomes the most populous country in Southeast Asia with an abundance of human resources. Indonesia, that’s formerly known as the Dutch East Indies has gone through a lot of historical journey before it recalled their Independence Day on August 17, 1945. The archipelago served as a nexus of the people and cultures of mainland Asia and Oceania that build up the highly diverse society and environment, but nevertheless the centralized government and a common language, which is Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia) have provided Indonesia with the sense of Unity, which aligns with Indonesia’s Motto: “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” which means Unity in Diversity.

Indonesia Flag

Indonesia Map

World's Best Archipelago : Wonderful Indonesia

Places to Visit

Hidden Gems in Indonesia

1

Jomblang Cave

Yogyakarta, Central Java

Jomblang Cave is located in the Gununngkidul complex which is famous for its unforgettable and unique beauty. The location of Jomblang Cave is precisely along a stretch of karst hills on the south coast of Gombong, Central Java; headed to Pacitan, East Java. A cave with a vertical design or what is called a collapse doline type can be formed due to the geological process of subsidence of the soil and the vegetation above it to the bottom of the earth that occurred thousands of years ago. Because of its vertical shape, anyone who wants to camp here is obliged to use special caving equipment accompanied by an experienced tracer. An underground river with a fast flow lies at the bottom of the cave. The sunlight that bursts into the 90 meter high cave forms a pillar of light which is a natural painting known as "Heaven's Light".

2

The Komodo National Park

East Nusa Tenggara

The National Park Komodo become one of the 28 primary finalists in the 'New 7 Wonders of Nature' global campaign which was introduced in 2007.

Komodo Island

Komodo Island that lies in the Nusa Tenggara islands, is the original habitat of Komodo animals. Komodo is known as the biggest and earliest living lizards in the world. Adult dragons can reach the length as much as three meters, with typical weight of around 90 KG. Living generally on carrion, the dragons likewise hunt deer and wild pigs by utilizing their strong tail to bring the victim to the ground. This dragon is known of their smell sensitivity that can detect prey of some kilometers with acceleration speed up to 18 km/hours, unbelievable! Komodo is also known as the only living dinosaurs that have not extinct yet.

Komodo Pink Beach

The Komodo Pink Beach in Indonesia is listed under the top destination of other pink beaches around the world including, Harbor Island, Bahamas – Bermuda – Santa Cruz Island – Sardinia, Italy – Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Island – the Philippines – Balos Lagoon, Crete, Greece. The beach sand that contain several shells and marine biotas that are living there that gives the pink color to the sand. There are several activities you can do with your loved ones here such as walking in the sand while enjoying the unique panorama of the Komodo Island, snorkeling to explore the underwater beauty of the coral reefs across the beach, or laying on the pink color sand.

3

Dieng Plateau

Central Java

If you want to see something different from the rest of Java in Indonesia, here is the place. It almost somewhat exists on its own up here in the highlands. If you explore around you will be trekking through rolling hills of plantations and mountains flanking from all sides in the horizon. There are several spots to see here, you can explore: Sikidang Crater, which is the most popular crater in the area, and then Arjuna Temples Complex which is the most well-known ancient temples here because of it’s really old age. Here you can find Candi Arjuna, Setiyaki, and Bima, these 3 are the oldest temples in Indonesia, dating back to 8th Century built by the Sanjaya dynasty. Last one is Telaga Warna (Colored Lake), not to be mistaken by the name for its only hues of blue and slight of green. You can get the best view of the lake during light of day from the hill that’s located beside the lake. The legend of the origin of Telaga Warna is that the colors comes from the reflection of Princess Gilang Rukmini’s necklace that is scattered at the bottom of the lake. Princess Gilang Rukmini’s is the daughter of the King from Kutatanggeuhan Kingdom during the ancient times.

Sikidang Crater

Arjuna Temples Complex

Telaga Warna

4

Raja Ampat Archipelago

New Guinea, West Papua

The Raja Ampat Archipelago is truly a paradise in the world with views of rocky mountains, overgrown with tropical jungles, and the emerald sea that can make every visitor becomes closer to the beautiful nature. These reserved islands are hardly accessible as it is far away from the city that makes this remote area protected from pollution. The name Raja Ampat that means “The Four Kings” comes from a local myth that tells a story of a local woman that found seven eggs. Out of the seven, four of them hatched and became the kings for Raja Ampat’s biggest islands which are Batanta, Salawati, Waigeo, and Misool.

The main reason visitors would love to visit Raja Ampat is to have a wonderful experience of tropical marine adventures such as snorkeling and see the underwater beauty of numerous coral species with thousands more species of fish, mollusks, and plants that find home deep under the clear blue waters. Raja Ampat is also famous for visitors to observe wildlife in the forest, the main highlight would be bird watching in the forests of Raja Ampat which becomes the home for exquisite birds of paradise.