Indonesia did not become an instant classic for us after we paid our visit. It did not dethrone Thailand in ‘favourite Asian country’ category, didn’t beat Cambodian prices or culinary wonders from Singapore. Jakarta didn’t make it to our world cities top 3 and we don’t even want to go back. Indonesia was quite irritating actually – the crowds and constant traffic jam that made a 200 km trip a 5 hour struggle. Even worse – 30 km in 1.5 hours! We were tired, irritated and for the first time I thought that renting a car was a bad idea. A few hours in traffic jam a day with an active 3-year old was an absolute nightmare for a parent. It’s also a hardcore trip for the driver – you can either stay stuck in the traffic for 8-9 hours on a 200 km stretch of the road or keep taking over like mad and then look for relief when you finally reach your destination. A car trip across whole Java – from Jakarta to the connection to Bali in Ketapang and then more to drive on Bali made us completely exhausted. We didn’t even want to look at the car at that point and envied our friends stuck in traffic in Warsaw. That’s not traffic??? Have they even seen real traffic??!!??
Despite that, when I think about Indonesia right now it brings back may pleasant memories. I don’t miss it as much as I miss Thailand or Spain, I don’t feel like walking around the streets of Jakarta again like I want to go back to Singapore or Istanbul but I still have memories that prove it was WORTH the trouble. It’s worth going – just don’t rent a car 😉 It won’t be my first choice when suggesting a place to go to anybody but there are some areas where Indonesia works great!
1) HEAVENLY BEACHES
We already knew about them before we got there. Bali, Lombok and Gili Archipelago beaches were supposed to stun us and indeed they were stunning. Not all and not everywhere though. You have to be lucky and we suggest making a research first. You may end up in a mediocre location or in a perfect one like we did in Canggu Beach on Lombok – white sand, blue water, wild nature and no people on the beach in February – high season in Indonesia lasts from May to October.
2) GILI ARCHIPELAGO
Gili Archipelago consists of three islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno i Gili Air and is a real heaven on Earth. Far from the rest of the world, a few km west of Lombok. No cars allowed on the islands, yet there are hotels and restaurants available where you can spend a few days. Gili beaches look like in the movies or on a folder from a tourist office and you can go snorkelling by the shore which you won’t forget ever (I swear) because….
3) SNORKELLING WITH TURTLES!
Have you ever snorkelled? We tried both snorkelling and scuba diving in Egypt a few years ago. Since then, we didn’t have too many snorkelling opportunities but we always took advantage of them if we could! While snorkelling on Gili, you can see some nice colourful fish but also meet turtles swimming right by the shore and go swimming with them! That’s one of the best memories from Indonesia!
4) VOLCANOES
Indonesia is known for its volcanoes! There’s about 500 of them with 128 remaining active – it’s the most active volcanic zone in the world. Bromo on Java, Batur on Bali and Rinjani on Lombok are the most popular ones. We only managed to see Tangkuban Perahu near Bandung because the weather prevented us from seeing amazing Bromo and discouraged us from making attempts to see other volcanoes.
5) GREEN RICE FIELDS
If anyone asks me what pops in my mind when I think about Indonesia I’ll surely say kilometres of green rice terraces. In February, Indonesia is amazingly green and these views were one of the few things that helped us survive the long hours in the car. Driving from Bandung or from Jakarta towards Yogyakarta, it’s worth getting off the track to Kampung Naga, a charming village hidden somewhere around the numerous rice fields. Tiny houses built from bamboo painted white and covered with roofs made of straw looked like dwarves’ huts.
6) PEOPLE
As soon as I get back to Poland after a long trip to Asia I get the feeling that everybody here is angry, sad or irritated and most of the time you get wry faces instead of friendly smiles. I felt it even more after our trip to Indonesia because everybody smiles there, people are kind and helpful. When we caught a flat tire somewhere in the backcountry near Galunggung volcano we got help from a bunch of locals in no time. Even though they did not speak English and tried to communicate speaking loud and clear, only in their language, thanks to them we made it.
Add fascination with white tourists and their blonde child to Indonesian kindness and you’ll get a charming country. However it might have been a bit tiring for Maks with people prodding him, talking and asking for pictures with him.
Indonesia is also a good place to fight stereotypes. Don’t like Muslims? Think they’re terrorists? Go to Indonesia which is the biggest Muslim community in the world and you’ll quickly forget about the stereotypes.
7) BOROBUDUR
For many Borobudur temple is the main reason for visiting Java. It’s huge with lots of bas-reliefs depicting life back in the day and beliefs of the citizens of Java along with more than 500 statues of Buddha. It’s distinct design is memorable but I have to admit that it wasn’t as astonishing as we expected it to be – maybe because we’ve seen Angkor Wat in Cambodia before which is far more impressive.
8) NATURE
Wow, how green it is there! And the palms! Places like Green Canyon or Citumang on Java which are just perfect for some relaxing time close to nature!
9) FOOD IN JAKARTA!
Jakarta didn’t have an easy job foodwise since we arrived there right from Singapore, the culinary heaven! We thought that after that it can only get worse! But Jakarta surprised us in a good way – first with an almost perfect take on fried noodles called kway teow served in Kosenda Hotel we stayed in, then with perfect lunch in Chinese restaurant we visited spontaneously, where we tried tofu with scallops. Jakarta made us hopeful, however the rest of Indonesia wasn’t that delicious.
10) ES KELAPA MUDA
If you love fresh coconuts like I do, remember these words – ES KELAPA MUDA. If you see this sign, you’ll surely get coconuts there! God, how I miss that coconuts!
11) NASI GORENG AND MIE GORENG EVERYWHERE!
Nasi goreng and mie goreng are two phrases everyone coming to Indonesia needs to learn real fast! Both are connected with food obviously – nasi goreng is a national Indonesian dish – fried rice, often with vegetables or chicken. The only thing different about mie goreng is noodles instead of rice. You can get it everywhere – in warungs, eateries by the road, on the street, in the restaurants. At first it’s great but after 3 weeks you start thinking about a change. Still, it’s the first thing I would order if I ever get back to Indonesia!
12) AMAZING HOTELS
No wonder Bali is a popular destination for honeymooners. Here you will find not only beautiful beaches, amazing views but also spectacular hotels with a soul. Ones you will remember forever, perfect for special occasions. Small, intimate and hidden from the world. You’ll find a few places like this on our blog – charming Amori Villa in Ubud, Tugu Bali full of works of art or impressive Tugu Lombok with their fantastic breakfasts served on the beach.
13) THE LOVE KIDS!
If you’re travelling with a child, go to Indonesia! Friendly approach and million smiles a day guaranteed. And if you feel like snorkelling without your child, there will always be somebody happy to look after it. The look on Maks’ face as he was playing with water bottles – priceless!
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