It is possible that you rarely heard Indonesia but you must have heard about Bali so often. Meanwhile, Bali is located in Indonesia, one of the largest archipelago in the world. Even though Bali is undeniably the most popular tourist destination of the country, Indonesia’s tourism scene is beyond. There are many more places you must explore to really see what’s so charming about the country with more than 17,000 islands. The country also has the most divergent culture embracing various customs and traditions for generations. And here are some tips of what to do when you travel around Indonesia:
Try Indonesian street foods
Regardless of what city you are visiting, it is a must to try street food culinary. In the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, you can almost try iconic street foods from different regions across the country such as Sundanese, Balinese, Javanese, and other cuisines. Try buying foods from kaki lima or food carts with relatively cheap price.
Get deeper into the culture
There are many places in Indonesia if you want to learn more about the culture. For Sundanese culture, you can to Bandung and and visit Saung Angklung Udjo. It is where you can learn more about Sundanese bamboo instrument called angklung, how to play it, and watch live performance. If you want to learn more about Javanese culture, come visit Yogyakarta since it is home to the last reigning sultan in Indonesia. You can visit sultan’s palace or Kraton, visit Prambanan and Borodubur temple, and shop around at Malioboro shopping district.
Temples hopping at Bali
Of course, Bali is also such an interesting destination to visit. It is rich with culture where the people still embrace their tradition and customs religiously. Aside from enjoying the beach scene and nightlife, it is highly recommended to visit temples in Bali. There are around 2,000 temples in Bali you can visit. The majority of temples here are Hindus. Make sure to abide by the rules during your visit. Not all parts of the temples are open for tourists since they are sacred and only available for the locals to pray.
Meet the ancient creature
Indonesia is the only home to the ancient creature called Komodo Dragons. These dangerous creatures inhibit Komodo Island, where you can reach from Bali. Located at Komodo National Park, you get to see how massive these giant lizards are in real life. However, make sure to always follow the rules from the guides to stay safe. Aside from seeing Komodo dragons, you may also get to meet manta rays, and local turtles.
Enjoy vibrant marine life
Indonesia lies in the southwestern corner of a biodiverse Coral Triangle. You can find various rare underwater creatures in Indonesia. There are many best diving and snorkeling spots where you can explore the underwater more. One of the most recommended places is Raja Ampat in West Papua. Its thousands islets home to over 70 percent of the world’s coral species. Other best destinations to enjoy stunning biodiversity include East Bali, and Wakatobi.
