Indonesia

The world’s largest archipelago of more than 17,000 islands (give or take a few thousand depending if high or low tide!) is a nation of overwhelming diversity of cultures, flora and fauna. Migrations of peoples have settled over 300 ethnic groups within these islands.

Trade routes of spices were once the gold of the Earth while influences of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity arrived and continue to co-exist with ancient traditions and animist beliefs.
Java is Indonesia’s most populous island with over 156 million people, over 50% of the entire populaton.
The 1064km long and narrow volcanic island with Jakarta, the nation’s political and economic center, is also home to fertile plains, vibrant cities with distinct western Sundanese, central Javanese and eastern regions- former kingdoms with unique traditions and historical sites and lots of natural beauty.

Bali to the east of Java, Indonesia’s Island of the Gods, with a unique Hindu and artistic culture has been the main tourist draw. European artists became enchanted with a new found paradise in the 1930s and over the years, Bali continued to develop welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Situated along the Ring of Fire and the largest chain of volcanoes, life in Indonesia flows alongside the forces and rhythms of nature. It was an incredible privilege to explore these islands with expedition cruise ships and aboard the beloved Bugis boat, MSY Perintis- from pristine beaches and coral reefs, to meet up with Komodo dragons and tribal peoples from Asmat to Borneo, where you can sit observing orangutans, with gibbons and proboscis monkeys swinging in trees while hornbills graciously fly above.
Indonesia is home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, ranking as one of the world’s most biodiverse countries.
Humans have taken so much from this planet and sadly many species of precious wildlife are becoming extinct. But for those who tread lightly and with a sense of adventure, Indonesia remains a fascinating destination to discover.

More on Indonesian Destinations – Click Below:

• Bali: Island of the Gods
• Central Java: Ancient Kingdoms, Borobudur and Prambanan, Royal Courts
• East Java Ancient Kingdoms: Singosari and Majapahit, Malang and Blitar:
  https://alamasia.net/east-java/
• East Java Volcanoes: Bromo to Ijen and Crossing to Bali:
  https://alamasia.net/east-java-volcanoes-ijen-to-bromo/

• Halo Halo Bandung and Ancient Sundaland- a Cradle of civilization?
• Jakarta and Kota Tua- Batavia center of the Dutch VOC East Indies Company
• Eastern Indonesia: Banda and Spice Islands to Raja Ampat, West Papua and the Lesser Sunda Islands: Komodo Dragons, Traditional Weavers and Volcanic Lakes
• Orangutans: Kalimantan and Sumatra

With greater awareness of its treasures, hopefully the beauty of Indonesia
may be experienced by more future generations.