9 Reasons to Start Your Round-the-World Trip in Indonesia

Travelling outside your own country is something that everybody should experience; it gets you out of your comfort zone and is a great chance for personal growth. Experiencing the different cultures and traditions of the other side of the world will broaden your horizons more than anything else. There is no reason to rush from country to country to see as much as you can. Take your time to immerse yourself in one location that is completely different from your own and and it's a perfect time to to start your trip in Indonesia.

Beautiful Island of Bali

Bali is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, its art and its diverse culture. It has been awarded as one of the best island destinations by The International Travellers Magazine. You will fall in love with its soaring seaside cliffs, dramatic volcanoes and lush terraced valleys. The beautiful island is home to places of religious importance including Uluwatu Temple, Taman Ayun Temple and Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. The allure of this paradise isle has no limits.

Scuba Diving Experience

Known for its highly diverse marine life, Indonesia is home to 20% of the worlds coral reefs. Aside from the 3,000 different species of fish and 600 coral species, there are also shipwrecks from World War II - so it is a truly unique experience.

Spa and Relaxation

Indonesia offers world-class relaxation facilities to re-energize the body and revitalize the mind. It is famous for its spa services and these are often available on the beach for real relaxation.

Mesmerizing Wildlife

Currently the closest species to the dinosaurs are the world's largest lizards, the Komodo Dragons, which can be seen in the Komodo National Park of Indonesia. These ferocious dragons provide a truly unique tourist attraction. In total, Indonesia has more than 380 mammal species including elephants, Sumatran tigers, orangutans and Javan rhinoceros.

World's Most Expensive Coffee

Largely produced in Indonesia, Kopi Luwak is the most expensive and rarest gourmet coffee product in the world. It includes partly digested coffee cherries eaten and digested by the Asian civet cat. Yes, you read that correctly, this is not a product for the faint hearted! It’s a local delicacy and many locals believe it to be extremely beneficial for warding off various diseases.

Read also: Increased Risk of Travelling to Bali

Active Volcanoes

Indonesia has a large number of active volcanoes with Mount Merpai as the most active. According to records it has erupted 68 times to date. These volcanoes provide a thrilling and unique experience and a vividly beautiful landscape. Take a guided tour to marvel at this natural wonder.

Enchanting White Lakes

Kawah Putih, a stunning white lake amid Southern Bandung's hazy hilltops and lavish landscapes is a visitor's paradise. The lake is 2,430 metres above the sea level and the temperature is relatively chilly, ranging from about 10-12 degrees Celsius. The mesmerising scenery will stay with you forever.

Culture and Traditions

Indonesia has a diverse culture shaped by the long interaction between the native culture and the foreign influences. The contemporary culture inherits practices from various religions making it a complex cultural mixture of beliefs. Indonesians, being very creative, have over 3,000 original traditional dance forms. The country is full of rhythm and music. Gamelan is the most popular Indonesian music which is a real treat for all music lovers. Every part of the country has something new to offer, so wherever you go, you are bound to learn something new.

Mouthwatering Food

Indonesian cuisine is so varied that you can try a dish every day and still be eating something new for weeks! A popular dish is Bakso, which is essentially beef balls served in a bowl of yellow noodles or bihun (vermicelli) topped with sambal, which is a type of hot sauce. Other famous dishes to try are Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Mie Ayam (chicken noodles).

So are you ready for the greatest adventure in your life? Start with Indonesia today.

Read also: Risks of Travelling to Asia with Kids