Kerinci Seblat National Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest national parks in the country. It’s 14,000 square miles, and it holds many species and natural sites. A volcano named Mount Kerinci is one of the features of this park and it’s the tallest mountain on the island soaring nearly 4,000 meters in the sky. This happens to also be the highest active volcano of Sumatra. To reach the summit, it’s often a 2 day 1 night trip.

Although rare, this is your opportunity to attempt to get a glimpse of the rare Sumatran Tiger. Elephants, leopards, sun bears, and tapirs are other more likely sightings while exploring here. After your hours of trekking, a dip in the nearby hot springs might be a good idea.

Bukit Lawang

This spot is a gorgeous scattered little village alongside a river and the gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. Here is where you can hire a guide to take you through the jungle and see the Sumatran orang-outang. They are often easy to spot if you do a days trek and it’s a rewarding experience. Guesthouses are cheap in the area as most of the money is made through trekking. Monkey, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife will also be peeking through the bushes, so keep an eye out.

Lake Toba

Singapore is small, but a lake the size of Singapore? That’s one big lake! Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world and with Samosir Island slapped in the middle, it’s an absolutely beautiful spot to relax and venture around. Waterfalls, interesting Batak houses, history, amazing views, taking a dip in the lake, and simply relaxing are all possibilities. It’s truly an epic spot and definitely a must see while on Sumatra.

Pulau Nias

If you’re a surfer look no further. This is the home to some internationally known surfing competitions and world-class breaks. Sorake Bay being the best known surfing spot on the island located at the southern tip. The nearby Hinako Islands and Asu and Bawa also have some rad waves to ride, and as you wait for the perfect wave (which won’t be for too long) you might see a few turtle swimming beneath your board.

Mentawai Islands

I lied when I said you didn’t have to look any further to surf than at Pulau Nias. The waves at Mentawai Islands are equally as amazing. These are known as some of the best breaks on the island and you can find the perfect wave nearly anywhere here. Surrounding the islands are all different breaks, left, right, and beginner to expert. Post up here and show what you got when you and your board hit the water.

There are more hot spot than just stated here of course, this beauty has too many amazing places to name. There’s certainly more to Indonesia then just Bali, and Sumatra is proof.

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The Krakatoa (misspelled by the British from “Krakatua”) was a massive volcano found in the Sunda Strait, between the Java and Sumatran islands of Indonesia. It violently blew off its top in the 1883 explosion, and left behind a collapsed cone named “Anak Krakatoa” (child of Krakatoa) which today draws immense crowds. Ironically, the same volcano which could, anytime, spit and bubble volcanic matter is not only a tourist gem, but also an object of celebration of the local cultures that were once wiped out in the aftermath of the explosion.

The Krakatoa Festival 2013 will be held on August 25 until August 26.

Lampung Mask Carnival and Elephant Processions

While the Krakatoa Festival commemorates the destructive power of the volcano, it also does a superb job of putting together local customs and traditions – not to mention food – on display worthy of a decent side trip from Jakarta or Bali.

The Krakatoa Festival lasts for 10 days showcasing village girls in colorful and even over-the-top costumes. The participants wear the famous Lampung (hideous) masks which are in stark contrast to the beautiful costumes worn by participants. The parades are accompanied by music and dancing and, unique in this part of Southeast Asia, even elephant performances.

The festival is also an opportunity for local artists, artisans and craftsmen to exhibit and sell their work, and food-loving tourists to sample Sumatran and Javan cuisines. There are plenty of games for children and adults alike, like kite-flying, boat racing, paragliding, motor-biking, and running.There are also music festivals, talent shows, ethnic graffiti contests, painting exhibitions and photography competition.

Towards the end of the festival, the celebrations take place in the actual remnant of the volcano itself. Those who participate in the street parades will be taken from the shores of Lampung to the foot – and even hillsides – of Anak Krakatoa if deemed safe by local authorities (since the area is an active volcano). If you are planning to see Anak Krakatoa and enjoy a celebratory atmosphere, attending the festival is the best way to do it.

Lampung Culinary Bazaar and Tapis Fabric Carnival

The Krakatoa Festival is a major celebration of the Lampung province in southern Sumatra. As such, the people and the local regency take this opportunity to showcase other aspects of their culture apart from the famous Anak Krakatoa.

The culinary bazaar during the festival would let you sample typical Lampung fares like “seruit,” river fishes that are fried or baked and eaten with shrimp paste, processed durian or mango, and rice; “kemplang” or fish crackers; and “pindang Lampung” a spicy, yellow-colored broth.

Lampung is also known for its rich weaving history until the industry was wiped out by the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. Today, the fabric industry is slowly rebuilt with the Tapis Fabric Carnival, and once again Lampung designs come to mainstream attention. Because of their deft weaving techniques, particularly the peoples of Kalianda Bay, Lampung textiles are highly prized collectible items. You can score cloths that were only once intended for the aristocracy during the Tapis Carnival.

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Take for instance Fodor’s 7 Affordable Destinations for 2013. There certainly are plenty of places in Southeast Asia where a dollar goes a long, long way, and Cambodia is one of them. Throw in ancient archaelogical wonders like Angkor Wat and you have got a winner.

Then you have Conde Nast saying in its Destinations to Watch in 2013 that Maldives is out, Philippines is in! Those in the loop already know this, but given the massive campaign of the Department of Tourism that “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”, the country is indeed poised to invade the global beach scene.

And Lonely Planet has a word to say: Palawan. Also named one of the Hot 20 Destinations of 2012 by National Geographic, Palawan is indeed revving up for the influx of tourists that has been arriving and and are yet to come. Despite the fact that it can get elbow-to-elbow when visiting the now world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan still has plenty to offer. There’s El Nido, Coron, San Vicente, Port Barton (Sabang), and Balabac Island. And if you dare to explore the 7,000 others, the list could as well be endless.

In its Best Trips for 2013, National Geographic names Myanmar, along with world-favorite Indonesia, in the top 20. Indonesia, of course, needs no introduction, but it is worth mentioning that Raja Ampat, off the coast of West Papua, is the oceanic sister of the Amazon. Philippines has it too (Tubbataha Reefs) and so does Malaysia (Sipadan).

But Burma has a different appeal.

Largely ignored by mainstream travelers for the longest time, the country once named Burma took the spotlight once again when its homegrown champion of democracy, the house-arrested Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, earned a seat in the parliament. Today, because of its reclusion from outside influences, places outside Yangon and Mandalay seem frozen in time. Get ready for pagoda fatigue as you stroll along the banks of Ayeyarwady River.

Travel and Leisure still maintains that Philippines is more than just a side trip. You must have already heard countless times about Boracay, but what about the highlands of Nepal? Not technically Southeast Asian, Nepal is one of the favorite circuits of pedal pushers and summit seekers. Time to get to know it more this year.

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In our previous posts, we have featured some other (mainstream) festivals that border on squeamish to plain insanity, like the face-piercing Vegetarian Festival of Phuket to the mind-numbing Thaipusam of Malaysia to the really hilarious Parada ng Lechon of the Philippines. And if you think those festivals are next to normal, then get ready to suspend your unbelief for the moment for some more festivals that are better labeled as borderline.

Naga Fireball Festival, Thailand

Opinion is divided as to whether Naga fireballs are indeed natural phenomenon unexplained or simply pranks, especially that Naga fireballs have not exactly earned mainstream tourist traffic comparable to Songkran. But if you want to see for yourself, clear your calendar on October 18-19, 2013, and head to the Isaan region near the Lao border where the mighty Mekong River forms a border between the two countries.

Omed-Omedan Festival, Indonesia

You must have already heard about Thailand’s Songkran festival, the biggest of its kind not only in this part of the planet but around the world. This festival in Denpasar, the capital city of Bali, is part-Songkran (on a smaller scale) and part-Smoochfest. The Balinese call it the “Omed-omedan Festival” with the goal to make its youth more cohesive. It took place last March 13, 2013, the day after Nyepi, or the Balinese (Silent) New Year.

Nothing bonds people stronger than “kissing in the rain.”

Here’s Omed-omedan in action.

Lembah Baliem Festival, Indonesia

Ritualized aggression or mock fighting has long since replaced actual battles and that in itself is a huge leap anthropologically. At least, humans have found bloodless ways to express pent up emotions be it towards their neighbor or their society in general. Such displays of raw bravery may no longer be relevant in a society where the alpha male is brainy and no longer brawny, but it does serve the purpose of a socially-sanctioned outlet for whatever aggravation the “warring” parties may feel. West Papua (Western New Guinea), in a remote swath in Eastern Indonesia where non-essential travel requires special permit, still has warring indigenous tribes up until 20 years ago when the government intervened and introduced a more peaceful means for them to engage in “combat” without unnecessary loss in life and without inciting long-lasting vengeance. The result is the Lembah Baliem Festival complete with authentic accoutrements (spears, bows and arrows) with warriors in traditional loin cloths. The mock fighting and traditional games and cook-offs take place around mid-August, with the date revealed only days before the actual event.

This video offers a glimpse back in time minus the gore, blood and decapitation that usually accompany such battles.

Varuna Yajna, India

Rainmakers have long been highly regarded in ancient, particularly agricultural, societies for the simple reason that sometimes, the heavens get snooty and plainly refuse to let go its store of condensed water vapor. When this happens in Southern India, Hindu priests say prayers not just five times a day as Muslims would, but chant “vajna” up to 50,000 times a day! And no, the priests don’t do it with a religious song-and-dance but rather beseech Varun, the Hindu god of rains, for much needed moisture from the confines of rain barrels. (The Varuna Yajna is more of a ritual, and performed whenever the threat of drought looms.)

Kanamara Matsuri, Japan

Ultra-efficient and highly electronic are what people the world over know about the Japanese. Unbeknownst to many, the Japanese, despite their obsession with perfection and their inclination to commit “hara-kiri” if things go haywire, occasionally indulge in social “disorder” that is out of character. For who would think that beyond the spotless, ultra-modern toilets of Japan, there exists a festival built around – of all things – gigantic pink phalluses complete with all the anatomical nuances of the real thing? Known to Nihongo speakers as Kanamara Matsuri, the Festival of the Steel Phallus is serious business on the first Sunday of April in Kawasaki, a strip of land south of Tokyo and north of Yokohama. Quite fittingly, Japan needs more than ever to implore the goddesses of fertility: The country’s birth rate is desperately low and if they don’t do something about, they will face a demographic crisis. Of course, they need more than pink phallic symbols to accomplish that.

These photos may be politically incorrect but they leave very little to the imagination so those who want to see the festival may decide whether a parental guidance restriction is required or not.

The “steel phallus” in action.

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Indonesians enjoy “cuti bersama” or long weekends that have been instituted to encourage domestic travel. The Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare has not yet announced the official Indonesia public holiday schedule 2014, so dates of the events listed below may see changes as 2013 ends, particularly those of Islamic holidays.

These holidays are considered “tanggal merah” or red dates, so state offices, schools, banks, businesses and other institutions are closed on these events.

Below is the Indonesia Public Holiday schedule 2014.

New Year’s Day 2014 –Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Christians and other confessional groups that use the Gregorian calendar may be a minority, but Indonesia observes the worldwide celebration of western New Year.

Tahun Baru Masehi 2014 – Tuesday, 14 January 2014
The birth of the Prophet Muhammad is a major Islamic holiday and this day is marked with the reading of Koran, listening to sermons, and getting together in mosques and public places to pray.

Chinese New Year 2014 – Thursday, 30January 2014
The Chinese, like the Christians, are only a small percentage (3.7%) of Indonesia’s population, but still 8.8 million ethnic Chinese is a sizable community to make the Lunar New Year celebration significant. Indonesian Chinese, like their cousins in the mainland, commemorate the departed members of the family on this day and hold solemn rituals to remember their hard work that laid the foundation of the present generation’s fortunes. Customs vary from island to island, but the main components of ancestor worship are incorporated in New Year rituals. Families get together, clean their homes, settle debts and generally tie loose ends in anticipation of the New Year. The usual Chinese tradition of gift-giving, preparing special tray for guests, and burning incense in temples and places of worship endure. The New Year in Indonesia also features firecrackers and the lion dance; the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the New Year is even observed in some Chinese communities.

Hari Raya Nyepi or Balinese Day of Silence 2014 – Monday, 31 March 2014
Bali is home to at least 93% Hindus. Consequently, Hindu festivals are seriously observed. The most important of them all is the Balinese New Year, or the Day of Silence. As the name suggests, this day is spent indoors in meditative silence. There are religious patrols checking the streets for loiterers, so tourists will have to stay in their hotels for the duration of the Balinese New Year.

Good Friday 2014 – Friday, 18 April 2014
Indonesia regulates the religious activities of its citizens. Roman Catholicism is one such religion approved in this Muslim-dominated country, along with other minor religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Christian communities, particularly the Roman Catholics, commemorate the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ with candlelit processions. In Flores, Catholic rituals, like the procession of the dead body of Christ, are more colorful and vibrant since this island was once under Portuguese control. In Central Java and Yogyakarta where there is significant Roman Catholic population, Christ’s crucifixion is reenacted, an event attended by thousands.

Hari Raya Waisak 2014 – Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Buddhism is a minor religion in Indonesia. Nonetheless, Hari Raya Waisak is a major Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Monks and the lay celebrate this occasion by performing a pilgrimage to Borobudur in Central Java and making merits like offering food to the monks, listening to the chanting of scriptures, and burning incense.

Ascension of Jesus Christ 2014 – Thursday, 29 May 2014
This day commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. The largest gathering for the services is held in Jakarta, and millions more around the archipelago participate via satellite broadcasts.

Isra Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad or The Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad 2014 – Thursday, 26 June 2014
Another major Islamic holiday, the Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad culminated in his ascension to the heavens. On this day, the faithful gather for a prayer of thanks and to hear recitations of Koran. This is also the day when Muslims start their rituals of praying five times a day.

Lebaran or Hari Raya Idul Fitri 2014 – Monday to Tuesday, 28 to 29 July 2014
Ramadan or the month of fasting is a very solemn occasion for Muslims as fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Hence, at the end of this month, Indonesians move en masse to their provinces of origin to celebrate this important occasion with family. Days prior to Lebaran, business picks up as people buy new clothes, prepare traditional food and start their journeys back home. On the morning of Lebaran, the faithful gather in open spaces, mosques, parks and major streets to hold mass prayers. On the walk back home from this prayer gathering, people make quick visits to friends and members of their social circle to ask for forgiveness of past year’s mistakes as they forgive others for their transgressions. Lavish feasts are shared afterwards among members of the family and children receive gifts from their elderly.

Indonesian Independence Day 2014 – Sunday, 17 August 2014
On this day in 1945, the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read and led by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta who were appointed President and Vice President, respectively, the following day. It would, however, take four years for the Netherlands to acquiesce to Indonesia’s demand for sovereignty. On this day, the Indonesian flag of red and white is hoisted at the National Palace, a solemn occasion attended by the President and Vice President, key personalities in the Indonesian government and military, members of the family of the present and preceding president, and diplomatic corps. Outside of the solemn ceremonies, communities gear up for a day of fun and games.

Idul Adha 2014 – Saturday, 4 October 2014
The Feast of Sacrifice is another important Islamic holiday commemorating the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ismael. This day is marked with the slaughter of four-legged animals and the distribution of their meat to the poor.

Muharram 2014 – Saturday, 25 October 2014
The Islamic New Year is celebrated with solemnity. On this day, the faithful perform “satu suro” or deep meditation. In some regions, Muslims engage in self-reflection the whole night without sleeping and are only kept awake by puppet shadow performance.

Christmas Day 2014 – Thursday, 25 December 2014
On this day, Christians celebrate the day of their Savior’s birth.

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Famous as the Dutch East Indies in 18th century, Indonesia attracts travelers today in the same way it beckoned merchant ships braving the open ocean in search of valuable spices. Although there are clear favorites that leave travelers yearning for more, there are legions of islands and remote corners that beg exploration. Not surprisingly, Indonesia is often depicted as the last frontier of adventure and discovery, overloading the senses with the sublime and mundane, and every little thing in between.

When to Go to Indonesia

Indonesia makes it easy for the traveler to decide when to visit the country. As an equatorial destination, it has only wet and dry seasons. Rains start coming down in October and increase in intensity through April, while the weather turns nicer and hotter starting May and becomes relentlessly hot until September.

There are regional variations in these two seasons: Some parts of Indonesia are only hotter during the summer and less so during the rainy season, whereas others experience marked difference in dry and wet by the occurrences of drought and flooding, respectively.

The wet season in Indonesia should not deter an eager traveler, but they should be advised that rains can fall non-stop during this period, and this makes back roads impassable if not altogether flooded. Airline and ferry schedules are often subject to cancellations or postponement during the wet season, so flexibility is key when traveling to Indonesia during the rainy months.

Getting to Indonesia

The main entry points to Indonesia are in Jakarta, the country’s capital, and Denpasar, Bali’s capital. Both gateways receive and dispatch international flights daily, and hosts domestic flights to and from busy corners of the country. Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda and Sulawesi are major islands with connecting flights to other regional hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and other Southeast Asian capitals. Along with Maluku and Papua, these provinces are also major airline hubs of domestic flights.

By land, Indonesia can be accessed from the Malaysian town of Tebedu in Sarawak through the West Kalimantan town of Entikong.

By sea, dozens of crossings are scattered across the Sumatra-Peninsular Malaysia border, East Kalimantan-Sabah, and Straits of Singapore and Riau Islands.

Getting Around in Indonesia

Being a widely scattered archipelagic country, Indonesia has a legion of marine vessels that are indispensable to mobility. Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi are all interconnected by a nautical highway serviced by both government-run and privately operated marine vessels plying the routes daily or several times a week. Ferry schedules in Indonesia, however, have a reputation for being cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute (especially during the wet season), so flexibility and patience are required along with important travel documents.

Airlines are also getting their fair share of domestic passengers who want to skip the discomfort of long rickety rides and inconvenience of delayed ferries. But even they are not immune to last-minute postponements or cancellations. Nonetheless, airlines offer competitive advantages over ferries, especially now that there is an increasing volume of flights to and from major regional hubs.

Provincially, you can get around using buses and trams, particularly in Java, Sumatra and Bali. Trains are comfortable means of transport and only exclusive in Java and Sumatra. Within the cities, particularly in Jakarta, taxicabs are another comfortable option, although buses are far cheaper if a traveler does not mind squeezing in with all other (local) passengers and endure the slow-going and bumpy ride that it is characteristic of Indonesian public transport.

Locally, you can get around Jakarta on “bajaj”, the Indonesian equivalent of Thai “tuktuk” and Filipino tricycle. “Angkutan kota” (known as “mikrolet” in Sulawesi) are blue minivans that seat up to 8 passengers and ply fixed routes. Commuter trains also connect Jakarta to Bekasi and Bogor, and from Bogor to Jatinegara. From there, the railway fans out to Tanah Abang, Serpong, Duri and Tangerang.

In other major cities, other popular transport includes “becak” or bicycle rickshaws with the passengers out front and the driver at the back. It is a rough equivalent of the Filipino “padyak”, except that the driver sits on the left side of the passengers. Becaks, however, are not allowed to ply the main streets, but are excellent transport for back streets in paved roads.

“Dokar” are horse-drawn two-wheeled carts that are widely used all over the country. They are often bedecked with bells and colorful motifs. A “dokar” seats three to four passengers on benches arranged on either side, but expect that they can be crammed with families along with their personal effects to maximize fare.

Chartering “dokar” and “becak” for getting around anywhere locally can be done reasonably if you negotiate before you board the conveyances.

In Java, a larger version of “dokar” called “dilman” carries up to six passengers, while in northern Sulawesi, the two-passenger version of “dokar” called “bendi” is handy in narrow streets and short distances. “Mikrolet” is another favored means of transport in Sulawesi, a minibus that seats two passengers next to the driver and seven on the back facing forward.

“Ojeks” are another (rough) way to get around town especially on impossible (or impassable) roads. These are motorcycle conveyances that you can flag down in bus terminals, markets and busy junctions.

Bicycles, while very eco-conscious and extremely healthy to getting around than plain walking, are best ridden in compact regions like Bali. Elsewhere, bicycles are not (human) energy-efficient and time-saving way to go because of the sheer distance of getting from one point to another. But if coupled with train or bus and even ferry rides, bicycles are nifty conveyances that could get a traveler anywhere.

Driving your own vehicle in Indonesia can be a scary experience if you are not used to jaywalking pedestrians, ox carts on the roads, daring drivers, vehicle parking on narrow shoulders, and driving on the left side.

Accommodations in Indonesia

As a whole, the price range, quality and quantity of accommodation in Indonesia are influenced by the number of tourists that visit the area. The highly touristed the area, the cheaper, more plentiful and better the accommodations, while the less touristed it is, the fewer and more expensive the accommodations. Hence, Bali offers a plethora of lodging that caters to budgets of all types, whereas under-touristed areas typically offer basic to mid-range accommodation that end up more expensive when compared with Bali’s.

Where to Go in Indonesia

The sheer immensity of the archipelago makes it difficult to whittle down the list to a short one, but here are some of the best places in Indonesia to get started.

– Bali

The mere mention of Bali conjures a tranquil rural paradise surrounded by magnificent natural endowments that seem to have been heaped in one place, making other destinations inadequate in comparison. Carpeted by lush rice paddies; fringed by scrumptious beaches (down in Kuta), rugged coastlines, excellent dive and surf spots (also in Kuta); and strewn with volcanic hillsides, Bali also tantalizes the senses with its vibrant visual arts culture (in Ubud) and soothes the troubled body and soul with its unrivaled spa industry and deep Hindu spirituality.

– Java

The most densely populated island in the world which is home to 135 million souls is also home to the popular coffee beans and/or coffee that we know as Java (which inspired the moniker of a computer programming language), grown in the vast coffee plantations of this once Dutch stronghold. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is found on its western end, itself a worthy destination to experience if only for its sheer vastness in population density and cultural mash-ups. When Jakarta starts to get into your nerves (which it definitely will given the mayhem of 10 million people – 28 million including the suburbs – trying to fit in 661 square kilometers), escape to East Java to breathe a lungful of fresh air and take in staggering scenery at Mount Bromo, a constantly brewing reminder that Indonesia is a living, heaving confluence of tectonic plates. For a deeply spiritual and serene experience, head to Yogyakarta in Central Java and say your fervent prayers in the world’s largest Buddhist temple, the Borobudur.

– Sulawesi

Sulawesi gets its fair share of tourist curiosity because of its Rorschach-like inkblot shape that was the product of eons of tumultuous tectonic activity. Culturally, Sulawesi is the home of the landlocked people of Tana Toraja who are world-renowned for their intriguing funeral rites, bull-horn roof architecture (some say boat-like roof architecture) and buffalo cult. Underwater, Bunaken Marine Park, on the northern tip of this big island, is a heaving marine metropolis of western Pacific denizens, 70% of them flitting in and out of these waters between April and November.

– Borneo

The Bornean jungles stir something primitive in the unconscious. The Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is where that curiosity can be slaked to the full. Orangutans in their full natural splendor swing from tree to tree in the park, while on the forest floor pythons, sun bears, clouded leopards, and the giant parasitic flower rafflesia, among others, live in ecologic harmony despite increasing threats from agricultural clearing and illegal logging.

– Sumatra

Lest you forget that Indonesia is a living fire-breathing giant, head to Sumatra for a humbling lesson in geology. An army of almost 100 volcanoes is spread out in the land, several capable of blowing off their tops like an armed platoon gone wild. For a visual clue of what the aftermath might look like, head to Lake Toba, the biggest caldera on Earth described as “a lake on an island within a lake on an island.” To the west of Sumatra, the largest stronghold of matrilineal society is kept alive by the Minangkabau, another humbling reminder that men do not always wear the pants.

– Lombok

When longing for some tropical escape without the noise or pollution (or the smoldering volcanic fumes), head to the three “Gili” (small islands) of Trawangan, Meno and Air. Swing to the beat of reggae and float without care in the turquoise-tinted waters teeming with brightly colored coral reefs and turtles, sharks and rays.

– Western New Guinea

Very few primitive societies survive for 21st century scholars to study. But in Baliem Valley in the highlands of Western New Guinea, a stone-age backdrop unfolds revealing the recently (1938) “discovered” people called Dani.

– Lesser Sunda Islands

The real-life Jurassic Park is at the Komodo National Park in the islands of Komodo, Padar and Rincah. The komodo dragons are the world’s largest and most voracious lizards, capable of growing up to 3 meters long and weighing up to 150 pounds in the wild. They are sneaky predators, setting up ambush to hunt their prey, which does not exclude humans.

– Flores

One of the volcanic islands of Lesser Sunda, Flores flaunts with her multi-colored crater lakes, delectable beaches and achingly beautiful offshore scenery. The terrain could easily exhaust an impatient traveler’s nerves, but the jaw-dropping views compensate for whatever trouble its serpentine topography might present.

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• Brunei Darussalam
• Chile
• Ecuador
• Hong Kong SAR
• Macao SAR
• Malaysia
• Morocco
• Philippines
• Peru
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Citizens of visa-exempt countries can stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days although they are not allowed to extend their visits beyond the validity period. All other countries not allowed for visa-free travel are required to apply for visas beforehand or upon arrival. A Visa on Arrival (VOA) can be obtained on both air and sea ports of entry.

In favor of visa-required visitors, they can apply for an extension of stay for up to 30 days on top of the initial 30 day validity, and they should express this intention upon landing in Indonesia. Both VOA and extension of stay can be processed at the ports of entry. There are 64 countries and one region that are allowed for VOA. All other countries not allowed for visa-exemption or VOA are required to apply for visa beforehand in Indonesian consulates and embassies.

Upon arrival, visitors are required to have in their persons the following travel documents to be allowed entry.

• A passport with expiration date of at least six months from the date of entry;
• Round-trip airplane tickets or proof of onward travel.

Visa-exempt travelers and VOA holders are not allowed to convert their entry permits to other immigration permits like work or visitation. They would have to apply for these specific visas in their countries of origin or in the nearest Indonesian consul or embassy outside of Indonesia

Visit Visas for purposes of tourism, business and social and cultural exchange (or visits to family) can be acquired beforehand either in person or through registered mail. The validity period of Visit Visa is up to 60 days.

On top of these entry requirements, there are additional permits needed to secure beforehand when entering certain restricted regions in Indonesia. These are Poso, Irian Jaya and West Papua. Travelers who wish to enter these tourist-presence regulated zones need to have special written permission and approval from Indonesian authorities. Getting caught crossing over into these prohibited areas may result to detention, arrest and prosecution according to Indonesian law.

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The Indonesian equivalent of long weekends is “cuti bersama” or shared holidays. The Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare announced that there 5 days of “cuti bersama” this year on top of the 14 official holidays (Lebaran is celebrated for two days). These long weekends have been instituted to encourage domestic tourism.

On these red dates, government offices, schools, banks and most commercial establishments are closed.

Below is the Indonesia Public Holiday schedule 2013.

New Year’s Day 2013 – Tuesday, 1 January 2013
A worldwide celebration of the first day of the year according to Gregorian calendar.

Tahun Baru Masehi 2013 – Thursday, 24 January 2013
A very important Islamic holiday, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad is commemorated on this day.

Chinese New Year 2013 – Sunday, 10 February 2013
Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese makes up 3.7% of its population, or 8.8. million. This day celebrates the first day of the first month of the Chinese luni-solar calendar.

Hari Raya Nyepi or Balinese Day of Silence – Tuesday, 12 March 2013
The island of Bali celebrates its New Year according to the phases of the moon. In contrast with the Gregorian celebration of New Year, the Balinese welcome the first day of the first year in meditative silence. No one goes outside and tourists are not allowed to leave their hotels or lodges (there are religious patrols on the streets to ensure that no loitering occurs).

Good Friday 2013 – Friday, 29 March 2013
Roman Catholicism is one of approved religions in Indonesia, and as such, major festivals sanctioned by the Vatican are also acknowledged by the government. On this day, Catholics commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Ascension of Jesus Christ 2013 – Thursday, 9 May 2013
This day commemorates the ascension of Christ 40 days after His resurrection.

Hari Raya Waisak 2013 – Saturday, 25 May 2013
Buddhism is another government-acknowledged religion in Indonesia. On this day, monks and adherents celebrate the birthday of Buddha and flock to Borobudur in Central Java, the largest Buddhist structure in the world, to perform merits and religious rituals.

Isra Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad or The Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad 2013 – Thursday, 6 June 2013
This day commemorates the physical and spiritual journey of Muhammad to the farthest mosque where He ascended to the heavens and received instructions from Allah which He then took back down to the faithful below.

Shared Holiday 2013 – Monday-Wednesday, 5-7 August 2013
On these shared holidays, Indonesians are encouraged to take collective leaves to prepare for the end of Ramadan, or the month of fasting.

Lebaran or Hari Raya Idul Fitri 2013 – Thursday to Friday, 8-9 August 2013
Lebaran is observed at the end of Ramadan with mass prayers, visits to the family, asking of forgiveness and sharing of traditional meals. This massive exodus to the provinces and back to the cities means traffic mayhem in the streets of Indonesia.

Indonesian Independence Day 2013 – Saturday, 17 August 2013
On August 17, 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, later appointed as President and Vice President, respectively, led the declaration of independence from the Netherlands. Officially, the proclamation of independence was acknowledged by Netherlands in 1949.

Shared Holiday 2013 – Monday, 14 October 2013

Idul Adha 2013 – Tuesday, 15 October 2013
The Feast of Sacrifice commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his first-born Ismail. As such, this day is celebrated with sacrificing livestock (sheep, goat, cow, camel, buffalo) and sharing the meat to friends, family and the poor.

Muharram or Islamic New Year 2013 – Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Muslims usher in the first month of the Islamic calendar at the sighting of the new moon on this month called “muharram.” Fasting is observed among the faithful, along with abstinence from fighting, until the tenth day of the month, or only on the tenth day of the month.

Christmas Day 2013 – Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Christians celebrate the birth of their savior Jesus Christ on this day.

Shared Holiday 2013 – Thursday, 26 December 2013

Photo by Mr. T in DC

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