Indonesia Travel Agent Expert -that lived in Bali!

Photo I took of temple in Ubud, Bali

Indonesia:

Indonesia is known as a travelers paradise. The country is composed of over 1700 islands. It is a place where the scale of beauty is almost hard to comprehend unless you are there experiencing it yourself. Whether you are looking for adventures in nature or a relaxing tropical escape, Indonesia has what you are looking for. Crystal blue waters, abundant wildlife, waterfalls the size of skyscrapers, flowers everywhere, volcanoes, beaches with sand of all different colors, exotic fruits, surfers, the list goes on and on. The most popular places to visit are Bali, Komodo National Park, and Raja Ampat. I spent a month living and working as a volunteer in Bali and fell in love with the people, food, and culture. If you are looking for a destination that offers a total sensory recalibration, Indonesia is the answer. It is a land where ancient spirit meets modern energy, and every island tells a completely different story. Religion is practiced in such a beautiful way here, it is intertwined in daily life and respected by everyone.

Nature:

For a nature lover Indonesia has a wide range to display. Dense rainforests filled with different kinds of monkeys and hikes to waterfalls, and diverse ocean life like nowhere else. For a more rugged experience there are different kinds of volcanoes you can summit on the different islands. I myself climbed the volcano Mt. Batur in Bali to see the sunrise at the summit. Other islands such as Java are famous for multi-day hikes to see Mount Bromo volcano and Ijen crater. If you are more of an aquatic nature lover the oceans here have magical biodiversity. The underwater universe is like no other with thousands of species of fish, manta rays, sharks, whales, and more. There are boat tours where you can swim among dolphin pods in Bali, or go to Sumbawa where you can swim with whale sharks. Snorkeling is easily accessible in most places here but if you are scuba certified consider traveling to Raja Ampat, an archipelago globally known as one of the best diving hot spots in the world. Did I mention that you can also take surf lessons on many of the islands? The activities and possibilities for adventure are endless. Komodo National Park is also known for its other worldly day trips, where you can visit pink sand beaches, see komodo dragons in their natural habitat, and also experience volcanic island hiking that is less intense.

Culture:

Bali is often referred to as “the land of the gods” because of the island's deep Hindu spirit, with thousands of ornate temples, daily practiced rituals, and a holy calendar that is recognized by the government. The culture here emphasizes harmony among gods, people, and nature. The people of Bali are filled with kindness, and give constant respect back to the land. Bali is also famous for its yoga teacher training, retreats, and other meditative practices. Being able to witness the culture and spirituality here is a privilege. While living and volunteering in Bali I was invited to a traditional wedding and was able to see how differently they celebrate. Observing how two people are unified in another culture was beautiful. The bride and groom wore ornate golden headpieces, and there was a large meal shared seated on the floor with all of the guests, afterwards karaoke was sung as everyone cheers to the couple, drinking locally distilled arak (a fermented alcohol) celebrating the night.

Hospitality and coffee culture are also thriving in Indonesia. There are many different options for coffee tours depending on where you choose to visit. I did a coffee and tea tour in Ubud, Bali where I was able to try luwak coffee which is known to be extremely coveted. I was surrounded by rice terraces and could hear waterfalls in the distance while sipping on coffee and tea flights and trying balinese chocolate. 

My “Why Indonesia”:

Even with an array of activity options your trip to Indonesia can have an itinerary as full or as open as you would like. There are many hotels and resorts that are designed to just be appreciated through relaxation and absorbing the beauty of your surroundings. Ecotourism is booming here with nature activities and ecolodging options. The long trip to the other side of the world is worth the memories you’ll make here, where you really are transported to paradise. I am still in contact with many of the locals I met in Bali that showed me unforgettable places and gave me experiences like being able to swim with whale sharks, and watch people carve traditional masks out of wood. Intimate moments like this are why travelling feeds your soul, and Indonesia is a place that will change how you see the world.