Forming a bridge between Southeast Asia and Australia, it contains some of the world’s largest islands (part of Borneo, Java, part of New Guinea and Sumatra). The romance of Indonesia for Americans has to do with its distance from the United States; its exotic mix of cultures (Dutch, Indian and indigenous, in a predominantly Moslem environment), and its tropical and varied natural beauty. Even names and words associated with it evoke exotica: the Spice Islands, Bali, Borneo, Java, rijstafel, indigo, monsoon. Speaking of monsoons, rains from these tropical storms control Indonesia’s weather. Temperatures are warm and constant year-round, so the real scheduling issue for travelers is planning trips to avoid the times of heavy rainfall, and those times vary from one end of the country to the other.

The tropical climate and surrounding seas ensure visitors will find scenery that is lush, fragrant and conducive to the relaxation that vacationers crave. There is a caveat to that observation: Mostly in late summer/early fall, the skies in parts of Indonesia, such as Borneo and Sumatra, can suffer from moderate or even dense smoke haze produced by the seasonal land and forest burnings (as part of maintenance for rice fields and palm oil plantations). Of course, lush scenery can be found closer to home. Its history, culture and people are what really make Indonesia special. Each of its more than 300 ethnic groups has its own cultural and religious identity. For example, while the majority of Indonesians follow Islam, there is a distinct Chinese minority (Buddhist) and Bali is largely Hindu. For more than 300 years, the Netherlands controlled the islands, and a Dutch influence is still in evidence. For example, we think of rijstafel as Indonesian — and the meal of rice with numerous spicy side dishes is Indonesian, but the word is Dutch for rice table.

Since Indonesia is still fairly “foreign” to Americans, it is not surprising that it appeals mostly to venturers. They enjoy exploring new terrains and trying new experiences before their friends and neighbors do. Centrics and authentics will enjoy the more populated islands of Java and Madura, where there is more of a tourist infrastructure and where they can shop for outstanding arts and crafts. The less venturesome — or any travelers, in fact — appreciate the music and dance performances, good prices and the friendly people.

Visit Camp Leakey, a center for the study of orangutans in Tanjung Puting National Park on Borneo. You can see and learn more about these animals while also taking in a park noted for its unspoiled beauty.

Let Balikpapan on Borneo be the starting point for a cruise up the Mahakam River. Travel by houseboat to Tanjung Isau to visit a Dayak longhouse. Also, visit Melak, where black orchids bloom, and visit the villages of Tering and Long Iram, noted for their Dayak tribal carvings.

Arrange a dawn charter trip with local fishing boats as a way to spend a few hours dolphin watching on the north coast of Bali. For a little more time and money, arrange to go to Menjangan Island and Labuan Lalang for snorkeling and diving.

Go to Nias for surfing (best April to October), but don’t miss the opportunity to learn something of the local culture. Watch the Nias people perform their war dance noted for its acrobatic jumps; also, watch demonstrations of a local skill called stone jumping.

Go snorkeling or diving at Pulau Bunaken in northern Sulawesi. This is considered by some as one of the top snorkel and dive sites in the world. There are numerous other choices, and within this great stretch of islands, sightings could include big tunas, barracudas, manta rays, sharks, the dugong (relative of the manatee), tiny porpoises and the huge sperm whale.

See if you can get to the island of Komodo for a sighting of the legendary Komodo dragon in its own habitat.

Allow plenty of time for a thorough tour of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. You will gain an understanding of the huge project undertaken in the 20th century to restore a valuable cultural site that had been ignored for centuries.

Visit the Mount Leuser National Park on Sumatra, for an alternative way to see and learn about the orangutans.

Visit Torajaland (Tana Toraja) in Sulawesi, and if you are lucky, your visit will coincide with some part of a traditional, weeklong Toraja funeral at which sacred water buffalo are slaughtered and lots of food is shared among the many who’ve traveled far for the event. Torajans are Christian but have not shed all animist beliefs.

Bali is a world onto itself. Here you can collect beaches and collect temples, so to speak. See how many different beaches and temples you can experience. Dive on the north coast and “tour” a World War II shipwreck while viewing the sea life that gathers there.

Book an adventure cruise as a way to visit several Indonesian islands.

Bird-watching opportunities abound in parks and elsewhere, but here is a choice option: Look for the Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, which can be seen only on Batanta Island, Irian Jaya.

Attend a shadow puppet show. Then buy a shadow puppet or two for display at home.

Buy batik fabrics from which you can fashion gorgeous clothes you could not buy at home. Yogyakarta in central Java is famed for its vibrant batiks, as well as distinct court music and dance.

Take in performances of music and classical or folk dance, which will bring you closer to the people who inhabit these islands.

On Bali, in particular, there are several notable types of traditional dances, sometimes accompanied by bizarre music, sometimes involving dozens or hundreds of dancers. Don’t miss the chance to see these performed.

Rather than stay in a hotel, rent a villa on Bali.

Visit Lake Toba, the largest in Southeast Asia and set in the caldera of a giant volcano that collapsed some 100,000 years ago. A key attraction is the lake’s Samosir Island, home of the Toba Batak people and site of their royal tombs, stone carvings and dramatic traditional architecture. The trip also offers a cool and sunny place for hiking and swimming.

For more information, consult the Tourism Indonesia at www.tourismindonesia.com
Also, Bali Tourism Board at www.bali-tourism-board.com

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