Sumatra Travel: See Sumatran Orangutans at Bukit Lawang

July 1, 2013

Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Indonesia Travel Guide

If you love nature, you’re going to love Bukit Lawang.

Bukit Lawang literally means ‘door to the hills’ and is a small, laidback tourist village located in North Sumatra. Bukit Lawang happens to be the main access point to the Gunung Leuser National Park, which is part of three national parks listed under the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

What most people usually come to Bukit Lawang for, though, is the Orangutan sanctuary, which is known as the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatra Orangutans. There are around 5,000 of these Orangutans living in the sanctuary so if you’re lucky, you just might catch a glimpse or two.

The Orangutan Rehabilitation Center at Bukit Lawang

As the largest sanctuary of Sumatran Orangutans, Bukit Lawang is one of the best places in the world to see Orangutans in the semi-wild.

The Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was founded in 1973 by a Swiss organization in order to preserve the decreasing number of Orangutans due to hunting, trading, and deforestation. The purpose of the centre is to rehabilitate Orangutans released from captivity by teaching them all the necessary skills to survive in the wild.

The period at the centre serves as a time to quarantine the Orangutans while helping them readjust to the natural habitat and reintegrate into the semi-wild population. After a while, the rehabilitated Orangutans are released back into the jungle but still monitored by the centre’s rangers.

The released Orangutans are still provided with supplementary food twice a day until they become fully self-reliant. Visitors to Bukit Lawang can see the feedings at the Orangutan Viewing Platform are 8 AM and 3 PM every day.

While watching the feeding, you’ll have the opportunity to learn a lot about Orangutans and the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

Best Time to Visit Bukit Lawang

Orangutans are at Bukit Lawang all year round, so if they are your only purpose, then there is no real ‘perfect’ season to visit Bukit Lawang. That being said, Sumatra’s rainy season lasts from November to March and you may want to avoid it during this time if you don’t want a rainy vacation. Still, the rainy season brings torrential rains that start and finish quickly and the days are mostly dry so it will probably not be much of a problem anyway.

One perk of visiting during the rainy season is that there are fewer crowds and you’ll be paying low season prices at the nearby hotels and resorts.

Also, if you don’t want to jostle your way through a crowd to witness an Orangutan feeding, avoid Indonesian public holidays and Sundays.

How to Get to Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang is located around 90 kilometres northwest of Medan, where you’ll probably arrive in Sumatra.

From Medan, you can take a taxi to Pinang Baris, which will cost you around 50,000 IDR ($5 USD). From here, you can get a direct minibus to Bukit Lawang for around 20,000 IDR ($2 USD) per person.

If you’re coming from Berastagi or Lake Toba, you can buy a tourist van ticket to Bukit Lawang from local tour agencies or from your hotel.

For more detailed information, check out this site. They have the most comprehensive info on getting to Bukit Lawang.

How to Get Around Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang is a conveniently small village and you can easily get around on foot. In fact, it only takes around 25 minutes to walk from one side of the town to the other.

Also, when you’re in the jungle, your only transport option is walking. This is a good thing since trekking gives you the possibility of seeing some of the Sumatran wildlife. If you’re lucky, you just might spot some elephants, tigers, sun bears, gibbons, clouded leopards, and of course – orangutans! On the hills, you’ll also get an amazing view of Bukit Lawang.

Things to See and Do in Bukit Lawang

The most popular thing to do in Bukit Lawang is seeing the Sumatran Orangutans. You can go to the twice-daily feedings to see them, but if you want to see other wildlife too, a great option is…

Trekking

Jungle trekking is super popular in Bukit Lawang since it’s the gateway to the Gunung Leuser National Park and because trekking increases your chance of spotting more Sumatran wildlife.

orangutan rehabilitation centre — Photo from http:ytravelblog.com

You can hire a guide through your guesthouse. It’ll cost you around 60 Euros for a two-day trek and around 85 Euros for a 3-day trek. This includes all meals, water, and snack, as well as a well-informed, experienced guide. In the evenings, you’ll make camp at one of the handfuls of campsites near rivers in the national park.

Remember that sightings of Orangutans and other rare Sumatran wildlife are not guaranteed, but if you follow your guide’s instructions, your chances of spotting some fascinating animals are good.

Even after you’ve jungle trekked and checked out some Sumatran wildlife, there are still some other activities that might keep you in Bukit Lawang…

Tubing

After jungle trekking for two or three days, a relaxing tube ride in the cool rivers is sublime. A tube costs around $1 to rent – simply take it upstream and then float down to where you began. Currents can be strong, so be careful on the water.

Tubing is best done in a small group and you can arrange a BBQ upstream, bring some beer and then enjoy a leisurely float down the river together. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Visit the Bat Cave

Going to visit the bat cave is a fun excursion. You can meander around rice field and rubber plantations on your way over and even visit some social projects like the Children’s Home on your way there. Don’t forget to bring your flashlight!

Relax

Bukit Lawang is a small, friendly town with a laidback vibe that many travelers end up staying to enjoy. You can fill your afternoons swimming in the cool rivers, fishing, talking to the locals, and attending the nightly jungle parties around the various guesthouses.

You just might find yourself staying for weeks.

Bukit Lawang Travel Tips

Always, always carry mosquito repellant. It is best if you bring some from your own country since local mosquitoes have a tendency to grow immune to the local repellants.

For trekking, make sure you wear shoes with good grip as the ground in the jungle can be slippery. Also, bring water, sunscreen, and a raincoat or poncho whenever you’re trekking in the jungle. A good LED headlamp is also a good idea.

As always – don’t forget to get travel insurance. Jungle trekking is more or less safe, but it comes with risks. Make sure you are protected.

Make sure you have travel insurance and enjoy the heck out of this paradise while you’re here! Happy traveling!

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Indonesia Travel: Sumatra Information and Travel Tips

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July 1, 2013

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Sumatra gets its name from a combination of the Sanskrit words Swarnadw? pa, meaning “island of gold” and Swarnabh? mi, meaning “land of gold.” The name is due to gold deposits found on the island’s highland, but Sumatra has much more to offer than just gold.

Sumatra is one of the most resource-rich islands in already resource-rich Indonesia and produces around 70% of the country’s total income. Oil and gas, rather than gold, are its most important exports, but it also produces plenty of coal, gold, silver, rubber, pepper, coffee, tea, sugarcane, oil palms, tin, bauxite, timber, and tobacco.

The People of Sumatra

Sumatra is the largest island that is entirely Indonesian and the 6th largest island in the world. The island is currently home to over 50 million people, who make up 22% of Indonesia’s total population. Much like the rest of Indonesia, Sumatra’s residents are a blend of many ethnic groups and languages. There are over 50 languages spoken throughout the island by a variety of ethnic groups, but many of the languages are closely related and the majority of the group share similar traditions.

Sumatra is a largely Muslim country, with around 87% of the population identifying themselves as Muslim. But you can still find other religious groups here – Sumatra’s population is 10% Christian, 2% Buddhist, and 1% Hindu.

Sumatra’s Geography

The huge island offers an abundance of natural wealth and Sumatra is a rare delight for nature lovers. There are jungles, volcanoes, and lakes to be explored and the rain forests of this island are so important that in 2006, around 25,000 square kilometers of the rainforests on Sumatra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and named The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.

Sumatra has over 10 national parks and 3 of them (Gurung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park) are part of the World Heritage Site’s Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.

Sumatra’s terrain is varied and fascinating to explore. There is a volcanic mountain range known as Bukit Barisan that spans the island’s entire west coast, providing a breathtaking backdrop. On the east side of Sumatra, swampy lowlands dominate, interspersed with mangroves and complex river systems. Despite the deforestation happening throughout Sumatra, you can still find lush tropical jungles all over the island. The equator crosses through the center of Sumatra, which can make a fun, tourist stopover spot.

Sumatra’s Flora and Fauna

But Sumatra’s greatest gem is its great diversity of flora and fauna. Here you’ll have a chance to see endemic Sumatran Orangutans (did you know that the word ‘orangutan’ is originally Indonesian?), as well as the Sumatra Tiger and Rhinoceros – if you’re lucky.

The island is also home to 201 mammal species, 580 bird species and around 300 freshwater fish species. These include the Sumatran Tiger, Orangutan, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Striped Rabbit, Shole, Dayak Fruit Bat, Malayan Tapir, Malayan Sun Bear, and the Sunda Clouded Leopard.

Sumatra also supports a wide range of vegetation types and is thus home to a rich variety of species, including 17 endemic genera of plants. Here you’ll find the unique Sumatran Pine which covers the Sumatra tropical pine forests of higher mountainside as well as the rare Rafflesia arnoldii (the world’s largest flower).

rafflesia flower — The gargantuan Rafflesia flower

Unfortunately, Sumatra has lost roughly half of its natural forest cover since 1985 – primarily due to deforestation – and many of the remaining species are now endangered. If you want to visit – the time is now.

Sumatra is a gem of an island that has much to offer a nature-loving traveler, but tourism on the island has been declining since the 2004 Tsunami which struck the western coast of Sumatra. Since then, recent major earthquakes in 2005 and 2010 has further helped the decline of tourism. Due to this, you’ll find that locals in Sumatra are very curious about the travelers who do still come through the island and you might find yourself the center of attention quite often.

Best Time to Visit Sumatra

Sumatra is a hot island and the climate is lush, tropical and humid year round with tropical rainforests forming a large part of the landscape.

There are only two distinct seasons on the island: the ‘dry season’ ranges from May to September and the ‘wet season’ is from November until March.
Monsoons during the wet season can cause flooding and blocked roads, so the best time to visit Sumatra is during the dry season.

Getting to Sumatra

Medan is the largest city on the island and its international airport has the most flights flying into it from neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Medan’s international airport also has numerous flights to various other Indonesian cities. Check out the best budget airlines flying into Sumatra!

Things to See and Do in Sumatra

Sumatra is an island rich with ancient traditional and breathtaking natural wonders. It offers something for every nature lover and culture junkie from exploring the thriving marine eco-systems off of Pulau Weh to staying at a Batak tribe homestay on Lake Toba.

Below are some suggestions of things to see and do in Sumatra, but the list is a lot longer than this. Sumatra is a huge island and there is a lot to be explored. Check out this post for a complete, yet simple, guide to Sumatra travel.

1. Medan

Medan is the capital of Sumatra and a great starting point for exploring the rest of this beautiful island. You can find vestiges of Dutch colonialism here, along with museums and ornate mosques. Learn more about things to do and see in Medan!

2. Lake Toba

Ahhh, Lake Toba is a must-see if you’re in Sumatra. Situated at around 1,000 meters above sea level, this picturesque lake holds a densely populated island at its center where many a visitor ends up staying and relaxing longer than he or she planned. This refreshingly cool retreat is the perfect spot to unwind after jungle trekking through Sumatra. It’s located around 175 kilometers from Medan – find out how to get there!

3. Berastagi

Berastagi is a beautiful town located about 70 kilometers from Medan. Its claim to fame – volcanoes, namely Gunung Sinabung and Gunung Sibayak. You’ll find plenty of trekking and wildlife exploration in Berastagi. Not to mention the wonderful variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers that this town is famous for.

4. Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang is a small village that is one of the top destinations in Sumatra. Why? Well, it’s located on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the three national parks that make up the World Heritage Site’s Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.

Bukit Lawang’s particular claim to fame is its Bohorak Rehabilitation Center, now known as the Orangutan Center.

5. Danau Ranau

The beautiful Lake Ranau, or Danau Ranau, is located in the Bukit Barisan Mountains of southern Sumatra. This lake is one of the least spoiled of Sumatra’s mountain lakes and offers cool, serene relaxation for its travel-weary visitors.

Sumatra Travel Tips

The same rules apply here as elsewhere in Indonesia – sun and mosquitoes are a fact of life here so bring sunscreen and mosquito repellant (preferably from your own country since the local mosquitoes get immune to the local sprays).

It’s also a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella since sporadic rainfall is a possibility here. If you don’t have those, though, you can also find them here.

And as always – travel insurance is a traveler’s best friend.

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Lake Toba: A Sumatran Island Beauty

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July 1, 2013

Lake Toba, Sumatra Indonesia travel guide

If you find yourself traveling in Sumatra, Lake Toba is a must visit.

The picturesque Lake Toba – known in Indonesia as Danau Toba – is the largest volcanic lake in the world, covering an area of 1,707 km2. That officially makes it bigger than several countries, including Singapore. It was formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption that’s estimates to have occurred 70,000 year ago and happens to be the largest volcanic crater on earth.

That gigantic volcanic eruption is at the heart of the Toba Catastrophe Theory, with studies attributing it as the cause of the previous ice age, climate change, and the largest human bottleneck that ever occurred. Estimates suggest that the eruption killed most of the human population that existed at the time, leaving only a few thousand survivors.

Today, there is no hint of the catastrophe that may have once occurred there. Instead, you’ll find a beautifully serene retreat that’s become a favorite of travelers looking to unwind and enjoy the peaceful nature and culture that exists at Lake Toba. You’ll find endless waters reflecting endless clouds and in the middle of the lake, a little island called Pulau Samosir which exists as the cultural center of the Batak tribe.

About Pulau Samosir

Pulau Samosir, or Samosir Island, is a Singapore-sized island situated in the middle of Lake Toba. Fun fact: Samosir Island is the 5th largest lake island in the world and it exists inside of the 6th largest island in the world (Sumatra). The island was formed by a new volcano cone pushing up through the existing Lake Toba volcanic crater.

You’ll most likely be staying on Samosir Island since most of Lake Toba’s tourism is centered on this little island inside the lake. There are plenty of guesthouses, restaurants, cultural centers, and even some bars to keep you occupied between refreshing dips in the lake. Samosir Island is also the cultural center of the Batak tribe, who are now mostly Christians and maintain several Batak cultural sites on the island. It is highly recommended you check them out!

Best Time to Visit Lake Toba

Honestly, the best time to visit Lake Toba is after a few days of fun but rigorous jungle trekking. 🙂

But the best seasonal time to visit Lake Toba is during the dry season – between May and September. The month of May is probably the best – since that’s when the weather is changing from slightly cool to warm. As the summer months progress, it’ll get hotter and there may even be sudden rains (although these are quick, fast, and passing).

It’s a good idea to avoid the winter months since there is a lot of rainfall here. Also, the Chinese New Year (January or February) tends to bring in hordes of tourists and Lake Toba can get crowded and expensive.

How to Get to Lake Toba

To get to Lake Toba, it’s best to fly into Medan Polonia International Airport and then travel overland from Medan to Parapat, which is the closest town to Lake Toba. It’ll take you around 4 hours by private car or taxi and around 5 hours by public bus.

The public buses are a great deal for budget travelers – costing around 35,000 – 40,000 IDR ($4 USD). Please keep in mind that public buses can get very crowded and that smoking is allowed on public transport, which might be a bit much to endure on a five-hour journey. If you’re not on too tight a budget, we recommend using a taxi service to get to Parapat. You won’t have to pay the full cost – these taxi services are more like mini-vans and seat up to seven passengers. You can book a spot in one through your hotel in Medan.

Both the buses and taxi service will drop you off at the ferry departure point in Parapat. Ferries leave every few hours so you can cruise through Parapat and explore its various markets and restaurants. The cost of the ferry is around 7,000 IDR (less than a dollar) one way. Just tell the ferry driver the name of your hotel.

Keep in mind that the last ferry is around 6 PM, so you’ll have to spend a night in Parapat if you arrive late. Don’t worry, though, Parapat is quite interesting in itself.

How to Get Around Lake Toba

The main method of transport is by boat and it costs around $1 USD per trip. Hiring a motorcycle is also a possibility, but keep in mind that the roads are not very well-paved and it’s going to be a bumpy ride. For nearby trips, a bicycle is also an option and you can find a few places to rent these.

Things to See in Lake Toba

Lake Toba is mostly sought after for its tranquil beauty, but you’ll also find plenty to see and do. Here are some of the popular things to see in Lake Toba:

Tuk Tuk

Tuk Tuk is the center of most of the tourism on Samosir Island. It’s a great place to walk around, shop and catch some fantastic views of Lake Toba.

Tomok

Tomok is around 5km from Tuk Tuk and it is a quieter area where you can experience the more local culture. There’s great food here as well as several stalls where you can find souvenirs for cheaper prices than in Tuk Tuk. You can also check out the grave of King Sidabutur while you’re here – he’s significant to the now-Christian local Batak tribe since he was the Batak King that introduced Christianity to his people.

Ambarita

Ambarita’s claim to fame is its stone chairs. These chairs are around 300 years old and are thought to be remnants of a sort of criminal court where the fates of criminals were decided. If you’re okay exploring the more morbid parts of history, find yourself a guide and explore – the guide will explain that serious crimes back then were dealt with equally serious punishments. The criminals were beaten and then lemon and chilli were rubbed into their wounds for further pain.

As the final punishment, criminals were beheaded and their bodies were thrown into Lake Toba. But before that – his dead body is chopped up and parts of his flesh are cooked with buffalo meat. The ‘meal’ was then served to the tribal council who paired the ‘meal’ with some of the victim’s blood.

The stone chairs, the place where the prisoners were kept, and even the boulder on which prisoners were beheaded are still there today – Ambarita is shocking and blood-chilling, but it is worth checking out.

Museum Huta Solon Simanindo

This museum is a must-see for anyone wanting to know more about Batak culture and tradition. You’ll see some great examples of traditional Batak houses as well as be able to catch a Batak dancing performance is you go in the early afternoon.

Christian Paraphernalia

As the country with the largest population of Muslims in the world, Indonesia might be the last place you expect to find Christian paraphernalia, but oddly enough – you’ll come across more Christian paraphernalia in Toba than in the American Bible Belt.

You can see it everywhere – women wear gold cross necklaces, most Batak homes have at least one Jesus-themed tapestry, and even the rice paddies and villages are built next to and around Protestant-style churches and tombs.

Things to Do in Lake Toba

Lake Toba has a lot to see and take in, but in terms of things to do…seriously, the best thing to do in Lake Toba is to just relax. Chill by the lakeside, take a dip in its pleasant, mineral-rich waters, pick up a book at a second-hand bookstore and chill some more.

If you really must do something more active, take a kayak out to explore the lake or plan an overnight party with some other travelers.

Or you can…

Swim in the Waterfall

Just above Tuk Tuk, you can find a waterfall that you might want to take a refreshing swim in by the time you reach it.

Relax in by the Hot Springs

There are hot springs around 40 km from Tuk Tuk and the water is really hot. You might be able to scoop it up and maybe even stand in it, but it is generally not swimmable. But it is a beautiful, scenic drive the whole way there!

What to Eat in Lake Toba

You won’t go hungry here. There is no shortage of delicious Indonesian food as well as European offerings. You can even find magic mushrooms and an assortment of ‘happy herb’ pizzas to appease your taste buds.

Lake Toba Travel Tips

As of September 2012, there is only one ATM on Samosir Island and that ATM only accepts Cirrus and Master Card. Make sure to get enough cash at Parapat before crossing the lake to the island.

If you have money to exchange, you can find money changers at Tuk Tuk on Samosir Island but their rates are not good – our advice is to do this at a bank in Medan before starting over toward Lake Toba.

The same rules apply here as elsewhere in Indonesia – sun and mosquitoes is a fact of life here so bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent (preferably from your own country since the local mosquitoes get immune to the local sprays).

It’s also a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella since sporadic rainfall is a possibility here. If you don’t have those, though, you can also find them here.

And as always – travel insurance can a traveler’s best friend. Don’t go without it.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Indonesia?

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June 30, 2013

best time to visit Indonesia

One of the most frequently asked questions about Indonesia is “When’s the best time to visit?“

The short answer to this question is: pretty much any time. Indonesia straddles the equator, and as such, tends to have a fairly even climate year-round (averaging 25C-30C all year round). There are really only two distinct seasons in Indonesia – wet and dry – and you won’t experience any extremes of winter and summer.

That being said, there are a few other factors that come into play when trying to decide the best time to visit Indonesia.

Where are you going?

First, its good to remember that Indonesia is huge. In most parts, the wet season is between October and April (low season) and the dry season is between May and September (high season) but this means different things for different regions.

Best time to visit to Kalimantan and Bali

For some areas, like Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) and Bali – the difference between dry and wet season is minimal, with the ‘dry season’ (April to September) being just a tad hotter and a tad drier than the ‘wet season’ (October to March). May, June, and July are the coolest months in these parts, with temperatures dropping to around 28C. The hottest months are February and March, with temperatures steady around 30C. Monsoon season begins around October and continues to March, but rains come fast and leave just as quickly so you can expect clear blue skies and plenty of sun during this time. Because of this, even the wet season is a great time to travel to these parts.

In fact, December and January are particularly fine times to visit Kalimantan and Bali since the higher water levels during this time of the year improves the accessibility of rivers and creeks. Not to mention that you’ll be able to avoid the typical swarms of tourists that flock in during the high season months of summer – and get the lower prices thanks to that.

Best time to travel to Nusa Tenggara (Best time to visit Lombok, Flores, Gili Islands)

But for other parts, such as the Nusa Tenggara islands, the difference is more significant with droughts being experienced during the dry season and floods in the wet season. Despite being just a little more east from Bali, these areas experience more pronounced seasons and during the wet season, the rain tends to come in sudden tropical downpours but it can also rain non-stop for days.

The driest months for these islands are August and September and the wettest months are November through February.

photo: Gili Islands

It’s a good idea to avoid areas like Nusa Tenggara, Flores, Papua, and Sumatra particularly during the wet season months of December to February. In these areas, wet seasons are wet and can result in a variety of not-so-fun traveling situations: closed ferries and blocked roads can prevent you from visiting areas you want to see and famous sights like volcanoes can be closed for climbing. Some national parks, like the Mount Rinjani National Park on Lombok Island, are closed during parts of the wet season so please make sure to check in advance before planning a trip around national parks. These islands are situated close to each other, but the duration of the dry and wet seasons vary per island – a good rule of thumb to remember is that the closer the island is to Australia, the longer the dry season.

Best time to travel to Sumatra and Java

The best time to visit and visit Sumatra and Java is between May and September. The rainy season on Sumatra and Java begins in November and lasts until March. The rains tend to come around the late afternoon, so you’ll still have pretty mornings in most cases.

The ‘shoulder’ months of April and October are decent times to visit as well, but keep in mind that monsoons in these regions can be very heavy and make roads inaccessible. Temperature average around 22C-29C year round.

Best time to Visit (travel) to Sulawesi

Sulawesi has two opposite climates – which isn’t much of a surprise when you take into consideration its funky shape and the fact that it’s on a geographical borderline. The South-West part of Sulawesi has a monsoon season that begins in October and typically lasts until March.

The North of Sulawesi, around Manado, sees most of its rainfall in June and July and has a dry season from August to October. Temperature also vary significantly on this island – it can be extremely hot along the coast with the temperature around 34C but the hills are rather cool with a maximum temperature around 24C.

What’s your budget?

If your schedule is more flexible than your budget, you’re in luck. Many parts of Indonesia get an influx of tourists around the high season months of summer. If you’re not on the typical working person’s holiday schedule, you can visit Indonesia on the “shoulder” months and get beautiful weather as well as avoid the hyped-up prices of the high season.

Remember that the Bali and Kalimantan areas are pretty great to visit at any time – even during the low season winter months when you can avoid throngs of tourists and get low season prices. For other parts of Indonesia, it’s great to take advantage of “shoulder season” – those transitional periods between wet and dry season.

The “shoulder season” is typically between March to May and from October to November. The weather tends to be nice during these months and there is a significantly less number of tourists. For some attractions, such as trekking on Mount Rinjani, the shoulder season is the best time to visit.

Other considerations when deciding when to visit Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world and as such, Ramadan is a big deal. The main Indonesian holiday period falls at the end of Ramadan and you can expect most resorts to be full of domestic tourists and a consequent price rise during this time.

It is also a good idea to avoid visiting Indonesia during Eid al-fitr, or Idul Fitri. It is a major Indonesian holiday and especially during the final days of Eid al-fitr, public transportation can become chaotic and many businesses might be closed.

The two events above are periods in which travel is congested and difficult yet they can be memorable times to visit Indonesia and experience a part of the culture that is not typically visible to the usual tourist circuit. If cultural events are your thing, Indonesia has a lot more to offer you!

Click here for a list of Indonesia’s best festivals!

Last but not least, travel insurance is a must wherever you roam.

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20+ Fun Facts About Indonesia

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June 25, 2013

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indonesia facts, facts about Indonesia, interesting facts about Indonesia, fun facts about Indonesia

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Indonesia Fun Fact #1.

Indonesia is huge. Composed of 17,508 islands covering approximately 1,919,440 square kilometers, it takes over 12 hours of flying time to get from one end of the country (say, Northern Sumatra) to the other end (West Papua Guinea).

Thanks to its geographical span, the country covers three time zones.

Indonesia Fun Fact #2.

Of its 17,508 islands, only around 6,000 are inhabited by people.

Indonesia Fun Fact #3.

“Indonesia” was first used by the British in the mid-19th century. The word comes from the Greek word nesos, which means ‘island’, and the Latin name Indus which means land beyond the Indus river.

Dutch colonists preferred to call Indonesia the Dutch East Indies or the Malayan Archipelago and so the name was adopted by the anti-colonial movement in the early 20th century.

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You are at the right place Indonesia’d is the Number one guide to Indonesia travel for more wonderful information, please check our home page.

Indonesia Fun Fact #4.

Indonesia is home to thousands of different flora and fauna, making it the country with the second highest level of biodiversity in the world (Brazil is #1).

rafflesia flower, Indonesia Travel guide, Places other than Bali — The gargantuan Rafflesia flower

Some of the flora and fauna are truly rare, such as the Sumatran tiger, the Javan rhinoceros, and the Rafflesia – the world’s largest flower.

Some animals – like the Komodo dragon – are endemic only to Indonesia. In fact, Indonesia is the only place in the world to see a Komodo dragon in the wild. And Sumatra is the only place outside of Borneo to see orangutans in the wild.

Indonesia (Not so) Fun Fact #5.

Indonesia is very rich in natural resources – its oil reserves alone make it the only South East Asian member of Nato and it is the world’s largest producer of palm oil. But despite being one of the G20 group of leading economies, roughly half of Indonesia’s population lives on less than $2 USD a day.

Indonesia Fun Fact #6.

Indonesia is extremely culturally diverse. In fact, there are over 300 ethnic groups in Indonesia, each with their own customs, traditions, and dialects.

Indonesia Fun Fact #7.

Although Bahasa Indonesia is the national language of Indonesia, there are over 700 indigenous languages. Most Indonesians speak their indigenous language as their mother tongue and Bahasa Indonesia for school and careers, making most Indonesians bilingual.

Bahasa Indonesia is strikingly similar to Bahasa Malay, which is no surprise since Bahasa Indonesia is a variant of Malay developed in the 1920s by nationalists and adopted as the official language of Indonesia after independence.

Indonesia Fun Fact #8.

Indonesia is strict when it comes to …religion. The government only recognizes six religions – Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, and Confucianism – and every citizen must officially subscribe to one of those religions, regardless of what he or she may actually believe. Two individuals with different religions are not allowed to marry unless one of them converts.

Indonesia Fun Fact #9.

Did you know that Indonesia is home to 12.7% of the world’s Muslim population? That also makes Indonesia the world’s largest Muslim country, with over 87% of the country’s population identifying themselves as Muslim.

Indonesia Fun Fact #10.

Indonesia has a massive population of over 238 million people, making it the fourth most populous country in the world – right after China, India and the USA. The island of Java, with over 140 million people, is the most populous island in the world.

Indonesia Fun Fact #11.

Indonesia exports 3,000 tons of frogs’ legs to France each year. Bet you didn’t know that.

Indonesia Fun Fact #12.

Yet another strange Indonesian export involves the Asian palm civet and coffee berries.

To be more specific, these small, cat-sized mammals are fed coffee berries. After they defecate, their feces is collected, washed, and used to make kopi luwak. If that sounds gross to you, you should try it – the action of the civet’s stomach enzymes gives the coffee an unrivaled richness of flavor without any of the usual bitterness. As a result, Kopi luwak is the world’s most expensive beverage, costing around $1,000 per pound.

Indonesia Fun Fact #13.

The equator cuts straight across Sumatra, Sulwesi, Kalimantan as well as a few other small islands that make up the middle part of Indonesia. If you have the chance to visit, do! – it’s a fun, albeit overdone, photo-taking opp.

You are at the right place Indonesia’d is the Number one guide to Indonesia travel for more wonderful information, please check our home page.

Indonesia Fun Fact #14.

Indonesia is one of the most geographically and geologically interesting countries in the world. The islands of Indonesia are stretched out between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plate, making Indonesia one of the most changing geological areas in the world. Every day, the country experiences three vibrations and at least one earthquake.

Indonesia has a fiery side, too. The country is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is home to around 150 volcanoes. They’re mostly not a threat – and make great tourist attractions – but the country does experience around one volcanic eruption per year. Occasionally, the eruption is a big deal – case in point, the Mount Tambora eruption of 1815 on the island of Sumbawa was and still is the largest observed volcanic eruption in recorded history.

Indonesia Fun Fact #15.

Speaking of volcanoes, Indonesia is home to the world’s largest volcanic lake. Lake Toba is situated in Sumatra is the site of a massive super-volcanic eruption that is estimated to have occurred around 69,000 to 77,000 years ago. It marks the largest known explosive eruption on Earth in the last 25 million years.

To make things even more interesting, a new island has formed in the center of Lake Toba, called Pulau Samosir. It now serves as the cultural center of the Batak tribe – former headhunters who are now mostly Christian.

Indonesia Fun Fact #16.

Speaking of headhunters, the Indonesian side of Timor is known to be home to the last-remaining headhunting villages.

Indonesia Fun Fact #17.

Indonesia is a country rich with myriad cultural influences from outsiders. This is apparent in the language, which has absorbed many loanwords from Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and various other Austronesian languages.

The borrowing goes both ways in some cases – some English words you take for granted have their origins in Malay-Indonesian roots. One great example is the phrase ‘run amok.’

Amok originated from the Indonesian word mengamuk which roughly translates to “to make a furious and desperate charge,” but comes from deeper spiritual beliefs. Amok was believed to be caused by hantu belian, an evil tiger spirit that entered one’s body and caused one to do heinous acts. As a result of this belief, those in Indonesian culture tolerated and dealt with the consequences of the act with no ill will towards the doer of the act.

Indonesia Fun Fact #18.

Indonesia was a regional superpower before it was colonized by the Dutch. The Sri Vijaya and Majapahit Empires spanned the entire Indonesian archipelago, even including present-day Malaysia and even the southern islands of the Philippines.

Indonesia Fun Fact #19.

Speaking of colonialism, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, was known as Batavia during the Dutch colonial period.

Jakarta is now known as a major global city, but it still has no high-speed railway system. Its population of over 10 million people rely on private cars and busways to traffic around the city – resulting in some of the worst traffic jams known to man.

You are at the right place Indonesia’d is the Number one guide to Indonesia travel for more wonderful information, please check our home page.

Indonesia Fun Fact #20.

While the majority of Indonesia’s population is Muslim, the small Indonesian Hindu population mostly lives on the island of beautiful Bali. On the beautiful island, you’ll be able to catch a performance of the Wayang Kulit, or shadow puppets, as well as beautiful dance performances and Hindu-influenced sculpture.

The irony of this, however, is that there is no word for ‘art’ in Balinese.

Indonesia Fun Fact #21.

Speaking of Bali, Balinese Hinduism is rich with ancient superstitions. One that endures to this day is not letting a baby’s feet touch the ground for the first six months of the infant’s life. It’s done to prevent the devil from entering the child and as a result, infants are continuously passed from relative to relative.

Indonesia Fun Fact #22.

Another fun fact about Bali is that almost everyone in Bali has had their teeth filed down. The practice is rooted in the belief that the six vices – anger, confusion, jealousy, drunkenness, desire, and greed – all enter the body through the top six teeth. By filing away the demonic ends, the vices are easily thwarted.

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4 All About Indonesia: Indonesia Fast Facts

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June 25, 2013

About Indonesia, All about Indonesia

An Introduction to Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast, sprawling country. It’s hard to even think of it as a single country – it’s more like a gargantuan tree with branches that extend out into various parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

And there are a lot of branches to the Indonesian tree. What we know of as Indonesia is comprised of a total of 17,508 islands extending 5,150 kilometers (3,200 miles) east to west in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The sum of these islands cover approximately 1,919,440 square kilometers, making Indonesia the world’s 16th largest country in terms of land area. Of these 17,508 islands, only 6,000 are currently inhabited.

With so many islands, it’s not hard to see how Indonesia got its name – the name Indonesia comes from Indus, the Latin name for the land beyong the Indus river, and the Greek nèsos, meaning island.

The largest Indonesian islands are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), Sulawesi, and the Indonesian part of New Guinea (known as Papua or Irian Jaya). Click here for an easy guide to Indonesia’s islands.

You are at the right place Indonesia’d is the Number one guide to Indonesia travel for more wonderful information, please check our home page.

Indonesia’s History & Culture

Indonesia has a rich and fascinating history. The majority of Indonesia’s modern population is made up of Austronesian people, who originally migrated to South East Asia from Taiwan. They arrived in Indonesia around 2,000 BC and quickly spread throughout the archipelago, pushing the indigenous Melanesian people to the far eastern regions.

Trade contracts eventually brought outside cultural and religious influences to Indonesia from India, China, and mainland Southeast Asia. Starting from the 7th century, the powerful Srivijaya kingdom flourished as a result of the Hindu and Buddhist influences that were imported into Indonesia along with traded goods. Srivijaya was one of the first Indian-ized empires and grew up around the coast of Sumatra, serving as the hub of a trading network that reached to many parts of the archipelago.

On neighboring Java, the Buddhist Sailendra and Hindu Mataram dynasties thrived and declined, leaving behind vestiges of grand religious monuments such as Sailendra’s Borobudur and Mataram’s Prambanan.

The last and most powerful of these early Hindu-Javanese kingdoms was the Majapahit empire, whose influence stretched over the majority of Indonesia.

Although the very beginning of Islamic influences dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries, the earliest evidence of Islamized populations is not found until the 13th century. By the time Marco Polo visited Northern Sumatra at the end of the 13th century, the first Islamic states were already established there. Other Indonesian areas gradually adopted Islam and it became the dominant religion in Java and Sumatra by the end of the 16th century. Indonesia is now the world’s largest Islamic nation.

It was also around this period that Indonesia’s abundant spices attracted the attention of European traders. Portuguese merchants first came to the trading port of Malacca in 1511 looking for spices such as cloves, nutmeg and mace. Such spices, rumored to cure everything from the plague to venereal disease, were literally worth their weight in gold and the Portuguese sought to monopolize the sources of the spices. But Dutch and British traders soon followed.

Eventually, the Dutch won and overtook the spice trade. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) soon established a spice monopoly that lasted well into the 18th century, until the VOC’s bankruptcy, and formal dissolution. The government of the Netherlands then stepped in and established Indonesia as-as a Dutch colony. The 19th century saw the Dutch cultivating sugar and coffee on the island of Java, which was soon providing 3/4s of the world supply of coffee.

The Dutch ruled Indonesia for nearly three centuries, but by the turn of the 20th century, the Indonesians were more than ready for independence.

It came in the form of World War II and the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.

Because the Netherlands was under German occupation, it had little ability to defend its colony from the Japanese army and less than 3 months after Japan’s initial attacks on Borneo, the Japanese ran the Dutch forces out of Indonesia. Most of the Indonesians welcomed the Japanese, seeing them as liberators from their Dutch colonial masters, but the optimistic sentiment soon changed as Indonesians were expected to endure even more hardship for the war effort.

Still, the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, which lasted from 1942 to the end of WWII in 1945, marked a critical turning point in Indonesian history.

You see, the occupation was the first serious challenge to Dutch rule in Indonesia. Plus, unlike the Dutch, the Japanese facilitated the politicization of Indonesians down to the village levels – educating, training, and arming many young Indonesians in the process. By destroying the Dutch colonial regime and facilitating Indonesian nationalism, the Japanese occupation created the perfect conditions for what led to the Indonesia Revolution, which would hardly have been feasible before WWII.

Within days of the Japanese surrender, Indonesian independence was declared. The Netherlands didn’t agree and a 4-year long diplomatic, military and social struggle ensued, ending in the Netherlands recognizing Indonesian sovereignty in December 1949.

Indonesia now is a melting pot of over 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries and influenced by all the cultures that have been present in Indonesia throughout its rich and diverse history: Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European.

You can find these influences throughout Indonesia. Traditional Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology. The current legal system is based on the old Dutch penal code and several Dutch words have managed to find their way into the Indonesian language. The art and culture of Indonesia shows influence from the Far East, the Middle East, and Europe.

It’s no wonder Indonesia’s national motto is “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” – literally, “many, yet one” and a reflection of their belief in “unity in diversity.”

You are at the right place Indonesia’d is the Number one guide to Indonesia travel for more wonderful information, please check our home page.

Indonesia’s Language

The official language of Indonesia is ‘Bahasa Indonesia.’ There are also several hundred local languages, such as Javanese or Papuan languages. Most Indonesians speak their ethnic language as their mother tongue as well as the official language of Bahasa Indonesia.

Indonesia’s Religion

Indonesia is the world’s largest Islamic country, but the government of Indonesia officially recognizes five other religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, and Confucianism.

Indonesia’s Climate & Geography

Did you know that over 150 of Indonesia’s 17,508 islands are active volcanoes? Indonesia is one of the most geographically and geologically interesting countries on Earth. There are over 400 volcanic mountains that dot the islands of Indonesia. These islands have a huge impact on both the Australian and Pacific tectonic plate. The Australian plate changes slowly move slowly upwards into the small plates of the Pacific plate which moves southward. The islands of Indonesia are stretched out between the lines of these two plates.

This interesting situation makes Indonesia one of the most changing geological areas in the world. Indonesia experiences three vibrations every day, at least one earthquake a day, and one volcanic eruption every year. Indonesia was also the site of two famous 19th-century volcanic eruptions – Tambora and Krakatau – as well as the epicenter of the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami.

Indonesia spans a range of 1,919,000 square kilometers and shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor, all of which to its uniquely rich cultural diversity.

Indonesia’s climate is tropical – hot and humid – although its high mountain peaks can get quite cool. The year is divided into a wet season and a dry season but because Indonesia is located at the equator, the temperatures don’t vary much from month to month. The coastal areas stay steady at around the mid to upper 20s Celsius (low to mid-80s Fahrenheit) all year long.

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About Indonesia, All about Indonesia

Useful Indonesian Phrases to Help You Travel Around Indonesia Like a Local

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May 26, 2013

rice paddies Bali, Indonesia Travel guide — Spectacular rice paddies in Bali, Indonesia

There’s no doubt about it – knowing a bit of the local language will ease your travels like nothing else. A phrase or two spoken at the right moment lends an instant familiarity to your interactions with locals and you may even draw out an appreciative laugh or two.

Most of the locals will speak some English and expect to communicate with you in English so when you bust out with some Bahasa Indonesia, they’ll be impressed or at least appreciative that you’ve made an effort to get to know some of their languages. It shows an instant respect for the Indonesian culture and with just a few words, you’ll find that you’re no longer viewed as such a stranger.

This doesn’t mean you have to learn Bahasa Indonesia overnight – just a few common phrases will do it. Memorize them and you’ll be traveling through Indonesia like a local.

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The Very Basics (Must Know Phrases)

Terima Kasih: Thank you

Tolong: Please

Kembali: You’re welcome

Permisi: Excuse me (to ask for something)

Maaf: Excuse me, Sorry

Halo: Hello

Selamat Tinggal: Goodbye

Apa Khabar?: How’re you?

Baik-baik saja, terima kasih. Bagaimana dengan Anda?: I’m fine, thanks. And you?

Iya: Yes

Tidak: No

Shopping and Getting Around

Berapa?: How much?

Berapa harganya: How much is it? What does it cost?

Mahal: Expensive

Murah?: Cheaper? (Said hopefully, with a smile – this is a powerful word :))

Kamar ___ dimana?: Where is the ___?

Di mana?: Where?

Di mana Jalan ___?: Where is the street ____?

Saya mau ke _____: I want to go to ______

Bagaimana caranya pergi ke sana?: How to get there

Berhenti disine: Stop here

Kiri: Left

Kanan: Right

Saya tersesat: I’m lost

Bisa bantu saya?: Can you help me?

Great for Small Talk

Siapa nama anda?: What’s your name?

Nama saya ____: My name is _____

Anda berasal dari mana?: Where are you from?

Saya dari _____: I’m from _____

Senang bertemu dengan anda: Pleased to meet you

Useful Phrases You Might Be Using A Lot

Apa ini?: What is it?

Hati hati: Go carefully

Cepat cepat (che-pat): Hurry

Saya tidak mengerti: I don’t understand

Di manakah kamar kecil?: Where is the toilet?

Fun Phrases You Might as Well Know

Bapak/Ibu ini akan membayar semuanya: This gentleman/lady will pay for everything.

Bersediakah anda berdansa dengan saya?: Would you like to dance with me?

Satu bahasa tidak pernah cukup: One language is never enough.

And of course, it’s always useful to know how to feed oneself. Check out the guide to eating in Indonesia!

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Jayapura, Indonesia: Your Gateway to Papua, Indonesia

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May 9, 2013

Jayapura, Indonesia, Indonesia Travel guide, Place other than Bali

Jayapura is the capital of, as well as the largest city in, Papua, Indonesia. The city has gone through multiple names, each reflecting a different period in its history. It was known as Hollandia during the Dutch colonial times and then adopted the names Kota Baru and Sukarnapura before finally becoming Jayapura in 1968.

Its current name comes from the Sanskit Jaya (‘victory’) and Pura (‘city’) and literally translates to City of Victory. The name was given by Suharto, Indonesia’s second president, as an indication of his victories while fighting Operation Trikora against the Dutch colonialists. The last battle was fought in Jayapura in August 1962.

Home to a population of around 200,000 inhabitants, Jayapura is one of the most off-the-beaten-path destinations in Indonesia. International travel to Jayapura is almost non-existent and you’ll rarely come across other tourists while traveling here. The tourists that do come to Jayapura are mostly passing through since Jayapura city serves as the gateway to Baliem Valley, the starting point for exploring the indigenous tribal cultures of Papua.

The lack of tourists in Jayapura means fewer people speak English and that arranging sightseeing activities may require a little more effort, but it also means that you’ll find a place that’s untainted by the tourism industry and ideal for immersing into the unique culture and history of the Papua region.

Best Time to Visit Jayapura

The average temperature is around 30°c along the coastline of Papua. There are two distinct seasons in Jayapura: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season generally stretches from December to April and it’s advisable that you avoid traveling to Jayapura during this time since heavy rains can cause floods that result in roadblocks and destroyed bridges.

The best time to visit Jayapura is during the dry season, which is from May to November.

Note: The Lake Sentani Festival is a spectacular annual festival held at Lake Sentani (30-minutes from Jayapura). It takes place around June and is an ideal time to visit this region and witness the fantastic festival.

How to Get to Jayapura

Jayapura’s Sentani airport is located around 60 km from Jayapura’s downtown and has flights to and from major domestic destinations such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Makassar.

How to Get Around Jayapura

There is a public transport system in Jayapura consisting of numerous minivans that have their destination route printed on the side. Each trip costs 2,000 IDR ($0.20 USD).

A more convenient option is to hire a car with a dedicated driver, which can be arranged through the Bel-Swiss hotel for around 600,000 IDR ($60 USD) per day.

Things to See and Do in Jayapura

Jayapura is most often visited as a stop-over on the way to Baliem Valley, which is a 45-minute flight from Jayapura. But whether you’re just passing through or plan on staying for a few days, Jayapura offers a few sights and activities that are definitely worth checking out while you’re here!

Danau Sentani (Lake Sentani)

Lake Sentani is about a 30-minute trip from Jayapura and it totally worth the trip. The beautiful freshwater lake is surrounded by the lush green vegetation of the Cyclops Mountains, which make a stunning backdrop to the clear waters of the lake.

The best way to see Lake Sentani and the surrounding areas is by motorized canoe. This way, you’ll get the chance to visit the small fishing village built on stilts over the lake where local fisherman have been residing for multiple generations.

Lake Sentani is also a famous primitive arts center and you’ll have the opportunity to see and buy bark paintings, sago bowls, and small carved handicrafts here.

Note: The Lake Sentani Festival is a spectacular annual festival held at Lake Sentani . It takes place around June and is an ideal time to visit this region and witness the fantastic festival.

Hamadi Beach

Hamadi beach is a local harbor beach near the city where you can see four large artillery embankments from WWII. The beach is not very well-kept but it is worth checking out for the WWII sights as well as the night food stalls selling yummy local fare.

General MacArthur Memorial

This memorial is worth visiting for the beautiful scenery it provides. It’s set atop a hill overlooking Jayapura’s harbor and city. You’ll be able to spot a number of old Dutch colonial houses on the road up to the memorial. Once on top, you’ll have a spectacular view of all of Jayapura.

White Sands Beach

If you’re craving soft white sand and balmy sea breeze, head out to White Sands Beach. It costs 20,000 IDR ($0.20 USD) to enter and in return, you get a clean beach with basic toilet facilities and shaded areas to sit.

What to Eat in Jayapura

Jayapura has countless warangs – streetside food stalls – that offer a variety of delicious foods. Different areas of the city have their own specialties so wander around the city sampling them!

The most expensive street food will costs you less than 40,000 IDR ($4 USD).

Jayapura Travel Tips

Please keep in mind that Papua is the last place in Indonesia where foreign tourists need a special permit to travel around. The permit is not necessary if you’ll be in the Jayapura-Sentani area – or in Biak, Raja Ampat and Sorong – but if you plan to go elsewhere in Papua, you need to get a permit. It’s an easy process and you can get it from the regional police authorities in Jayapura before heading out.

Avoid visiting Jayapura during the rainy season as heavy rainfall and flooding could cause landslides and other disasters.

The water in Papua is not safe to drink straight from the tap – it must be boiled and purified. Drink bottled water only during your stay here.

And as always – don’t travel without travel insurance.

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An Introduction to Indonesian Food

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April 26, 2013

soto ayam, Indonesia Travel guide, Places other than Bali

What is travel without a lot of…eating? In my honest opinion, one of the best ways to get to know Indonesia is through your palate. Indonesian food is as rich and diverse as its culture and you’ll find foods with Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, Polynesian, European influences as well as a plethora of dishes that are pure, indigenous Indonesian.

Whatever region the food hails from, however, there are some overarching similarities. One is simply spice. Remember that the Indonesia’s abundance of spices was what first attracted European traders to the region? The country even earned the nickname “The Spice Islands” at a point in its history. So it’s no surprise that those spices are used liberally and abundantly in Indonesian cuisine to the utmost adoration of some foodies and the heart-burning dismay of others. Remember to ask for less spicy (kurang pedas) if you fall in the latter group!

Cuisines vary by region and after trying a few dishes wherever you happen to be, you’ll have a hankering to roam from region to region, sampling as many of the local cuisines as your stomach can take!

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But for now, here’s a beginner’s guide to Indonesian cuisine. Bon appetit! Or shall we say Selamat makan!

Reading a Menu & Ordering

It’s always helpful to know what you’re ordering, yes? Here are a few useful words to know…

Nasi: Rice (it’s a staple, you’ll see this word a lot)

Mie: Noodles (also a staple, will also see a lot)

Ayam: Chicken

Sapi: Beef

Kambing: Goat

Ikan: Fish

Udang: Prawn

Cumi: Squid

Telur: Egg

Sayur: Vegetables

Buah: Fruit

And you’ll probably want it prepared a certain way…

Goreng: Fried

Asam: Sour

Asin: Salty

Manis: Sweet

Pedas: Spicy

As for your beverages…

Air putih/Ait matang: Drinking water

Teh: Tea

Kopi: Coffee

Gula: Sugar

Susu: Milk

Eating Food in Indonesia

Indonesia meals are usually eaten with the spoon in the right hand and the fork in the left hand, using a sort of shove motion to push the food onto the spoon. But in many parts of the country, such as West Java and West Sumatra, you’ll have the pleasure of eating food with your hands.

You’ll know if it’s meant to be a “finger food” when they give you kokoban, a bowl of tap water with a slice of lime in it. You really don’t want to drink this water.

If chopsticks aren’t your forte – you’re in luck. Eating with chopsticks is really only done in food stalls or in restaurants serving Chinese-adapted cuisine like mie goreng (fried noodles) and kwetiau goreng (fried flat rice noodles).

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10 Most Popular Indonesian Dishes

In case you’re brand new to Indonesian cuisine, you just can’t go wrong with the ten dishes below…they’re simply delectable!

1. Rendang

Rendang is a spicy meat dish with a creamy, spicy, flavorful coconut milk sauce. It originated from the Minangkabau ethnic group of Indonesia and is now a nation-wide and even world-wide favorite.

It’s most commonly served with soft, succulent beef as the meat.

This dish is a must-try.

2. Sambal

Sambal is not so much a dish as it is a sauce, yet it is so popular, it may as well be a dish. Sambal is an absolute staple on all Indonesian tables and the love of Sambal isso ardent that there are estimated to be as many as 300 varieties of Sambal across the Indonesian archipelago!

That’s a lot of variation for something that’s made with a combination of chilies, shrimp paste, lime juice, sugar and salt.

No dish is considered complete in Indonesia without a healthy dollop of Sambal and oftentimes, it’s the main attraction of a dish. You’ll find Sambal versions of everything under the sun – mango, mushroom, durian, cassava…you name it, they’ll serve it with Sambal.

3. Satay

Mmmmm. Roasting BBQ skewers of soft, succulent meat. You’ve probably tasted these in Thai restaurants as they’re a popular appetizer, but you must try them in Indonesia as well.

You can choose from a wide selection of meat – chicken, goat, mutton, or rabbit – and these yummy morsels of meat are marinated in turmeric, barbecued over hot coals, and then bathed in a hearty does of peanut sauce.

4. Nasi Goreng

No list of Indonesian food is complete without Nasi Goreng, long-considered Indonesia’s national dish. This simple, Chinese-influenced fried rice dish differentiates itself from all the other fried rice dishes of the world with a sweet, thick soy sauce called kecap and a sprinkling of acar, pickled cucumber and carrots for a refreshing note.

A slightly runny egg tops off the yummy picture.

5. Gado Gado

Sure, Nasi Goreng might be the national dish, but nothing represents culturally diverse Indonesia like the popular Gado Gado.

Gado Gado literally translates to “mix mix” and is a term often used to describe situations that are all mixed up. The dish lives up to its name – Gado Gado is a healthy, hearty mix of veggies that are boiled and blended together.

6. Nasi Padang

A South East Asian favorite, the popular Nasi Padang is 100% Indonesian.

The dish is not so much a dish as a mini-buffet: Nasi Padang dishes are prepared in a hot, spicy, dry style of cooking full of flavor and aroma.

Choose from around a dozen dishes and dig in!

7.Ayam Goreng

Sure, you can find KFC in Indonesia, but after you try Ayam Goreng, you won’t even be tempted to visit. Indonesia’s fried chicken dish uses small village birds that are given free reign to run around the yard all their lives. The life spent roaming free and happy – as opposed to being cooped up in a cage – makes these chickens pure juicy yumminess.

Freedom never tasted so good.

8. Soto

Soto is ubiquitous in Indonesia – you can trek from one end to another and still manage to consume a bowl of Soto every day. The broth and ingredients do vary across the archipelago, however, so you probably won’t even get sick of eating it.

It’s a super simple dish, a traditional soup composed of broth, meat and veggies. Common street versions are made of a simple, clear soup flavored with chicken, goat, or beef – sometimes with a deliciously sweet, creamy, coconut-milk base.

Garnish with crispy shallots and fried garlic and you’ll understand why this simple dish is so darn popular.

9. Bakso

Another Chinese-influenced dish, Bakso made it to international fame when President Barack Obama fondly recalled it being one of his favorites during a recent trip to Jakarta. The main feature of this dish is the Bakso, or Indonesian meatball, which is made a meat – beef, chicken, fish, shrimp – combines with a big of tapioca flour.

These meatballs come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors but are usually served in a bowl of beef broth with noodles, veggies, tofu, egg, and wontons and sprinkled with fried shallots and celery.

10. Rawon

Last but certainly not least, Rawon is a deliciously flavorful black beef stew from East Java. The soup uses keluak nut for a deepy, nutty flavor combined with garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, and red chili for a hearty spiciness.

It’s an unforgettable flavor.

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