Things to do in Indonesia

To discover some of the country's 167 active volcanoes, head to Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. For beach lounging, aside from popular Bali, Maluku and Nusa Tengarra offer idyllic settings. The wildlife of the rainforests can be discovered in Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java or Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra.

Deemed one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, Borobudur Buddhist Temple was completed in the 9th century and is a visually and spiritually noteworthy structure. Its nine stacked platforms rise from the landscape of palms and rice paddies like an ancient fortress.

Eerie and imposing, the temple has a wow factor on par with any of the pyramids. You can climb the structure and even join the monks for some chanting during the six daily prayer times (check the schedule).

Take note of the impressive reliefs that adorn the walls illustrating the life of Buddha Shakyamuni and the principles of his teaching The area has become a hub for Buddhism with a number of monasteries established nearby. Borobudur is simply a must.

The Ubud Monkey Forest – aka the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary – is exactly what it sounds like. Hordes of long-tailed macaques patrol the forest and its three holy temples.

The forest is an uncontrolled environment (part of what makes it special) and that means visitors should follow guidelines with great care. It is strongly recommended not to feed the monkeys, or pack any food at all lest it get stolen. It’s an enchanting and very different experience perfect for those seeking something off the beaten track.

The Monkey Forest is an important conservation and behavioural study sanctuary. It may be a popular tourist attraction, but its purpose is greater than mere entertainment.

How does a 2-3 hour trek up a mountain at sunrise sound? How about up an active volcano? Mount Bromo tends to erupt once every few years but don’t let that dissuade you. Local authorities closely monitor volcanic activity and issue warnings when climbing is unsafe.

Bromo is beautiful from any angle but trekking to the top offers some truly spectacular vistas of an eerie but enchantingly desolate landscape. The temperature can drop below zero during the dry season but varies greatly depending on the elevation and weather, so it’s worth layering up.

Mount Bromo is also the focus of the annual Kasada festival which involves locals making offerings of food and even money by throwing them into the crater.

Think ‘Indonesian holiday’ and the mind hops instantly to Bali – one of the leisure capitals of south-east Asia. Bali’s most famous district is Seminyak. It has wonderful beaches such as Legian and Kuta for surfing, or the quieter strip of Petitenget for sunbathers.

Not only is it a great spot to swim, it’s also home to many luxury hotels and boutique shopping. Take time to explore one of the many rooftop dining options while you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Treat this as the calm before the storm because a world of nightlife explodes once the sun goes down.

Whether it’s sipping cocktails on the sand or shopping up a storm, this is the place. If you want to be amongst the action, the best of everything can be found in Seminyak.

Hinduism has a strong presence in Indonesia alongside many other religions. Prambanan Temple is the largest temple complex dedicated to Shiva – and one of the most striking monuments – in the country.

Prambanan Temple comprises 240 temples itself, while the entire complex has more than 500, looming stone structures jutting skywards like open-air stalagmites.

Built during the 9th century, Prambanan shares a similar style with the Buddhist Temple at Borobudur. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and deservedly so.

Source Escapetravel