THE 20 BEST THINGS TO DO IN INDONESIA

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Indonesia is one of the destinations we are looking forward to returning to. During our first trip we only decided to explore two of its thousands of islands: Java and Bali. Later we returned like 3 more times to Bali and made a brief incursion into the Gili Islands. But we have a lot, a lot to do in Indonesia. This post is intended for everyone who wants to enjoy the best of Indonesia, a kind of wishlist that applies to us too (we didn't do everything, of course). Without more, we leave you the 20 best things to do in Indonesia (at least once in a lifetime).

1. Discover that as tourist is Bali, the island of the Gods is one of the most incredible places in the world. It will be because of its temples, it will be because of its unique religion in the world, it will be because of its extraordinary people ... Bali has something special that hooks the traveler. Here you have all our Bali items.

2. Fall in love with the turquoise blue of Gili Islands. If you don't know which one to choose, we tell you the differences between Trawagan, Air and Meno. After the terrible earthquake that hit them in August 2018, they are slowly becoming the paradise they were. If you have planned a trip to Bali for more than a week, it is worth spending a few days in here. This is the best thing to do in the Gili.

3. Those who follow traveler accounts on Instagram will have already realized that Nusa Penida (and in particular Kelingking Beach) is one of the fashion destinations, and what do you have to do? Go alone because Instagram dictates that? No, obviously! You have to go because if in photos the site removes the hiccups ... imagine live! Tip: it is a very close island to Bali so it is not difficult to reach.

4. On the island of Java you cannot miss a Bromo volcano excursion, without a doubt one of the great highlights of a trip to Indonesia. Of course, inform yourself well before deciding which tour to take, we live a somewhat interesting and theatrical XD experience. Here we leave you the post we wrote about it. Now we laugh but at that moment buaaahhh.

5. To continue exploring Indonesia from above, the Ijen volcano It is another of the Java volcanoes that you can visit. This is a spectacle thanks to its blue fire (sulfur in combustion), although there are certain bad customs around it, such as seeing the workers who play their lives for a few rupees or poor security, which may make rethink the visit. We have read good and bad opinions and in the end we decided not to go. But without a doubt, climbing the Ijen volcano is something that has to be in the best things to do in Indonesia.

6. If you are surfer or if you always dreamed of riding waves on some tropical beach, Indonesia is a great destination (for beginners as well as experts). We visited the fishing village of Batu Karas in Java, but if you want a site with more atmosphere, write this name: Canggu (in Bali, a paradise for surfers). You can see them best places to sufear in Indonesia on this website. There are many options to take class, if you want to book online check out here.

7. The Flores Island It is another very interesting stop, especially to visit the traditional villages of Bajawaflip on the Mount Kelimutu and enjoy one of the least tourist islands of Indonesia (among the tourist, of course).

8. Although we talk about peculiar places, Tana Toraja He takes his palm. It is in the curious Sulawesi Island and the Toraja people are famous for their funeral rites.

9. Write about Lombok It's like having your heart in your fist: the earthquake that struck this kind island in Indonesia was a tragedy, but don't be scared, it's now when the island needs more tourism. If you are going to travel to Indonesia in the coming months try to stop by (it is also a beautiful island, especially Tangsi, its pink beach).

10. We return to Java and move to the city of Yogkyakarta (Yogya for friends). It is the cultural capital of Indonesia and the center of batik, where to spend a couple of quiet days walking through the town and surrendering to the charms of Indonesian food (ains, those satay). But also in the vicinity there are two temples of those that could be on the cover of any National Geographic magazine: Borobudur (the largest Buddhist temple in the world) and Prambaran (A Hindu temple that has nothing to envy, spectacularly, to those of Angkor). If you have little time a good idea is to take a tour that takes you to know both. This was our passage through Yogyakarta.

11. And what about Jakarta? Well, we are going to include it more than anything because it is the capital of the country and because most likely your plane will pass through here, but for us it was quite disappointing. And look that we love big cities ... but Jakarta could with us. Of course, we always say that to know the heart of a country, you have to go through its capital. Also for those who enjoy local cuisine, you will find lots of options.

12. Let's change the environment drastically. Let's go to see orangutans released! The best place is on the island of Sumatra, specifically in the area of Bukit Lawang. It is best to make a trekking of several days in the jungle (2 or 3) to fully enjoy the experience. In this video you can see how well our friends Jairo and Claudia had fun. How much does this experience cost? Calculate about € 60-80 per person (3 days).

13. The Indonesian cuisine We found it one of the most complete and rich in all of Asia (especially the Balinese), so something you have to do, apart from trying their typical dishes, is to sign up for a cooking course and learn to replicate the recipes in your home. It will be like going back to Indonesia without leaving your kitchen.

14. Of the things we did not do, the Komodo National Park cruise It is one of the most striking. They are usually two days / one night and you have to go to Labuan Bajo, from where they leave. When we continued the journey of our friend Carla, our teeth were soooo long that we would have scared a very Komodo dragon XD

15. And in your visit you can not miss a trekking until the panoramic point of the island of Padar. It is one of the most impressive photos you can take in Indonesia, and from which to make a huge copy to hang in your living room and want to go on an adventure every time you look at it.

16. Give yourself a treat and stay in one of the many balinese villas with pool and surrounded by rice paddies: you will feel like inside "Eat, pray and love". And the best part is that they are not expensive at all: we stayed in one that was a country for € 40 / night (2-room villa -we were 4 people-). Here you can find and book the one you like best.

17. It is good to swim in the pool and beers at sunset watching the rice paddies. If what you are looking for are good adventures, do not forget to go to Kalimatan Indonesian Borneo. Here, in addition to an exuberant nature, you can also see orangutans in freedom (although, all things said, the Borneo in general is much more expensive than the rest of the islands of Indonesia).

18. And a place to combine both plans is Pulau Weh, a great place to dive, but also to lie down to the bartola on its beaches. It is located north of the island of Sumatra.

19. But if you are looking for an ideal dive destination, the Raja Ampat archipelago It is your paradise. It is one of the areas with the most marine biodiversity in the world. It is also beautiful on the surface: surely that aerial image sounds like hundreds of green islets like floating in a sea of different shades. To get there you will have to fly to Sorong and once there you will travel by sea to the island you choose as a base.

20. Finally, we end up with one of our traveling dreams (thanks Loida for getting into this head too, as if we no longer had too many XD): navigate to the Moluccan Islands, the islands of spices, and stay a little season like two shipwrecks on a lost island. The trip is long with noses, but according to the photos and stories of our friend, it is very worthwhile. And since we are there ... move on to Papua do not? But this is an other history!

And of course ... come back! As you will soon understand, Indonesia is enooooorious and in a single trip it is impossible to discover all the charms of this country. These are for us the best things to do in Indonesia. Do you know any more? Which is your favorite?

* Photocredit: Shutterstock