Tourism towards Oceania has had a significant boom in recent decades, despite the distance that must be travelled from the countries of the European or American continent. Within this territory there is a country where tourism has been developed on a large scale, due to two fundamental elements: nature and culture, which in turn includes the spiritual component.
Indonesia is officially named Republic of Indonesia, and is an island country located between Southeast Asia and Oceania, whose capital is Jakarta, located on the island of Java. Basically this country is made up of an archipelago that includes around 17,508 islands, whose total number of inhabitants is 237 million, amount that places it as the fourth most populated country in the world.
It should be noted that the geographical location of Indonesia within the borders of the Pacific tectonic plates, in addition to the Eurasian and the Indo Australian ones, makes it have numerous volcanoes, of which about 150 are currently active, the reason why which is exposed to very frequent earthquakes.
But these circumstances are not an impediment for millions of people from all over the world to visit Indonesia every year, since there they can live wonderful experiences in a series of mountains and beaches with a unique, sweeping and magical nature that gives life to a full culture of ancestral customs that bewitches the tourists and makes them enter a different world full of charm and magic.
Considering all the tourist potential of this beautiful country composed mainly of islands, we will take a tour of the most important and visited places where you can make wonderful mountain excursions, in addition to enjoying beautiful beaches.
Let’s start by recommending a cruise that is made from the island of Bali, considered the tourist gem of this country, to Komodo, where the largest lizards in the world are found and that can reach 100 kilograms with about 3 meters long. During this tour, tourists can dive during stops in the Sangean, Gili and Rinca Islands, which are located in the Nusa Tenggara region, which comprises a striking group of islands located at the east of Indonesia and near North Australia.
It should be noted that Nusa Tenggara is the province with the greatest plant and animal diversity, which provides it with a special charm, with enigmatic and impressive landscapes that make tourists stay captive to its charms, in addition to its beaches are heavenly and you can make varied recreational activities.
As for the islands of Komodo and Rinca, we must point out that these are rugged and solitary islands, but with an exceptional outlook, full of colour and beautiful landscapes. These islands are located between Flores and Sumbawa, where the home of the legendary dragon Komodo is located.
As we explained before, to get to these islands, a journey from Bali to Komodo should be undertaken, which lasts about 4 days, but it is the most fun way to do the tour, as you can visit waterfalls and inland lakes with a unique beauty. You can practice snorkelling in wonderful places in this national park, where diving is one of tourists’ favourite activities, because it is characterized by combining both hot and cold waters. In addition, you can see tonalities of the waters that go from the turquoise with green topaz that give a special touch to the landscape.
Thus, you can enjoy waters with a temperature of approximately 29 degrees at the north of the islands, which requires a 1-mm diving suit, but in the southern part, the water is cold and 5 mm suits must be worn.
On the other hand, the large number of islands that comprise the archipelago of Indonesia allows finding green islands, of varied colors, some almost deserted, as well as volcanic islands, other very solitary islands to offer the tourist several alternatives according to the preferences of every one and the activities he wants to make. If diving is chosen, for example, in the volcanic islands you can dive in its surroundings in a stream of water with a warm, very pleasant temperature, which makes the activity a unique and wonderful experience.
One of the tourist attractions of Indonesia is the tour that can be done by motorcycle on the island of Bali, which is known worldwide as the tourist gem of Indonesia, which is why it is visited annually by more than 3 million tourists of all types, who look for adventure, exotic places, alternatives and different cultures.
In addition, you can practice surfing on the beaches of Kuta, which represents the central and most active point of Bali, where there is a very fluid commercial activity and you can find lots of clothes stalls, souvenirs, restaurants, etc., all crowded in the narrow street where, by the way, the night merges with the day, in a modern and busy environment between clubs and discos, which make the stay much more fun.
The beaches of Kuta distinguish themselves by having a very large area and quite long waves, so that lovers of water sports, especially surfing, prefer to practice this sport. For this reason, Kuta becomes a special alternative, where it is also offered board rental services for surfing, as well as wonderful tours around.
But if Kuta represents the center of activities in Bali, you should not leave aside Ubud, which can be considered as the soul of this island, where art and shows are mixed to offer the tourist fun and entertainment at all times, as well as there are many Balinese temples in the city and its surroundings, which are located among the impressive rice fields in terraces, which are typical of Asian countries and are an icon of their cultures.
Undoubtedly the charm of Ubud is due to the existence of small villas located in the surroundings of the city, which emit an energy of peace and tranquillity that is enjoyed by lovers of nature, meditation and who try to live a spiritual experience that makes them evolve. In this context, it is advisable to visit the famous Temple of the Monkeys, in addition to attending a music and dance show, which involves the essence of Indonesian culture.
On the other hand, a trip to Bali means to live varied experiences where the enjoyment of beaches of charm surrounded by mountains of spectacular colors, make the stay a true dream; and some of those that stand out are the so-called “Las Gili”, that are made up of a trio of islands, which offer to the tourist crystalline waters and with wonderful tonalities, as well as the opportunity to practice excellent diving, surrounded by turtles.
For a reason, Indonesia is considered one of the countries with more and better diving in the world, being the National Marine Park of Bunaken one of the most important parks, which is located at a short distance from Bali, and contains 70% of the species that inhabit the western Pacific Ocean, providing the opportunity to enjoy diving with different submersions on each occasion, due to the variety found at the bottom of its waters.
Another alternative for those who seek peace and tranquillity, want to get away from the bustle of cities, traffic, and escape modern life, is the Togean Islands where, in addition to beaches of crystalline waters, with a perfect temperature, a wonderful underwater life to practice diving in an environment full of colorful nature of an abundant nature, there is no internet or telephone coverage, which will make you feel in a different world, from another era, with the necessary resources to enjoy the tranquility without interruptions.
And if the intention of the trip to Indonesia is to know the highest mountains, you should move to Puncak Jaya, which is a peak of 4,884 meters that is located in the The Surdinam mountain range, specifically in the province of Irian Jaya in the western foothills of the Maoke Mountains, the highest summit in the island and throughout Oceania, which is why it is considered one of the highest summits of the five continents. But, if you want to climb up, you need physical conditions, knowledge, information and climbing techniques, so it is an activity that only prepared people can do.
Another impressive mountain is Puncak Trikora, which is 4,730 meters high and is located in the same Surdinam mountain range, located in the province of Papua; it is part of the chain of mountains Jayawijaya in the Maoke mountains, being ideal for lovers of climbing, which, like Puncak Jaya mountain, requires a good preparation, since it has been climbed up by mountaineering experts, being the first climbing registered the one made by some Dutch climbers on February 21, 1913.
Finally, we have Puncak Mandala mountain, which is 4,640 meters high and composes this trio of mountains of this mountain range that give life to an archipelago full of kindness and exuberant nature, with more than 150 active volcanoes, where seismic movements occur often because of their location in the tectonic plates of the Pacific, the Eurasian and the Indo-Australian ones; but that even so, it offers an important tourist development that has been booming in recent years.
ALFA