Indonesia

Most famous for the paradise, palm fringed beaches of Bali there is more than meets the eye with Indonesia which comprises over seventeen thousand islands and homes around 300 ethnic groups.

With breathtaking and diverse landscapes ranging from lush forests to dramatic volcanoes, buzzing markets to laid back beaches there is certainly something for everyone.

Fun facts

• Indonesia covers such a large area that it has three different time zones.
• Almost everyone in Bali has their teeth filed down as they believe that the six vices (jealousy, anger, confusion, drunkenness, desire, greed) enter the body through the top six teeth.
• Indonesia exports 3,000 tons of frogs legs to France each year!

Travel Highlights in Indonesia

• Visit the largest living reptile, the Komodo, at the Komodo national park
• Swim amongst the colourful and exotic fish in Indonesia’s most popular snorkelling and diving destination, Bunaken
• Admire the spectacular Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra which was formed by a volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago
• Watch the sunrise across the breathtaking volcano of Mount Batur on the island Bali
• Visit the impressive temple of Borobudur, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world, on the island of Java

Where is Indonesia?

The islands of Indonesia stretch over five thousand miles along the equator in the middle of Indian and Pacific Ocean, located just South of Malaysia and the Philippines. Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago and sits in the divide between the Asian and continental plates, resulting in a stunning variety of natural environments.

Indonesia’s Climate

Indonesia is a tropical country that sits along the equator meaning that the temperature stays very similar throughout the year, with pleasant day temperatures usually between 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. Between December and March the days are usually sunny with an outbreak of heavy showers throughout the night and high humidity. From June to September the humidity is generally low and it can often get quite cool in the evenings. Some areas higher in the mountains such as Ubud experience their own micro climate in where it is often cloudy throughout the year and can become quite chilly.

Language in Indonesia

Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the official language of Indonesia. It is a standardized register of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries. Formal education and national media is conducted in Indonesian. Most Indonesians are often fluent in other regional languages that are only used in the home or local community such as Javanese, Sundanese and Madurese.

The People of Indonesia

The people of Indonesia have an extremely positive outlook on life and demonstrate great generosity and kindness in their day to day lives. This can be experienced through their colourful street parties where spirits are always high and there is a real feeling of community involvement. Indonesians tend to be friendly and welcoming so it is worth making the effort to speak to the locals throughout your travels.

Travel in Indonesia

The three most popular islands in Indonesia are Bali, Sumatra and Java. It is easy to see why as each island contains national parks which are ripe with volcanoes, mountain ranges, jungles and flora and fauna that can be found nowhere else in the world.

Bali

The most famous of the Indonesian islands is the exotic Bali, where you can experience beaches, surfing and diving in some of the worlds most spectacular natural landscapes. Bali is packed to the brim with cultural celebrations, colourful dance and traditional art forms such as painting, wood carving, and

Sumatra

Sumatra is situated in western Indonesia and is far less crowded than it’s neighboring islands, If you want to chill out and soak up the exotic scenery then Sumatra is the place for you! There is a huge array of fauna and flora on the island making it the perfect destination for eco-tourism.

Java

Java is the world’s most populous island in the world, inhabiting over 135 million people. Boasting beautiful and serene countryside views, as well as the impressive Mount Bromo with it’s high peaks, constant smoke and volcanic sand. You will also find traditional Indonesian shadow puppet dances in central Java and the craft work centre of Yogyakarta. The vibrant city of Jakarta in the East of the island is the cultural and international hub of Indonesia and the economic centre of the country.

Gap Year and Career Breaks in Indonesia

Come to Indonesia on your gap year or career break and experience a country with endless charm, charisma and excitement. With a huge array of cultural and natural diversity there is so much to explore, learn and experience on the trip of a lifetime.