Thinking of going abroad for the holidays with your mum and dad ? Why not try something out of the ordinary ? If you have already ticked off Singapore and Malaysia, why not think about nearby Indonesia, a magical land of 13,000 islands ?
Indonesia, just four hours by air from Colombo (there is a direct SriLankan Airlines flight), is one of the most fascinating countries on the planet. This is a country you can explore for a lifetime, without ever visiting the same place twice. The country is so big that it will be much easier to take domestic flights. And the Indonesians are among the friendliest people you will come across – they will go out of their way to help foreign travellers despite the language barrier.
Jakarta, the bustling capital, is usually the first city you will visit in Indonesia. Jakarta does have its charms, but the traffic is horrendous. Make sure to visit the National Monument which marks the country’s fight for independence from the Dutch. Tell your taxi or Uber driver to take you to Monas (short for Monumen Nasional in the local dialect). (By the way, if you really want to beat the traffic, opt for a motorcycle taxi where you ride pillion). Opened in 1975, the 132 metre tower houses the National History Museum and Hall of Independence. Do take the lift to the observation tower for an all-round view of Jakarta.
Your second destination should be Yogyakarta, which we described in a previous article. Afterwards, head over to Bali, the magical island where the majority of people follow Hinduism. Bali is known for its forested volcanic mountains, graceful waterfalls, terraced paddy fields, beaches and coral reefs. It is an ideal venue for meditation and yoga as well. Bali is known for its classical dances and music. Bali is not that big and you can explore the entire island by jeep. If you have the time, visit Lombok, Bali’s smaller neighbouring island.
Surabaya in East Java is another attraction. The country’s second largest city, Surabaya is known as the “city of heroes” for its role in the independence struggle. The name derives from Suro (shark) and Boyo (crocodile) who apparently fought to find out who had the most strength. The two animals are now used as the city's symbol, with the two facing and circling each other. While in Surabaya, the first place to check out is the zoo, the first in the world to breed orangutans in captivity.
Next week, we will go to Bandung and several other places in Indonesia.
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| The Suro-Boyo sculpture in Surabaya |
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National Monument, Jakarta
 Bali Paddy fields Jakarta
 Volcanoes in Surabaya Indonesia
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