INDONESIA
"Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" - Try translating that!
Indonesia is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is the largest island country in the world by the number of islands, with more than fourteen thousand islands
- Capital : Jakarta
- Official Languages : Indonesian
- President : Joko Widodo
- Currency : Indonesian Rupiah
- Conversion Rate : 1 IDR = .0048 INR
LET'S GET A LITTLE PUMPED UP BEFORE WE GET INTO BUSINESS! HERE ARE A FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT INDONESIA
FUN FACT #1
The world's LARGEST flower , the Rafflesia (also known as the corpse flower) is found in Indonesian Jungles!
FUN FACT #2
Indonesia is the only place in the world to see a Komodo Dragon in the wild.They can weigh upto 70 kilograms. Hmmm, guess the lizard from the Amazing Spiderman wasn't just CGI after all!
FUN FACT #3
Indonesia has a fiery side too! The country is home to about 150 volcanoes.The country experiences at least one eruption per year. Better carry a water bottle !
FUN FACT #4
Indonesia is extremely culturally diverse. There are over 300 ethnic groups in Indonesia. In fact , the motto of the country is "Unity in Diversity".
FUN FACT #5
Indonesia sits on both the sides of the equator.We don't know which way the water flows
PLACES YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY CHECK OUT!
Ubud
Perched among stunning terraced rice fields, Ubud is considered the cultural heart of Bali and one of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia. There are dance and music performances every day throughout the city as well as numerous art galleries and craft shops to explore
Borobudur
Borobudur is the one of the most famous Buddhist temple in the world. The Borobudur was built over a period of some 75 years in the 8th and 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra, out of an estimated 2 million blocks of stone
Komodo National Park
The park is named after the Komodo Dragon, the world’s largest living reptile that can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carcass of dead animals, they are formidable predators and will also hunt prey including birds, and mammals. Attacks against humans are very rare.
Bunaken
Located at the north of the island of Sulawesi, Bunaken is one of Indonesia’s most famous dive and snorkeling areas. The island is part of the Bunaken Marine Park where you can see more than 70% of all fish species that live in the western Pacific ocean. The best time for diving in Bunaken is between the months of April and November.Ever wanted to dive? This might be your chance!
Mount Bromo
The area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white smoke. It is surrounded by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly.
Lake Toba
Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra is an immense volcanic lake about 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Genetic estimates suggests that there were only a few thousand humans that survived the catastrophe. Might be the perfect location for the sighting of a GHOST!
A PLACE IS KNOWN FOR ITS FOOD, SO LET'S CHECK OUT INDONESIAN CUISINE!
Indonesian cuisine is one of the most vibrant and colourful cuisines in the world, full of intense flavour.In 2011, Indonesian cuisine began to gain worldwide recognition, with three of its popular dishes make it to the list of 'World's 50 Most Delicious Foods (Readers' Pick)', a worldwide online poll by 35,000 people held by CNN International.Rendang top the list as the number one, followed closely by nasi goreng in number two, and satay in number fourteen.
Nasi goreng
Nasi goreng, a meal including stir fried rice in small amount of cooking oil or margarine, typically spiced with kecap manis (sweet soysauce),shallot, garlic, tamarind and chilli and accompanied by other ingredients, particularly egg, chicken and prawns.
Satay
Satay is meat skewers that are cooked over coals. These juicy skewers is usually served with rice cakes (ketupat) with peanut sauce poured all over the satay. It is a national dish conceived by street vendors and has been one of most celebrated food in Indonesia. It is practically everywhere and highly addictive.
Sweet Martabak
One of our favorite desserts would be Indonesian Sweet Martabak. It is an Indonesian version of a pancake. The interesting thing is, Martabak is only sold in the evenings. You can choose mix fillings from chocolate, cheese and peanuts.
WE'VE SEEN THEIR PLACES AND THEIR FOOD , NOW LET'S SEE THEM I.E THEIR CULTURE
Music
The traditional music of central and East Java and Bali is the gamelan. Gamelan, an ensemble of tuned percussion instruments that include metallophones, drums, gongs and spike fiddles along with bamboo flutes.
Dance
Traditional dance of Indonesia reflect the rich diversity of Indonesian people. The dance traditions in Indonesia; such as Balinese, Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, Palembang, Malay, Aceh and many other dances traditions are age old traditions, yet also a living and dynamic traditions
Martial Art
The art of silat was created and firstly developed in the islands of Java and Sumatra. It is an art for survival and practised throughout Indonesian archipelago. Centuries of tribal wars in Indonesian history had shaped silat as it was used by the ancient warriors of Indonesia. Silat was used to determine the rank and position in old Indonesian kingdoms.
Painting
Hunt by Raden Saleh.
Sculpture
Relief sculpture from Borobudur temple.
Crafts
Minangkabau songket. It is hand-woven in silk orcotton, and intricately patterned with gold or silver threads. The metallic threads stand out against the background cloth to create a shimmering effect.
SO , THERE MUST BE A PRICE TO ALL OF THIS RIGHT?
Accommodation fare varies depending upon the project that you choose , it might be free or might cost you a little.
Food , again depends upon the project , some provide one meal a day or two or even three or some might not even provide food.
Air travel fare - The minimum fare , round trip (i.e two way) is approximately INR 32,000.If luck shines,this summer you can get some discount as well.