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Indonesia is one of the world’s most intriguing travel destinations, as its diversity of cultures, natural habitats, and tourist attractions located within its 5,200 km span (roughly the distance between Los Angeles to New York) is fertile ground for travel daydreams.
Below, we will discuss five attractions that can make your trip to Indonesia a memorable one…
1) Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
There are many spectacular temples that one can visit while in Bali, but none are quite as spectacular as the mountain sanctuary of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Dedicated to the Hindu god Dewi Danu, this place is made famous by an iconic multi-tiered pagoda that stands before a placid lake, and if you are lucky enough to get a clear sky when you visit, a background of mountains covered in cloud forest.
Located high up in the Balinese Highlands, this complex is in an environment that stands in stark contrast to the tropical lowlands, where Ubud and the beach resorts of South Bali are located, so be sure to take a sweater, windbreaker, and rain gear so that you will be prepared for the elements that will greet you here.
Whether you choose to take a shuttle from your accommodations in the south, hire a bike, or decide to soak up the atmosphere of the highlands overnight, be sure to book your hotel on the internet before arriving.
Instead of searching for a travel aggregator on the web, you can just find hotels here and save yourself the trouble of comparing rack rates on 12 different sites.
2) Borobudur and Prambanan
Both located within an easy drive of the Javanese cultural capital of Yogyakarta, the Buddhist and Hindu temple complexes of Borobudur and Prambanan are still considered national treasures in a nation that mostly identifies as Islamic in the present day.
Borobudur was constructed in the 8th century, and it ended up becoming the largest Buddhist temple on Earth. Whether it was abandoned because of mass conversions to Islam in the 15th century, or because of massive volcanic eruptions prior to that, it was forgotten for many centuries and became covered by ash and cloaked by jungle, and was only discovered again in the 19th century.
Fully uncovered and reconstructed in the present day, its primary highlight are the massive stupas that will make some of the most epic photographs you’ll take on your Indonesian holiday.
Equally impressive is the Hindu complex known as Prambanan, as its jagged towers known as Candi will wear out your camera trigger finger … don’t forget to bring an extra memory card!
3) Komodo National Park
Further to the east, the densely populated urban areas that are typically found on Java and Bali fade away to dense jungle, and it is here on the island of Komodo where one of the more terrifying species of lizard can be found.
In the company of park rangers though, visitors can safely observe these seemingly lazy but incredibly lethal animals.
When you aren’t out hunting for these creatures, the coral reefs surrounding this island make them fertile grounds for divers and snorkelers, and the scenery makes kayaking a very popular activity as well.
4) Lake Toba
Located on Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island, Lake Toba is the world’s largest volcanic crater lake. The rule of the day here is relaxation: whether you choose to bathe in one of many hot springs in the area, party with fellow backpackers, or if you just choose to sit back and read the latest novel as you admire the outstanding scenery before you, leaving Lake Toba will be the hardest thing you’ll do during your time in Indonesia.
5) Countless beaches throughout Indonesia
With over 18,000 islands composing the Indonesian archipelago, there is a beach for every interest and taste scattered across its expanse.
Whether the party and social scene that defines day-to-day life at Kuta Beach is your cup of tea, or the deserted beaches that can be found throughout Flores, Sumatra and Sulawesi are more what you’re aiming for, Indonesia has just what you need if a seaside getaway is what you need to recharge.
Source: pommietravels.com