Sumatra and the outer islands
Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Lombok and the islands further east.
Things to See in Central Kalimantan
Kalimantan is an island of adventure and intrigue. Central Kalimantan with an area covering 153,800 square kilometres, mostly jungle but, offers so much for the traveller you see and do.
Things to do in Jambi - Sumatra
A lot of travellers seem to bypass the province of Jambi and even the city itself much preferring to travel on to Medan and other places.
West Papua
Located on the western end of the island of Papua and the furthest eastern province of Indonesia , West Papua is often referred to as the last bastion of adventure travel in the archipelago.
5 Great Places to Visit in Bengkulu: Sumatra
Formerly known as Bencoden the city of Bengkulu is a fascinating place with great places to visit and see.
Bangka Belitung Islands: South Sumatra
Located in the South China Sea, the islands of Bangka and Belitung are interesting places to visit not only for their historical and architectural attractions but also as places to unwind for a few…
South East Sulawesi
The descendants of the Torajans and Bugis peoples inhabit the south-eastern Peninsula of Sulawesi and the Buton group of islands.
South Kalimantan
Kalimantan and West Papua still remain the last bastions of adventure travel in the archipelago of Indonesia .
Attractions of Bukittinggi: Sumatra
Without a doubt Bukittinggi is probably the most laid-back and friendliest places you could ever visit in Sumatra .
West Nusa Tenggara
In reality Nusa Tenggara Barat encompasses the main islands of Lombok and West Sumbawa as well as the islands in between such as Nusa Lembongan, Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan.
The Prized Arowana Fish: West Kalimantan
When I was a young kid growing up I was lucky enough to have fish tanks, two in fact; one for tropical fish and the other, freshwater fish.
Places to Visit in Banjarmasin: Kalimantan
There are numerous cities and towns you can visit in the province of Kalimantan and one of my favourites is Banjarmasin .
Lamalera Whale Hunting: East Nusa Tenggara
Lamalera is a whaling village located on Lembata Island and during the months of May through to late August is the whale hunting season for the people of Lamalera and these traditional whalers are…
Must See Places in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: Sumatra
The site if Indonesia’s first Islamic kingdom, Aceh or as it is known now, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam , is a fascinating city to visit and the surrounding areas possess just as many attractions.
Must See Places in Gorontalo: North Sulawesi
The city of Gorontalo is located at the eastern end of Lake Limboto and is the second largest city in North Sulawesi . It is a fabulous province to visit and offers a unique range of attractions.
Bintan Island: Sumatra
The two dominating islands in the Riau archipelago are Batam and Bintan , the latter being the largest of 3,200 islands in the Riau Archipelago.
Medan: North Sumatra
Being one of the biggest islands in the world, Sumatra is an excellent island to visit for travellers whether they are adventurous, culturally minded or those who just like to explore.
Seeing the Dead: Tana Toraja, Sulawesi
The Toraja people , although mostly Christian, have animistic beliefs and are famed for their spectacular and gruesome burial rites.
The Mentawai Islands: Sumatra
Mention the Mentawai Islands and a majority of people will respond with it’s a great place for surfing .
Some Good Reasons to Visit Pekanbaru: Riau, Sumatra
There are some stunning and interesting places in Sumatra and none more so than Pekanbaru in the Riau Islands .
Pasar Wisata Indonesia: Makassar, South Sulawesi
If there is a travel show anywhere then you can be sure that I will go and see what is happening and what’s on offer.
Ende: Flores, East Nusa Tenggara
Ende , where founding president Sukarno was exiled by the Dutch, is known for its central role in propagating Christianity and Catholicism in the country's eastern region, especially Nusa Tenggara .
Visit Musi 2008: South Sumatra
The tourism business in South Sumatra has been sluggish for years. The province hardly figures as a major tourist destination, although the region was named Indonesia's seventh tourist destination a…
World Rally Championship Event in 2010: Sulawesi
Countryside roads and sugarcane plantations in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province will host a World Rally Championship (WRC) event in 2010 .
Traditional Floating Market: Kuin River, South Kalimantan
The Kuin River in Banjarmasin , South Kalimantan , is an age old river that functions as a market for traders.
Tomini Bay Development: Central Sulawesi
At a time when poverty remains prevalent in almost 200 out of over 450 regencies and municipalities in the country, Tomini Bay has been introduced as a future hub of economic growth in East Indonesia…
Where is Lombok?
Lombok lies around 35 kilometers east of Bali , at the start of the Nusa Tenggara-Timor island chain that stretches hundreds of kilometers across the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Sumbawa, Flores and…
Samosir Reviving Tourism: Sumatra
The Samosir regency administration in North Sumatra is striving to promote its agricultural hinterland into a popular tourism attraction and its main source of regional income over the next three…
Batam Island: North Sumatra
Batam Island is one of the islands in the Riau Archipelago off North Sumatra and it is one of the fastest growing tourism markets in Indonesia besides the island of Bali .
Palembang: South Sumatra
My first foray into Sumatra decades ago was in fact what I call a flying trip – a prelude to my full-on assault to explore the island.
Tomini Gulf Affected by Damage: Central Sulawesi
Tomini Gulf is one of the biggest bays in Indonesia , bordering 13 regencies in the Gorontalo and Central Sulawesi provinces.
Palembang Flea Market: Palembang, Sumatra
Jakarta may have its Jl. Surabaya and Taman Puring flea markets but Cinde Market in Palembang is a bargain-hunter's utopia. Cinde Market in fact comprises two markets, situated side by side.
Tolitoli - Clove City: Central Sulawesi
A wooden motor boat approaches Dede Port in Tolitoli regency, Central Sulawesi . From afar, rows of clove trees line the top of the mountainous range -- there are virtually no other trees other than…
Possible World Heritage Designation: Nias Islands, Sumatra
The central government will support a bid to include Nias Island , in North Sumatra , as a world heritage site.
Fuel Shortages Hinder Fishermen: Lombok
Hundreds of fishermen in Lombok , West Nusa Tenggara , have been unable to go to sea for the last four days due to a fuel shortage in their area.
Aceh Peace Park:Aceh, Sumatra
More than two years after the tsunami disaster, an agency continues its commitment to rebuilding homes, hospitals, schools and marketplace facilities.
Secret Passage in Marlborough Fortress: Bengkulu, Sumatra
A 17th century fortress could well hold a secret that promises to boost tourist numbers. Rumours of a mysterious passageway promises to boost tourism in the Indonesian province of Bengkulu .
Aceh Province to Exploit Natural Resources: North Sumatra
Aceh is a province that is blessed by abundant natural resources and wealth that have long lain undeveloped due to a 32-year insurgency that only recently came to an end.
Tourist Island No Paradise: Lombok
Lombok has for decades played the Cinderella to its sister island Bali . And it definitely isn’t a paradise for residents either.
Tin Mining Devastation: Bangka: Sumatra
Bangka lies east of Sumatra and is separated from the mainland by the Bangka Strait . The province was formerly part of South Sumatra, and became an independent province in 2000.
Acehnese Cultural Revival: Aceh, Sumatra
At one time you needed special permission if you were a westerner to enter the special province ( Daerah Istemewa ) of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam mainly because it was thought by the government that…
The Asmat: Papua
On Papua’s south coast art the mouth of the Aswetsj River is where the predominant population of the Asmat peoples live. They are renowned for their artistic primitive woodcarving.
Quake Affects Tourism: Bukittinggi, Sumatra
As Sumatra seeks to pick up the pieces after a deadly quake, the local tourist industry near its epicentre on the Indonesian island is struggling to recover its lustre.
6.3 Earthquake Strikes West Sumatra
Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Batam Tourist Industry Facing Hard Times: North Sumatra
A drastic decline over the past several years in tourist arrivals, particularly from neighboring Malaysia and Singapore, has left the tourism industry in Batam , Riau Islands province, struggling for…
Medan: North Sumatra
Medan is the third largest city of Indonesia and capital of North Sumatra . The actual province of northern Sumatra is the most populous outside of Java and is covered with jungles, rainforests, rice…
Palembang: Sumatra
Palembang is located on the island of Sumatra and its centrepiece is the Musi River also known as the Palembang River . The river passes through the centre of the city dividing it into two parts.
Bartering on Maluku
It is commonplace and really expected that you bargain for anything you buy in the markets or on the street in Indonesia , except of course in the shops.
An Ever-Growing Island: Bungin Island, West Nusa Tenggara
I have been through Sumbawa many times in the past and yet, I cannot recall the island of Bungin .
Marines to Aid in Evacuation of Bodies: Makassar, Sulawesi
A 15-man team from the Marine Corps battalion at the Navy`s 6th Base in Makassar left here for Pare Pare in anticipation of the need to evacuate bodies from the missing Adam Air plane following the…
Bintan Island: Sumatra, Indonesia
Situated 45 kilometres south east of Singapore, Bintan Island is the largest of the 3,200 islands in the Riau Islands group.
Ambon: Maluku Islands
Ambon city is also the capital of this vast archipelago province of Maluku . With its long history since the hey-day of the famed Spice Trade , it has developed itself to what it now is: a bustling…
Saparua Island: Maluku Islands
Saparua is a small island east of Ambon . It takes two hours by ferry from Tulehu (Ambon) to Haria , the main harbour of Saparua.
Tracking Missing Timber: Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia
As an environmentalist, I am naturally concerned about the depleting forests in Indonesia .