Begin your Indonesian journey in the relatively small but bustling city of Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java. With approximately a half a million inhabitants, and the stepping-off point for some of Indonesia’s most important and impressive historical sites, the city has a lot to offer with its historical monuments, colonial buildings, beaches, markets, cultural activities, and opportunities aplenty to engage with the locals as they go about daily life.
Not far from Yogyakarta, is Borobudur, one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world. Built in the 8th-century, it ranks with Bagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia as one of the great archeological sites of Asia, if not in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur is an easy day trip from Yogyakarta and is breathtaking at any time, but never more so than at sunrise and sunset. Nearby is Prambanan, another UNESCO World Heritage Site; a vast and impressive temple complex, home to some 224 individual Hindu temples.
Just an hour’s flight from Yogyakarta is the island of Bali. Once a bohemian hideaway, Bali, now known the world over, still evokes an exotic sensation and an undeniable allure. It’s most certainly on everyone’s bucket list, and it is no wonder why. With an unrivaled combination of stunning beaches, majestic volcanoes, hillsides rich with verdant rice terraces, and ancient grand temples, Bali is surely worthy of its nickname, “Island of the Gods.” Add the welcoming and cheerful nature of the Balinese themselves and you very well could have paradise on earth.
It is said that Bali is one island but many destinations, and we couldn’t agree more! But, Bali is just the beginning of all that awaits your discovery in the wonderful country of Indonesia.
