Indonesia Travel Guide

Indonesia is made up of more than 13,000 islands which so far only less than 1,500 having a name. The heart of the archipelago is Java; it is not only the location of Jakarta, Indonesia's capital and largest city, but it also puts up a very big part of the population. Actually, Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country after China, India and the United States. Indonesia is also the largest Muslim state. Although the islands are home to more than 100 ethnic groups, most Indonesians are of mixed Malay origins and practice Islam.

Be sure to visit at least Bali and if you have some more time, try to make it to Sumatra, with its impressive natural beauty. The smaller islands of Indonesia include Madura, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores and Bali.

Indonesia's greatest distance from north to south is about 1,900 km (about 1,200 mi) and from east to west about 5,100 km (about 3,200 mi). The country's total land area is 1,904,443 sq km (735,310 sq mi).

If you’re interesting to travel to Indonesia, Jakarta is simply too massive to explore without fragmenting your experience into specific things to do. Here is our suggestion list:

- Be seen in the trendy suburb of Kemang. With its selection of boutiques, fine dining and drinking lounges, this is the place to see and be seen.

- Visit the phallic-shaped, flame-lit national monument (MONAS) otherwise known as Suharto’s “last erection”.

- Sojourn into the Thousand Islands . The further you venture away from the city, the more pristine the water and vibrant the wildlife.

- Check out Pulau Sepa, Pantara and Pelangi for the best diving and snorkeling, or if you can, make friends with a billionaire who owns one of the islands!

- Shop at Plaza Senayan (Pondok Indah) SEA’s second largest shopping mall

- Traipse around Old Jakarta and see the Museum Wayang (puppet museum)

- Stay in absolute style at the Mandarin Oriental or designer hotel Kemang Icon

- Go clubbing at the upscale Dragon Fly and the internationally famous, 24 hour pumpin’, Stadium Munch at restaurants with local cuisine to die for, such as Dapur Babah, Pendoka Kemang or Lara Djonggrang Dream on at Jalan Taman Impian Jaya Ancol themepark

Follow these trip advices, and your holidays in Jakarta could be a delightful vacation after all.