If you are looking for a weeklong getaway that is relaxing and inexpensive, then look no further. Indonesia is where the splendor of nature, archaeological treasures and the hospitality of the locals make for a wonderful travel experience. And, Bangladeshis can now obtain on-arrival visas.
Words & Photographs By Saadat Chowdhury
How to get there
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Indonesia; one has to go via Malaysia, Thailand or Singapore. The airport at Jakarta, the capital city, is not as big as the ones in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, but is not totally forgettable either. Upon arrival, the security personnel might subject you to an interview that entails a routine check.
Jakarta
As there aren’t many tourist attractions in Jakarta, a day or two there would suffice to see what it has to offer.
The city center is very similar to Kuala Lampur, but the traffic is hideous even by Dhaka standards. Jakarta has express highways and wide roads, yet there is gridlock. So choose your hotel wisely, preferably in the city center so as to be able to move conveniently.
A testament to the harmonious spirit of Indonesia is the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in South-East Asia, and the Jakarta Cathedral that face each other across the street.
The nights are vibrant in Jakarta. Interestingly enough, convenience stores like 7-11 have added another dimension by modifying the front of the stores to resemble roadside cafés that are abuzz with young people throughout the night.
Yogyakarta
Locally known as “Jogja”, Yogyakarta is a major tourist destination in Indonesia and its claims to fame are history and archaeology. A day or two in this city should be enough to visit the major attractions. You can always stay longer for further exploration if you find that you would like to take breaks between visiting sites.
There are plenty of accommodation choices for any tourist but the Ambarrukmo Hotel is highly recommended. I was blown away by its exceptional hospitality and service. The hotel management arranges a premium car with an English-speaking driver for a day trip. The staff is very cordial and welcoming every step of the way. Out of all the cities, Yogyakarta, I feel is the most tourist-friendly and hence a must-visit.
The first stop on the temple-trail is Prambanan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest ancient Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. The temple is dominated by a towering central building inside a large complex of individual temples.
The second must-see site is the Borobudur temple complex – decorated with thousands of relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, as well as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. The sunset at Borobudur is simply breathtaking.
Food
Organic smoothies are brilliant all over Indonesia – refreshing and relaxing at the same time. My personal favorite is the dragon fruit smoothie. The cuisine is similar to those found in Malaysia. Nasi goreng is the main attraction – available and eaten everywhere, it is the comfort food that will keep you warm long after leaving the Indonesian shores.
Bali
Indonesia has numerous spectacular islands such as Gili, Lombok, Komodo, etc. However, Bali needs no introduction. Who has not heard of it? What I particularly liked about Bali, besides it beaches and hills, is the architecture and the local sense of aesthetics. You can get a feel of what awaits you from the moment you step through the beautifully constructed gates at the airport. Bali is the most spectacular of all the Indonesian islands. It is the most popular given that it is easily accessible by direct flights. Futhermore, the book, “Eat Pray Love” where the writer goes on a soul-searching journey to Bali, inspired me to visit the island. It is the ideal destination for meditation, trekking, yoga retreats, but do not expect pristine blue water and clean beaches. Bali does have several water sports options such as jet skiing, paragliding, snorkeling, etc.
Since I was looking for a secluded beach to just kickback and chill, I picked Nusa Dua. If you are looking for the party hub, you can stay at Kuta. There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation, ranging from extremely costly villas to absolute budget hostels. I stayed at the Mantra Sakala Resort in the Nusa Dua. They offer very luxurious suites at decent prices, with direct access to the beach. Make sure to include Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in your itinerary for it is the best place to experience Indonesian indigenous performance arts.
Do’s
1. Definitely add ‘Batik silk’ to your shopping list.
2. Purchase the domestic flight tickets from Indonesia. There are plenty of Air Asia and Lion Air flights per day and hence, the fares are relatively cheap.
3. Carry umbrellas wherever you go. The weather is unpredictable and changes quite often.
Don’ts
1. Do not point with your thumb, for it is considered very rude. Use your index finger to point.
2. By and large the society in Indonesia is conservative, so wearing revealing clothes might not be a good idea.
Saadat Chowdhury is an explorer, entrepreneur, and educator. He is the CEO of Saadat C. Ventures, Chairperson of Zurhem Limited, and can be reached at szadat@hotmail.com.
