Bali, Java and the Gili Islands – Indonesia between temples, volcanoes and the tropical ocean

Indonesia is a country of thousands of islands, active volcanoes, ancient temples and powerful contrasts. Travelling from Europe usually involves several stopovers and can take over 30 hours, so it’s worth planning for time zone changes and booking accommodation in advance.

Java – the former spiritual heart of Indonesia

Near the city of Yogyakarta are two of the country’s most important monuments:

Borobudur – the world’s largest Buddhist temple (8th–9th century), built in the form of a mandala. It remains an archaeological mystery, as no written sources about its construction have survived.
Prambanan – a 9th-century Hindu temple complex, especially impressive at sunrise, wrapped in morning mist.

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Kopi Luwak – the world’s most famous coffee

Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world (USD 35–80 per cup). The beans pass through the digestive system of civets, wild mammals living on the islands. It’s important to choose only certified, ethical sources – in the past some producers kept the animals in cages, leading to abuse and heavy criticism.

Bali – the island of temples and rituals

Bali combines spirituality, nature and a tropical landscape:

Hindu temples,
incense drifting through the air,
oceans, beaches and rice terraces,
markets, handicrafts and local art.

It is one of the most distinctive islands in Southeast Asia.

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Gili – islands without cars

The Gili archipelago (Trawangan, Meno, Air) lies near Lombok.

There are no:

cars,
motorbikes,
street numbers.

You move around on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carts. It’s an ideal place for slow, peaceful relaxation.

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Jakarta – a megacity

Indonesia’s capital is one of the most crowded cities in the world (over 10 million residents). Because of traffic jams, heat and transport chaos, many travellers limit their stay to a minimum.

Carita Beach and Anak Krakatau

Carita Beach in western Java is still largely untouched by mass tourism. Between Java and Sumatra rises the active volcano Anak Krakatau – a reminder that Indonesia lies on one of the most seismically active regions on Earth.

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Indonesian cuisine

Be sure to try:

mie goreng – fried noodles,
nasi goreng – fried rice,
tempeh – fermented soybeans,
jackfruit – often used as a meat substitute,
roti – sweet buns.

For vegans and vegetarians, simply add “tanpa daging” – “without meat”.

Indonesia is a nation of more than seventeen thousand islands, each with its own character, culture and landscape. From the ancient temples of Java, through spiritual Bali, to the paradise-like Gili and rugged volcanic coastlines – it’s a place you can never fully explore in just one trip. It’s a destination you want to return to, because there is always something new waiting to be discovered.