BootsnAll Travel Community

What about the rest of the country?
I am teaching in East Java for a few weeks, and then I'd like to take some time to explore the rest of the country. Who is interested or has been around Indonesia (other than Bali)?
What about Sumba, Papua, the Bandas, Sulawesi, Sumatra, etc? I find the information available to be so limited.
Anyone travelling here in August interested in sharing ideas, etc?

June is dry season for much of western Indonesia. Eastern Indonesia can get wet weather during this time, depending on where you go.

I am not able to accompany you, but the places you mentioned all offer adventure and vastly different cultures. From Sumatra-Java-Bali-Lombok you have a predominant Asian culture. Further east the culture starts to resemble a Pacific culture.

Looking at a map, its obvious that travelling along the string on islands as far as Flores or even Timor, is quite easy. Perama bus does a trip to Flores from Bali, including the boat transfers.

The smaller islands such as the Banda's are harder to get to (only 1 flight a week from Ambon), but offer a more unique experience as there are fewer people. I think you'll have a great time wherever you go.

Hi Lia,
I agree, it can be a little harder to find a wealth of info on places to go in Indonesia than, say, Thailand. I live here and have travelled a fair bit, more often than not on word of mouth recommendation.

I have never been far east (really keen to go though, Sumba, Flores, Komodo etc + also Papua) so cant give you much info. I like Lombok a lot, with and wothout Gili islands.

Northern Sulawesi is spectacular if you are into diving. Tana Toraja (Central sulawesi) is interesting and well worth it. I have enjoyed each of my 4 trips to Sumatra (Padang area/Bukittingi, cubadak island, Bukit Lawang for orangutans, Lake Toba area for stunning views and relaxation and interesting Batak culture).

Have you thought about Kalimantan as well? I am off there soon, its possible to organise some good trips even if you dont have much time...

Not sure how helpful any of this is to you, but just to confirm that there should be plenty for you to explore!!

I hear there is some legendary diving in Kalimantan. Tana Toraja is definitely worth a visit, Sulawesi and Flores are spectacularly beautiful.

A friend of mine is a dive instructor here in Bali. He has dived all over the country and of course Eastern Indonesia (Komodo, Banda's, Irian etc) is tops. He did say though, that on its day a dive site called 'SD' located on the north coast of Nusa Penida was equal in some ways to the more famous sites, for its variety of corals. You have to time it right, currents and visibility changing.