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The islands of the Indonesian
archipelago are strung like beads across the equator. Clear blue
seas lap pristine beaches, gentle breezes carry scents of spices and
flowers, and divers are entranced by the ocean’s riches. Inland,
dramatic volcanic ranges tower above a green mantle of terraced
hillsides and lush rainforest.
Bali offers an image of paradise: stunning scenery, gentle
sarong-clad people and sunsets of legendary glory. On peaceful Lombok, life moves at a slower pace, while bustling Jakarta exhibits
Indonesia’s cosmopolitan, modern face. Komodo Island’s ‘living
dinosaurs’ and the entrancing ‘sea gardens’ of Suwalesi invite
exploration, as do Borobudur’s architectural treasures, which
include 5km (3 miles) of Buddhist relief carvings. Adventure-seekers
head for Kalimantan’s remote jungle interior or explore Sumatra,
with its teeming wildlife and wealth of tribal groups.
Visit the Prambanan temple complex, built in honour of the Hindu
gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Do not miss Borobudur, probably the
largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world, which contains more than
5km (3 miles) of relief carvings.
Travel to the Sea Temple of Tanah Lot
on the west coast (a short drive from Kediri), one of the most
breathtaking sights of Bali.
Be surprised to see an inhabited
island in the middle of Lake Toba, which was once a volcanic crater,
900m (3,000ft) above sea level in Sumatra. |
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