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Adventures
Sampling the deserted islands, volcanoes and jungle of untouristed Maluku – what are you waiting for?
Taking in the mummies, markets and culture of Papua’s Baliem Valley
Snorkelling and diving the psychedelic reefs of the Banda Islands
Braving the elements, sun bears and jungle in Kalimantan’s Kayan Mentarang National Park or Apokayan Highlands
Surfing the legendary Desert Point in southwest Lombok
Tramping through coffee plantations and waterfalls around Bali’s Munduk
Marvelling at the 6km-wide crater lake and summit views of Lombok’s massive Gunung Rinjani
Spotting orang-utans, gibbons, macaques and kingfishers in Tanjung Puting National Park
Getting a bird’s-eye view of Sumatra’s smoking guns, Gunung Sinabung and Gunung Sibayak
Discovering pristine wilderness and comely beaches in Java’s remote Ujung Kulon National Park
Indonesian Experiences
A beaming Indonesian smile – locals here are unfailingly happy and warm
Spontaneous guitar-strumming sessions on street corners, warung, Pelni boats….
Dancing Poco Poco (Indonesian line dancing) at a Maluku village disco
Taking your becak (bicycle-rickshaw) driver for a ride instead of the other way around
Sharing your rambutans and rupiah during impromptu card games on overnight ferries
Catching a bus when school’s out and responding to a dozen kids practising their five English questions
Starring in countless strangers’ holiday pictures
Helmet-less ojek (motorcycle) trips
Coffee, cigarettes and conversations at 2am bus stops
Learning how to sleep through the morning call to prayer
Festivals
Nyale Fishing Festival, February or March – Hundreds flock to catch a glimpse of Lombok’s first nyale (wormlike fish) at this huge fishing festival
Pasola, February or March – Mock battles and ritual warfare mark Nusa Tenggara’s harvest festival
Waisak, May – Buddha’s birth and enlightenment are celebrated by thousands of monks and pilgrims in Borobudur
Festival Teluk Kendari, April – Frenzied partying and dragon-boat races in Sulawesi’s Kendari Bay
Yogya arts festival, June to July – A month-long smorgasbord of shows and exhibitions in Java’s cultural capital
Bali Arts Festival, June to July – A month-long celebration of Bali’s enigmatic dance, music and crafts
Tana Toraja funeral festival, July to September – Toraja from all over Indonesia return to Sulawesi to celebrate these annual funeral rituals
Bidar race, August – Dozens of vivid bidar (canoes) race on Sumatra’s Sungai Musi
Baliem Festival, August – A rich celebration of the Baliem Valley’s diverse indigenous cultures
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, October – An internationally acclaimed writers’ festival
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