SOCIETY 384

FOCUS
INDONESIA
Insider tips for Indonesia
(that are not Bali)
Ambassador H.E. Damos Agusman
shares his favourite spots in Indonesia,
that are off the beaten track.
1 BANGKA BELITUNG
SOUTH-EASTERN COAST OF SUMATRA
Bangka Belitung has numerous beaches
and several small islands. Some beaches
are famous for their natural attractiveness
with blue sea waters, a variety of
coral reefs, white sand, and giant granite
rock formations.
2. TANJUNG LESUNG
BANTEN (WESTERN TIP OF JAVA)
Tanjung Lesung has vibrant coral reefs,
swarmed by colourful fish and
seafloor dwellers that make this beach
perfect for snorkelling and diving. For
those who enjoy the sensation of catching
various big fish, many fishing spots
are available off the coast of Tanjung
Lesung.
3 WAKATOBI
SOUTHEAST SULAWESI
Wakatobi has the largest atoll in the
world (Kaledupa Island), which is home
to some of the most bio-diverse marine
life in the world. Dolphins, manta rays,
whales, turtles, hammerhead sharks,
whale sharks and dugongs can all be
found in Wakatobi.
4 MANDALIKA
WEST NUSA TENGGARA
Located near Bali Island, Mandalika is
chosen as the next “Gem” of Indonesia
tourism. Mandalika is famous for its
beautiful beaches and lush hills.
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5 LABUAN BAJO
EAST NUSA TENGGARA
Labuan Bajo is a fishing town located at the
western end of the large island of Flores in
the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia.
Labuan Bajo is the gateway for trips across
the nearby Komodo National Park to Komodo
Island and Rinca Island, both home to the
famous Komodo dragons. Mirror cave with its
glistening waters is also worth a visit.
6 MOROTAI ISLAND
NORTH MALUKU
The island is also known as Indonesia’s Maldives,
with its white beaches overlooking the
clear crystal Pacific Ocean. Not many people
know that Morotai Island used to be the
airfield for the Japanese during World War II,
some of the Japanese planes and shipwrecks
remaining from World War II can still be found
underwater for those who like to scuba dive.
7 BOROBUDUR TEMPLE
CENTRAL JAVA
The magnificent Borobudur Temple is famous
because it is the largest Buddhist temple
compound in the world, an ancient site
widely considered to be one of the world's
seven wonders. The temple features hundreds
of Buddha statues, decorative relief
sculptures, and stories from the life and teachings
of Buddha.
8 BROMO MOUNTAIN
EAST JAVA
Mount Bromo is one of the most incredible volcanoes
in the world. It just so happens to be surrounded
by several other volcanoes in one of the most
magnificent landscapes you will ever set eyes on.
Mount Bromo is famous for the sunrise views over
the entire area that are simply incredible. This destination
is perfect for those who enjoy hiking.
image/s Indonesian Ministry of Tourism
10 LAKE TOBA
NORTH SUMATRA
9 THOUSAND ISLANDS
JAKARTA
Not far from Jakarta, this island can be
reached by ferry or chartered boat. Thousand
Islands (Pulau Seribu) is known for
THE LEADING MAGAZINE OF MODERN DIPLOMACY
its tropical underwater multi-coloured
corals and tropical fish.
This is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and
one of the deepest lakes in the world. Lake Toba
is an extraordinary natural wonder of the world.
This enormous crater lake consists of an island
almost the size of Singapore in its centre. Lake
Toba is actually more like an ocean. This is the
largest lake in Southeast Asia.