A diverse country comprised of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is full of surprises

Indonesia is an enormous nation, with greater than 17,500 islands. The nation is the fourth most-populous nation, comprised of greater than 300 distinct ethnic teams.

I didn’t know a lot concerning the space till we hosted an trade pupil from town of Makassar, on the island of Sulawesi.

But it surely wasn’t till I visited with an Alaska ex-pat residing in Bali that I realized of Indonesia’s unimaginable range. When you love wildlife, cultural historical past, biodiversity on land and underwater, then Indonesia must be in your checklist.

Susan Ruddy has known as Alaska dwelling for nearly 60 years. In Anchorage, she wore many hats, together with that of director of the Nature Conservancy of Alaska.

However when she retired, she was torn. Whereas her son lived in Alaska, her daughter had relocated to Indonesia. Relatively than choose one or the opposite location for her dwelling, she selected each. For greater than 15 years, she’s cut up her time between Alaska and Indonesia.

Though Bali is her dwelling in Indonesia, considered one of her favourite locations is on the island of Borneo. Tanjung Puting Nationwide Park, on the southern coast of Borneo, is floor zero to see orangutans.

“I’m a rock ‘n’ roll groupie for orangutans,” mentioned Ruddy. “They’ve completely fascinating options.”

Entry to the orangutan habitat is regulated. Guests will not be permitted to go off within the jungle. Relatively, there are three feeding stations the place the orangutans come and go. That is the place guests have the most effective likelihood of seeing these primates up shut.

To succeed in the park, take a flight from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun. From there, discover a tour operator to take you to the park. There are alternatives to remain on shore throughout your go to, however Ruddy recommends the live-aboard expertise.

“You’ll sleep on a lumpy mattress on the highest deck of the boat,” she mentioned. “You’ll be below a mosquito web. The jungle is throughout you — together with the fireflies.”

Select from a number of operators, together with Varada Borneo Excursions or Wahyu Tanjung Puting Tour firm. Ruddy’s favourite information, Andreas, used to work at Camp Leakey and is aware of lots of the orangutans by identify. Attain him by electronic mail: andreas.greentour@gmail.com.

Over in western Indonesia, on the opposite facet of Papua New Guinea is the world referred to as West Papua. On the northwestern tip of the island is an space referred to as “Raja Ampat.”

“I believe this is likely one of the most lovely locations on the planet,” Ruddy mentioned. “It’s alleged to be probably the most numerous marine ecosystem on the planet. The diving and snorkeling is simply lovely.”

Ruddy recommends crusing with Sea Trek Bali. “There are great consultants who go alongside on the journey,” she mentioned.

Ruddy’s subsequent journey later this month is an journey to swim with whale sharks and see birds of paradise. The everyday itinerary is 10 days, beginning at $6,850 per individual.

One other boat-based journey is a go to to the island of the large Komodo dragons. Catch a aircraft to La Buan Badjo on East Nusa Tenggara island. From there, board your live-aboard boat on your “Komodo” journey.

Along with the dragons, you’ll swim at a pink sand seashore. “There’s nice diving and snorkeling there,” mentioned Ruddy. Look ahead to the manta rays within the water, and every sundown there’s a large flyover by fox bats.

Tour operators embody Cruise Komodo and Bali Komodo Excursions.

Two of Ruddy’s Anchorage associates, Pete Mjos and Karen Ruud, got here for an prolonged go to.

“She invited us — how might we NOT go,” mentioned Mjos. “We went to see the orangutans — however then went on an unscheduled go to to a head-hunters’ village!”

“Susan additionally took us to see the Komodo dragons,” mentioned Mjos. “We additionally noticed the fox bats as they have been flying over throughout a thunder-and-lightening storm. It was unbelievable!”

When she’s not exploring a brand new nook of Indonesia, Ruddy stays at her daughter’s villa in Bali.

Whereas Bali is extra well-known than different components of Indonesia, it’s changing into extra congested. “I try to warn guests,” mentioned Ruddy. “After they get off the aircraft, they might be shocked. The site visitors is stifling. The congestion is dangerous. Get out of Denpasar (the place the airport is) as quickly as doable.”

The island of Java, which is probably the most populous within the nation, is only a quick ferry experience from Bali’s west coast.

“Java is the center of Indonesia,” mentioned Ruddy. It’s additionally dwelling to the capital metropolis of Jakarta. Nonetheless, as a result of town is sinking in to the ocean, the nation plans to construct one other capital in Borneo.

The Yogyakarta area of Java is very necessary to residents.

“Town of Yogyakarta is simply one other huge Asian metropolis,” mentioned Ruddy. However the temples surrounding town are spectacular.

Boro Budur, constructed within the ninth century, is the world’s largest Buddhist temple.

Close by, the Hindu temple at Candi Prambanan, is the world’s largest.

Whether or not you could have your eye on a serious wildlife journey, some nice diving, or a cultural heritage tour—Indonesia is ready for you. The nation already has captured Ruddy and a few of her household. Will you be subsequent?