Indonesian Island Hopping: Your Next Epic Holiday
Indonesia is becoming one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and with so much on offer, it is easy to see why. The nation of Indonesia is comprised of thousands of islands, some of them tiny, and almost as many cultures.
Across Indonesia, you can find an eclectic mix of landscapes, from tropical rainforests to sandy beaches and even a volcano. There is so much to see and do that the only way to make the most of your trip is to hop from one island to another to take in all the sights and sounds of this incredibly diverse country.
It doesn’t take a big budget either. You can quickly and cheaply hop to another part of Indonesia using a ferry service, fast boat, or by air and seaplane. It would be a shame to travel all the way to this amazing part of the world, only to stay stuck in a resort or hotel complex and not explore the wonders and flavours of this beautiful collection of islands. Make Indonesian island-hopping your next epic holiday destination.
Begin with Bali
Bali has been Indonesia’s hub for tourism and trade for centuries, and here you will find a little taste of everything the country has to offer. Bali can often be a tourist’s sole destination, but if you allow yourself just a day or two to acclimatize there, you can use it as a base to explore everything the islands have to offer. It has excellent transport links to the rest of the country, by air or by boat, giving you lots of options.
Be sure to spend some time here, however, as Bali has its own unique offerings; especially if you get off the beaten path. Tourism is one a large part of the city’s economy, and it can feel a bit overdeveloped in areas, but you can still find authentic Indonesian experiences and cuisine if you stay away from the tourist hot spots and explore the city for yourself.
From Bali to the Gili Islands
From Bali, you can travel by ferry to the Gili Islands and experience some of the most beautiful and isolated beaches in the world.
The Gili Islands are what most people imagine when they think of a desert island beach. The bright golden sands and turquoise seas are simple dazzling, and a lined with palms and exotic flowers. Many people are stunned by Bali’s beaches, and never take some time to explore just a little further to find the idyllic beaches of the Gili islands. Don’t miss these out.
From the Sands of Gili to the Rainforests of Lombok
The island of Lombok is only 22 miles from the coast of Bali, but could not be a more different place or experience. Lombok has stunning mountains and forests that provide a more relaxed and natural alternative to the hustle and bustle of Bali or the isolation of Gili’s sandy beaches. On Lombok you will find unique flora and fauna across its beautiful landscape, and the amazing Mount Rinjani at its centre.
Mount Rinjani offers the best views in Indonesia – watching the sunrise and set on the peak of the mountain is one of Indonesia’s most spiritual experiences and should be on every tourist’s to-do list.
A vacation to Bali can be an amazing experience, even if you do decide to stay inside a resort and not explore. But if you do decide to get out and see what these wonderful islands have to offer, you could be amazed by the diversity sights, sounds and tastes that Indonesia has to offer its visitors.
