Indonesia forum

For the past few years I've been spending a couple of months in Indonesia every year and I never found any. There's a real need for something similar to this site (hint hint) but I'm guessing that not enough tourists go there to make it commercially worthwhile. Indonesia is a huge country, the world's largest archipelago (and no one seems to know what the ferry schedules are) so logistics make it a lot harder to research than Thailand I imagine.

I was about to post a similar post - when I spotted this one. Having an Indonesian section would be awesome. I'll queue up to be your first customer!

SBE - nice to see you back -- where you been?

Indonesia group has been duly added.

I have found some travel info on this site: http://www.talesofasia.com/indonesia.htm

It was written in 2005 so it's a bit outdated, but there's some good info all the same, in particular on Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Flores, Sumbawa and Java (Jakarta and Yogyakarta)

Hi Bruce - your link doesn't appear to work. Any chance of double-checking - I would love to have a look.

I have been to Bali (several times), Java and Sulawesi - but the last trip was in 1994! I am now (finally!) planning a trip later this year to see some more of Indonesia, and the Nusa Tenggara islands have always been at the top of the list.

Any other info you can point in my direction would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry, busylizzy, it works for me..

Anyway, try:

http://kybi.sk/

Then click on 'photo galleries' and when 'up' select anything you like. If you select Sumbawa (about half way down), you'll get to:

http://foto.kybi.sk/indonesia-sumbawa/


Hope this helps.

Cheers

I just found an amateur site written by a French guy who used to work in SE Asia and thought I'd share. It's about ten years out of date and looks like an embryo version of TF that never really took off the ground but people might find it interesting as background reading.

Includes recipes and advice how not to get attacked by a snake if you find yourself eye to eye with one!

http://colors.of.asia.free.fr/expat-guide-tips-travel-hotels-indonesia.htm

Yeah, Indonesia has some great places to travel. I ve done a bicycle tour on the island of Sulawesi, the south Sulawesi. They called it Sulsel. Travel more than 1000 kilomters.

Bira beach is has nice local villages where your may rent a house for long term. It has some good resorts too at Bira. But we prefer to rent the kampong house, sort of homestay. Meals were prepared by the neighbor, and clothes washed too at very nominal price.

However, food isnt as good as places like thailand and Malaysia. And lack of good hotel too,.. except Makassar, which is the capital city of South Sulawesi.

And while you are at Sulawesi, do visit the highlands of Toraja and experience the fascinating culture of torajan people.

Here is a link to the cycling adventures I did. RegrettThe text is in Bahasa Malaysia, but the pictures may help. You may even try google translate.

http://www.jomkayuh.com/forumv2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1252

regards
AA

katbone,

Don't be put off by the statements of overcrowding in Thailand - there ARE islands which are quiet and laid back (eg Koh Kradan and Ngai are two very quiet ones that I stayed on).

However, back to Indonesia. I stayed at Kanawa Island for 4 days which is just off of Labuanbajo (Flores). Accom is very basic but comfortable. No hot water, and in fact, they only turn the cold water on at certain times (or on request in our case as we were the only ones staying on the island!). Power was only turned on for a limited time in the evenings.

The toilets are squat ones, and it's a mandi style bath (ie scoops of water over the head). Service at the place was non-existent, which is fine if you just want to be left alone and don't have any expectations. The food was a bit disappointing but primarily because in our case, we were the only visitors on the island so they were only running with the basics (ie fried rice). It's an interesting little island, with some fairly good snorkelling off the beach.

You can organise a trip to Komodo or Rinca island from Labuanbajo and they will pick you up from Kanawa. We did some awesome snorkelling along the way, and there is supposed to be some awesome diving there.

If you are looking for undeveloped, this is it. Bring plenty of books, cards and games to keep yourselves amused.

Here is some more info and pics if you are interested. If you are after quiet, rustic and basic, then this is it.

Hi katbone,
I actually went to 3 islands around the Trang area (south of Krabi) in Feb this year: Kradan, Muk and Ngai. All 3 islands were quite different, I think.

I loved Kradan, but again it was very basic in terms of facilities. THere are are couple of different places to stay ranging in price (I recommend Lost Paradise Bungalows for nice budget style, run by Wally, an American guy. They also do the best food). Excellent swimming and good snorkelling if you go right around the corner rather than off the main stretch of beach. During the day boatloads of Thai tourists arrive with their blaring Karaoke machines that you have to put up with for an hour or two on the main beach, but you can just walk around the corner a bit to get away from them.

Koh Muk was also really nice, bigger than Kradan and more places and villages to explore, but also a bit busier (but not overcrowded).

Koh Ngai was OK - again extremely basic and nothing to do but read. I believe I may have stayed at an isolated end, and think there may be a bit more activitity (including restaurants, etc) at the other end of the island. I didn't research it enough, and didn't stay long as I was tired of the isolation by then. But I think in a different frame of mind, it would also be really nice.

There is a bit more info and a few pics on the blog that I linked to above. Make your way to the early Feb postings....

Out of the 3, I would pick:

Koh Kradan - for isolation on a gorgeous beach, good snorkelling, and good accommodation/food at Lost Paradise

Koh Muk - for a bit more in the way of 'activity' and things to see/do as well as good swimming.

you have to visit Sabang (weh island) its beautiful..

I've just joined this website, with no intention to spam, but I feel that all travellers to Indonesia can take advantage of being able to quickly compare all prices for all local airlines at our website: http://www.tiket2.com. In real time. Let us know about your opinions and suggestions. Enjoy Indonesia!