CAPITAL JAKARTA - POPULATION 237.5 MILLION - AREA 1,919,440 SQ KM - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE BAHASA INDONESIA
Indonesia looks set to continue as a travelers’ favorite in 2009 and beyond. Though fears of terrorism and natural disasters linger, its enormous charms overshadow the unease. With over 18,000 islands to choose from, there's something to fit every visitor's agenda. If Bali's beaches are the place for you, try to time your visit between March 18 and 28, when its spectacular Galungan and Kuningan festivals see the gods descending to earth to join the island-wide revelry. The Maluku 'spice' islands, meanwhile, are currently experiencing an upsurge in tourism following 10 years of civil disturbance; making them a sure hit this year for divers and beachcombers alike. For something rather more gruesome, head to Tana Toraja in Sulawesi, to see its famed, but often bizarre, summertime funeral rituals. |
