When people think of an Indonesian holiday, it’s usually Bali that first springs to mind. The Island of the Gods is undeniably beautiful and worthy of the attention, but in an archipelago as big as Indonesia, there are a multitude of destinations that are equally breathtaking. Repeated trips to Indonesia reveal there’s far more to the country than spas in Ubud and luxury beach resorts – it’s a place where culture and tradition are still indelibly interwoven into the everyday, and where historic sites are as grand as the geography. Here are some inspirational images of Indonesia that showcase the vibrantly diverse landscapes of this spectacular country.
This is a familiar sight on the island of Nusa Lembogan, located off the southeastern coast of Bali. Seaweed farms cover much of the coastline, breaking it up into a patchwork of browns and greens – this famer is harvesting at sunset, when the low tides make it possible to crop the bushels. The seaweed is dried, then sold – its carrageenan used as a thickening agent in products like toothpaste, pates and even juices.
Rice accounts for a huge part of Indonesia’s national economy, so a sight like this is not uncommon across Bali. It’s an iconic sight – lush, green terraces punctuated by the bright sarong of a farmer. If you’re a keen photographer it’s an irresistible scene, no matter how many times you encounter it!
When you’re researching Bali in brochures or online, you rarely see its cosmopolitan side outside the upscale hotels. To cater to Western tourists and of course all the expats who now call Bali home, there are countless restaurants, cafés, clubs and cool beachfront bars like this one. Hiking or surfing in Bali are great, but it’s when you’re relaxing with a cold drink in a place like this that you truly feel on vacation.
Balinese dance is a highly ornamental display, with lots of gold accessories and bright colors. Traditional dance changes from island to island – this dancer was performing at a temple in Bali. You’ll find different examples of traditional narrative dance all across the archipelago.
As one of Java’s most holy sites and the most visited place in Indonesia, the 9th-century Borobudur temple is an iconic symbol of the nation’s heritage. It’s endlessly beautiful, with countless Buddhist reliefs, multiple stupas and more than 500 Buddha statues. Capturing a detail of this huge monument in such soft light conveys the feeling of reverence that permeates the site.
Mount Bromo offers a whole new level of scenic photography. The otherworldliness of the black volcanic terrain and steaming caldera is hard to fully convey. The additional photographer in frame here helps you realize just how vast and awe-inspiring the Tengger caldera is.
You can practically smell the fresh sea air in this pic. Lush green jungle, palm trees, little houses along the shoreline – parts of Indonesia really are your quintessential tropical paradise. The wooden jukung outrigger canoe is common around Bali – you can see some nestled amid the trees in the distance.
The Tirta Empul holy water temple in Bali is a Hindu site devoted to Vishnu. Here, locals come to bathe in the ‘holy’ healing spring water, bringing offerings and praying. The edge of the pool here draws the eye back from the woman with the bright sarong in the foreground to the men bathing in the background. You can’t see in this picture, but there are koi fish also swimming about in this pond. Just another deeply contextual, vivid day in Indonesia!
If you’d like to dive into the different sides of Indonesia, give us a call and start planning your bespoke Indonesian tour today. For the best weather (and the best light) plan your trip for between May and September.
