and in response I have received some great pictures of areas I have never even heard of.

Here are the pictures and the names of the areas alongside the Twitter accounts or websites of those who have provided me with them:

North Celebes Province. Where Bunaken is
Courtesty of iFairchild

Sunset in Gangga Island, North Sulawesi by EthnicGirl

Graceful Prambanan by @luthfianya

Santolo, Garut by @mrsnyamnyam

Nusa Tenggara Timur by The Best Photographer in Indonesia

Kakaban by @gitzgitz

Gunung Kerinci by @aquanakmama

Pulau Penyu (Turtle Island), Bali by @adistyanggraini

Indonesian food was nominated as well, I myself like Sate.

Kawah Putih, Ciwidey, Bandung

Airplane headed for Bali from Bisnis Ticketing

Kelor island

a dragon posing on Komodo Island, West Flores, Indonesia
by GOKOMODO

Admittedly, the batik is found in several regions of the world, such as India, Malaysia and some Middle East countries, but Indonesia has specifically raised this textile process to perfection with its artistic approach. There are now various designs of batik in addition to the traditional patterns. On top of that, the use of batik is now not only  limited to traditional clothing such as the sarong and shirt, but also to various daily apparels and home decor.

If you’re interested to learn more about the variety of traditional batik patterns as well as the modern designs, click here and if you’re interested in purchasing some batik for resale, go here.

In between meetings, my colleagues and I had a chance to talk to locals and dig a little deeper into their interesting culture and people. The name Palu literally means “hammer”. Although we couldn’t find out why it was named that way, the Christians there seem to be able to relate the name of the city to the situation that they are in.

Palu Bay

The majority of the population in Palu are Muslims. The city has a long history of violent clashes between the Muslims and the Christians, who are mostly not from the area. Stories of Christian and Muslim deaths, bombings, killings, executions and closing down of churches were slanted all over the media, picturing Palu as a violent, bloody and unsafe place. From our conversations with the locals, we found out that the natives of Palu, the Kaili tribe are very peaceful and friendly.

It seems that resistance against the Christian immigrants does not come from the native people of Palu or Central Celebes but rather from fellow immigrants that come from the south of the Celebes island – the tribe of the Bugis. The ancestors of the Bugis’ people were known in the Caribbeans and Madagaskar as vicious pirates from the far east, feared so much by white westerners in Europe that they named them the Boogey men, which became also the frightening character to terrify children in the west who refuse to go to bed. Nowadays the Bugis people are still skillful sailors but no longer pirates. But the violent traits inherited by their ancestors are now taken out on the Christian immigrants, so it seems.

For our Christian friends that we met there, the name Palu (“hammer”) was a perfect description of their constantly  “hammered” situation. On the other side, we also found out, that the government of Palu itself is very much open to and welcoming Christian mission organization such as the Salvation Army. A local church even admitted that they receive quite a lot of support to implement their programs for the society. So it seems that it is only one group of people “hammering” the Christians there.

Despite that all, Palu seemed to be a very peaceful and laid back city. Wherever we went, my western colleagues were greeted and waved to. Short, friendly hellos and “Hellow Mister!” or “How are you?” can be heard several times as we walk down a street.

As we walked to have dinner the first night, we found some construction jokes that we felt we had to stop, discuss them and take pictures of our funny discovery. The first one is the brigde that was built for pedestrians to use to cross the street. Have a look at the picture below and try and figure out what is wrong with it.

Crossing Bridge in Palu

We found another funny thing in the mall. Look at the picture below and find something hilarious of Palu construction.

Escalator engineering

What is most interesting about the volcano is that it is actually still very much active but people can very often walk all the way down into the craters. It last erupted (mildly) in 1969, during which it spewed ashes and rocks. Later in 1992 and 2005, due to high seismic activities, it was closed to the public for a few days. On the north part of the mountain, an area called Death Valley is located, where frequent accumulation of poisonous gases occurs.

If you’re keen on walking, then you can walk all the way up to the top. Otherwise, it is also possible to drive up until you reach the summit where car park is available. It is best to go to the top first because clouds would often roll in towards midday.

The volcano has three craters (kawah): Kawah Ratu, Kawah Domas and Kawah Upas. Kawah Ratu is the largest one, Kawah Upas is located next to it and is a shallow flatland crater surrounded by wild plants. You will not be allowed to go down these two craters as poisonous gas is often released. However, you can walk all the way down to Kawah Domas which has hot springs and where many people often soak their feet in. Here, tourists can also buy eggs which was cooked on its hot surface.

Facilities around the area includes car park and small stalls where you can buy souvenir or Indonesian snacks or street kitchen meals.

The one and only best restaurant I found, the first evening I stepped my foot on the capital city, Pangkal Pinang was the “Noordpool” (Dutch word for northpool) serving only snacks and ice cream for my first (late) dinner on the island as I just arrived the place around 9:00pm after three-and-a-half-hour long drive from the island’s harbour, Muntok. More over, I had to go on foot to reach the resaurant as no public transport was available at all. Thank God, it was only a 20-minute walk anyway despite my starving stomach.

Now, Muntok is not the only harbor of the island anymore, since other harbours had been constructed for the benefit of the economic growth. One of them is serving Jet-foil connection to Belitung island. Access by air was – then, only once a week. Presently it has been growing to twice a day served by two different airlines from Jakarta, Palembang (South Sumatera), Tanjung Pandan of Belitung (the neighboring island) and Batam.

There had been hotel constructions taking place in Pangkalpinang, which status was changed to Bangka-Belitung province’s capital from Bangka regency’s capital which was relocated to Sungailiat.

Meals are now nothing to worry about. Restaurants, offering cuisines of different origins and specialties are quite easy to find.
Sungailiat is presently not only the center of the regency’s administration, but it has been emerging into a tourism activity center as it is located about ten miles away from a very fantastic beach resorts offering vacations completely away from the packed schedules of your daily business activities.

Bungalows, at Parai Beach Resort for instance, are among those offering high standard facilities and services beautifully laid out worth a break from your routine life.

Since as far back as the Dutch administration, the islands – Bangka and Belitung – were renown as the tin producers of the world. It was managed by the state owned company until early 1990s when the company was designated to close down for financial reason due to the world’s declining demand for tin.

Nevertheless, the mining activities has been going on ever since, done in unconventional way resulting in nothing but disadvantages to the environment. Fortunate enough, there are people who care for the conservation of the nature by converting the ponds – left over by the mining – into that of fishery purposes or recreation and tourism attractions.

My general impression on Bangka now is, it has changed to a peaceful and convenient place worth a vacation. Warm people of Chinese origin, which count to over 65% of its residents, warm climate of general tropical island’s nature, mixed culture and way of life of Chinese-Malay inhabitants is the atmosphere you will feel once you get around the island. Many people say, Bangka which is now complementary to Bali, would – in the near future – be its alternate destination.

It’s a paradise for you, if you’re an active vacationer type. Activities ranging from swimming, sailing, para sailing, wind surfing, water skiing etc., are among those for your choice. Or, if you prefer lying down on the beach reading your favorite books and get yourself tanned would, of course be a perfect idea as well.

What so specific about Bangka is that the island was once the place where Soekarno (independence proclaimer and first president of Indonesia) was in exile during the independence fight period (1948). The house, where Soekarno used to live in exile on Bukit Menumbing (Menumbing Hill) has been maintained as one of the historical sites of the island.

Speaking of Bangka, pewter works should not be left out from your souvenir list and the renown Bangka fishcrackers to accompany your bier as well as your meals.

Places might be of your interest – aside of the Parai Beach – are Pasir Padi Beach, Tin Museum, Pewter Handicraft Workshops, Baturusa Bridge, Ancient Chinese Temple, Regency Complex Sungailiat, Kampung Gedong – a Chinese ethnic village in the outskirt of Old city Belinyu, Matras Beach and Natural Hot Spring ‘Tirta Tapta ‘.

Further information and reservation are available online. A consultation with your travel agent is naturally advisable.

Back in 1526, the Sultanate of Demak sent Fatahillah to invade the Hindu port of Sunda Kelapa, which is now located in northern Jakarta, still under the same name ‘Sunda Kelapa’. He changed the port’s name to Jayakarta. Today, the old Jakarta city hall is located right at the square named the Fatahillah Square.

Jayakarta then was only 15 Ha in size and rendered in traditional Javanese coastal city. In 1619 the VOC (The Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) destroyed Jayakarta under the command of Jan Pieterzoon Coen. The town’s name Jayakarta was then changed to “Batavia” to honor Batavieren, the Dutch ancestors.

The inhabitant of Batavia are called “Batavianen”, later known as “Betawi” people, the creole ethnic, the descendants of mixed various ethnicities that has inhabited Batavia.

The Old Jakarta City Hall

The Gili islands was the backpacker mecca in the beginning but today there are glamorous options available. The Gili Air is the closest to the mainlaind of the island Lombok, in the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat. It has the largest local population of all three islands. The Gili Meno is the smallest and also the quietest. Here you will be able to find simple places to stay. Gili Terawangan is the most developed and have been backpackers favourite destination in South East Asia since the beginning.

The Gili islands are very relaxed and laid back. You can find many little beachsite cafes playing reggae and serving up banana pancakes. Many of the cafes are also serving a variety of dishes, from seafood buffet, fresh salads and excellent Asian and western food. You can find many simple hotels and Losmen’s (hotel-like budget accommodations) which provides three meals a day.

All of the three islands have white sandy beaches, coral reefs and crystal clear water. The white sand is far better than anywhere in Bali or Lombok itself.

More and more westerners are now living on Gili islands, running businesses such as dive companies and also resorts. In the beginning people come here to dive, snorkel and party but nowadays more upmarket tourists show up to wine and dine and hang out.

To reach the Gili island, it is fastest to fly from Denpasar in Bali to Mataram in Lombok and from there book a package at the nearest travel agent. It will take you a flat rate of about Rp.75,000 – Rp100,000. Or you could also go to Senggigi and charter your own private boat to the islands.

Every year, thousands of local pilgrims visit the lake as they believed it to be a sacred place. Here, they offer gifts to the goddess that rules over the lake, Dewi Anjani (dewi means goddess, pronounced day-wee).

The three-day Rinjani trek route from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the Crater Lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. The national park of the Mount Rinjani manages the Rinjani trek. This is to ensure that communities around the mountain benefit from the tourism revenue. Revenue from tourism activities and entry fees is used for conservation, raining, management and assisting the National Park with maintenance of the Rinjani Trek, thus ensuring sustainability. The best time of the year to trek in Rinjani is from April to November.

The Gunung Rinjani National Park lies within a major bio-geographical transition zone (Wallcaeae), where the flora and fauna of South East Asia meets that of Australasia. The park covers about 413 square km. Some of endangered plants and also animals are protected here.

Malin Kundang’s hometown is Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra on the island of Sumatra, which is one of the biggest islands in Indonesia. Tourists usually only come here because it is an access to the incredible surfing site, the Bungus Bay in the Mentawai Island.

The word “Padang” in Indonesia simply means ‘field’. Ever since the 16th and the 17th century, pepper was cultivated and traded in Padang with India, Portugal and the United Kingdom! Yep, it has been an international city for centuries. Padang is the biggest city on the island Sumatra and has an international airport called Minangkabau International Airport in Ketaping, to be precise. Although big, you see that the streets are still very quiet… especially if you are used to the streets of Jakarta!

The cuisine of the Padang people is probably the most famous cuisine amongst all traditional cuisine in Indonesia. Wherever you go you can find Padang restaurants which is named “Rumah Makan Padang” (Padang House of Dining), not only here in Indonesia but also all around the world! In Frankfurt, Germany where I grew up, we also found a Padang Restaurant. I was told very early in my childhood that even if we set our foot on the moon, we will find at least one Padang restaurant there. That is how we joke about their amazing cuisine endeavor.

In Indonesia, every tribe and place has their own cultural signature. Padang’s is not only their delicious food but also their beautiful traditional roof design that you can easily recognize whenever you spot them. Even in Jakarta, you can find roofs of Minangkabau people (the indigenous people of Padang) designed the same way as well as their restaurant buildings.

If you come to Padang, try their delicious beef dish ‘rendang’. We will soon add a special article about this most favourite dish including the recipe!

To reach the Komodo islands it takes a long voyage from Bali along the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa, giving you the imagination that you are actually entering a real life Jurassic Park. This part of the world is still unexplored especially underwater. Due to the remoteness of the island, the Komodo Dragons themselves were first discovered by the western world only at the beginning of the 20th century. Imagine what else can still lie out there underwater and above!