Indonesia comprises around 17,508 islands that extend 5,150 km all across, right from the east to the west. These beautiful mountains are dotted with green rainforests. Some of these mountains though are known to have active volcanoes.
Indonesia is also known as one of the worlds largest archipelagic state. An archipelago simply means a group of islands. Archipelagos are generally found in the open sea. Archipelagos are also generally volcanic in nature.
Indonesia is also known as the world's most thickly populated country. In 2007, the estimated figures were around 234 million people.
Indonesia is also known as the largest Islamic country. Around 87 percent of the population consists of Muslims. This has not been declared officially though.
Another interesting fact about Indonesia remains to be that this place has quite a diverse culture and one can see around 580 languages and dialects being used out here.
Amongst the mind-boggling 17,508 islands that comprise Indonesia, around 6,000 are inhabited in reality. The largest islands of Indonesia are - Java, Sumatra, New Guinea, Sulawesi and Kalimantan.
Indonesia also has numerous active volcanoes and people out here also have to be prepared due to the frequent number of earthquakes.
Indonesia is also known as the world's 16th largest country. This is based on the total land area in Indonesia.
Of the ten largest islands found in the world, Indonesia boasts of three that belong to its list.
Indonesia with its abundant green cover is also home to many interesting flora and fauna.
Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the whole world. This island is also the 5th highest island in the world.
Some of the world's largest produces of nutmeg come from Indonesia.
Tourism remains to be the main industry in Indonesia. Some of the major attractions of Indonesia remain to be tropical climate and the rich culture of this place.
It is said that the highest point in Indonesia is the Puncak Jaya. This is located in the highlands of Papua.
Indonesia is also home to the Javan rhinoceros, which is not found anywhere else in the world.
Locally, Indonesia is also known as Tanah Air Kita. This means Our Land and Water.
Bali remains to be the most popular destinations in Indonesia. This beautiful place attracts tourists and nature lovers from all over the world due to its scenic beauty. Tourists have plenty to explore out here. Some of the other attractions remain to be the cultural activities of art and dance along with exquisite leatherwork and foot tapping music.
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia remains to be the 11th largest city in the world and is also densely populated. This city itself has a wide variety of places of interest for tourists that flock over here from all over the world.
Barack Obama lived in indonesia as a child, from 1967 to 1971, with his mother and stepfather.
Anggun is the first Indonesian artist to break into the international music scene, having charted in the American and European record charts.
The Indonesian Constitution guarantees the right to the freedom of religion. However, the government only recognizes six official religions, namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
Komodo dragon, is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo. (Komodo Island was selected to be the NEW Seven Wonders of the World)
The Grasberg Mine is the largest gold mine and the third largest copper mine in the world. It is located in the province of Papua in Indonesia. (despite having the largest gold mines in the world, but Indonesia is still becoming poorer country.
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of plywood, cloves, and nutmeg, and also of liquified natural gas.
Indonesia has the largest extent of mangroves, and the world’s longest snake, smallest primate (the tarsier at just ten cm. long), and largest flower—the rafflesia, which has blooms growing up to one meter in diameter.
Just like Lovina in the north, Amed Bali is not just one village but a string of smaller villages located on a 10km road in the Karangasem province.
It starts with the village Amed in the north followed by Congkang, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning and ending with Aas.
Most travelers stay in the 4 most eastern villages as there is more choice in accommodation, restaurants and dive operators. Aas is the less visited village of them all.
But more developments are taking place along this strip so perhaps soon enough it will be one of the tourist areas to visit when in Bali.
Now Amed Bali is mostly a quiet place with a stunning ocean view. Since this area is one of the best places to go to for scuba diving in Bali, travelers mainly come here to marvel at the diverse sea life.
Besides diving and snorkeling the main activity is just relaxing far away from the crowds in the south...
As mentioned before the Amed area offers stunning ocean vistas. Headland after headland offers amazing ocean landscapes. Everywhere you go you will see crystal clear water.
Climate wise this part of East Bali is not ideally located. It is located on the dry side of the mountains Agung and Saraya resulting in minimum rain throughout the year.
Every time we went to Amed area it was really dry and hot. It felt like the sun was setting the whole area on fire. The landscape is very arid and the slopes of the mountain all look bare.
Rice fields are out of the question and the only food that is grown in the wet season are peanuts, soya beans and corn.
So what makes Amed Bali special?
I guess besides the fact that it is right at the sea and its refreshing breeze, Amed is a really easy going place where you could be the only one staying in one of the hotels or restaurants.
And the locals in Amed seem to mind their own business. Despite the fact that they are friendly and helpful, the Balinese in this part of the island don't seem to be behind you everytime you turn around.
While we are usually up and about during our trips through Bali, Amed made us just want to slow down a bit and enjoy the breathtaking setting.
So if you want to leave the crowd behind without anybody wanting something from you then this Amed Bali definitely the place to go.
Pintu Kota (City Gate) is one of the beaches in the area around the town of Ambon, which unique is the presence of a large hole through the rock cliffs on both sides until translucent. On the reefs which are hollow if we stood on the beach, then we can see the sea directly through the hole.
Pintu Kota is often used as a tourist beach, shooting Prewedding, Wedding, modeling, fashion and product ads or movies.
Lombok is the most popular destination in Nusa Tenggara – a province in South Central Indonesia. Visitors head here for both underwater and on-land exploration. Situated east of Bali, it can be accessed by plane or boat. The island consists of virginal sandy beaches and a hilly terrain, fringed by mesmerizing azure shores, making it a favourite destination for trekking, surfing and beach lounging.
Lombok is paradise mixed with a dash of adventure and a hint of exoticism, blessed with majestic waterfalls and a volcano – Mount Rijani. ‘Unspoiled Bali’, would be an apt description.
Ultimately, Lombok is a place to chill. Popular with honeymooners, it offers a subdued alternative to the more mainstream Bali, while not compromising on beauty or comfort, just cost – it’s decidedly cheaper. Complete with quiet bays, white and grey sand beaches, a tranquil village style and half a dozen small islands, it retains an undiscovered tropical charm.
The Holiday Resort Lombok is a tranquil resort nestled between lush tropical mountains and pristine beaches. Accommodations include garden chalets, ocean view rooms, beach bungalows and family apartment. The swimming pool, surrounded by landscaped garden, the spa, gourmet restaurants and a comfortable bar ensure an unforgettable holiday experience.
Boutique beach resort and spa, is set amidst a coconut grove in Sekotong Bay on the south-west corner of Lombok Island.
Ayam Kalasan Kalasan, Yogyakarta Fried Chicken Fried chicken with kremes (crispy granules). Ayam Taliwang Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Roasted chicken originated from Nusa Tenggara (east of Bali), chicken cooked in various spicy herbs and seasoning. Babi Guling Bali Roasted meat Balinese-style roast pork; comparable to Hawaiian luau-style pig. Bakmi Goreng Indonesian Chinese Noodle dish (Fried Noodles) served with eggs, sometimes chicken, beef or seafood, with assorted vegetables such as thinly sliced carrots, (bok choi) or Chinese cabbage. Bakwan Malang Malang, East Java Noodle dish also known as Bakso Malang, meatball noodle soup with fried wontons from city of Malang Betutu Bali and Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Roasted poultry Traditional Balinese dishes made from chicken or duck and usually has spicy tastes. Buntut Java Meat Soup or Roasted meat (Ox-tail) served in clear soup (in which case the dish is called Sop Buntut/Ox-tail soup) or roasted alone then served with barbecue sauce. Bubur Ayam Java Rice porridge (congee) with chicken Rice porridge served with soy sauce, spices, fried shallots, shredded chicken meat, beans, cakwee, krupuk, and sambal Bubur Manado Manado, North Sulawesi Rice porridge (congee) with vegetables and salted fish Rice porridge served with spices, corn, vegetables, cassava or sweet potato, shallots, shredded salted fish, leek, and sambal Cakalang Fufu Manado, North Sulawesi Grilled smoked fish Grilled smoked Tuna skipjack fish stuck on bamboo Cap Cai Indonesian Chinese Stir fried vegetable Stir fried of ten type of vegetables dish. There are two types of Cap Cai, Red and White. Red uses Indonesian Tomato Sauce or Ketchup to give it a distinct sweet flavor, while the white one has nothing added to it. Empal Gentong Cirebon, West Java Meat soup mutton or goat offal soup from Cirebon, West Java. Gado-gado Java Vegetarian food a mixture of vegetables, crackers and rice with peanut flavoured sauce. The taste is sweet in Eastern Java and salty in Western Java. It's described in an Indonesian hotel menu as Indonesian salad with peanut sauce) Gepuk or Empal West Java Fried meat sometimes called empal gepuk), fried shredded beef in sweet spice from West Java. Gudeg Yogyakarta, Central Java Vegetable and meat in coconut milk sauce raw jackfruit that cooked in a Javanese traditional way that originated from Yogyakarta) Gulai Nationwide Meat or vegetable soup Indonesian curry) characterised with yellow colour from turmeric and coconut milk. Karedok West Java Vegetarian food raw vegetables served with peanut sauce from West Java(It's close to East Java pecel, but karedok uses raw vegetables) Ketupat Sayur Betawi, Jakarta Chicken or meat soup with rice cake Pressed rice cake served with chicken or meat soup in coconut milk, labu, jackfruit, and krupuk Ketoprak Jakarta Vegetarian food almost the same with Eastern Java's gado-gado but with saltier taste. A popular dish from Western Java. The main difference from Gado gado is that this food is served with bihun, a thin rice noodle, hence the whole dish is sometimes called "Bakmi Ketoprak"/Ketoprak noodle) Krecek Java
made from krupuk kulit (skin cracker), potato, and soy beans
Kwetiau goreng Indonesian Chinese Noodle dish Stir fried flat noodle, similar to char kway teow Kwetiau ayam Indonesian Chinese Noodle dish Flat noodle with chicken, sometimes served with pangsi (wonton) and bakso (meatball) soup Laksa Bogor and Jakarta Vegetable soup the popular one in Indonesia is Laksa Bogor that contains rice vermicelli, beansprouts, and oncom. Lawar Bali Vegetable and meat dish A traditional Balinese accompanying cuisine for rice and other Balinese cuisine which consists of shredded unripe jackfruit, young banana flower, a liberal amount of pork rind bits, raw pig blood. These are mashed with a plethora of herbs such as lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, and garlic. Lontong Cap Gomeh Jakarta, Indonesian Chinese Pressed rice cake served with soup Lontong (pressed rice cake) served in soup, chicken, egg and meat, especially served on the fifteenth day of the first month of each Chinese year/Cap Go Meh Mie Aceh Aceh Noodle dish A rich and spicy noodle dish from Aceh, available in two variations; Mie Aceh Goreng (fried and dry) and Mie Aceh Kuah (soupy). Usually made with goat meat or seafood and served with emping, slices of shallots, cucumber, and lime. Mie Celor Palembang, South Sumatra Noodle dish A Palembang South Sumatra style of noodle and egg dish. With beansprout and fried shallots. The white sauce is made with mixture of "ebi" or dried shrimp that gaves unique taste. Mie Goreng Indonesian Chinese Noodle dish Fried Noodle Mie Rebus Indonesian Chinese and Javanese Noodle dish Boiled noodle soup Mie Kocok
Bandung, West Java Noodle dish
Mie Ayam Indonesian Chinese Noodle dish also known as Cui Mie Mie Bakso Indonesian Chinese Noodle dish
Nasi Campur or Nasi Rames Nationwide Rice dish (Mixed Rice) rice with assorted vegetables and meat of choice. Nasi goreng Nationwide Rice dish (Fried Rice) steamed rice stir-fried with eggs, meatballs, chicken/beef/shrimp, assorted vegetables. The rice is made brown with thick and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). Nasi kuning
Nationwide Rice dish usually eaten during special event. The rice is cooked with coconut milk and turmeric, hence the name nasi kuning (yellow rice). It is usually served with more variety of side dishes than nasi campur. Nasi liwet Solo, Central Java Rice dish Usually rice processed with coconut milk and served with chicken, egg, and spicy broth. Nasi Padang Padang, Western Sumatra, nationwide Rice dish originated from Padang where most of the food involved coconut milk and heavy taste of chili. very wide selection of side dish Nasi pecel Java Vegetarian food Rice served with cooked vegetables and peanut sauce. The vegetables are usually kangkung or water spinach, long beans, cassava leaves, papaya leaves, and in East Java often used kembang turi. Taste best when eaten with fried tempeh and traditional cracker. Popular in East and Central Java. Nasi Rawon East Java Meat soup Rice served with dark beef soup, originally from East Java. The dark color comes from the meaty seeds of kluwak nuts. Usually served with uncooked mung bean sprouts and salty duck eggs. Nasi Tim Indonesian Chinese Rice dish Steamed rice usually served with chicken and mushroom. Nasi Uduk Java Rice dish Steamed rice served with variety of vegetables and meat of choice. It is similar to Nasi Rames, but the rice is steamed. A similar dish found in Malaysia or Singapore is called Nasi Lemak. Nasi ulam Jakarta Rice dish Steamed rice mixed with kuah semur (sweet soy sauce soup), serundeng (coconut granules) and peanut granules, sliced cucumber and bean sprouts; served with variety of vegetables and meat of choice toppings, such as dendeng daging (beef jerky), omelette, anchovy, fried tempeh and tofu, rice vermicelli, fried mashed potato. It is similar to Nasi Uduk and Nasi Rames, but the rice is mixed. Oncom West Java Fermented food fermented Tempe. Opor Ayam
Nationwide Meat soup Chicken cooked in coconut milk. Traditionally consumed with ketupat during the Idul Fitri celebration in many parts of Indonesia.
Paniki North Sulawesi Roasted meat, exotic food Bat cooked in Minahasan style Pempek Palembang, Southern Sumatra, also nationwide Fried fishcake Fried fishcake in sweet, sour, and spicy vinegar sauce Pepes West Java, also nationwide Cooked food in banana-leaf Fish, meat, tofu, oncom, anchovy, mushroom or any other ingredients cooked inside a banana-leaf package Perkedel Jagung Nationwide Fried dish corn fritters Rawon East Java Meat soup a soup of beef. The colour is usually black due to "kluwek" used as the spice Rendang Minangkabau, West Sumatra, Southern Sumatra, Java Meat dish chunks of beef stewed in coconut milk and chili gravy. Roti Cane Aceh, Medan, and West Sumatra or areas with Indian communities. Bread with beef curry Indian type bread with chunks of beef curry. Sambal goreng teri Nationwide Salted anchovy Spicy salted anchovy with peanuts Sangsang Batak highlands Meat stew pork or dog meat (or more rarely, water buffalo meat), coconut milk and spices (including kaffir lime and bay leaves, coriander, shallot, garlic, chili pepper and Thai pepper, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, turmeric and andaliman Sate or satay Java and Sumatra, nationwide Roasted meat skewered barbecued meat that usually had peanut sauce, or sweet soy sauce. Many type of satay has developed throughout Indonesia. Sayur Asem Nationwide Vegetable soup (Sour Dish/Tamarind Dish) clear soup with assorted vegetables such as: (melinjo) or gnetum gnemon, melinjo leaves, sweet corn (still on the cobs), young papaya, peanuts, and tamarind. Sayur Lodeh Nationwide Vegetable soup (Mixed Vegetables in Coconut Milk Stew) Sayur Nganten
Betawi and West Java Vegetable soup soup made of trubuk stem
Semur Nationwide Stew Stew made of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and spices, usually uses beef. Soto or sroto or coto Nationwide Meat soup a soup of chicken or beef. Many variants of soto has developed across Indonesia. Many types of soto have the color of yellow because turmeric is added as one of the ingredients. Tekwan Palembang, Southern Sumatra Fishcake soup a soup of fishcake with bangkoang and mushroom. Tempe Nationwide Fermented food can be cooked into various dishes; such as tempe bacem, tempe goreng, tempe orek, tumis tempe. Tinutuan or Bubur Manado Manado, North Sulawesi Rice porridge (congee) with vegetables Rice porridge mixed with various vegetables such as spinach, kangkung, corn, and sweet potato or cassava. Tongseng Solo, Central Java Meat soup Goat meat or beef stew dishes in curry-like soup with vegetables and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). Tumis Kangkung Java Vegetarian dish Stir fry kangkung vegetable Tumpeng Java Rice dish cone shaped rice surrounded with assorted dishes)
Sweet Desserts
Angsle Java
a mix of melinjo, glutinous rice, peanut, sago pearl, white bread, coconut milk, screwpine leaf, ginger and milk.
Bakpia Pathok Yogyakarta
Bean cake a small patty of baked pastry filled with sweet mung bean paste. Brem (solid snack) Madiun Java
Sweet snack Brem is made from fermented tape. Brem is a special snack from Madiun, East Java. The liquid version is light alcoholic beverage also called Brem originated from Bali. Bubur Candil
glutinous rice cake ball stewed in gula jawa (palm sugar), served with thick coconut milk.
Nationwide
black glutinous rice porridge, sweetened with sugar, and served with thick coconut milk
Cendil Java
Sweet rice and coconut cake rice flour-based small glutinous cake, sweetened with sugar, moulded and colored. Served with fresh grated coconut Dodol Java
sweets rice flour-based small glutinous sweets, sweetened with coconut sugar, moulded and colored. Often add fruit scent and taste such as durian Geplak
sweet made from sugar and grated coconut
Gethuk Java
cassava paste, sweetened with sugar and moulded in a special tools that it resembles noodles. Often served with fresh grated coconut Klepon Nationwide
glutinous rice cake balls, usually colored and flavored with pandan leaves, which gives it an attractive green color and unique aroma, filled with coconut sugar. The balls are boiled, and rolled in grated coconut. In other parts of Indonesia such as Sumatra, klepon is called onde-onde Kolak Nationwide
a mix of sweet potato, cassava, banana, pumpkin, diced in bite size pieces and stewed in coconut milk and palm sugar. Sometimes vanilla or ginger are added for extra flavor. Klepon Nationwide
sweet coconut cake boiled rice cake, stuffed with coconut sugar, and rolled in fresh grated coconut. It is flavored with pandan leaves juice. Kue putu Nationwide
sweet coconut cake similar to klepon, except that it's cylindrical in shape whilst klepon is spherical. Lapis Legit Nationwide
a spiced layered cake, made mainly of egg yolk, flour and margarine/butter. Lupis (food) Nationwide
glutinous rice cake wrapped and cooked in banana leaves, served with grated coconut and drizzled with thick coconut sugar syrup. Mochi Chinese and Japanese Indonesian
sweet rice cake Rice flour based cake filled with peanuts paste, sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds Nagasari steamed rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, and stuffed with banana.
Onde-onde Java
glutinous rice cake balls, filled with sweet green beans paste, and rolled in sesame seed an the fried. Pisang Goreng Nationwide
(Fried Banana), battered and deep fried banana/plantain Wingko babad Semarang, Central Java
Coconut cake sweet baked coconut snack
