Author of this post:  Davide                     

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General Information Indonesia country. Backpacking indonesia

Here we are. Indonesia is wild. Indonesia is amazing. Indonesia is one of my favorite TOP destination in the world. I found this Country big, and I’m not talking about its geographic extension, but its culture, history and tradition that are so different region by region. I visited 3 different areas of Indonesia and I stayed there only for 30 days. I think a month is not enough even to discover ONE SINGLE REGION.

This is the largest archipelago in the world, with 17.000-20.000 islands. It possible to count 245 million inhabitants, which are distributed like gems along the equator line, made up of active volcanoes, dramatic mountain ranges sheltering untouched tribes. What about the white sand beaches and some of the best diving in the world?!  INDONESIA JUST STOLE MY HEART!!

I travelled there with my girlfriend and you can check out the summary of my Backpacking Southeast Asia for 110 days . Discover it with me in 60 seconds, all pictures are mine! 

Map of our route in Sumatra. Backpacking indonesia

After having taken few flights from Philippines we finally touched Indonesian land. We are in Sumatra, but why have we chosen this region instead of Java or Bali? Well, we wanted to find the real Indonesia. We started with the far-flung corner of the Indonesian Archipelago: Banda Aceh. This place has been known just for few reasons: earthquakes, tsunami and civil war. On 26th of December 2004, a tsunami created by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean swamped the northern and western coasts of Sumatra. Just to let you know 61.000 people died just in the area of Banda Aceh.

When we were there we realised  that for them is still an open wound. We stopped at the tiny tropical island off the tip of Sumatra, Pulau Weh, which is a small slice of peaceful living destination! Our journey continued to the south and we went into one of the most famous Parks of the entire Indonesia, Gunung Leuser National Park. Here we spent 2 days deep into the jungle, camping, trekking and looking at the wildlife, we saw Orangutans,  Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Gibbons, reptiles, insects. I love animals and for me was a TOP experience.

After Ketambe (main access to the GLNP) we stopped in a place that I call: “The Unexpected Surprise”. Danau Toba is a huge deep-blue lake where the amiable Christian Batak people reside, this was our secret mythical place. All of this lasted for 12 days and then we flew to Lombok.

Exploring Lombok and Sulawesi. Backpacking indonesia

Typical house in Tana Toraja regione. Backpacking indonesia

Lombok, after having spent few days on the minuscule desert Gili Islands (we found Gili Meno the best one), we moved to Lombok where we went on a 3 days 2 nights trek route to Mount Rinjani, another incredible experience in our journey around Indonesia. Our guide and carriers set up everything and made us good Indonesian food, our goal was just climbing, walking and “suffering” to reach the top, but finally….we made it! The view on the way was stunning even though the freezing cold wind on the last 300 meters. This is a must if you are visiting Lombok.

Sulawesi, the last destination we have chosen for our special expedition to Indonesia. Starting with amazing snorkelling in Bunaken Island passing through to sandy beaches of Togean Islands and ending with Tana Toraja (which is a cultural documentary brought to life). Sulawesi is my favourite. I think life is too short to see every part of the world, that’s why every time i choose new places to explore, but Sulawesi…..this pearl of the world is the one I’d like to go back to!

Bataks Dancing in Danau Toba. Backpacking indonesia

LIVING WITH BAJAU SEA GYPSYS

Backpacking indonesia

ARE YOU ENOUGH STRONG TO CLIMB IT?

Backpacking indonesia

THE MOST DISTINCT FUNERAL RITUALS IN THE WORLD

Backpacking indonesia