The take-off from Flores gives me a lasting impression of a country that has provided me with the best ingredients for a fantastic 2 month trip.
It must have been the prettiest take-off I’ve ever seen. Labuan Bajo becomes smaller as we fly away and the coastlines show their deep turquoise colours and reveal the reefs surrounding them. There’s many tiny islands now becoming smaller and smaller as we rise above the clouds.
Komodo was a wonderful last stop. I am so impressed by the 6 dives I’ve done here with Komodo Dive Center that I seriously have my mind set on returning someday to work on a live-aboard around the Komodo National Park. Let’s see how that works out.
It feels like the friendliest country I’ve been so far. The people are so kind and always curious about you and your family. Children say ‘hello miss!’ from every corner and wave as you walk by. Even traveling by scooter they greet you. Indonesians love to sing and you will be invited to join them, even in Bahasa.
I’ve felt like a superstar on Java, when everyone wanted to take pictures with me as they had never seen a white person before. I’ve felt embarrassed by hospitality as complete strangers paid my lunch or gave me a free ride to show the best parts of their town. They seem to laugh more than any other nation, turning awkward situations into a big joke whenever they get the chance.
Each island seems to be a country by itself, with a prevailing religion and language although the country is huge, with more than 700 languages and over 300 ethnic groups.
You can however order the same tasty food wherever you are, and you’d better like spicy mie and nasi goreng! The smell of fresh (Luwak) coffee is a good reason to get up in the morning, wait, did I mention banana pancakes for breakfast, everywhere? Tropical fruits and ice cold shakes anytime? How about a fresh coconut each day?
You don’t have to look for pristine nature. I’ve seen the greenest green tropical forests and all colours of earth due to the volcanic soil. The underwater world seems untouched, numerous mantas fly over your head and white tip sharks mind their business as you stare into a giant sea-fan looking at a spec called the pygmy seahorse. Then there’s always a waterfall to be visited or a snorkel trip to be done by traditional wood boat.
Traveling Indonesia, you get to combine all possible means of transport.
Fly in, get a ride to town by go-jeck and explore it with the help of a rickshaw. Rent a bicycle to go through the rice fields or trek up the volcanoes. Hop islands on slow ferries or very fast speedboats, depending on your time and money. Hail a taxi and haggle over prices because a meter is non-existent (exception made for BlueBird).
One of my favourite ways of transportation is renting a moped to have complete freedom on the what where and when. Gas is bought in front of houses, pored from vodka bottles. Traffic is crazy at some points, but going along, you might be lucky and make it unharmed.
I’ve been staying in dark dusty hostels and supershiny new homestays with anything in between. The maximum I spent on sleeping was €12 a night. Moneywise there’s possibilities for anything, you can live for a mere €5 till excorbitant amounts daily, depending on your wishes. You will be a millionaire anyway, as €1 equals IDR15.000 😀
It’s a safe and easy place to travel. Using your common sense and a lock on your luggage and bike, you should be fine. Yes, there’s places where you shouldn’t venture after dark, just don’t. I upgraded to new Indonesian €1 flip-flops as mine found a new owner while I went for a swim.
I’m leaving this country with a very good feeling and my tastebuds know the meaning of spicy now. The next country might be a bit bland after hot, colourful, loving and smiling Indonesia. I’m happy I got a taste and hope to be back for more.
Sampai jumpa lagi! See you next time!
Planet Bubbles 