Author(s): David Bowden

Travel

The Republic of Indonesia is a vast archipelago presenting a kaleidoscope of sights for travellers. The range of activities available is equally sparkling with diving, surfing and sunbathing in and beside the coastal waters, and mountain climbing, trekking and paragliding on and over the land.Java is the home of the Jakarta, the bustling capital city, which has a wealth of cultural attractions, such as the still-operational port of Old Batavia. Elsewhere on Java are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Borobudur and Prambanan Temples. A chain of volcanoes forms the backbone of the island offering many opportunities for the adventurous. Bali and Lombok are justly renowned for their dive sites and their beautiful beaches. These are also a feature of Sulawesi and Manado whose interiors are thick with rainforests abundant with wildlife. Kalimantan on Borneo is a big draw for ecotourists, especially the Orang-utan sanctuary. Sumatra is dramatically picturesque: the lakes, mountains and forests offer a wide diversity of wildlife to be explored.Each of these distinctive and beautiful islands is explored in Enchanting Indonesia, which introduces all of the must-see sights, set within the context of the country's fascinating cultural diversity.