| The name Indonesia was derived from | | | | overlooking the rice paddies. You get |
| indos nesos, meaning islands near India. | | | | massaged by an expert, then drift off in |
| The country is in fact the largest | | | | a cocoon wrap that is a heady mix of |
| archipelago in the world with a thousand | | | | mango, ginger and ylang ylang. |
| islands, 17,508 to be precise, spread in | | | | On peaceful Lombok, life moves at a |
| an area between the Asian continent and | | | | slower pace, while bustling Jakarta |
| Australia, and between the Pacific and | | | | exhibits Indonesians cosmopolitan, |
| the Indian oceans. | | | | modern face. |
| The islands are inhabited by many tribes | | | | Komodo Islands have living dinosaurs and |
| with diverse culture and languages, | | | | the entrancing sea gardens of Suwalesi |
| although there is a national language | | | | invite exploration. |
| spoken throughout the country, namely | | | | Yet modern Indonesia have triggered |
| Bahasa Indonesia. It is thus | | | | troubles. The main independence |
| appropriate, that the countries motto is | | | | movement, the Indonesian Nationalist |
| Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means Unity | | | | Party, emerged in the 1920s under the |
| in Diversity. | | | | leadership of Ahmed Sukarno and by 1949, |
| Clear blue seas lap pristine beaches, | | | | finally claimed the countries |
| gentle breezes carry scents of spices | | | | sovereignty. Such sovereignty did not |
| and flowers, and divers are entranced by | | | | get off to a good start previous |
| the oceans riches. Inland, dramatic | | | | colonial powers had depleted much of |
| volcanic ranges tower above a green | | | | Indonesians wealth while contributing |
| mantle of terraced hillsides and lush | | | | little to its development. |
| rainforest. | | | | However, from such a devastating tsunami |
| Bali offers an image of paradise | | | | also came a much needed glimmer of hope. |
| stunning scenery, gentle sarong clad | | | | A peace agreement with separatist rebels |
| people and sunsets of legendary glory. | | | | was reached just as 2006 dawned, |
| If you think Bali is all about rowdy | | | | resulting in the withdrawal of state |
| beach holidays, its time to head to the | | | | security forces from the Aceh province. |
| hills in the beautiful interior of the | | | | In return, Free Aceh Movement rebels |
| island, where time moves at an entirely | | | | began disarmament and vowed to abolish |
| different rhythm to the tourist resorts | | | | their armed wing. Such withdrawal |
| of the coastline. | | | | effectively ended a 29 year conflict. |
| In recent years, dozens of spa resorts | | | | Indonesian extensive diversity of |
| have opened in and around the inland | | | | cultural heritage and craft products |
| town of Ubud. | | | | have long been admired, appreciated and |
| They offer a slower and more | | | | studied by world communities. |
| sophisticated alternative to the usual | | | | Tropical climate varying from area to |
| beach holiday and are guaranteed to have | | | | area. The eastern monsoon brings the |
| you feeling fit and fantastic. | | | | driest weather June to September, while |
| Gone are the days when a massage | | | | the western monsoon brings the main |
| consisted of being prodded by an elderly | | | | rains December to March. Rainstorms |
| lady as you lay prone on the Kuta sand. | | | | occur all year. Higher regions are |
| In Ubud, you recline in the private | | | | cooler. |
| plunge pool of a hillside villa | | | | |