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