Indonesia is a culturally enriching destination. A collection of islands full of colourful rituals, mystical dances and gorgeous landscapes. And I got to experience all of this when I was invited on a press trip by the Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Indonesia to participate in the “Trip of Wonders 2017”. This trip was especially designed for me to experience the fascinating cultural beauty and diversity of Wonderful Indonesia.
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Wonderful Indonesia
The Trip of Wonders is an annual extravaganza that Tourism Indonesia organizes to showcase the varied aspects of travel in Indonesia. It is one of the most sought after FAM trips around the world with a high level of professionalism that is associated with it. The highlights of the cultural group of the Trip of Wonders this year consisted of top cultural wonders of Indonesia that include Lake Toba, Solo, Semarang, Toraja and Bali and I’ll be taking you around on a quick itinerary of my trip before delving into the destinations with some detailed blogs.
Being my maiden visit to Indonesia, I was thrilled to bones to explore the majestic island of Indonesia. I was greeted by the Tourism Ministry of Indonesia with a formal welcome dinner at Swiss- Bel Hotel in Jakarta. It was indeed a pleasure to meet them and get acquainted with their warm hospitality. Our entire journey was planned around cultural attractions of Indonesia. Without further ado, let’s jump into my journey.
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Days 1-2 at Lake Toba (North Sumatra)
It couldn’t have been a better start. After a hearty breakfast at Swiss-BelHotel, we took an early flight off from Jakarta to Silangit with Garuda Indonesia. After a good two hour turbulent yet an exciting flight, we reached the jungles of Northern Sumatra. Toba Lake is the considered to be the world’s largest volcanic lake and its blue-green captivating scenic beauty is a sight to behold. Lake Toba is essentially the birthplace of Batak, one of the Indonesia’s indigenous tribes. Getting a in depth view of the cultural nuances circling around the tribe was indeed a great cultural insight into the Indonesian society.
View of Lake Toba from TB Silalalhi Centre
Food is one of the essential part of mine and Sudipto’s journeys and we were treated to our first local culinary experience at the Sky Restaurant at TB Silalahi center. A visit to the TB Silalahi Centre and Batak Museum located on the shores of Lake Toba was a further enrichment of our knowledge of the Batak culture and tradition. It was followed by an amazing boat ride to the Samosir island and a pleasant two-night stay at Samosir Villa Resort just right at the heart of Toba Lake. The cultural ethnicities of the Batak Tribe and getting to dance with the locals on Si Gale-Gale dance is a something that I won’t be forgetting soon.
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Days 3-5 Solo & Semarang (Central Java)
Indonesia is a collection of the Islands and the most common way of transport between them is mostly though flights. The only way to reach Central Java is a flight from Jakarta. So with an early 6.00 Am boat ride and a two-hour flight of from Lake Toba To Jakarta and then again from Jakarta to Solo with Garuda Indonesia, I finally reached my second planned destination on the itinerary.
Streets of Solo
Solo And Semarang are both located in Central Java and is considered to be the cultural capitals of Java. Reaching Solo I was greeted the Minister ( Tourism Indonesia) over dinner at Omah Sinten. The streets of Solo holds an inherent old world charm to it and the cultural experience started right off with a wonderful stay at a heritage property, Roemahkoe Hotel. With just a day in hand, my itinerary in Solo was tight scheduled. I got to visit one of the biggest palaces of ancient Indonesia ? dating back to the Mataram Kingdom of the 18th century. It was followed by an exclusive Javanese Lunch at Sego Restaurant & Lounge. Thereafter we were given a short museum tour of the Hadi Batik Museum, Indonesia’s indigenous and a very popular artistic handmade fabric. Hadi Batik Museum holds batik designs from all across the globe. I also tried my hands in making my own signature batik.
The Dutch Railway Headquaters since 1900’s in Semerang
After spending an entire day exploring Solo, I departed to Semarang the very same evening. Reaching late evening I had dinner at KoenoKoeni and checked into Santika Premier Semarang for the night. For me, Semarang was like walking into the times of Dutch colonization. The city of Semarang at large is influenced by the Dutch since the 18th century. One such influence was the Lawang Sewu, formerly the government railway buildings of the Dutch. I couldn’t have left an opportunity for lunch at Spiegel, a cafe which has existed since the early 1900’s. The very same evening I headed to my third planned destination Toraja with Srivijaya Air to Makassar.
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Days 6-7 Toraja (South Sulawesi)
Toraja is located deep in the highlands of South Sulawesi. So I had to take another flight with Wings Air from Makassar to Palopo. Reaching Palopo around noon, we headed to lunch at Kepala Ikan Restaurant. With a good three hours drive uphill after that, we reach Toraja late in the evening, Being a part of a cultural trip has it’s own benefits as I checked in to Toraja Heritage Hotel. The next morning I head off to explore Toraja, which is home to worlds most complex funeral system in the world.
Tribal From Tana Toraja
Experienced the ancient cave cemetery of the indigenous group of Torajans was a surreal experience indeed. Following that we went to the natural burial caves of Lounda. The most creepy yet very interesting bit of the tour was inside the burial caves as I explored the mystical rituals of the indigenous people. Post lunch I explored the traditional settlements of Tana Toraja and its people in KeteKesu along with the majestic Manganda Dance, the famous local dance that Torajans perform to show their gratitude after a war. The experience of Toraja ended with a traditional Torajanese dinner at Cafe Aras.
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Days 8-10 Bali Ubud And Uluwatu
Palace In Ubud
Back again from Toraja to Polopo by bus and then Polopo to Makassar with Lion Air and again from Makassar to Denspar Bali with Srivijaya Air. I reached my last and probably the most awaited destination of this cultural trip, Bali. Bali is called the Island of Gods and it’s beauty truly justifies its name. Our stay at Sofitel Nusa Dua was an experience in itself as I got to experience Balinese hospitality in it’s most truest form. Bali is one of the most popular destinations in the world offering a vivid form of art and culture. With Trip of wonders, i got to witness the Gebong offerings as a part of the Hindu tradition at an Ubud Palace. I also got to experience the Bali’s most iconic art performance “The Kecak Fire Dance” over the sunset in Uluwatu Temple.
Inside Ubud Palace Wearing Balinese Attires
My Trip Of Wonders journey was filled with a plethora of activities that I have enjoyed and I would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism Indonesia along with the airline sponsors Garuda Indonesia, Srivijaya Air and Lion Air. I will be detailing you about each of the destinations in forthcoming posts on my blog. Do tell me which destination appeals to you the most in the comments below.
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