Republic of Indonesia.

The national flag of Indonesia.

Map of Indonesia.

My 1'st visit to Indonesia was the Island of Bali in 1989.

I was a wonderful experience, especially the central & north part of Bali, who have very few tourists. Normally most tourists stays at the south, on Kuta & Sanur Beach's with all there hotels and tourist stuff.

Since then I have been in Indonesia many times, all have however been to the Island of Java, specifically Jakarta, Solo, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogjakarta & Bogor.

Historic brief.

From ancient times there have been people in Indonesia, and around 1000 BC, there was a farming society based on rice & cattle, who may origin from North India. At 400 AC there are several known kingdoms, who where based on the Hindu religion who later on was joined by Buddhism on Sumatra, in the Kingdom of Sri Vijaya 8-11'th century AC . This kingdom also included the southern part of present days Malaysia.

In the 13'th century the Javanese took the lead, where the kingdom of Majapahit ruled. In the 15'th century Islam arrived to Sumatra & Java becoming the main religion, except on Bali which today still is Buddhist area.

In 1600 AC, the Dutch arrived and invaded part of Indonesia, thus creating Dutch East India, but the majority of the old sultanates still remained intact. Only by the 19'th century the Dutch concurred the entire Indonesia, and made it into a Dutch colony, who exploited Indonesia rather extensively.

At the beginning of the 20'th century a national unity started to emerge, and in in 1927 Sukarno arrived as leader of the independence movement, to release Indonesia of the colonial burden, but also stop the increasing numbers of Chinese emigrants coming to Indonesia.

In 1942 the Japanese invaded Indonesia, who first was received as liberators, but soon was considered an evil, like the Dutch. Immediately after the Japanese capitulation, Sukarno declared Indonesia a Republic, which was opposed by the Dutch, who launched a small war against Indonesia, but had to give up by 1949.

The area of New Guinea, was invaded by the Indonesian in 1962, and East Timor in 1975.

Also in the north, Indonesia was in dispute with Malaysia, opposing the expansion of Malaysia in 1963 to include Saba & Sarawak on the Island of Borneo. Indonesia left the United nations in 1965, when Malaysia entered the UN, and launched a war against Saba & Sarawak but unsuccessful. A peace agreement was reached in 1966, by Indonesia's new President Suharto, who is still president of Indonesia.

The None Javanese area's have tried several times to declare independence, such as Sumatra & Sulawesi in 1957 and the issue is still unsolved on the Island of Timor.

The economic development of Indonesia, have increased dramatically in this huge country under the rule of the current president, for all Indonesians. But the gap between rich ( Chinese ) and poor have grown even further, occasionally leading to unrest and will be a big challenge to solve in the future.

Some facts on Indonesia, see here

Now to some pictures from Indonesia,

View of Java Island, approaching Jakarta

Java is one big vegetable garden, every spot is cultivated.

The airport in Jakarta

The airport, interior design of each terminal which

is a modern version of a traditional Javanese house build from Bamboo.

I think it is one of the most beautiful airports in the world.

My hotel in Bali

ShowTime, ancient folklore story on Bali,

performed at one of the many ancient sites.

The band

The story of the dragon & monkey monster

who whish to kidnap this beauty of a princess

making some of the audience getting out of the chairs...

But don't worry, the story have a happy ending.

Traditional weaving of Indonesian textiles

One of the many ancient Buddhist temples at Bali

yet a temple,

Balinese art is a unique style, beautiful & colorful.

The final place to rest, the deceased status are shown by the number of roofs.!!!

View of North Bali,

my 1'st experience in a ricefield.

Much of Bali is cultivated, for rice who needs plenty of water.

As the landscape is hilly, there is terraces all over the island,

so you can grow rice on the hill sides also.

Harvest time, the old fashioned way

Separating the rice from the straw, all by hand.

Monkey forest,

with monkeys who love peanuts & cashew nuts,

and who is very naughty, so watch you belongings before they are gone....

North of Bali, lake (forgot the name)

who have a temple in the water, as the water keep rising,

due to no river is connected to it.

North Bali, cross country to visit a waterfall,

which are supposed to be the biggest on Bali.

Waterfall of Bali,

looks a bit small on the picture,

but when you stand there is seem huge.

Taman mini Indonesia, Jakarta.

Recreation park, with houses from all regions of Indonesia,

this one from Sumatra.

The sultans palace in Solo,

Who have a unique theatre, with band

playing traditional puppet theatre

Batik,

the traditional clothes of the Indonesia & Malaysia.

The real thing are handprinted unsing a special technique with waxing & coloring.

It takes minimum 8 steps to complete one piece of fabric.

Between each step the wax is boiled off the textile,

before the next step starts.

The real batik is therefor handmade, the modern version (cheaper) is machine printed.

Borobodur temple,

the biggest Buddhist temple in the world.

Build in the 9'th century AC

Air photo of the top, with all the many bell's,

who each have a statue of Buddha inside.

You can reach in with a arm, and touch the Buddha, brings good luck.

The entire temple are decorated with stone carvings,

such as this one, a fantastic site to see.

Not far from Borobodur is a Hindu temple, just as fantastic,

the temple Prambanan.

Build in the 9-10'th century AC

It was almost destroyed by a earth quake in the 19'th century,

but is now almost fully restored to it's former glory.

This temple are also covered with stone carvings, such as these,

One of the Hindu goods, (Gahness)

The female Hindu goddess, Shiva

Both the Borobodur & Prambanan are located near to Yogjakarta,

and a definitely a place you must visit if & when you are in Indonesia.

Have a nice trip.

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