Indonesia is what happens when 17,000-ish islands, hundreds of volcanoes, questionable infrastructure and absolutely no respect for your itinerary get thrown across the equator.
And holy shit, does it work.
Most people hear Indonesia and immediately think Bali.
That’s adorable.
Bali is the gateway drug. Keep going and Indonesia gets progressively more ridiculous. Java has volcanoes that roar like jet engines. Kawah Ijen lets you hike into an acidic crater in the middle of the night because apparently normal sightseeing wasn’t dangerous enough. Komodo has giant prehistoric lizards. Sumbawa has whale sharks. There are waterfalls hiding in jungles, pink beaches, ancient temples, manta rays, volcanic lakes and entire islands most tourists couldn’t identify on a map.
Indonesia routinely looks Photoshopped.
Getting to those places is where the fuckery begins.
Traffic can turn 30 kilometers into a meaningful life commitment. Ferries have an occasionally philosophical relationship with schedules. Roads can deteriorate into optimistic suggestions. Google Maps will confidently send you up a mountain, through someone’s village and possibly into agricultural infrastructure before announcing YOU HAVE ARRIVED.
No, Google. I absolutely fucking haven’t.
But that’s exactly why Indonesia keeps pulling me back.
It’s chaotic, humid, unpredictable, cheap, spectacularly beautiful and almost impossible to fully explore.
Come to Bali. Drink the smoothie bowl. Take the obligatory sunset photo.
Then get the fuck off Bali.
Because Bali is fantastic.
But Indonesia is fucking insane.
Popular Places to Visit in Indonesia
Map of Indonesia
Destinations to Explore in Indonesia
Culture worth the detour
24Entries
Dark Places, Worse Stories
18Entries
Fire, Lava & Bad Ideas
14Entries
Nature’s Humble Brag
28Entries
Things That Might Bite
15Entries
Travel Guides
9EntriesLatest Destinations in Indonesia
Whale Sharks in Bali: Pack Your Shit, They’re in Sumbawa
Searching for whale sharks in Bali? Minor problem: there aren’t any. Pack your shit and head to Sumbawa, where the adventure involves cold showers, a 4AM wakeup, a three-hour Gilligan’s Island boat ride and dozens of idiot tourists launching themselves into Saleh Bay the second someone yells “whale shark.” It’s rural, chaotic, completely ridiculous and absolutely worth it.
Read more
Lewotobi Laki-Laki: The Volcano That Wants You Dead
Most volcanoes become tourist attractions. Lewotobi Laki-Laki became a disaster zone. Join me as I venture into the shadow of one of Indonesia’s most explosive volcanoes, walking through villages devastated by ashfall, lava bombs, and an eruption that changed thousands of lives forever. This is Lewotobi, uncensored.
Read more
Komodo Village: Where the Neighbors Occasionally Eat Goats
It’s commonplace to visit villages in rural Indonesia with stray dogs and even monkeys. Komodo Village has Komodo dragons, because apparently normal neighborhood wildlife wasn’t interesting enough. Welcome to Kampung Komodo, a small fishing village buried inside Indonesia’s Komodo National Park where people have spent generations sharing their backyard with the largest lizards on Earth. …
Read more
Tumpak Sewu: Worth Every Slippery Fucking Step
Tumpak Sewu is what happens when Indonesia decides one waterfall is boring and dumps a thousand of them into a jungle canyon beneath an active volcano. Getting to the bottom involves slippery trails, bamboo ladders, questionable decisions and getting completely soaked. It’s absolutely fucking spectacular and worth every sketchy step.
Read more
Lapindo Mud Volcano: Still Spewing Shit Since 2006
Nearly 20 years after burying villages and displacing thousands, Indonesia’s Lapindo Mud Volcano is still spewing. No crowds, no gift shop, and on my visit, not another tourist in sight. Just an ongoing disaster, an apocalyptic landscape, and one hell of a lesson in what happens when catastrophe refuses to end.
Read more
Exploring Labuan Bajo: Gateway to Komodo National Park
Embark on an extraordinary adventure to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, and discover the breathtaking beauty of Komodo National Park, where stunning landscapes, vibrant marine life, and encounters with the legendary Komodo dragons await.
Read more
Padar Island: Come for the View, Stay for the Heatstroke
Padar Island is a hidden gem that beckons intrepid travelers with its enchanting beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. As you set foot on this tropical paradise, you’ll find yourself captivated by the harmonious blend of emerald-green hills, ivory-white beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Read more
Rinca Island: When You Order Komodo Island on Temu
I came to Komodo National Park expecting giant prehistoric murder lizards. Instead, I got diverted to Rinca Island, where the dragons were small, the experience felt suspiciously like a zoo, and disappointment was included free of charge.
Read more
Pink Beach: The Hidden Gem Everyone Fucking Found
Immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of Pink Beach, Indonesia, where pristine white sands merge with blush-colored waters, creating a picturesque paradise that will leave you in awe.
Read more