Visiting Other Islands

Bali is ideally located within the archipelago of Indonesia to afford tourists the opportunity to visit other regions such as East Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan and Java. In fact, there are virtually flights going to most of the islands from the domestic terminal making it possible to add a few days experiencing another culture.

Being bias, I would recommend Yogyakarta in Central Java but recently I read an article in the Bali Discovery about the Culture and Tourism Office for Southeast Sulawesi opening a tourism information center in Bali; the whole idea being to promote tourism to this fascinating region that has so much to offer.

An island with the central areas being rugged mountains, Sulawesi has a distinctive shape with four large peninsulas. It is an island famous for its culture and traditions, its panoramic beauty and has some of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago as well as some of the best diving spots in the world.

Travellers who have been to Sulawesi rave about the culture of Tana Toraja with the hanging graves in the sides of mountains and, ceremonies for the dead that are unique on this planet. But, Sulawesi is more than just that. It has some spectacular historical places to visit and cities that will leave you in awe and make you wonder why you didn’t visit the place earlier on your travels.

The descendants of the Torajans and Bugis peoples inhabit the south-eastern Peninsula of Sulawesi and the Buton group of islands. Most of the land area of Southeast Sulawesi is covered by natural jungle with extensive plantations of teak and ironwood, which are used for local handicraft and contribute to the local economy. For those who like challenging adventures and ecotourism this part of Sulawesi is ideal. Places like Lambusango and Kakenauwe that are both protected forests, Wakatobi Marine National Park and Basilika Islands. These are some of the best diving and snorkelling to be found in the waters around south-east Sulawesi and the jungles and forested areas are pure heaven for the hiker and explorer.