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Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country and one of the most culturally diverse, is sprawled across more than 17,000 islands with over 300 different ethnicities and dialects. The people, most of whom are moderate Muslims, range from modern urban professionals in Jakarta, to village farmers and fishermen on many of the islands, to Stone Age tribal people in West Papua and peaceful, tourist-friendly Hindus of Bali. A former Dutch colony that became independent in the wake of World War II, Indonesia is a land of rich cultural and religious heritage, fascinating architecture, superb beaches and diving, unique wildlife, and remote village life.

Dutch sailors spoke of other-worldly creatures here such as the Komodo dragons of Komodo Island. From the orangutans of Borneo to the manta rays in the Gili Islands, Indonesia teems with a spectacular array of flora and fauna, like no other country on Earth. The landscape is just as varied, from the limestone isles of Raja Ampat to the snowy mountain peaks of Papua, home to the tribal Dani headhunters.

Classic Indonesia starting at $13,000 per person

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PREFERRED HOTEL

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Located on a clifftop plateau on the Bikut Peninsula on Bali’s southern coastline, the Alila Villas Ululwatu was designed by the award-winning Singapore architecture firm WOHA using environmentally sustainable principles, including water conservation and recycling and the use of local stone, wood, rattan and other raw materials. The luxury property, which opened in 2009, is the recipient of the prestigious Green Globe “Best Practice Building, Planning and Design” certification. Its 84 sea-view, private-pool villas feature contemporary Balinese accents along with such amenities as 24-hour butler service, wireless Internet and flat-screen satellite TVs. The resort has a 24-hour fitness center with yoga and pilates studio, while the Spa Alila features a variety of massage, skin and hair treatments. Dining includes the contemporary décor and western cuisine of CIRE and authentic Indonesian and Balinese dishes at Warung. Alila Villas Uluwatu is approximately 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Amandari

Amandari welcomes you to stay in central Bali at its 30-suite luxury property designed to resemble a traditional Balinese-style village with coconut wood posts, Javanese marble and volcanic stone. The suites come with a private garden, courtyard and outdoor sunken marble bath. The open-air restaurant serves Indonesian and Western cuisine with views of the lush gorge. Amenities at Amandari include a swimming pool, fitness center with state-of-the-art machines, private outdoor yoga classes, tennis courts and a library. Wi-fi is available in all rooms and public areas.The spa is surrounded by a lotus pond and has a beauty room, sauna, steam room and two bales (gazebos) for outdoor treatments. Amandari is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Denpasar Airport (DPS) in Bali.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Amanjiwo

In the heart of Central Java lies Amanjiwo, built from Yogya, the area’s famed local limestone. The bell-shaped rotunda of the main building echoes the nearby Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist temple and one of Indonesia’s most visited sites. The resort offers unspoiled views of this wonder, in addition to the fertile paddyfields of Kedu Plain. Indonesian and Western cuisine are served in the Dining Room, which is opulently decorated with gold-leaf murals of scenes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, and breakfast, lunch and light snacks can also be served in the colonnaded Pool Club that extends into the rice fields. Other places for guests to unwind include the library, art gallery, spa, tennis center and outdoor infinity-edge swimming pool. Amanjiwo’s 36 suites are arranged in two crescents, which frame the main building. Each suite is topped with a traditional volcanic ash tinted roof and interiors include hand-carved coconut wood furniture, exotic Javanese textiles and antique glass paintings. Wireless broadband access is available in all public spaces and in all accommodations.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Amankila

Amankila is perched on a cliff overlooking Lombok Strait and the private beach just below the resort. The 34 thatched-roof suites have walkways that wind through vegetation, attaching them to restaurants and public areas. The restaurant overlooks the pools and the sea and serves Western and Indonesian cuisine; private dining in the suites is available all day. Amankila’s Beach Club is located at the base of the cliff where there is a large pool in addition to the three-tiered pool on the cliff side. The club offers a range of activities; windsurfers, kayaks, boogie boards and Hobie cats are all available for use. Yoga classes are available at the Beach Club, or taught privately in your suite. There is no fitness center and no business center, however wi-fi is available in all rooms and public areas. The spa offers beauty and Balinese massage treatments on the beach, hidden away among coconut trees, in your suite or in a massage pavilion. The resort is one hour from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

PREFERRED HOTEL

Amanwana

Located on a nature reserve east of Bali on Moyo Island, Amanwana is a luxury tented resort with just 20 tents that face either the jungle or the ocean. Each 620-square-foot tent is enclosed by a solid wall and surrounded by a coral-stone deck. Inside, the air-conditioned tents feature banks of windows, Indonesian island artwork, a sitting area with facing divans, king-size bed, a writing desk and a large bathroom. There is hardwood flooring throughout. Sand paths link the tents to one another and lead to the beach, the dining room and reception. The dining room’s roof soars nearly 50 feet in the air and is open to the ocean. Both Western and Asian dishes are served in the dining room; campfire dinners on the beach, picnics in the music pavilion and private dinner cruises can also be arranged. The Jungle Cove Spa is just off the beach and encompasses three treatment areas, one double and two single rooms, each including a recessed, soaking tub and a shower for indulging in treatments using local ingredients.

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TRAVELOGUES

Diving with Mola Mola at Bali’s Crystal Bay

Author : Juanita Pienaar

Bali's Crystal Bay features a cleaning station for the gentle and mighty Mola Mola, also known as the ocean sunfish.

Perang Pandan: Ritual Combat and Camaraderie in Bali

Author : Anna Elisa Sida and Matteo Maimone

Ritual combat with a thorny leaf: Perang Pandan is a tradition dedicated to a Hindu god of war, a coming of age rite for young men, and a spectacle for photographers and lovers of Balinese culture.

Volcano Sacrifice: Lens on the Yadnya Kasada

Author : Anna Elisa Sida and Matteo Maimone

Before sunrise, devotees go to the slopes of Mount Bromo to pray and throw their sacrifices on the festival of Yadnya Kasada.

Dozen Dream Destination: Torajaland for Something Different

Author : Travelogues

With new flights from Makassar to Palopo, it’s time for travelers interested in the strange to try Torajaland, a world funerals, sacrifices, and a culture like nowhere else in Southeast Asia.