Beyond Bali – Indonesia’s next hot-spots

I’m now into the eighth month of my two-year Indonesian posting in Jakarta with the EU-Indonesia Trade Cooperation Facility (TCF) and I’ve already had the privilege of visiting various parts of Indonesia’s extraordinarily diverse archipelago. The scale of this intriguing country is immense: I could visit a different island every week and still never see all of Indonesia’s islands. With more than 17,500 islands, an endeavour at that pace would require me to live for another 300 years or so…

For those of us bound to the chaos of Jakarta, Bali is typically the first island to be visited beyond Java. It’s easy it see why: world-class resorts and cuisine; paddy fields and jungle vistas with so many shades of green; an array of intriguing and charming cultural traditions – the list goes on. And with an ever-growing network of international air routes, Bali is likely remain the jewel in Indonesia’s tourism crown. This is a good thing for the island and the country as a whole, as it often whets the tourist’s appetite to discover other parts of Indonesia.

And yet Bali is becoming increasingly crowded. The north of the island still offers an oasis of tranquility yet it is at least a few hours’ drive away from the island’s one airport in the south. This means that whether you’re a Jakarta-based resident seeking an alternative short getaway or a tourist from elsewhere seeking to explore other less discovered parts of Indonesia, the appetite for alternatives is there and only set to grow.

Here I share some brief reflections on a few of the more beautiful islands I have visited in recent months:

Lombok:

Bali’s eastern neighbour has long been described as ‘the next Bali.’ From rainforest waterfalls, to the mighty Mount Rinjani, to the highly-popular Gili Islands, Lombok’s natural beauty is impressive. The island also boasts some fine local cuisine (the chicken speciality Ayam Taliwang is a favourite of mine). The Government’s commitment to establishing Lombok as a prime international tourism destination is clear: a new airport with expansion potential opened in 2012, while a new Special Economic Zone dedicated to tourism activity was announced for the southern coastal area of Mandalika in 2015, with a view to boosting tourism investment in the area. A predominantly Muslim island, unlike Bali, Lombok also has the potential to appeal as a prime destination for tourists from places like the Middle East.

Worth the trek: Sendang Gile in Lombok.

Flores:

Mysterious land of gigantism and dwarfism, Flores and its nearby islands are home to a dazzling array of biodiversity, from Homo Floresiensis to the notorious Komodo Dragon. Getting there takes a little more effort than some Indonesian islands (there are no direct flights from Jakarta), but it’s well worth it! For holidaymakers or people who arrive Bali, it’s a mere 90-minute flight away. The north-western town of Labuanbajo is charming and the surrounding area is dotted with dozens of small islands and outcrops. Small-scale hotels that blend in with the surrounding area seem to do well, and yet a quick scan of the coastline does reveal a few old concrete beasts that have clearly seen better days and in one case even seemed abandoned like some post-apocalyptic relic in the middle of the jungle. A reminder perhaps that big isn’t always best in a nascent, underdeveloped beauty spot like western Flores. Yet while Flores remains underdeveloped, there’s undoubtedly scope for more tastefully-designed eco-resorts that will help cater for a growing tourism industry.  

Ambon:

The hub of the Moluccas (or Maluku in Indonesian) was once an important centre for the Dutch East Indies’ spice trade. After a troubled period at the turn of the century, this island is now on the tourist radar once more. Roughly shaped like a clothes-pin, Ambon has two distinct peninsulas and these days caters to many divers keen on Ambon’s muck diving sites and also as a stop-off for the small Banda Islands around an hour’s flight to the south. Non-divers can enjoy some beautiful beaches, visit a sacred eel pool or alternatively head off to one of the beautiful neighbouring Lease Islands. There’s a direct flight from Jakarta but it’s a long way (more than 3 hours and two time zones ahead). This makes a weekend trip a push but possible. It doesn’t quite have the array of tourist attractions of some other locations however, meaning it is unlikely to become a top Indonesian tourist hot-spot anytime soon. It could benefit from some more upmarket accommodation however – some of the main hotels are rather tired and run-down.

Belitung:

The pretty rotund island of Belitung is the most recent island I’ve visited in Indonesia. Located roughly halfway between Jakarta and Singapore, this is an ideal getaway for people seeking to escape Jakarta for a weekend. The main town, Tanjung Pandang is nothing amazing but the beaches on the north-west coast are beautiful, with easy access to some beautiful outlying smaller islands, including one with a huge lighthouse built by the Dutch. Belitung has some amazing snorkelling sites. The island is unlikely to compete for international tourists but I believe it’s proximity to Jakarta means it can offer a very appealing weekend away for the capital’s residents. It’s only a 50 minute flight from Jakarta with a decent, affordable selection of flights, making it quicker to get to than many of the outer Thousand Islands north of the bay of Jakarta. The latter can only be accessed by speedboat and are known for charging high rates for often mediocre accommodation. Having tried both options for a weekend, Belitung wins hands down. With some more hotels (and again especially eco-resorts), I believe Belitung could become a weekend break of choice for many people in Jakarta, and who knows, maybe Singapore as well!

Pulau Lengkuas with its lighthouse, just off the island of Belitung. Also home to some impressive monitor lizards and excellent coral.

As I discover other islands around Indonesia I plan to write up similar reflections on what they have to offer and where their potential sweet-spot lies, so whether you’re on the lookout for your next break or a potential investment location to consider, stay tuned!