If you’re looking for a vacation that will give you joyous memories, wider horizons, and a better appreciation for nature and history, then 2023 is the perfect time to plan your next getaway. With several public holidays such as Idul Fitri break, Ascension Day, and school vacation already upon us, it’s time to start planning for your next detoxing excursion. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, consider these hidden gems in Indonesia.
First on the list is Likupang Beach, located in North Sulawesi. It offers a tranquil destination for beachgoers in the mood for a more serene excursion than the popular vacation spots such as Bali, Lombok, and Yogyakarta. Notable for its natural beauty, white sands, green hills, and meadows in the background, Likupang Beach has progressively put its name on the country’s tourism map. Moreover, the blue shores are not the only tropical sanctuary that Likupang has to offer. Minutes from the coast, tourists can enjoy the picturesque Pulisan Hill and savannah-like Larata Hill. For consummate food lovers, the culinary scene impresses with Likupang-specific delicacies such as lalampa, milu siram, and binte biluhuta.
Next up is Tanjung Puting National Park, located in Central Borneo. This national park has a different, awe-inspiring experience compared to other municipal parklands thanks to the abundance of vegetation along the park’s Sekonyer River and orangutan conservatory. Moreover, Tanjung Puting National Park encompasses more than 3,000 square kilometers of world-renowned Borneo peat swamps, mangroves, and coastal beach forests, lowland rain forests, tropical moist forests, and secondary (regenerated) forests. The Orangutan Foundation, in particular, runs the park’s facility called Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station, which supports local and international researchers in studying the diversity of flora and fauna, including orangutans.
Moving on to Lasem, located in Central Java. The subdistrict has grown in popularity for its unique, blended Chinese and Javanese culture and historical values. Besides the ancient Chinese architecture that remains intact across the town’s neighborhood, Lasem is also known as a batik center predominantly concentrated in the town’s Kampung Batik Karangturi. The city is also known for its religious attractions, such as the Jami Lasem Mosque, which has stood the test of time since 1588. The mosque is also regarded as proof of the first Islamic ministration on the northern shores of Java, dating back to the 16th century. For tourists who are looking for a more provocative side of the town’s history, a former opium house called Lawang Ombo, which is also known as one of the oldest residences in Lasem, is not to be missed.
Last but not least is Banda Neira, located in the Maluku Islands. Known by the locals as “A Piece of Eastern Paradise,” Banda Neira is precisely that. Dazzling as the home of nutmegs, it has mirror-like waters that are crystal clear, so much so that one can observe the marine life underneath with the naked eye. No wonder the island was once fought over by European adventurers in the early age of colonialism. Banda Neira offers almost every attraction to tourists, pilgrims, and globetrotters. The island’s Lava Flow will astonish even the most experienced divers and snorkelers with its ethereal, oceanic biota. Fort Belgica should enthrall history buffs as they take in the still-standing remains of the 17th century and learn about the ferocious battles between the Dutch and local people. Pilgrims are very much encouraged to pay their respects to their ancestors at the Parigi Ranti Monument, built to honor the lives of the many people of the area who fell victim to massacres by the Dutch.
No matter which of these hidden gems you choose, remember that respecting the local culture and norms goes a long way. So start planning your next adventure now and create memories that will last a lifetime!
