I've been backpacking around Java for quite a while now and here is a list of interesting places in Indonesia:
Sumatera Island
- Lake Toba
- Samosir Island
- Medan City
Java Island
- Anak Krakatau Volcano
- Gunung (Indonesian for mountain) Gede
- Jogjakarta (rich Java cultural city surrounded with beautiful beaches and tourist spots such as Borobudur and Prambanan. Great cultural shows like Kecak dance, Ramayana Ballet, etc.)
- Karimunjawa Islands
- Mount Bromo (famous among tourists. You just have to see it with your own eyes but it recently erupted and I have no info on its status)
- Mount Ijen (Ijen Sulphur Mine. One of the places Nachtwey visited during his stay here.)
- Bali (For obvious reasons)
- Lombok (Beautiful untouched beaches. Stay in Senggigi and you'll be surrounded by beautiful sceneries everywhere you go. Fly from Bali around 35 USD. Cheaper and faster than fast boats)
- Flores Island
- Raja Ampat in Papua (Divers' Paradise. Absolutely stunning beaches.)
Cities like Jakarta, Bandung, or Surabaya are cool but if you wanna make your trip really memorable, stay out of the big cities and keep exploring. I suggest you to get the Lonely Planet book as it'll be a valuable guide. I'd recommend you to stay in Java for 1 and a half week or so and spend the rest in Bali and Lombok to just relax. If you're not a backpacker type of guy then I'd recommend to get everything sorted out because people here can be quite irresponsible especially in crowded tourist areas like Mount Bromo. I'm going to Borneo this December for some mission trip and I'll post some info here.
Some pictures:
Mount Ijen
Ramayana Ballet in Jogja. It was during full moon and the moon was right above the theatre and it was glorious.
If you have any question please do not hesitate to ask me.
🙂