Top Holiday Spots

IndonesiaIsland, Siberut Island, Sipiso-piso Waterfall, Taman
The name Indonesia has its roots in two GreekHutan Raya Bung Hatta, and more.
words: "Indos" meaning Indian andMalaysia
"Nesos" which means islands. It is anThe Malay Peninsula has thrived from its central
appropriate description of the archipelago as thereposition in the maritime trade routes between China,
are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, ofIndia and the Middle East. It is shown on early map
which only about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching forwith a label that translates as "Golden
5,150 km between the Australian and AsianChersonese"; the Straits of Malacca were
continental. The main islands are Sumatra Kalimantan),referred to as "Sinus Sabaricus". The two
Sulawesi Irian Jaya), and last but not least Java. Thedistinct parts of Malaysia, separated from each other
nation's capital, Jakarta, has a fascinating andby the South China Sea, share a largely similar
significant historylandscape in that both West and East Malaysia
Climate-- Indonesia’s climate is definitelyfeature coastal plains rising to often densely forested
tropical. The main seasons are summer, winter andhills and mountains. Putrajaya is the newly created
monsoon; it is devoid of autumn and spring.administrative capital whereas the capital city isKuala
Culture-- Indonesia is rich in art and culture which areLumpur. Georgetown, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kuching,
intertwined with religion and age-old traditions. TheKota Kinabalu, Alor Sar, Malacca Tow, and Klang are
basic principles which guide life include the conceptsthe major cities.
of mutual assistance or "gotong royong".Climate-- It's hot and humid year-round in Malaysia .
Religious influences on the community are variedCulture-- Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and
from island to island. Indonesia is rich with culture withmultilingual society, consisting of 52% Malays and
250 - 300 ethnic groups live here.other indigenous tribes. With Malays, Chinese and
From graceful court and temple dances to charmingIndians living side by sideThe music, art, food, dance,
folk dances and boisterous play, the performing artsarchitecture and general day to day living are
of Indonesia offer an astounding range of types andinfluenced by all three to some degree, creating
styles, shadow puppeteer is famous.some of Asia's most fascinating sounds, sights and
Cuisine-- Fish features prominently in the diet astastes. Malaysian traditional music is heavily influenced
fresh, salted, dried, smoked or a paste. Coconut isby Chinese and Islamic forms, it is based largely
found everywhere. The staple food traditionallyaround the gendang (drum), but includes other
ranges from rice corn, sago, cassava to sweetpercussion instruments. The country has a strong
potatoes.tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai,
Hot spots—Indonesia is a mix of beaches,Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms
forests and cities- Amlapura, Bali Barat National Park,include wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat (a
Irian Jaya, , Java, , Jakarta, Baluran National Park,stylised martial art).
Karimunjawa Islands, Kalimantan (Borneo), Gili Islands,Cuisine-- There is a great variety; spicy Malay Food, a
Gunung Rinjani (Mount Rinjani), Kuta, , Pulau Bunaken,seemingly endless variety of Chinese food, exotic
Rantepao, Tanatoraja, , Sumatra, , Bukit Barisancuisine from North and South India, as well as Nyonya
Selatan National Park (Great Bukit Barisan Forestand Portuguese Food.
Park), Harau Valley, Jangga Village, Kerinci-SeblatHot spots-- Malaysia's love of Western-style is
National Park, Lingga Village, Medan, Mentawai Islands,abundantly clear in its big cities, Kuala Lumpur, Penang
Ngalau Indah Caves, Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon),etc. Malaysia boasts some of the most superb
Padang, Pandaan Beach, Pandi Sikat, Parapat, Samosirbeaches, mountains and national parks in Asia.