Indonesia

An archipelago of over 17,000 islands of which only 6,000 are inhabited, Indonesia remains a destination that cannot be covered in one or two brief trips. For those wanting to escape the popular hub of Bali, Indonesia provides plenty of less-travelled roads. In Northeast Sulawesi, one can find the city of Manado renowned for its exotic delicacies ranging from bat soup to dog or rat meat for the especially intrepid traveller. For those sticking to a safer diet of local nasi ("rice") and delicious rendang (a local curry dish), there remains plenty of adventure in this diverse archipelago that lies within the Ring of Fire.

The overland and undersea volcanoes are responsible for the vibrant biodiversity found above and underwater. Some of the most paradisiacal reefs are available to those who trek to Lembeh and Bunaken or harder to reach destinations such as the Togean Islands and Raja Ampat. Natural wonders such as Lake Toba, Mount Bromo or the multi-coloured lakes of Flores are highly recommended alongside famous temples such as Borobudur and the nightlife of Jakarta for those looking for a social scene. For surfers there is plenty to choose, from Bali all the way down the coasts of Java and Sumatra you will find plenty of waves. Culturally Indonesia is as diverse, with Dayak tribes in Kalimantan, the Hindu culture of Bali, the Torajan funeral practices on Sulawesi and the stone-age hunter-gatherers that inhabit far flung Papua.

For those looking to immerse themselves in local language and culture, it is highly recommended to observe local customs and venture onto local buses to less-travelled getaways. The full immersion required for one of these rides limits this recommendation only to hardy travellers willing to endure the probable obstacles (linguistically and in terms of reaching the correct destination) that may arise. For those who reflect local customs such as eating food with one's fingers, it is easy to gain the surprise, curiosity and respect of locals.