Indonesia, Asia travel resource.

Indonesia,Asia.

Several times in recent years it seemed that things couldn't get much worse for Indonesia. But each time, things have gotten worse. Most recently, in December 2004, a tsunami caused by a massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra struck the north and west coasts of that island, delivering massive devastation. At least 94,000 people died, and resorts and cities were destroyed. The province of Aceh, including the regional capital of Banda Aceh, was especially hard-hit, suffering the worst damage and loss of life. Recovery in these areas is expected to be slow. Tourist destinations in Bali and eastern Indonesia were not affected, however.
In 2002, Bali was hit by a series of terrorist bombings that killed more than 200 tourists and prompted many Western governments to warn their citizens to stay out of the country. However, as the world has readjusted to the reality of terrorism's universal presence, tourism arrivals have rebounded -- particularly to the Hindu enclave of Bali -- proving many people are choosing travel over terror. However, because of the slow recovery from the tsunami damage -- as well as bloody civil conflicts in other parts of the country -- nonessential travel to other parts of Indonesia should be considered very carefully.
A decade ago, Indonesia was one of Southeast Asia's bright spots for business and, to a certain extent, travel. Bali, in particular, was (and still is) an easy and enjoyable place to visit, offering comfortable amenities as well as stunning sights, interesting Hindu culture and friendly people. Even as the rest of the nation struggled with economic troubles, political crises, and violent ethnic and religious conflicts, Bali remained mostly unaffected by the turmoil.
In many ways it's not surprising that Indonesia has become a troubled land. It's the fourth most populous country in the world, with almost 220 million people. Some 350 cultures and many languages are scattered across its far-flung islands. All that diversity strains the government's ability to meet the needs of the populace. We think it's also one of the best reasons to visit Indonesia.