Bali - The Balinese do not even have a word for paradise in their language, but Bali is so picturesque that one could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop. The forests are lush and tropical, the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and volcanoes soar through the clouds. The paradise gloss, however, has been manufactured by the international tourist industry, and it pays scant regard to the political and economical reality of life on Bali.
Java - The most developed island in Indonesia. Tranquil rural scenes are broken with streets choked with traffic, there is beautiful open country-sides and filthy cities; all characteristics of an Asian society that is rapidly experiencing transition. Java has a mix of historic influences and religions, producing architectural wonders such as Borobudur and Prambanan, from the Hindu-Buddhist empires that reached their zenith on Java.
Lombok - This, mainly-Muslim, island is less developed than Bali. Here you will find better beaches, a bigger volcano and greater variety of landscapes. Because of the slow development and the fact that tourism is less intrusive here than on Bali, you might find the people of Lombok less blase about tourists and, in some cases, even quite resentful of the new wave of tourism. The spectacular volcano of Gunung Rinjani dominates the tranquil countryside and uncrowded beaches.
Sumatra - The island is as tropical as any island can get. Amazon-like rivers move slowly through canopies of natural rainforests, muddy mongrove estuaries, steamy interiors, brilliantly coloured flora and weird fauna. This is the perfect place for a boat trip. The island is struggling with a failing economy, despite its wealth of natural resources and the northern province has been the epicenter of religious violence between Christians and Muslims. The area has also been hit by devastating earthquakes.
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