From volcano sunrises to daily smiles, here are 17 reasons to love Indonesia, in honour of Independence Day on 17 August
Every August, Indonesia turns red and white for Independence Day. Flags flutter atop cars and scooters, kids gear up for kerupuk-eating contests, and fearless climbers haul themselves up a greased trunk for the infamous panjat pinang. Someone always nearly makes it, slides all the way back down, and gets the biggest cheer of the day.
Hari Kemerdekaan, AKA Independence Day, marks Indonesia’s proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945, and in 2026, the country celebrates 81 years of kemerdekaan. The celebrations (better known as Tujuh Belasan) are always fascinating to watch, and I can’t help but get sentimental, thinking about all the reasons why I’m so lucky to call Indonesia home.
I’ve lived in Indonesia for 14 wonderful years now – almost all of my adult life – and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve made lifelong friends here, created core memories I never thought possible, and I’ve found a place that feels more like home than my own country. So, in honour of the date (and this beautiful host country), here are 17 reasons why I love Indonesia, and why it will always have my heart.
1. The warm-hearted Indonesian people
I don’t typically like to generalise an entire nation, but with Indonesia, it’s easy to do so. The lovely Indonesian people have a way of making you feel like family, even when you’ve only just met. Strangers wave you over to join their table, Grab drivers offer themselves up as unofficial tour guides, and neighbours check in on you like old friends.
I’d go as far as to say that the kindness of the Indonesian people is the main reason so many visitors come for a holiday, and are still here years later. Myself included.
2. The daily smiles
You notice it on your first day and you never stop. The nod from the warung auntie. The grin from the kid sandwiched between four family members on one scooter. The security guard who waves like you went to school together. The smiles here are unmistakable, and no matter how bad your day is going, it’s impossible to stay mad. The smiles are a ‘bad day antidote’!
3. The rituals and traditions
In Bali, canang sari offerings scent the streets, melukat purification rituals cleanse the soul with holy water, penjor arch over the roads during Galungan, and the whole island falls silent for Nyepi each year. And that’s just one island.
Travel beyond Bali and you’ll find countless more rituals, cultures, dances and ceremonies, each one proudly preserved and passed down through generations. I don’t know anywhere else in the world where age-old traditions are still practised so devotedly every single day.
4. The food
Everyone’s heard of nasi goreng, the unofficial ‘official dish’ of Indonesia. But every island has its own specialty too. The famous rendang was born in the highlands of West Sumatra, slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices until the meat falls apart. It was originally made to preserve buffalo meat for long journeys and ceremonial feasts.
In Bali, seek out jukut kelor mesanten, a rich coconut and moringa broth simmered inside a young coconut, served with rice. Or head to Lombok for ayam taliwang (fiery grilled chicken served with plecing kangkung), or to Makassar for coto, a rich beef soup that locals eat for breakfast.
Nine times out of ten, wherever you are in Indonesia, the best meal of your trip will be served on a plastic stool at a roadside warung, with beaming locals confirming you chose well.
5. The local wildlife (and dogs!)
Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, with a handful of native species. There are the prehistoric Komodo dragons, the majestic orangutan, the critically endangered Bali starling, and the elusive Sumatran tiger. And of course, there’s the beautiful Indonesian dog.
The Bali dog is one of the oldest dog lineages in the world, and genetic studies have linked them to the Australian dingo. They’re smart, resilient and arguably the most loyal breed on the planet (shoutout to my Bali baby, Mudge!). In fact, Bali’s native Kintamani dog is now officially recognised as a pedigree, the first Indonesian breed to earn the title.
Life on the streets isn’t always kind though, so Bali’s animal rescue charities deserve every bit of support they get. Adopt, don’t shop – there’s a one-of-a-kind Bali dog out there for you!
7. The languages
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language of the country, and the locals will cheer on even your shakiest attempts. Beyond it, there are over 700 regional languages, from Balinese and Javanese to Sasak and Sumbawan, sometimes spoken side by side in the same village. These are ancient languages that are still alive and well, thriving alongside the national tongue. But master “terima kasih” and you’re already halfway to making a friend.
7. The beliefs
Bali exists in two worlds at once: the seen and the unseen (sekala and niskala). Daily offerings honour the spirits, towering ogoh-ogoh are paraded through the streets before Nyepi, and the sacred Barong and Rangda play out the eternal balance of good and evil. Cross to Java and locals will tell you not to wear green on the south coast, out of respect for Nyai Roro Kidul, Queen of the Southern Sea.
These aren’t just old stories or legends. They’re living beliefs, woven into daily life across the archipelago, and once you begin to understand them, the landscape never looks quite the same.
8. The diversity
Indonesia is mind-bogglingly large, with more than 17,000 islands spread across more than 5,000 km from east to west. That’s wider than the continental United States, and is the largest archipelago in the world. Within this vast expanse there are 300+ ethnic groups, countless traditions, rituals, beliefs, religions, wildlife, landscapes and daily practices, and it’s all held together under one national motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or Unity in Diversity. Few countries pull off this much variety while still feeling so connected.
9. The beaches
White sand, black sand, pink sand… It feels like Indonesia has a beach in every hue. Some are sheltered by towering limestone cliffs, others are fringed by swaying palms and hidden caves. You’ll find everything from dramatic bays with wild ocean currents, to soft, flat white sand where you can swim, snorkel and walk for miles. You could spend a lifetime beach-hopping across the archipelago – and that’s exactly what I plan to do.
10. The underwater world
Whether I’m surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling or freediving, exploring Indonesia’s coral reefs is simply breathtaking. Biodiverse marine life starts just metres from the shore, home to manta rays, turtles, reef sharks and friendly dugongs.
In certain parts of the country, orcas and whales migrate through the deep channels, and if luck’s on your side, you might spot a mola mola, the rare and beautiful sunfish. I still surface from dives grinning like an idiot (and I even wear goggles when I surf, to say hi to the resident dugong when she swims by!).
11. The volcanoes
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and its volcanoes have shaped everything from the dramatic landscapes to the fertile soil behind all that incredible Indonesian coffee. Watching the sunrise above the clouds from Mount Batur still gets me every single time, numb fingers and all.
I’ve also been lucky enough to hike Bali’s Mount Agung, Java’s Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater, and a number of other (smaller) peaks in Flores. Next on my list is Mount Rinjani in Lombok. Wish me luck!
12. The jungle
Dense, green and gloriously wild, the jungles and rainforests of Indonesia are simply spectacular. Waterfalls hide at the end of muddy hikes, rice terraces ripple down the hillsides, orangutans hide in the treetops, and when you look closer, you’ll easily spot snakes, tree frogs, monitor lizards and every other tropical creature you can think of.
I’ve been lucky enough to spot orangutans and elephants in Sumatra, sleeping in the jungle and waking in the night to the sounds of the elusive Sumatran tiger in the far distance. I’ve even seen tracks from the rare Javan leopard in Alas Purwo National Park (G-Land), and had breakfast with the deer on Menjangan in Bali. What a treat the Indonesian jungle is.
13. The surf
From Uluwatu’s legendary reef breaks to the peeling bays of Lombok and Sumbawa, Indonesia is bucket-list territory for surfers. Warm water, year-round swell, and a very real chance of catching the best wave of your life. No wonder people plan their entire lives around surfing Indonesia.
You can hustle the busy surf breaks of Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa, or head off on a wild liveaboard adventure through untouched islands searching for empty lineups and spitting barrels. The Mentawais, Uluwatu, G-Land, Desert Point – some of the biggest names in the world of surf are right here in Indonesia.
14. The islands
Bali may have been the island that first got me, but it’s far from the only one. There are over 17,000 islands in Indonesia, and each one holds its own charm and sense of adventure. Over the years I’ve made it to Sumbawa, Sumba, Komodo, Flores, Rote, Java, Lombok, the Gilis, the Nusas, Sumatra and Raja Ampat, and every single one feels like a different country. Only 16,000++ more to go…!
15. The (slow) way of life
Indonesia has a way of reminding you that not everything needs to happen right now. One of the first phrases I learned was ‘jam karet’, which literally means ‘rubber time’… Things don’t happen like clockwork here, but that’s the whole point. Conversations happen squatted on doorsteps, lunch hours stretch far beyond the hour to catch up on the village gossip, and nights are spent bonding over Bintang beer or kopi lokal, watching the sunset like a nightly event. After a while, you start to wonder why you ever rushed anywhere.
16. The craftsmanship
Hand-drawn batik, intricate ikat weaving, traditional chain-weaving and woodcarvers whose skills have been passed down for generations. Indonesia has been making beautiful things from natural materials for centuries, and long before the eco-friendly wave, villagers were using banana leaves instead of plastic. Indonesia is the land of artisans, and the level of craftsmanship here will forever leave me dumbfounded.
17. Merdeka
Independence Day is the reason for this list, but it’s also part of everything that makes Indonesia special. Indonesian pride is strong and powerful, and even as a foreigner, I feel it. The celebrations on Hari Merdeka are wonderfully chaotic, and the pride is infectious.
After 14 years, I know that I am, and always will be, a visitor here. I respect the land, the customs, the people and the laws, and I’ll be celebrating merdeka alongside my Indonesian friends, family and colleagues with gratitude. I only hope that everyone who visits Indonesia treats this beautiful country with respect, because there’s nowhere else like it in the world.
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! Terima kasih for the adventures, the friendships and the countless memories that make this extraordinary country feel like home. Here’s to many more…
What made you fall in love with Indonesia? Email me on louise@thehoneycombers.com and share how you’ll be celebrating Indonesian Independence Day!