{"id":199696,"date":"2026-08-11T16:18:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/bali\/?p=199696"},"modified":"2026-08-12T16:21:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:21:43","slug":"17-reasons-to-love-indonesia-independence-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/bali\/17-reasons-to-love-indonesia-independence-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Merdeka! 17 reasons why I love Indonesia, in honour of Independence Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every August, Indonesia turns red and white for\u00a0Independence Day<\/strong>. Flags flutter atop cars and scooters, kids gear up for kerupuk<\/em>-eating contests, and fearless climbers haul themselves up a greased trunk for the infamous panjat pinang<\/em>. Someone always nearly makes it, slides all the way back down, and gets the biggest cheer of the day.<\/p>\n

Hari Kemerdekaan<\/em>, AKA Independence Day, marks Indonesia’s proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945, and in 2026, the country celebrates 81 years of kemerdekaan<\/em>. The celebrations (better known as Tujuh Belasan<\/em>) 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.<\/p>\n

I’ve lived in Indonesia for 14 wonderful years now \u2013 almost all of my adult life \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

1. The warm-hearted Indonesian people<\/h3>\n
\"Celebrating
Whether it’s my Balinese mum, my lovely colleagues or strangers on the street – the reason why I love Indonesia? The people!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2. The daily smiles<\/h3>\n

You notice it on your first day and you never stop. The nod from the warung<\/em> 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’!<\/p>\n

3. The rituals and traditions<\/h3>\n
\"Blessings
You simply can’t travel to Bali and not immerse in the culture. Experiencing a Balinese blessing is like a rite of passage!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Bali, canang sari<\/em><\/a> offerings scent the streets, melukat<\/em><\/a> purification rituals cleanse the soul with holy water, penjor<\/em> arch over the roads during Galungan<\/a>, and the whole island falls silent for Nyepi<\/a> each year. And that’s just one island.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

4. The food<\/h3>\n
\"Nasi
I’ve tasted all kinds of Indonesian dishes during my time here, but you can’t beat a traditional Nasi Campur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone’s heard of nasi goreng<\/em>, the unofficial ‘official dish’ of Indonesia. But every island has its own specialty too. The famous rendang<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

In Bali, seek out jukut kelor mesanten<\/em>, a rich coconut and moringa<\/em> broth simmered inside a young coconut, served with rice. Or head to Lombok for ayam taliwang<\/em> (fiery grilled chicken served with plecing kangkung)<\/em>, or to Makassar for coto<\/em>, a rich beef soup that locals eat for breakfast.<\/p>\n

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<\/em>, with beaming locals confirming you chose well.<\/p>\n

5. The local wildlife (and dogs!)<\/h3>\n