Sumatra

Pros: Feeding wild orangutans
Cons: Very rough and basic conditions

We took this trip in August 1997, just before the crash of the rupiah and the economic and social chaos that erupted in Indonesia. It was also one month before the Garuda Airliner crashed in Medan, killing all aboard, due to the slash and burn fires...

Pros: Karo Batak Village Architecture, Gorgeous Natural Beauty, Low Prices it is almost free
Cons: Many

We left our hotel in the jungle village of Bukit Lawang after a couple of days, looking for a chance to catch our breath. We walked up to the bus station for the long ride to Berastagi. We boarded a large van like vehicle with about 10 people in it. I...

Pros: Cheap, To challenge yourself to see how little you can spend
Cons: Very rough conditions

Sumatra is the second largest island in Indonesia and fifth in the world. Sumatra has lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, tropical rain forests, mountain highlands, and active volcanoes. Sumatra is home to orangutans and the rafflesia, the world's...

Pros: Beautiful relaxing island, Interesting architecture
Cons: None on Lake Toba

We left Berastagi on a public van with one last stop at the Karo Batak Village for last minute photos, purchases of flutes, bamboo garlic keepers, and musical instruments. The van also made sightseeing stops at Sipiso-Piso Waterfalls for a Kodak moment....

Pros: Temperature, location, value for money, relaxing atmosphere.
Cons: If you are a person who needs lots of activity and nightlife, there is not much

There are many places around the World to 'get away from it all'. One of my favorites because of its remote location, reasonable prices, and its tranquility is the island of Nias, located off of Sumatra Indonesia.

The island is about 80...

Pros: Great orangutan sightings and virgin rainforests
Cons: Accomodation in the Ketambe section is very basic

This northern Sumatra National Park has some of the most wonderful rainforests I've seen, and good viewing of orangutans.

The most heavily visited sector of the park is Bohorok where there is a rehabilitation center for ex-captive orangutans...

Pros: great surf, relaxing, idyllic
Cons: many traps and dangers for the unwary

Nias, off the West coast of Sumatra, can be a great experience for a hardy traveller. Idyllic beaches, relaxed life, world-class surfing -- what more can you ask for? However, a word of caution for those thinking about making this trek: Nias is heavily...

Pros: unspoiled tropical paradise
Cons: hard to reach, no creature comforts

The island of Weh, off the very Northernmost tip of Sumatra, provides the quintessential tropical paradise experience. I'll warn you straight off: it's not for the weak or the faint of heart. If you need such cushy conveniences as private bathrooms, hot...

Pros: None
Cons: Pollution, Congestion, Filth, Horrible Hotels

We left Bukittinggi without seeing the rafflesia, but still had laughs at the sight of our clothes hanging on the bushes. We boarded a bus for the ride to Pedang passing rice paddies, waterfalls, Minangkabau houses, the sea, and sites of gigantic...

Pros: Architecture, Friendly People, Sites, Food
Cons: None

We chilled on Lake Toba for a couple of days and boarded the ferry in front of the Carolina Hotel for the boat trip back to Parapat. The ferry makes other pickups at the other hotels on Samosir Island, before making the crossing to Parapat. Upon...