Today Indonesia celebrates her 65th Independence Day after proclaiming its freedom from Japan (Japan took over Indonesia from Netherlands occupation in 1942) on August 17, 1945. Still young compare to some other countries but we’ve surely come a long way.
Unfortunately, because the day fall during the Ramadhan month, seems like there won’t be too much of traditional celebrations going on, sadly much like last year.
For fun, here are my top 10 reasons why I love my country:
- My rich cultural background. Yes, I’m Indonesian but when people asks me where I’m from and I asked them to guessed they all failed miserably. My father is from Ambon one of the most beautiful island in Indonesia that I have sadly yet to visit, while my mother is originally came from Manadonese descents but I was born in Makassar. My family had hopped around quite awhile growing up which is something that I will forever treasure.
- The foods – need I say more? With so many cultures there are too many delicious foods here.
- The beaches and underwater wonders. Granted I haven’t visit all of Indonesia beaches but with over 17,000 islands you bet there are still a lot of virgins white sands beaches around. I don’t dive but I’ve heard and have seen so many breathtaking views from our underwater ecology like the ones in Manado and other islands. Diving is on my bucket list for sure and checking out these fantastic beaches. Can’t wait for my trip to Rote island this November!
Flores beach - photo courtesy of Mauricio
Sumba beach - photo courtesy of Mauricio
- Living cost – depends on your chosen lifestyle – but moderately living cost in Indonesia is still considered much cheaper than in other countries.
- The spas – oh how I love the spas here. From the fancy swanky ones to the ones that is dirt cheap.
- Handicrafts and jewelries. Again, with so many different cultures Indonesia really have so much to offer when it comes to its traditional handicrafts. Some of my favorite necklaces are gems coming from Borneo.
- Batik and other traditional weave textiles from all over Indonesia, not only beautiful but also timeless piece with rich historical culture stories behinds each patterns.
- Habitat of some of the world’s endangered species such as the orangutans, komodo dragon, etc. I remember growing up in Borneo and seeing our little ‘neighbors’ the orangutans swinging from tree to tree. Those were precious moments that I will never forget.
- Despite the glitz and glam of big city such as Jakarta there are still people who live and dress like this in Irian. It shows cultural diversity. Traditions still plays important roles in plenty of Indonesian people lives.
- The smiles – Indonesians are generally a very friendly people. Yes, of course there are bad apples everywhere but in general people here are friendly and smiles a lot.
Image from Greenpeace
Image from Incito Tour
Yes, as a developing country there are still so much work to be done to bring this country into a better future, there are still things that irked me to death but I still love this country with every ounce of my being.
Happy birthday, Indonesia!
The song above still brought tears to my eyes – try listening to it when you’re thousands miles away from home! 
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Happy Birthday Indonesia!!!! I love visiting your site because you always enlighten me on your culture. I would love to travel, but with 2 kids and bills to pay, I find blog hopping is the next best thing.
MamaOnDaGo´s last [type] ..My 3 Day Weekend
Thank you, girl!
We haven’t travel in awhile and although I’m getting itchy you’re right there would still be blogs out there that take us on a free journey
Happy 65th Indonesia
What would I give to be on a sandy beach with blue water! We only get the dark green water here, so you can never see the sea floor!
Lovely post Maureen
Gemma´s last [type] ..Top 4 London Parks
Thanks Gem!
I can’t wait for my trip this November to a small island with water as clear as those in the pictures.
Happy INDEPENDENCE Day!
That beach is GORGEOUS!!!! Can I go there?!!!!
You sure can, Kate!
Thank you so much!
Happy Independence Day! Your post is making me ache for a tropical vacation!
PS- Hope the little one gets better soon!
Miel Abeille´s last [type] ..Let’s play 20 questions!
Thanks Miel!
Also thank you for checkin up on the boy, he had catch yet another cold
Wow. Amazing photos. Indonesia sounds AMAZING!
Thank you, it’s a beautiful country for sure
I love reading your blog because I learn so much. For instance, I never knew that Indonesia used to belong to the Netherlands.
You post a wonderful tribute to your home country. I can’t imagine that you’d miss the U.S. at all after seeing all that Indonesia has to offer!
gigi´s last [type] ..On The Fly Stir-Fry
Awww…your comment made my day, Gigi! Thank you!
But I still do miss the US and thinks of it as my second home even when I wasn’t even there for that long but let’s just say I left part of my heart there.
Thanks for sharing this; it’s horrible how little I know about other countries – starting next month, I’m going to pick up a book about another country, any other country, and learn something!
WOW you’re awesome, girl!
Kudos to you, I’m not familiar with a lot of countries either but reading about them will help a lot.
the netherlands?! wow, i had no idea!
honestly, if you were to ask me, i would have guessed “philipino.” growing up around a major city, i did meet and see many people from different ethnic backgrounds, but no one who i specifically knew to be indonesian.
liz´s last [type] ..Diva&8217s First Day
Yep, we were colonized by the Dutch for 350 years and 3.5 years by Japan.
No problem, Liz most people do often mistaken Indonesian as Philippinos because we really do look so much alike (us and the Malaysian)
Happy Independence Day! Very beautiful song.
Maria´s last [type] ..Allowing
Thank you so much, Maria!
Happy 65th Indonesia! I never knew Indonesia used to belong to the Netherlands. Those beaches look so lovely, now I’m day dreaming about a holiday
Pumpkin and Piglet´s last [type] ..Autumn is on the way
Let’s go on a virtual beach holiday together, hun!
Thank you Sian!
You are full of surprises! This list is simply amazing! I want to move [Honey, pack the bags!!!].
It is so hard to find these days, the beautiful beaches AND the land of traditions and landmarks. AND the food. Seriously, I want to visit so bad now!
But you’ve got to kick it in gear with scuba diving, you’re missing out! I did some diving off the coast of the Reunion island, a French territory near Madagascar (on the Indian Ocean side). The most peaceful time of my life. Only the bubbles to break the silence!
Maryline´s last [type] ..Wordless Whenever – Missing Home
“Today Indonesia celebrates her 65th Independence Day after proclaiming its freedom from the Netherlands on August 17, 1945″
Really??? not proclaiming freedom from japan on that day???
Thanks for the kind correction, Prita.
You are indeed right it was from Japan.