Indonesia Travel Forum

Hello fellow touists and backpackers :)

Im going to indonesia in august for a month.
So the question is where to go and visit. Im planning to go to Kei Kecil for 5-6 days and relax, i ve been reading that Pasir Panjang is an amazing beach, its also quiet with no crowds and cheap too.
Is it really like this? and then if i go to Kei Kecil is it easy to continue to an interesting Route?
Or is it better to visit Gili Islands and then continue from there...?

Anyway all Im trying to say, is that i want to be away (as much as is possible) from crowds of tourists and Beli :) I want to see the amazing jusngle, the most beautiful beaches and its hard to find them in a country with 18.000 islands whick all looks amazing.

I would be gratefull for any tips.

Thank you very much for your time...

Well, I have never been on the Kei Islands, but I am sure it is as far away from the crowds as you can get in Indonesia. Have you looked op what VT members say about them? The only tiny bit of info comes under destination Tual.
I think the contrast with the Gili islands is big, especially in August. Gili islands too may have fine beaches, but they will not be deserted.
I suppose you are aware that it will take some effort at time to reach the Kei Islands, it is not like flying to Bali or Lombok. To my understanding you could fly to Ambon and take a boat from there - probably wait for one a few days.
If you are intent on such a journey you could go on exploring other islands in the Moluccas, perhaps Aru, the Banda Islands or Ternate and Halmahera in the north. I have been to the latter two a long time ago - the pace of living was much slower than on Java and Bali! Once a flight was canceled because the pilot had a toothache.
For amazing jungle there are the national parks at Halmahera and Seram (near Ambon).

But if you seek quiet beaches more in easy reach, I would suggest:
- On Lombok not the Gili's but Kuta in the south.
- Karimunjawa islands in the Java sea, to be reached from Semarang.
See my pages on these: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/c8969/1287a2/ and http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/c8969/12920d/ respectively.
My wife and I recently visited Timor, also a good choice if you do not want to meet any other tourists (except for the capital Kupang). See my pages on Kupang, Soe and Kefamenanu.
No tropical jungle, but amazing landscapes on Timor. Jungle closer by that I know of: Bali Barat National Park, Ujung Kulon National Park - see my page on the latter.

If you make it to the Kei Islands, I look forward to seeing your VT page on them!

Theo

Hi,
Suggest you post this question on Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Indonesia forum.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=23&keywordid=95
There is one contributor over there Laszlo who has a personal knowledge of these islands and surrounding area.

Here is a link to a blog on Kei Islands wow they look fantastic.
Read carefully as there is no accomodation in some areas.
http://polamundo.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/next-destination-kei-islands-maluku-and-papua/

Pamela

and some information from Laszlo who has many informative page son this website.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Indonesia/Maluku_Province/Kei_Kecil-1217832/TravelGuide-Kei_Kecil.html

Hi Again,
The search function on Thorn tree is working again and a search for Kei Islands brings forth all these posts.
http://search.lonelyplanet.com/listing?Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&N=4294967226+4294967206&Ntt=Kei+Islands
Pamela

tnx both of you :)

Im checking the places u wrote theo and look amazing


Pam the site by Polamundo is amazing and very helpfull

I dont know what to do, Pasir Panjang looks amazing and i love the descriptions i ve seen one the net, now im praying to find a way to go there in less than 3 days :P

Hi,
Have you been over to Lonely Planet and asked your question over there. Laszlo is around at the moment so it would be a good idea to go over and ask away.
He is very helpful.
Pamela.