Water World, Indonesia

Water World, Indonesia

Welcome to the water world of Indonesia, a diverse island nation comprised of a myriad of cultures, ethnicities and eco systems, where just a short voyage across the water can transport a traveler into an entirely new world. Although geographically separating one island from the next, these waters that divide the land also unite the country, for it is Indonesian's relationship with sea that binds these vastly different islands and its people together.

    The name Indonesia is coined from a combination of Latin and Greek, meaning Islands of India, but locals might more affectionately refer to it as Tanah Air Kita, meaning Our Land and Water.  Both titles reflect the unique geography of this nation, the world’s largest archipelago, that stretches along the equator for a staggering 5,000 km (imagine the distance from New York to California, or Madrid to Moscow.)

    The exact number of islands that lie within these tremendous borders seems to rise and fall like the very tides that surround them.   However according to satellite imagery, Indonesia is comprised of a whopping 18,108 islands, a mere 6,000 of which are inhabited.  Despite having some of the largest islands in the world, almost any map of the country is dominated by the color blue, as more than 2/3 of Indonesia is made up of water.

   

   Not surprisingly, today’s inhabitants of the Archipelago inherit perhaps the most sophisticated maritime traditions of our World.  It is widely believed that Indonesia was the birthplace of some of the world’s earliest water crafts, dating as far back as 40,000 years ago.  What originated as a method of transport to colonize far- off lands, has now become a way of life for many Indonesians.  Maritime shipping and transportation provides essential links between different parts of the country, while fishing plays an essential role in feeding it's population of over 240 million people.

   From modern super yachts to simple bamboo rafts, the colorful and creative sea crafts of Indonesia are a wonder to behold, as each one sets sail with a history and character all it’s own.  On my voyages with Sea Trek, every beach, dock or jetty offers up a new opportunitiy to encounter a new vessel, and marvel at Indonesia's maritime roots and it's love for the sea.