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Some of the experiences we’re calling “highlights” might seem a little unconventional—but stick with me! Indonesia, with its breathtakingly diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, offers endless adventures for families. Over two unforgettable months, we explored everything from misty volcanic peaks to tranquil island beaches, encountering surprises and moments of wonder at every turn. This beautiful country treated us to an incredible range of experiences—some expected, others completely unexpected—all of them memorable.
1. Mount Bromo at Sunrise
Indonesia is just one of those places that constantly takes your breath away, and Mount Bromo was no exception. Watching the sunrise over the volcano was absolutely surreal—one of those moments that makes you stop and go, Wow, is this even real? It’s hands down one of my favourite memories from the trip.
2. Swimming with Turtles in the Gili Isles
This really was a highlight and an unforgettable. No tour or boat, just walk into the water from the shore and soon enough we found several turtles. The kids were totally mesmerised, as were we. If you venture to the Gili isles then this really is worth seeing.
3. Scuba Diving in Northern Bali
Years ago, before kids, I did a wreck dive in Northern Bali, and I’d always wanted to go back. This time, my 10-year-old got to experience it too! Northern Bali is way more chilled out than the south—no crowds, no chaos, just incredible diving. We spotted turtles, sharks, and had the whole underwater world almost to ourselves.
4. Karimunjawa
I hesitate to even mention this place because it’s such a hidden gem. Seriously, it’s paradise—untouched, pristine, and barely touched by tourism. The journey there is a bit rough (yes, they hand out sick bags on the ferry), but it’s beyond worth it. We rented mopeds and explored the island, and it was stunning. There’s not a ton to do in terms of tourist attractions, but that was kind of the point—it was just raw, natural beauty.
5. Seeing Banda Aceh
Visiting Banda Aceh was one of the most moving and educational parts of our journey. It’s a place forever marked by the 2004 tsunami, and standing in a city that has so visibly rebuilt itself from such devastation was both humbling and inspiring. We visited the tsunami museum and saw the boats carried inland by the waves—a powerful reminder of nature’s force and human resilience. For all of us, especially the kids, it was a chance to learn about the disaster not just through facts and figures, but through stories, memorials, and the strength of the local people. It sparked important conversations about natural disasters, global response, and the courage it takes to rebuild, turning a distant headline into something deeply real and human.
6. Bukit Lawang
Sumatra felt like a different world compared to Bali or Lombok—far more traditional and way less touristy. We stayed in the jungle in Bukit Lawang, which meant a 15-minute walk from the road just to get to our hut, but honestly, it was all part of the adventure. The best part? Seeing wild orangutan. We decided on a day trek as non of us were really into the idea of wild camping in a jungle and it was actually perfect for us. Just the right amount of walking before the kids started to get tired and then the tubing back down the river at the end was the perfect end to the day. The orangutan were majestic, graceful, gentle and utterly mesmerising. It is heartbreaking that so much of their natural habitat is being destroyed but equally inspiring to see the efforts of the local people to preserve what is left. It was an absolutely unforgettable few days.
6. Komodo National Park day trip
Our day in Komodo National Park was one of the real standouts of the trip and definitely something we’d recommend. We joined a fairly typical group boat with about 25–30 people and spent the day exploring some of the park’s key spots. It started with a walk up to one of the park’s highest points, where we were met with incredible views over the surrounding islands and volcanic landscape. From there, we headed to Komodo Island to look for Komodo dragons—and seeing them up close in the wild was an unforgettable experience. We also stopped at the well-known Pink Beach, where we had time to relax on the unusual rosy sand, swim in the clear turquoise water, and snorkel among a reef full of fish. A real highlight was getting the chance to swim with manta rays—huge, graceful creatures that passed right beneath us. It was a full, memorable day with just the right mix of activity and downtime.
7. Travelling for Hours through Palm Oil Plantations
Driving through Sumatra, one of the most striking—and sobering—sights is the endless expanse of palm oil plantations. Stretching for miles, these uniform rows of trees have largely replaced what was once lush, biodiverse rainforest. It’s a stark reminder of the environmental challenges facing this region, particularly for endangered species like orangutans who are rapidly losing their natural habitat. For our family, it sparked incredible and in depth conversations—not only about the environment, but also about the complex realities for the people who depend on palm oil for their livelihoods. Nothing about the situation is simple. This was worldschooling at the absolute coal face—an unfiltered look at the difficult questions shaping our planet’s future. Our kids didn’t just read about it—they stood in the middle of it, asked the hard questions, and experienced it firsthand. I do say it was a highlight because it was a light bulb moment for me. We’d taken our kids out of school to travel the world, and the questions they asked—and the lessons they learned—about deforestation, sustainability, and the complex challenges facing local communities were nothing short of priceless. These weren’t abstract classroom concepts; they were real, unfolding in front of them, sparking curiosity, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the world they’re growing up in. If anything convinced me that travel is worth it, this was it.
Kitchen Family Travels 