Many Indonesian meals consist of steamed or fried rice with side dishes of meat, chicken, fish, and vegetables.   There is such a rich variety in the Indonesian cuisine that one should sample specialties in each region. However, most common nationwide are “sate” (skewered and grilled meat with peanut sauce on the side), “gado-gado” (vegetable salad with a peanut sauce), “nasi goreng” (fried rice), which often is served with every meal, and “bakmi goreng” (fried noodles).

Indonesia has a very international menu available in most areas frequented by world travelers. Chinese restaurants are found throughout the country. There also are fine restaurants specializing in continental, Japanese, and Korean cuisines. Pizza, hamburgers, and sandwiches also are found in many restaurants and cafes.

Unlike some countries in Asia, people in Indonesia don’t eat with chopsticks. They typically use a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left hand. They eat with the spoon and use the fork to hold food down or load the spoon with the next bite.

Indonesian Sauces and Spices

Most Indonesians like their food spiced with a hot chili sauce called sambal. It’s similar to the hot sauce used with Mexican food. It can be very hot, but it’s a common accent for rice, fish, and meat. Sometimes restaurants make it fresh and others buy it in bottles.

Spices and hot chili peppers are the essence of most cooking, and in some areas they are used generously, such as in West Sumatra and North Sulawesi. In addition, peanut sauce is very common, especially with sate dishes. You also will find soy sauce available on most tables. Salt and pepper also are typically available for your personal flavoring.

Fish and Meat

Each province or area has its own cuisine, with varied recipes and cooking styles. Common Javanese cuisines consist of vegetables, fruits, soybeans, beef, and chicken. They don’t eat as much fish as you might assume. The Sumatrans generally eat more beef compared to the other regions. West Sumatra is known for its Padang style restaurants, which can be found throughout Indonesia. Padang style often includes dried meat and fish and is spicier than most Indonesian dishes.

Further to the eastern side of Indonesia, including Bali, seafood is more of a staple in the daily diet. Grilled fish, shrimp, lobster, oysters, and calamari are commonly found on the menus. Various seafood soups also are common.

In Bali, Papua, and the highlands of North Sumatra and North Sulawesi, pork dishes are specialties. As the population of Indonesia is predominantly Muslim (except Bali), pork is usually not served, except in Chinese restaurants, non-Muslim regions and in places serving international cuisine.

Salads

Salad lovers have to be patient and careful. Green salads are not found at every restaurant, but fruit and vegetables abound. Larger restaurants, hotel restaurants, and international restaurants often have the green salads many world travelers crave. In these restaurants, the salads should be safe to eat, but smaller restaurants in smaller towns deserve a word of caution, because the salad may have been washed in tap water instead of distilled water. When this happens, the salad can make you sick. If the establishment has international patrons, it should be safe to eat the salads.

Vegetarian Dishes Across Indonesia

There is an abundance of tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables available for consumption in Indonesia all year. Some fruits are seasonal, but most are available throughout the year, such as bananas, apples, papayas, pineapples, oranges, etc. Pure vegetarian dishes are available, but more limited and challenging to arrange in some areas. Most vegetarians are thrilled with the freshness and variety of the food available here. Most establishments are very accommodating.

Beverages

Beverages of every type are found throughout the country. The word for beverage is minum. The word for large is besar and the word for small is kecil. The word for hot is panas and the word for cold is dingin.

Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea are among the many crops grown throughout the islands. It’s usually fresh and strong here. Kopi is the word for coffee and teh is the word for tea. They both are fairly strong. Kopi Jawa is Javanese style and unfiltered. It has powder-like coffee grounds in the bottom of the cup. Gula is the word for sugar, susu is the word for milk.

Juice and Soft Drinks

Soft drinks from around the world are common here. Better yet, fresh juices, jus, from local produce also are available in most establishments. Fresh orange, grapefruit, melon, and other juices are rarely more than a few steps away.

Spirits

You’ll feel right at home in many bar situations. You should find your favorite drink in most situations. One of the most common beers is Bir Bintang (beer BEEHN‑tahng). It means Star Beer—the Indonesian version of Heineken. Tiger Beer from Singapore and Australia’s Foster’s Lager also are common. Foreign beers and liquors often are available, but typically more expensive due to the tax on imported products. Most beers are available in regular and large sizes:

If you are in the mood for one of your traditional drinks, order it just as you normally would in your hometown. Most basic drinks and forms of alcohol seem to be part of a universal language. For instance, gin, vodka, rum and tequila are generally stocked and easily communicated in places that stock liquor.

There are several breweries that produce local beer. Bali produces brem, which is a rice wine, whereas Toraja has tuak, which also is found in North Sumatra and other areas.

Ice

In some cases, you don’t want ice in your drinks. However, most restaurants and hotels will have the ice that is safe to consume without getting sick. The alcohol in your drink might kill bacteria in the ice, but don’t count on it.

I don’t want ice. = Tidak mau es. (TEE‑dahk MAH-oo ehs)

Without ice! = Tanpa es! (TAHN‑pah ehs)

Tipping

Since many Indonesian people support their families with tips, it’s an important subject. Many hotels and restaurants add on 18 percent for taxes and service charges. When the tip is not automatically included, a good waiter or waitress deserves at least a 10 percent tip. Depending on the restaurant, you may want to actually hand the change directly to the person when you leave the establishment. That way the tip ends up in the right hands.

Indonesian Words & Phrases

eat = makan (MAH-kahn)

Drink = minum (MEE-noom)

I want = Saya mau _________. (SYE-ah MAH-oo ________).

He/she wants _________. = Dia mau _________ (DEE-ah MAH-oo).

please (get me) = minta (MEEN‑tah)

to clean = bersihkan (BEHR‑see‑KAHN)

how much, how many = berapa (BEHR‑rah‑PAH)

hungry = lapar (LAH‑pahr)

thirsty = haus (HAHS)

later = nanti (NAHN-tee)

not yet = belum (BEH‑loom)

tasty = enak (EH‑nahk)

very tasty = enak sekali (EH-nahk se-KAH-lee)

I like = Saya suka (SYE-ah SOO-kah)

one more = satu lagi (SAH‑too LAH‑gee)

it’s enough (I have enough) = sudah cukup (SOO‑dah CHOO‑koop)

Thank you = terima kasih (TEHR-ree-MAH KAH-see)

See you next time = Sampai jumpa lagi (SAHM-pye JOOM-pah LAH-gee)

Helpful Indonesian Words

apple = apel (AH-pehl)

baked/grilled = bakar (BAH-kahr)

banana = pisang (PEE-sahng)

bill = bon (BOHN)

beef = sapi (SAH-pee)

beer = bir (beer)

bottle = botol (BOH-tohl)

bowl = mangkok (MAHNG-kohk)

bread = roti (ROH-tee)

buffet = buffet (BOOH-fay)

calimari = cumi cumi (CHOO-mee CHOO-mee)

candy = gula gula (GOO-lah GOO-lah)

chair = kursi (KOOR‑see)

chicken = ayam (AH-yam)

chicken soup = soto ayam (SO-toh AH-yahm)

chocolate = coklat (CHOHK-laht)

cigarette = rokok (ROH‑kohk)

coconut = kelapa (KEH‑lah‑PAH)

coffee = kopi (KOH-pee)

cold = dingin (DEEN‑geen)

corn = jugung (JOOH-goong)

croissant = croissant (KROH-sahnt)

cup = cangkir (CHAHNG-keer)

dirty = kotor (KOH‑tohr)

done, finished = selesai (SEH‑leh‑sye)

drink (a) = minum (MEE-noom)

drinking water = air minum (AH‑eer MEE‑noom) 

drunk = mabuk (MAH‑book)

egg = bubur ayam (BOO-boor AH-yahm)

empty = kosong (KOH‑sahng)

female server = mbak (m‑BAHK)

finished = habis (HAH‑bees)

fire, match, lighter = api (AH‑pee)

fish = ikan (EE-kahn)

flavor = rasa (RAH-sah)

flower = bunga (BOON‑gah)

food stall = warung (WAHR-roong)

fried = goreng (GOHR-rehng)

french fries = ketang goring (KEH-tahng GOHR-rehng)

fried banana = pisang goring (PEE-sahng GOHR-rehng)

fried rice = nasi goreng (NAH-see GOHR-rehng)

funny = lucu (LOO‑choo)

gin = jin (JEEN)

glass = gelas (GEH‑lahs)

him, her = dia (DEE‑ah)

hot = panas (PAH‑nahs)

hot sauce, chili sauce = sambal (SAHM-bahl)

ice = es (ehs)

juice = jus (joohs)

kitchen = dapur (DAH‑poor)

large = besar (BEH‑sahr)

laugh, to laugh = tertawa (TEHR‑tah‑WAH)

lemon = jeruk (JEH‑rook)

like = suka (SOO-kah)

lips = bibir (BEE-beer)

lobster = udang besar (OO-dahng BEH-sahr)

make = buat (BOO‑aht)

milk = susu (SOO-soo)

mouth = mulut (MOO-loot)

music = musik (MOO-seek)

napkin = serbet (SEHR-beht)

noisy = bising (BEE‑seeng)

noodles = mie (MEE)

nose = hidung (HEE-doong)

orange = jerek (JEH‑rehk)

orange juice = jus jerek (joohs JEH‑rehk)

paid = lunas (LOO‑nahs)

party = pesta (PEH‑stah)

peaceful = damai (DAH‑mye)

peanut = kacang (KAH-chahng)

pepper = merica (MEHR-reeka)

peppermint = permen (PEHR-mehn)

pineapple = nanas (NAH‑nahs)

pizza = pizza (PEE-zah)

plate = piring (PEER-reeng)

pork = babi (BAH-bee)

rice = nasi (NAH-see)

rice wafers = kretek

restaurant = rumah makan, ristoran (ROO-mah MAHK-ahn, REEST-or-RAHN)

restroom, toilet = kamar kecil, W.C., toilet (KAH‑mahr KEH‑cheel, wye‑sye)

rum = rum (ROOM)

salt = garam (GAHR‑rahm)

shrimp = udang (OO-dahng)

sip = isapan (EES-ah-PAHN)

sir/madam = mas (mahs)

sit = duduk (DOO-dook)

small = kecil (KEH‑cheel)

smell = bau (BAH-oo)

soy sauce = kecap (KEH-chahp)

steam = uap (OO-ahp)

store = toko (TOH-koh)

sugar = gula (GOO-lah)

suggestion = usul, saran (OO‑sool, SAHR‑rahn)

sweet = manis (MAHN-ees)

table = meja (MEH‑jah)

taste, flavor = rasa (RAH‑sah)

tea = teh (TEH)

tequila = tekila (TEH-kee-LAH)

tip = persen (PEHR-sehn)

toast = roti bakar (ROH-tee BAHK-ahr)

tonic = tonik (TOH‑neek)

vodka = vodka (VOHD-kah)

water melon = semangka (SEH-mahng-KAH)

whiskey = wiski (WEES-kee)

white rice = nasi putih (NAH-see POO-tee)

wine, grape = anggur (AHN‑goor)

Selamat makan! Selamat minum!

Indonesia is the fourth-largest nation in the world with more than 267 million people. The country is comprised of more than 17,500 islands, including Bali, Borneo, Java, Lombok, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Learn more about Indonesia.

Get the most from your trip with the Language and Travel Guide to Indonesia. Learn where to go and what to say. Thousands of islands. Hundreds of cultures. One book. Watch our Indonesian tutorial.

The post Indonesian Food appeared first on Language and Travel Guide To Indonesia.

This quick video tutorial helps introduce travelers to the Indonesian language. Learn proper pronunciation, grammar and essential words to get the most from your trip.

Learn to say hello, goodbye, please and thank you. Put a smile on hundreds of faces along the way by saying just a few simple words in Indonesian. They will help you and they will often try to practice their English with you. It’s a fun experience and a great way to feel the real fabric of Indonesia and its culture.

If you ever find yourself in need of directions or help, just a few Indonesian words can make a big difference.

Indonesian is a phonetic language. One way to learn the Indonesian language bahasa Indonesia pronunciation is to listen to locals speak. After listening carefully, imitate their pronunciation as accurately as possible and practice speaking out loud. Most Indonesians are happy to help you learn the language.

Travelers also can learn a great deal about the Indonesian language by watching local news and programs on Indonesian television.

Watching movies at your hotel can help you learn words because they often are Hollywood movies with Indonesian subtitles.

There are several regional variations to pronunciation and spelling. There also are local dialects and slang, but you can navigate a conversation with just a few words

In addition to regional variations, some words are spelled differently today than they were prior to 1972 (when Indonesia eliminated some of the Dutch influence from the language). For instance, Jakarta and many other words that start with the letter “J” were once spelled with “Dj” at the beginning. Therefore, be prepared to see some variations when reading words that are printed or posted.

For a quick introduction to bahasa Indonesia, please watch this short video overview and then order your copy of the book. Pronunciation is critical, so take your time and practice just a few words at a time. Terima kasih! Watch our Indonesian tutorial.

Indonesia is the fourth-largest nation in the world with more than 267 million people. The country is comprised of more than 17,500 islands, including Bali, Borneo, Java, Lombok, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Learn more about Indonesia.

Get the most from your trip with the Language and Travel Guide to Indonesia. Learn where to go and what to say. Thousands of islands. Hundreds of cultures. One book. Watch our Indonesian tutorial.

The post Speak Indonesian appeared first on Language and Travel Guide To Indonesia.

Phrases For Tourists and Business

Indonesia is a beautiful country full of natural and man-made wonders. It has ancient temples, beautiful beaches, hundreds of volcanoes, endangered wildlife, and abundant natural resources. Get the most from your trip with the right Indonesian words.

Indonesia includes Bali, Java, Komodo, and Sumatra. There are more than 17,500 islands in all. Indonesia shares two of its largest islands with other countries. The Indonesian state of Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, occupies the western half of New Guinea—the world’s second largest island. Indonesia also controls part of the island of Borneo, which is the third-largest island in the world. Indonesia shares the island of Borneo with Brunei and Malaysia. Indonesian Borneo is called Kalimantan (East, West and Central).

More than 60 percent of all Indonesians live on Java. It is the most populated island in the world. Java is home to the capital city of Jakarta, where about 25 million people live. Despite the population density on Java, hundreds of other islands in the country are uninhabited.

The real beauty of Indonesia is found in the eyes and smiles of its people. Taking the time to learn some simple Indonesian words and phrases will help you unveil more of this country’s wonderful treasures. Most Indonesians are happy, friendly, and curious people. They often will speak to you as you cross paths. They typically will ask where you are from and where you are going. When you have the opportunity, try to converse with locals. It can be educational, informative, and rewarding. Most Indonesian people know at least a few English words and are eager to learn more. Many Indonesians are very articulate in English, especially those involved in tourism, retail, and international business.

Indonesian Words and Phrases

Hello.  Halo. (HAH‑loh)

How are you?  Apa kabar? (AH‑pah KAH‑bahr)

(I’m) fine/good.  Baik/bagus. (BYE‑eek, BAH‑goos)

Good morning.  Selamat pagi. (SEH‑lah‑maht PAH‑gee)

Good day. (use this from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.)  Selamat siang. (SEH-lah-MAHT SEE-ahng)

Good afternoon. (use from 3 p.m. until dark)  Selamat sore. (SEH-lah-MAHT SOHR-reh)

Good evening. (after dark)  Selamat malam (SEH-lah-MAHT MAH-lahm)

Good night.(use when going to bed)  Selamat tidur. (SEH-lah-MAHT TEE-door)

Good bye/good trip.  Selamat jalan. (SEH‑lah‑maht JAH-lahn)

Enjoy your meal.  Selamat makan. (SEH-lah-MAHT MAH-kahn)

Enjoy your drink  Selamat minum (SEH-lah-MAHT MEE-noom)

What is your name?  Siapa nama anda? (SEE‑ah‑pah NAH‑mah AHN‑dah)

My name is ______.  Nama saya ______. (NAH‑mah SYE‑ah ______)

Where are you from?  Dari mana? (DAH‑ree MAH‑nah)

(I’m) from ________.  Dari ______. (DAH‑ree _____)

Where (are you) going?  Ke mana? (keh MAH‑nah)

(I’m going) to ________.  Ke _____. (keh ______)

Indonesian Words For Appreciation, Courtesy and Respect

Excuse me, I need help.  Tolong tanya. (TOH‑lohng TAHN‑yah)

Excuse me.  Permisi. (PEHR-mee-SEE)

I’m sorry  ma’af/sori (MAH‑ahf, SOHR-ree)

please (help me)  minta (MEEN-tah)

please (help yourself)  silahkan (SEE-lah-KHAN)

thank you  terima kasih (TEH‑ree‑mah KAH‑see)

thank you (in Balinese)  matur suksma (MAH-toor SOOK-smah)

you are welcome  sama sama (SAH‑mah SAH‑mah)

you are welcome   terimah kasih kembali (TEHR‑ree‑mah KAH‑see KEHM‑bah‑lee)

you may  boleh (BOH-lay)

welcome  selamat datang (SEH-lah-MAHT DAH-tahng)

welcome (in Balinese)  om swasti astu (OHM SWAH-stee AH-stoo)

Until we meet again.  Sampei jumpa lagi. (SAHM-pye JOOM-pah LAH-gee)

Important Indonesian Words

baby  bayi (BAH‑yee)

child  anak (AH‑nahk)

family/relatives  famili (FAH‑mee‑lee)

father/Mr.  bapak (BAH-pahk)

friend  teman/kawan (TEH‑mahn, KAH‑wahn)

him/her  dia (DEE-ah)

husband  suami (SOO-ah-mee)

me  saya (SYE-ah)

man  pria (PREE‑ah)

mother/Mrs.  Ibu/bu (EE-boo). It is often shortened to bu  BOO)

Ms.  nona (NO-nah)

sir  tuan (TOO-ahn)

we  kita (KEE-tah)

wife  isteri (EES-tehr-ree)

woman  wanita (WAH‑nee‑tah)

you  anda/aku (AHN-dah, AH-koo)

Below are some of the key words and phrases that you will need frequently. Start a list of the words and questions that will meet your needs. The language is structured so simply that a single word can often be a sentence, question or a response.

Asking Questions In Indonesian

Asking questions is fun and challenging. First of all, you will need to structure questions differently in Indonesian than in English (refer back to the grammar chapter). Secondly, be braced for answers that you may not understand. However, here are the key words you need to start forming some questions:

who  siapa (SEE‑ah‑PAH)

where  mana (MAH‑nah)

when  kapan (KAH‑pahn)

why  kenapa (KEH‑nah‑pah)

what  apa (AH‑pah)

how  bagaimana (BAH‑gay‑MAH‑nah)

Answering Questions In Indonesian

I only speak a little Indonesian.  Saya bisa bahasa Indonesia sedikit. (SYE-ah BEE-sah BAH-hah-sah EEN-doh-NEES-ee-ah SEH-dee-keet)

I don’t know.  Tidak tahu. (TEE-dahk TAH-hoo)

I don’t want it.  Tidak mau. (TEE-dahk MAH-oo)

later  nanti (NAHN-tee)

no  tidak (TEE‑dahk)

not yet  belum (BEH-loom)

OK  OK (OH‑kay)

yes  ya (yah)

Other Helpful Words

address  alamat (AH‑lah‑MAHT)

age  umur (OO‑moor)

attention  perhatian (PEHR-hah-TEE-ahn)

book  buku (BOO‑koo)

careful  hati‑hati/awas (HAH‑tee HAH‑tee, AH-wahs)

closed  tutup (TOO‑toop)

country  negara (NEH‑gahr‑RAH)

map  peta (PEH‑tah)

marital status  kawin (KAH‑ween)

name  nama (NAH-mah)

occupation  pekerjaan (PEHK‑ehr‑jahn)

open  buka (BOO‑kah)

place of birth  tempat lahir (TEHM‑paht LAH‑eer)

religion  agama (AH‑gah‑MAH)

restroom/toilet  kamar kecil/toilet/W.C. (KAH‑mahr KEH‑cheel)

signature  tanda tangan (TAHN‑dah TAHN‑gahn)

word  kata (KAH-tah)

Useful Phrases

Food and Drink

I’m thirsty.  Saya haus.

I want/need a drink.  Saya mau minum.

I’m hungry.  Saya lapar.

I want/need some food.  Saya mau makan.

May I have one?  Boleh saya minta satu?

That’s all.  Ini saja.

 Where is a place to eat?  Rumah makan dimana?

 What is this?  Apa ini? 

I don’t want ice.  Tidak mau es.

Without ice!  Tanpa es!

One more.  Satu lagi.

Two more.  Dua lagi.

I’ve had enough. Thank you.  Sudah cukup. Terima kasih.

Indonesian Words About Money

Where is a bank?  Bank di mana?

 I want to exchange some American dollars.  Saya mau tukar uang dolar Amerika.

 How much does this cost?  Berapa harga ini?

Hotel Vocabulary

I need a hotel. Where is one?  Saya mau hotel. Di mana?

 Where is my room?  Kamar saya di mana?

 May I have my room key?  Minta kunci kamar?

 Room number.  Nomar kamar.

Words For Small Talk

I’m from America.  Saya dari Amerika.

 I don’t speak Indonesian, yet.  Belum bisa bahasa Indonesia.

 I only speak a little Indonesian.  Saya bisa bahasa Indonesia sedikit.

I’m just walking around.  Jalan‑jalan.

Are you married?  Anda kawin?

 Do you have children?  Berapa anak anda?

 Not yet.  Belum.

 Is there a person here who speaks English?  Ada orang di sini yang bicara bahasa Inggris?

Do you speak English?  Saudara bisa berbicara bahasa Inggris?

I do not understand.  Saya tidak mengerti.

Thank you.  Terima kasih.

 No (as in no way).  Tidak.

I can (am able).  Bisa.

Can’t do (it).  Tidak Bisa.

Do not do _______.  Tidak jangan ______.

Do not do that.  Angan begitu.

Time & Travel Vocabulary

What time is it now?  Jam berapa sekarang? 

When will it/they be ready?  Kapan selesai?

How many hours from Ubud to Kuta?  Dari Ubud ke Kuta berapa jam?

How many hours to Jakarta?  Berapa jam ke Jakarta?

I want to go to the hotel.  Saya mau pergi ke hotel.

I want to go to the airport.  Saya mau ke airport.

I want to go to the beach.  Saya mow ke pantai.

I want to go to _______.  Saya mau ke _______.

Where is the road to the beach?  Jalan ke pantai di mana?

Where is the road to the hotel?  Jalan ke hotel di mana?

Where is the road to ______?  Jalan ke ______ di mana?

Let’s go.  Ayo.

Shopping Vocabulary

Where is a pharmacy?  Apotik di mana?

 I want ______.  Saya mau _____.

I want to buy _______.  Saya mau beli _____.

(I) already have (that, one).  Sudah punya.

What time do they open?  Buka jam berapa?

I don’t want.  Tidak mau.

I’m just looking.  Lihat‑lihat saja.

Please wait a moment.  Tunggu sebentar.

May I see (it)?  Bisa lihat?

Can we bargain?  Bisa tawar?

Excuse me. Get in line. (Don’t cut in front of me.)  Ma’af, antrean!

How much does this cost?  Harga?

How much (is it)?  Berapa harganya?

Indonesia is the fourth-largest nation in the world with more than 267 million people. The country is comprised of more than 17,500 islands, including Bali, Borneo, Java, Lombok, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Learn more about Indonesia.

Get the most from your trip with the Language and Travel Guide to Indonesia. Learn where to go and what to say. Thousands of islands. Hundreds of cultures. One book. Watch our Indonesian tutorial.

The post Indonesian Language Tips appeared first on Language and Travel Guide To Indonesia.

Indonesia straddles the Asian and Australian continental plates which generates abundant diversity among plant and animal life. This location also creates a stunning contrast of topographies and ecologies from east to west.

You will find mist-shrouded volcanoes, glacier-topped mountains, unexplored rainforests, thousands of miles of beaches and endless coral reefs. This diverse land also supports an abundance of wildlife, which makes Indonesia a rewarding destination for photographers.

Indonesia has just one percent of the world’s land area, but this country is home to more than 10 percent of all mammal species and 17 percent of all birds. Indonesia has more known mammal species than any other country in the world. It also has more endangered mammals than any other country, including the endangered orangutan, Javan rhinoceros, Komodo dragon, Sumatran tiger, and Sumatran elephant.

Indonesia is home to leopards, king cobras, hornbills, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, wild boars, and hundreds of other rare creatures. Scientists are still discovering several new species each year, especially on Borneo and in the highlands of Papua.

The large mammals of western Indonesia arrived from the north when the islands were covered with dense jungle. They remain only where lowland forest is still intact. The greatest threat to their existence, other than poaching, is the clearing of forest for agriculture and intensive logging. 

Most visitors to Indonesia hope to see the Sumatran tiger. However, this beautiful animal rarely shows itself. Unfortunately, human development has already pushed two other tiger species in Indonesia into extinction. The Javan tiger was declared extinct in 1994 and the Balinese tiger was last seen several decades before that. Fewer than 300 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild and the number is dropping steadily.

If habitat destruction and poaching across Asia are not stopped, wild tigers have just a few years to survive. Tiger bones and body parts are sold on the black market for use in traditional Chinese medicines. This demand alone is putting tremendous pressure on these beautiful animals. The conversion of pristine forest into palm oil plantations and timber estates is taking critical habitat away from all forms of biodiversity.

Meanwhile, the forests where they live are being destroyed for timber, mining, and farming. Each animal needs up to 20 square miles to survive and forests are a vanishing resource in many regions.

Gary Chandler is the author of the new travel guide. He is a consultant and entrepreneur from Denver, Colorado. He first visited Indonesia in 1993. He wrote the first edition of the Language and Travel Guide To Indonesia in 1994 (Hippocrene, New York, NY).

“This is the most unique travel guide for Indonesia,” said Gary Chandler, author of the Language and Travel Guide to Indonesia. “This travel book will help you learn what to say and how to pronounce it, in order to get the most from your trip. Knowing a few key words will go a very long way.”

Indonesia is the fourth-largest nation in the world with more than 267 million people. The country is comprised of more than 17,500 islands, including Bali, Borneo, Java, Lombok, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Learn more about Indonesia.

Get the most from your trip with the Language and Travel Guide to Indonesia. Learn where to go and what to say. Thousands of islands. Hundreds of cultures. One book. Watch our Indonesian tutorial.

The post Indonesia Travel Book appeared first on Language and Travel Guide To Indonesia.