Reef and Rainforest

Amanjiwo is an absolute gem of a hotel. Views across terraced rice fields towards the wondrous 8th Century Buddhist sanctuary of Borobodur are simply magical, while 36 palatial suites boast outdoor sunken bathtubs and private terraces with day beds. A sunrise or sunset visit to Borobodur is a must, but during the day take a bicycle, horse or even an elephant and explore the tropical paradise of mist-shrouded volcanoes, virgin rainforest and native villages that is central Java. Quite a start to my, indeed any, Indonesian adventure!

Top that, I thought, as my klotok navigated a narrowing river and thickening forest in the Tanjung Putting National Park after a long journey by road and air across to Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). I was on my way to the Rimba Lodge - no Amanjiwo but clean, comfortable, friendly and the place to see Orang-Utans in the wild. To be able to watch their antics close up is something really very special, but the forests of Tanjung Putting are also sanctuary to such exotic species as proboscis monkey, black-handed gibbon, wild boar and macaque. I even found time for a night at the legendary Camp Leakey, established back in 1971.

My final port of call was the island of Lombok. As beautiful but very different from neighbouring Bali with deserted beaches, few hotels and turquoise waters that are tailor-made for diving and snorkelling. I stayed here at The Oberoi, another gem of a hotel with thatched villas and terraced pavilions spread across 24 acres of tropical gardens on the north shore of the island.

Costs for a 15-day round trip from London start at £3,575 per person with economy class flights, airport taxes, three nights at Amanjiwo, three nights at Rimba Lodge and six nights at The Oberoi Lombok.

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