I spent 4 days in Jakarta before proceeding onwards in my journey through Indonesia towards Yogyakarta to climb Mt. Merapi and check out the Borobudur temple complex.  Jakarta is a massive bustling metropolis that can be somewhat overwhelming.
If you don’t just want to spend time getting lost in Jakarta’s labyrinth (which is usually a great thing to do), and have a few days, here are some worthwhile things to do.Â
Monas: National Monument
One of the central and noticeable landmarks in Jakarta is the Monas National Monument, known in slang terms as “Sokareno’s last …

1. Chili Peppers…Please!
I grew up eating food with spice and sometimes with chili.  Throughout SE Asia however, I have nurtured my ever craving lust for the succulent seeded heat of chili peppers.  I simply can’t taste food unless there is an abundance of hot chilies involved in the meal.  In my month in Indonesia, I was able to come up with 9 mandatory foods to eat in Indonesia and every single dish would not be the same without a massive dollop of sambal chili sauce.
2. No Toilet Paper …

This is Part I of a 2 part series of a wondrous hike through the gorgeous 2000 year old paradise rice terraces of Mayoyao where one is not just a tourist but a family friend to the magnificent rising amphitheater of Batad, in the Ifugao province of the Philippines.

I sloppily released a mouthful of bright red beetle juice saliva onto the ground as I struggled to keep my balance on the mud bogged trail.
“In Ifugao, American country music is very popular,” said my guide Efren.  “At a cafe in Phoenix,” …

I landed in the semi chaotic and slightly overwhelming, sprawling capital city of Sumatra, Medan. The streets were loaded with hungry motorists, racing for an edge over their competition. Hawkers hustled for the next Rupiah, eating portions of rice along the way, yelling their product for the street to hear. On my first night I met nearly 20 locals who were all extremely friendly, talkative, and loved to help in any sort of way. It was from this moment that I discovered the warmth and hospitality …

“Try leaving cheese and a dead body out in the sun and you’re in the same neighborhood as the smell of durian.” — Tony Bourdain
Durian is easily one of the stinkiest and weirdest natural foods the wonderful world has to offer.  The fruit comes wrapped in a thorny hard shell, protecting the mushy pudding like segments of each pungent piece of fruit.
When traveling in Southeast Asia, there is absolutely no excuse to not partake of this semi-bizarre fruit.  Some find it rather enjoyable, however others find the texture, smell, …

It took a number of days for me to become familiar with the currency of rupiahs in Indonesia. After a bit of confusion, a few days of practice, and getting slightly ripped off a couple times, I was able to become accustomed to the currency and after a couple weeks it was simply natural.
When I first arrived in Sumatra, Indonesia the first thing I needed to do was buy a large bottle of water. The innocent girl selling me the bottle asked for 4000 rupiahs, “4000 rupiahs, are …

Though this might sound like I’m joking even sarcastic half the time, its actually quite realistic.  Don’t take my suggestions as fact but rather use them as guidelines, something to think about when you rent a vehicle.  Don’t let this stress you out, when you get on the road, you will understand and formulate your own ideas.  Renting a car in Indonesia was quite an enjoyable event for myself and can be for you as well.  However, don’t pretend it is going to be relaxing.
You will be presented with various …

This is the pictorial version of the “9 Mandatory Foods to Eat in Indonesia (click this for all the food descriptions).”  All dishes must be eaten with large amounts of sambal (ground chili sauce) to maximize flavors.
1. Hot Plate

2. Nasi Campur

3. Gado Gado
4. Lotek
5. Indonesian Sate

6. Ikan Bakar

7. Soto Ayam
8. Babi Guling

9. Cap cay

This is the “9 Mandatory Foods to Eat in Indonesia,” description of the foods.  Check out the “9 Mandatory Foods to Eat in Indonesia in Pictures,” here.
The normal tourist eats and always orders “nasi goreng,” fried rice with an egg on top.  This dish is good, reliable, and will never fail you, however, there is a lot more in Indonesia.
To save myself the trouble of mentioning sambal (ground chili pepper sauce) with all dishes on this list, I will start out saying that, all these dishes can and must be …

Borobudur is an ancient Buddhist temple in central Java, Indonesia.  It is a masterpiece of architecture with various levels, statues, stupas, and stone reliefs.  The temple complex comprises of three round platforms on top of six square platforms.  A Buddhist follower is to walk around each level of the temple following the 1460 narrative relief panels as a symbolic path to enlightenment.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Borobudur comprises of three prestigious qualities, making it a World Heritage Site.

Borobudur is a masterpiece of human genius
It …