5 things to do in Indonesia...that you might not have thought of

When traveling, there are the essential things to do... and the rest.

Here are 5 ideas for things to do in Indonesia that you won't find in guidebooks!

Buy a phone or tablet

Phones purchased in Indonesia have the advantage of being all unlocked and sold without a subscription, which will allow you to put any SIM card in them. There is no shortage of shopping centers specializing in electronics and you can easily compare the latest new products while having the luxury of (slightly) negotiating prices.

Make a tattoo

Have you thought about it, are you dreaming of it, are you hesitant because of the cost?

Your trip to Indonesia may be a good time to get a tattoo. Yogyakarta for example, recognized both as an inexpensive and student city and as the artistic capital of the country, is home to many tattoo artists who apply international hygiene standards, while offering prices very much lower than in France.

Some famous tattoo artists in Yoyakarta: Java Irons tattolab, HeruTattoo, PetrichorTattoo or ToxicTattoo.

Sing karaoke

Are you the type to crank the volume up in the car and belt out your favorite songs? Then you will surely like the concept of karaoke as we often encounter it in Asia: you do not sing in a crowded room where you do not know anyone, but you choose your audience and your singing partners yourself since you can rent at the hour a private room whose size depends on the number of people: 10, 5, or even 2 people! Each room has a giant screen, several microphones and a computer with thousands of titles from the 1960s to the present day. You can find all the international classics, forgotten or current, from Queen to Rihanna, including the Beatles, Cindy Lauper, Bruno Mars, and even the Carpenters.

(For aficionados of the language of Molière, you can even find the songs of Anggun, of Indonesian origin, and “Aline” by Christophe, who crossed the oceans to make a splash in Indonesia.)

Go to the market

The traditional market is a place that has no equal for revealing to travelers the “authentic” side of a country. With no or very few tourists, it is the ideal place to stroll and immerse yourself in an atmosphere, a language, and smells that will undoubtedly join your most unique travel memories.

Make you a traditional remedy (jamu)

If you follow our advice and decide to go to the traditional market, don’t forget to ask for a “jamu” stand. Jamus are drinks with medicinal properties made from plants and roots (including turmeric, which gives the yellow color so characteristic of most jamus). Depending on your ailments and your needs, the lady will prepare a mixture for you that you will drink on the spot, in a glass or straight from the ladle, like the magic potion from Panoramix.