6 Magical Places in Indonesia to await the First Sunrise of 2017

Watching the sun rise slowly over the horizon, gradually revealing  the multiple miraculous beauty that nature provides, and decorated with cultural and religious monuments, make enthralling moments in Indonesia. Experiencing the first rays of the New Year in these spectacular locations is a chance in a lifetime. So, this New Year’s eve, make it a point to be in Indonesia’s most memorable spots to catch the first light of the welcoming 2017.   

1 | Borobudur Temple (Central Java)

Nothing is more beguiling than to watch the sun rise from the top of the magnificent Borobudur temple in Central Java. Richard Gere was one of the many celebrities who came to this temple purposefully at early dawn. As the first rays appear, slowly the silhouetes of tiers of Borobudur stupas come into view and in the background the sun gradually unveils the wide scenery of green valleys and looming Mount Merapi, spreading peace and serenity all around. A spectacle never to be forgotten for life.   

A UNESCO World Heritage monument,  the Borobudur Temple, near the towns of Magelang and Yogyakarta is one of the most popular cultural sites in Indonesia and the largest Buddhist temple in the world.

This New Year, make it a point to catch a view of the morning glow from the top of this mighty temple to start your year in beauty and magic.

2 | Mount Bromo (East Java)

This is a place where people walk up to from far and wide merely to watch the first rays of the sun rise majestically over an unforgettable scene of volcanoes and a sandsea desert, starting from semi darkness to blazing sunlight.  

A trek to Mount Bromo, the icon of East Java province,  is surely a journey worth taking. When the volcano is not active, people can cross the sandsea on horseback and climb the stairs righ up to the rim of the crater and walk around the rim.   But even when the volcano is active, there are vantage points to watch this magical scene and photograph it for eternity.

3 | Mount Agung (Bali)

When in Bali,  try to catch the sight of a dramatic sunrise at Mount Agung. Although climbing to the top requires some stamina and a fit physique, the trek will be totally worth it. This is Bali’s  highest and holiest mountain, where stands Bali’s mother temple: Pura Besakih. From the top of Mount Agung you will have a 360 degrees view over Bali extending beyond to its neighboring island of Lombok and  beautiful Mt. Rinjani.

4 | Mount Kelimutu (Flores)

Travelling further east to the island of Flores in the East Nusatenggara province, is Mount Kelimutu best known for its tr-colored lakes.  This is the perfect place for you  to start off the year watching the first sunrise revealing the enigmatic 3 lakes with different colors, whose hues also keep changing.  Witness the surreal moment where the sun slowly ascends while its rays bring out the lovely colors of the lake and reveal the curves of the mighty mountain.  

5 | Romantic Lake Toba (North Sumatra)

The amazing Lake Toba in North Sumatra is an enormous crater lake that used to be a caldera of a prehistoric supervolcano that erupted and created this huge lake.  In its center is the island of Samosir – the size of Singapore -, which is, in fact, the heart of the indigenous Batak culture, which still thrives until today.

A popular tourist attraction, today accelerated improvements are being made to ease accessibility and make this into a prime eco-tourism resort.

Lake Toba is a great place to experience a most romantic New Year 2017 with lots of privacy and beauty all around,  while waiting for the first sunrise of the New Year providing a most  unforgettable holiday.    

6 | Mount Prau (Dieng, Central Java)

The Dieng Plateau in the moutain region of Central Java is located above the clouds. This  is another exotic view to catch the sun rise on 2017. Here Mt. Prau (meaning boat-shaped mountain) stands proud at 2,500 meters above sea level. 

If you are a nature lover and avid photographer, here is THE place to catch the first rays of the New Year.  Watch the sun slowly reveal  the spreading beauty of the plateau decorated with  a number of small, elegant  temples dedicated to the Creator of the  Universe.  

The view is priceless and not easily forgotten.