Islands, cities and volcanoes of Indonesia

The main island of Singapore is shaped like a flattened diamond, 42 km (26 miles) east to west and 23 km (14 miles) north to south. Near the northern peak is the causeway leading to West Malaysia—Kuala Lumpur is less than four hours away by car. It is at the southern foot where you will find most of the city-state’s action, with its gleaming office towers, working docks, and futuristic "supertrees," which are solar-powered and serve as vertical gardens. Offshore are Sentosa and over 60 smaller islands, most uninhabited, that serve as bases for oil refining or as playgrounds and beach escapes from the city. To the east is Changi International Airport, connected to the city by metro, bus, and a tree-lined parkway. Of the island's total land area, more than half is built up, with the balance made up of parkland, farmland, plantations, swamp areas, and rain forest. Well-paved roads connect all parts of the island, and Singapore city has an excellent, and constantly expanding, public transportation system. The heart of Singapore's history and its modern wealth are in and around the Central Business District. The area includes the skyscrapers in the Central Business District, the 19th-century Raffles Hotel, the convention centers of Marina Square, on up to the top of Ft. Canning. Although most of old Singapore has been knocked down to make way for the modern city, most colonial landmarks have been preserved in the CBD, including early-19th-century buildings designed by the Irish architect George Coleman.

With a fascinating multicultural history, Malacca is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with much to explore. It was a trading center with China, India, and Indonesia, and was at one time occupied by Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, and British, resulting in an abundance of historical sites and an interesting local cuisine.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the north-western tip of Sumatra. On 26 December 2004, the city was hit by a tsunami caused by a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean. The disaster killed 167,000 inhabitants, injured countless others and destroyed more than 60% of the city's buildings. With the assistance of domestic and international aid an enormous effort has been made to rebuild since that fateful day. Join your expedition team and local guides for a bus tour visiting the Tsunami Museum, memorial and educational centre along with other historical and cultural landmarks including the Baiturrahman Mosque, one of the city’s dominant landmarks.

With their palm trees, beaches of fine, immaculate white sand, and crystal-clear sea, the tropical Banyak Islands are the stuff of dreams. This archipelago of 99 islands — most of them uninhabited — is especially popular with surfers and is attracting a growing number of travellers seeking an earthly paradise. The Banyak Islands are also home to Sumatra’s top snorkelling spots, featuring stunning underwater forests of colourful coral.

The island of Nias is heavily green with thick tropical forests edging into the settlements along the narrow roads that skirt the island. The terrain is hilly, green, lush, with frequent steep river valleys draining water from the interior’s highlands, crossed by numerous bridges. From the air and from the ground, the sea around the island can appear murky from the runoff of all the rivers and the fertile soils they run through. Roughly 75% of the population is farmers and there are open-air markets selling fresh produce all along the roads. When school lets out at mid-day the narrow roads become clogged with kids in school uniforms heading home on foot and moped. Sections of the coastline are rough, jagged limestone reef rock. Areas of Nias were dramatically altered by the tsunami of 2004.

With their long sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, their old-growth forest home to several endemic species of primates, and their hunter-gatherer tribes living in harmony with nature, the Mentawai Islands are one of Indonesia’s most authentic destinations. And despite seeing an influx of wave riders for some time now due to the heavenly surfing conditions, this archipelago remains one of Indonesia’s most unspoiled.

Enggano Island thrives in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, between steep cliffs and beaches of golden sand, where turquoise lagoons and coconut palms create an idyllic setting. The villages, guardians of age-old customs, live according to traditions in this place where sea and fire have sculpted landscapes of pristine beauty. Trails wind across these fabled lands, and small coves offer clear waters ideal for observing this unique natural environment. In the distance, shorelines and lush forests take shape, as boats glide between inlets and mangroves, their hulls skimming the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Krakatoa, or Krakatau, is a name familiar to most, though few know where it is located. Lying in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra on the Pacific ring of fire, is the site of the largest volcanic eruption in modern history. The 1883 eruptions culminated with a colossal blast that literally blew Krakatau apart. The noise was heard over 4,600 km away. Eruptions since 1927 have built a new cone known as Anak Krakatau ("The child of Krakatau") that is still active, with its most recent eruptive episode having begun in 1994. Quiet periods of a few days alternate with spectacular Strombolian eruptions. Guest activities will be determined by the level of volcanic activity on the day and may involve ship based viewing or zodiac tour.

Semarang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, situated on Java's north coast between the shore of the Java Sea and a small ridge of mountains. Ceded to the Dutch West India Company in 1677 by King Amangkurat I in payment of his debts, it became their headquarters and the seat of the Dutch governor of the northeast provinces. Semarang's usefulness as a port waned due to the gradual silting up of the harbor; by the 19th century, Surabaya had eclipsed Semarang as Java's premier port. With a population of over one million, a third of whom are thought to be of Chinese extraction, Semarang is the largest city in Central Java and its administrative capital. The city consists of two parts: the coastal lowland where most of the commercial activities are found; and the hilly residential area. Although more a business center than a city for tourists, Semarang serves as a popular gateway to the mountainous interior of Central Java and to fabled Borobudur.

Anchored in the heart of the Java Sea, halfway between the Indonesian islands of Java and Borneo, Bawean invites serenity. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, the island is surrounded by coral reefs and sandbanks, offering an ideal setting for a moment of relaxation by the ocean.

Probolinggo is a beautiful and enchanting city on the north coast of East Java, Indonesia. It is located on one of the major highways across Java, has a harbour filled with fishing vessels and is surrounded on the landward side by the Probolinggo Regency, but is not part of the regency. Probolinggo is home to the Javanese, Maduranese, Pendalungan (descents of Java and Maduranese) and Tenggerese, who still practice their centuries-old customs and traditions. Probolinggo is bordered by the imposing Mount Semeru, Bromo and Argopuro mountain group, and lined with lovely beaches to the north. Probolinggo's volcanic, mineral-rich soil is highly fertile. The mountains surrounding Probolinggo City abound with lush, tropical foliage, spectacular panoramic vistas, and points of natural interests, history and culture. The motto of the city is 'Bestari', which is an acronym of bersih (cleanliness), sehat (healthy), tertib (orderly), aman (safe), rapi (neat), and indah (beautiful).

Bali really is as alluring as everyone says. This island, slightly bigger than Delaware, has it all: beaches, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, forests, renowned resorts, surfing, golf, and world-class dive sites. But what sets Bali apart from other nearby tropical destinations is Balinese tradition, and villagers dedicated to celebrating it. The hundreds of temples, dances, rituals, and crafts linked to their ancient Hindu faith aren't a show for tourists, but a living, breathing culture in which visitors are warmly received by the Balinese, who cherish their own identities.