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- Lampung,
South Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and Riau
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Lampung province located at the extreme of south of Sumatra is overlooked, overflown by most tourists. In the past it was well known for its marvellous tapi fabrics, some using real gold thread, and for its pepper. But today, it is the location from ambitious transmigration projects, resettling farmers from over-populated Java. It boasts volcanoes, wildlife reserve, megalithic remain and a superb coastline of deep-cut bays and wonderful beaches. Its capital Bandar Lampung, is made up of twin cities of Telukbetung and TanjungKarang. Way Kambas Nature Reserve is a 130,000 ha area of swamp and lowland forest with wild elephant, tapir and many other animals.
Jambi and eastern two third of Lampung are broad alluvial lowlands no more than 30m above sealevel and as much as 200km wide. Jambi, a lush jungle river part on the Batang Hari is about 200 km, north of Palembang is a surprisingly cosmopolitan city. There are about 160,000 population of different races living together in relative peace.
Palembang, south
Sumatra Metropolitan city is second in Sumatra
only to Medan. A city of 600,000 population has
grown on the banks of Musi River, about 200km
from the coast. Forest products, rubber , coffee
plantation in the vicinity contribute to the
city’s economy today, but oil is the real
source of wealth that has turned Palembang into
Indonesia richest city. West Palembang not far
off the rail line to 
Lubuklinggau
is the town of Lahat, gateway to the Pasennah
Highlands. Dotting this mountain plateau are
carved megaliths, tombs, pillars and other stone
ruins throught to date from date 100 A.D. These
are considered the best examples of prehistoric
stone sculpture in Indonesia. Oddly shaped rocks
have been fashioned into figures of armed
warriors either riding elephants, wrestlings
buffaloes or fighting snake. There are dolmens,
sanctuaries, coloured painting, and other works
of art in the area of volcanic Gunung Dempo.
Bengkulu was
founded in 1685 by the British is a university
town and administrative centre. It is the last
territory in Indonesia to be held by the British.
Fort Marlborrough, constructed in 1762, is a
castle with gate house that contains old
gravestones with English inscription. Sir
Stamford Raffles, who later found Singapore was
lieutenant - government of Bengkulu from 1818 to
1823. Tabah Penanjung, an hour drive into the
hills above Bengkulu is a nature reserve where
rafflesia are often found. Mt Bukit Kaba, near
the hill town of Curup can be climbed in a day
from Bengkulu.
The province Riau, one of the fastest growing parts of Indonesia in terms of economic, population and tourism. While most of Riau have remain un-touched, change has come swiftly to Bastam and Bintan, the islands closest to Singapore.
Bintan has been developed into a major beach resort. It is the largest of all Riau islands. The energetic little city of Tanjung Pinang is the largest town in the island. There is a small but interesting Riau museum which contains collection of clothing, weapons, musical instrument and furniture that once belong to the Riau Sultans. Senggarang, a chinese kampung is situated on the far side of the
Riau
River. The village has four shrines including the
Banyan Temple, a 200 years old clan house
suspended in the arms of a giant banyan tree.
Just across the water from Tanjung Pinang is a
small island called Penyengat, a cradle of the
Malay civilization. This was once the home base
of the sultans of Riau, with a lavish court and
royal city that encompossed nearly 16,000
citizens. Trikora Beach on Bintan’s east
coast is an unspoiled stretch of white sand and
coconut palms with beautiful turquoise water.
Stretching 14 km along the north coast is Pasir
Panjang Beach which is already transformed into
Bintan Beach International Resort.
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