Indonesia, a beautiful Southeast Asian nation made up of thousands of volcanic islands, is home to hundreds of ethnic groups speaking many different language. Indonesian rich history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. With an abundant of green forests on all of its islands and half way between the poles, Indonesia was nicknamed ''The Emerald of the Equator''. It is famed for its beaches, volcanoes and jungles sheltering elephants, tigers and Komodo dragons.

Semarang is a city on the north coast of the island of Java, Indonesia. It is the capital of the province of Central Java. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, and still an important port today, the city has a dominant Javanese population. Semarang is a bustling mid-sized city with a population of 1.5 million. More a business than tourism destination, it nevertheless has its own charm with contrasting modern mid-rises, Dutch colonial architecture, Chinatown, and small "kampong" jutting against each other.

Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million, and the capital of the province of East Java. It is located on the northern shore of eastern Java at the mouth of the Mas River and along the edge of the Madura Strait. To Indonesians, it is known as "the city of heroes" due to the importance of the Battle of Surabaya in galvanising Indonesian and international support for Indonesian independence during the Indonesian National Revolution. The city's tree-lined streets, street parks and renovated pavements will impress those newly arrived from other cities in the archipelago, though in general the city's attractions tend to be more apparent to those who make it their home rather than to short-term visitors.

Benoa, on the Indonesian island of Bali, is a cruise port located closely to popular places like Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kuta and Denpasar.