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Lush Islands

The "Ring of Fire" runs through Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sundas, and then up through the Moluccas. These islands are marked by jagged volcanoes, and the rich, black soil that produces the great rice crops of Java and Bali. Some of the islands—for example, Timor, Seram and Biak—are formed of uplifted coral limestone. Here the soil is poor, and some areas—particularly parts of Timor—exhibit dry grassland that is more reminiscent of Australia than the tropics.

Two seasons of wind sweep through Indonesia each year. The northwest monsoon, usually starting (depending on the area) between late October and late November and ending between March and April, brings rain and wind. The southeast monsoon, with wind but much less rain, begins around late April to late May, and ends in early September. The pancaroba—between monsoons—brings generally calm seas and good weather, and falls just about everywhere in the archipelago in October and April.

The worst of the rainy season in most of Indonesia is in the months of December and January. The weather in the eastern province of Maluku is the most out of step with the rest of the country, and the worst comes in July and August. Some islands— such as Bali—have mountains that block the rains, creating a dry rain shadow in their lee.