Getting wowed by Wonderful Indonesia at St Kilda Beach

We've just had a weekend of eating Chicken Satay and Nasi Goreng, watching performers from Bali, West Java and North Sulawesi, learning how to make batik cloth and dancing along to a fusion of Indonesian and Australian music. Where? At the Wonderful Indonesia Beach Fest on St Kilda Beach.

Along with about 20,000 others, we got to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of this multicultural nation. We ate street food and fusion food from locations all over Indonesia, and we were entertained by a fusion of traditional and contemporary artists - everything from Gamelan, Kolintang and Angklung orchestras, to traditional Batak folk songs and Balinese reggae outfit; Marapu Band.

Well-known author and chef Janet De Neefe, was on hand to show us how to make Sambal Tempeh and Sticky Black Rice Pudding (yum) and batik artist Dora Melati kept the kids, busy making their own little batik masterpieces.

I absolutely LOVED the fusion of Australian and Indonesian entertainment, with artists such as Rizal from Bandung in western Java - this guy makes his own instruments! And he's playing something that is a combination of a guitar, didgeridoo and celempung (Indonesian traditional percussion).

The kids especially loved the traditional Batak folk performers Bonapasogita and everyone let loose to Balinese reggae outfit Marapu.

So all of this makes us want to go to Indonesia, which is of course, Wonderful Indonesia's reason for hosting this festival.

The helloworld Travel Fair had some exclusive Beach Fest holiday deals, which are actually still available until the 5th February - check them out:

• 5-Day Bali for Families deal at the Bali Garden Beach Resort with FREE entry to Waterbom Park Bali, for only $1449 per family.
• 7-Day Bali & Lombok Getaway for only $989 per person including FREE tours to the Monkey Forest and and Tanah Lot.
• 8-day Hot Deal at the Hard Rock Hotel Bali including return flights, FREE dinner at Starz Diner and guaranteed room upgrade for only $1299 per person twin share.

Tempting aren't they? You can find your nearest helloworld outlet here, or phone 131415.

Or... you could always win a FREE holiday. There's still a chance to win a FREE holiday to Bali, by entering the Beach Fest Photo Comp. Share your last Indonesian experience (whether that was feasting on Nasi Goreng in your local Indonesian restaurant, or a snap from the last time you visited) on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, using the hashtag #WIBF17 for a chance to win a holiday to Bali flying Jetstar and staying at the Grand Inna Kuta resort. The competition closes 28^th February 2017.

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