Mixed experience in Indonesia — beautiful but overhyped

Indonesia is undeniably beautiful. Uluwatu Temple and the area around Bali have a visual quality that photographs don't capture fully. I enjoyed nasi goreng and appreciated extremely affordable. That's all real.

But traffic in Bali tourist areas is terrible was more of a problem than I expected based on reviews I'd read. It coloured parts of the trip in ways I hadn't prepared for. I'd still go back, but I'd approach certain aspects differently. A 4 feels generous on a bad day but fair overall.