Bengkulu, Indonesia

This province on the southwest coast of Sumatra is home to just over 2 million people, but it's far from a tropical paradise. The tax burden is heavy, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the province is prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. Despite its natural resources like coal and gold, Bengkulu lags behind other parts of Indonesia in development. The weather is wet and steamy, with an average annual rainfall of over 3,300 mm. This remote, hard-scrabble province is not for the faint of heart - it's best suited for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, not sun-seekers or luxury-lovers.