Everything and anything about Indonesia
As my aircraft descended onto the vast plains of Yogyakarta on the island of Java, Indonesia, the first thing that struck me was the majestic sight of the Prambanan Temple standing tall, proud and somewhat mystical surrounded by lush green paddy fields and plantations. Located 19 kilometres or a 15 minute drive from the city, Prambanan is a complex of Hindu temples...
Bali, peppered with its volcanic hillsides, sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and ancient temples has always conjured up an exotic getaway image for travellers worldwide. If you’re done getting a tan and surfing up the waves, here are a few of my favourite places to go… What to See 1. The sacred springs at Tirtha Empul (Tampak Siring Village, Gianyar) is...
What do you do to take a break from watching the waves crash onto the white sandy beaches of Bali? You go shopping amid its bustling bazaars filled with gaiety and color and find yourself in a delightful dilemma of where to spend that shopping dollar. Will it be curios, paintings, clothes or perhaps intricate wood carvings? The choices are endless when you’re in Bali...
Just an hour’s drive away from Kuta ; Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a temple atop the edge of a rocky cliff on Bukit Peninsula, the southern most point of Bali. Founded by a Javanese Hindu priest in the 10th century, the temple is dedicated to the God of elements Bharata Rudra. Considered one of the nine directional temples on the island, the temple sits 70 metres above the...
Besakih Temple Built in the 11th Century, Besakih is the largest and most important temple on the island. With over 22 structures in its complex, the temple sits on the slopes of Mt. Agung, a stratovolcano and is home to the Trinity shrines dedicated to the Gods Shiva (the destroyer), Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the supreme God). Uluwatu Temple Located on a...
Located on Bali’s south-western coast of the narrow isthmus connecting the Bali mainland and Bukit Peninsula, Jimbaran Beach which was traditionally a fishing village, offers large public beaches with many recreation activities. Apart from the gorgeous sunset and smooth sand, another reason that visitors flock to the area is for the delicious spread of seafood...
Built in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and located in the Magelang District in central Java is the magnificent Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Constructed by the Sailendra Dynasty between 750AD-850AD with over two million stone blocks, the massive structure sits majestically in the middle of lush greenery peppered with coconut and palm trees...
Just a five minute drive from the Adisucipto International Airport, the Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort and Spa is an ideal place to stay if you’re in town to explore the sites. Fitted with classic Javanese architecture and décor, the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Though the bathrooms seem dated and its tiles discoloured the service and locality more than...
It’s pretty obvious that any seasoned traveller to Bali would tell you that Jimbaran is the place to go to for a good seafood fix. But which restaurant should you pick? The entire strip of sand is lined with a dozen seafood joints offering similar dishes with slightly different pricing. From experience however, the best place to dine at is Menega Cafe. What to...
This photo features the vast mountainous skyline of the fabled crater of Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, the only ‘drive-up’ volcano on the island of Java, West Indonesia. Located thirty kilometres north of Bandung, a sleepy city that is situated 768 meters above sea level, this active stratovolcano is considered one of the many off-the-beaten track destinations in Indonesia...