Travel Destinations in Asia

Visit Indonesia Year 2008

We are almost halfway through this year and across Indonesia it is Visit Indonesia Year 2008 and every province has some manner of activity planned as well as the normal yearly festivals. It is an exciting year for the government because it gives them the chance to showcase the beautiful archipelago, its people and culture. [...]

Supardi and the Kerupuk Business

It is an irrefutable fact that Indonesians love their kerupuk — just ask Supardi, the owner of a successful kerupuk business. Kerupuk - crunchy fried or baked crackers made from flour - are everybody’s favorite snack and can be found at most sidewalk food stalls. Supardi, 55, is not an economist or a business analyst. [...]

Culinary Map to be Released

So often when my stomach reminds me that it is time to eat, I ponder for at least half an hour in making a decision on a destination for my choice of repast. Of course, in the main, I am never disappointed with my final choice. When I at home in Yogyakarta it is easy [...]

Garuda Going Public in 2009

Would you buy shares in Garuda Indonesia in a public float of the company?. Currently, most certainly I would, provided the share options were right. The latest news is that the national airline intends to do just that but only a small proportion will be offered to the public. If you look at past history [...]

Kafe Batan Waru: Tuban

As a great lover of Javanese food I am a regular patron at Kafe Batan Waru in Tuban. The sister restaurant to the one in Ubud, the cuisine is just as delicious and although not in a garden setting, the décor more than makes up for this. Located opposite Waterbom Park in Tuban and a [...]

Saving the Elephants

Indonesia currently has 16 or more species on the verge of extinction. A further 30 are classified as endangered. On the critically endangered and endangered lists are the Sumatran tiger, the Bali starling, the Javanese wild dog, the orangutans of Kalimantan and Sumatra, the Sumatran gibbon and the Sumatran elephant. Some claim the number of [...]

Desecration in Bali

Like most people in Bali and travellers alike were disgusted with the development years back around Tanah Lot temple. There really is no need for this type of development that encroaches upon sacred ground and sacred places. It is unjustified greed. If any of you have recently visited Tanah Lot then you know what I [...]

Travelling the North-East Road Pt. 2

Waking to a glorious sunrise bursting over the ocean is one of those special moments and although reluctant to move on towards Singaraja along the north-east road, it was the adventurous side that took over and it was not long before we found ourselves driving along the road out of Tembok bathed in glorious sunshine [...]

Flights to Sabah from Bali Confirmed

Although not a part of Indonesia, the province of Sabah in northern Borneo (Kalimantan) is still one of the most desired destinations for the adventurous traveller. Having only been there once and also to Sarawak, it is one place that I would highly recommend. If you are in Bali or Jakarta and wish to explore [...]

Foreign Arrival Statistics

The foreign arrivals statistics for Indonesia are out courtesy of the Central Statistics Agency and they are showing a marked increase for the first quarter. Naturally, Bali remains the number one destination for travellers to Indonesia although arrivals from Europe are on the wane and this is probably due to the Indonesian Airlines ban imposed [...]

Anantara Spa Resort: Seminyak

When you talk about pure luxury in a resort then you can’t go past the newly opened boutique property Anantara Resort in Seminyak. This place eclipses most of those flash places in Nusa Dua. Actually the resort was designed by Anthony Liu of the TonTon architectural firm, responsible for the Bale Resort in Nusa Dua. [...]

Aneh-aneh Art and Uniques: Denpasar

How weird is weird? Well, nobody could answer that for sure including Tjia Jie Hong, the owner of Aneh-aneh Art and Uniques in Denpasar. There is no certain limitation to the meaning of the word aneh (weird). This was why he picked the name Aneh-aneh for his business. Aneh-aneh is a workshop providing various kinds [...]

Bali Arts Festival Dates

The one festival and time of the year I enjoy is the Bali Arts Festival. A potpourri of drama, dance and culture combine to make it one of the most enjoyable attractions of the year. Twenty provinces from Indonesia will join the festival this year by presenting their cultural arts and handicrafts as well as [...]

Jason Monet Exhibition: Ubud

Art and orangutans don’t appear to have much in common. However, for internationally recognized artist Jason Monet, conservation of the threatened primate starts with bamboo. According to the Bali-based artist, the more the arts, architecture and just about everything else from food to furniture uses bamboo, the longer orangutans on Sumatra and Kalimantan will have [...]

Travelling the North-East Road – Part 1

There are literally hundreds of day trips you could embark upon on your visit to Bali, but I have always found it best to get off the main tourist routes and do some exploring. Recently I spent a few days in the north-east of the island. It is a beautiful area of Bali and less [...]

Lion Air to Begin Flights from Bali to Singapore

Many times I have been tempted just to head out of Indonesia and over to Singapore for a week or so break. As cheap as it is to get there from Jakarta, it’s going to be even better now that Lion Air will fly direst to Singapore from Bali. This is good news for those [...]

New Zealand to Bali Flights Needed

One thing I never knew and that was Garuda Indonesia had stopped flying to Bali straight from New Zealand and Brisbane in 2007. New Zealanders are amongst the nicest people in the world and I say that after spending a year there riding around the islands on a motorbike. Kiwis wanting to visit Bali have [...]

Delicat Restaurant: Ubud, Bali

I don’t get much of a chance to get up to Ubud as I am usually bypassing it on my way to other parts of the island, but when I do it is usually to Casa Luna or my all-time favourite, Kafe Batan Waru. Ubud is one of those places where you need a week [...]

Ecotourism and Development in Bali

In a world where travellers are increasingly aware of the environment and the places they visit and the impact they will have upon that society, ecotourism is booming in most countries. Indonesia is no different. On the island of Bali there are a few tour groups that are geared towards ecotourism. Basically, ecotourism is ecologically [...]

Kuta restaurants: Apache reggae bar

Just like Raja’s on Jl. Legian, I have passed by the Apache restoran and bar more times than I can remember. I have always been dubious about eating establishments that are a part of a club, but it was worth a gecko I thought. Sure am glad I did.

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