,

Best things to do in Bali

Bali is a paradise for tourists, because of its natural charms which are amazing for the eye. One of the favorite destinations of Indonesians and all over the world offers enchanting natural beauty and makes anyone fall in love with the island. The amount of excursions will certainly fill your holiday with a lot of activities. Here are our recommendations of activities you can do during your Holiday in Bali that you don’t want to miss.

Relax on Kuta beach
The beauty of Bali’s beaches has been recognized all over the world, and Kuta is one of the beaches that is famous for its beauty. Tourists who are celebrate their holiday in Bali will surely spend a lot of time at the beautiful beaches of Kuta. The beach of Kuta is well known for its wide beaches with white sand. You can bask under the gentle warm sun while enjoying a glass of fresh drinks, or learn to surf on the waves of Kuta beach which are not too big. That’s why Kuta beach suitable for newbie surfers. Kuta beach is also the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful sunset at the beginning of your evening.

Relaxation at the spa in Ubud
Ubud is famous as a traditional tourist attraction in Bali, due to its location between rice fields, forests and surrounding mountain cliffs that makes the landscape an amazing sight to see. You can enjoy the natural beauty of Ubud while pampering yourself in a spa that refreshes the mind, body and soul. The surrounding area where the spas are located are filled with exotic forest which will prevents you of fresh air. The spa’s in Ubud are also supported by expert therapists who will refresh your body with aromatic massage including distinctive essential oils.

Enjoy water sports in Benoa
Many people think about water sports when they are thinking about Benoa. This place is a paradise for water sports, because there are a lot of water sports activities which you can do, like gliding in a banana boat, parasailing, jet skiing, fly fishing, and excursions to the turtle island. Feel the excitement of sitting on a rubber boat that sways crashing waves or flying using a parachute pulled by a boat that runs above sea level. In addition, you can also see the beautiful underwater scenery and interact with several species of fish encountered.

Enjoy a delicious dinner at Jimbaran
Visiting the beach is incomplete if you don’t taste seafood, and the best choice for enjoying it is in Jimbaran. Have a taste of delicious seafood with a view of big waves which will provide you from an experience which you will never forget. The atmosphere during your dinner will become more romantic due to the sparkling candle light on your table and a sky full of stars. Furthermore, there are also acoustic bands which will play relaxing music. Enjoy the delicious appetizing grilled shrimp, flour fried squid that has a crispy texture, grilled scallops with special spices, and other exotic foods.

Stimulate adrenaline by rafting on the Ayung River
The Ayung river is the longest river in Bali with its length of 62.5 km. The river ends in Sanur. The Ayung river has enough rapids which are suitable for beginners. With a course of 12km, your adrenaline is going up due to the excitement of rafting which will test your guts. Along the road, you will also pass a fresh waterfall. Another attraction of rafting course on the Ayung river is the relief sculpture of the Ramayana story along 1 km of the river wall. After arriving at the end of the course, you can rest for a while and then continue to enjoy a filling lunch.

/by
,

Best things to do in Makassar

Makassar is the biggest city of the whole east Indonesia and the city is the capitol of south – Sulawesi. The city has a rich history which you can see from the several buildings and monuments within the city. Makassar is also the big gate of arrival of east Indonesia. From Makassar, you can start a wonderful journey through east Indonesia. In this part, you can encounter with beautiful landscapes, interact with different cultures which you have never seen before and you can do many more things. The city also has a big beach where you can admire the sunset. During the time of sunset, you’ll see many locals at the beach to catch some fresh air and enjoy the sunset.

Visit the city its iconic landmark
Fort Rotterdam also called ‘Benteng, Fort Jupandang or Ujung Pandang is built In 1545 which is also the era of the tenth king of Gowa. The monument is located in the heart of Makassar which is not too difficult to reach. The fort itself is made by a mixture of clay and stones. The fort is made in the shape of a sea turtle which is a unique shape for a fort. The reason why the fort has the shape of a sea turtle is, that a sea turtle lives at land and sea. Just like the residence of the Gowa kingdom. The fort was also destroyed and after that, it was rebuilt by a Dutch general called mister Speelman. He rebuilt the fort in Dutch style and named the fort to his city of birth ‘Rotterdam’.

The tomb of the national hero
The tomb houses the memory of the Indonesian national hero Sultan Hasanuddin. This was the ruler of the Gowa kingdom which he protected fiercely against the Dutch during the 17th century. Sultan Hasanuddin held fort Somba Opu up against 94 Dutch and 2000 Bugis soldiers for 8 days, which is an impressive achievement. The fort felt eventually in the year of 1669. You will find a stone which is named the ‘Pelantikan Stone. This stone is the location where the kings of Gowa were crowned.

Relaxation on the beach
The beach of Makassar is called Pulau Samalona. This beach has a lot things to offer which you can do. The sand of the beach is white which gives the beach a beautiful scenery. There are a lot of day trippers during the weekends, but you will find a more quiet beach during the weekdays. The beach has beautiful reefs to discover and there are a lot of places on the beach where you can hire a snorkelling set, so you don’t have to bring a snorkelling set yourself. The waters at Pulau Samalona a clear. There are also enough of places on the beach where you can get a cold drink of something to eat.

Explorer the port of Makassar
You will find the harbour of Makassar 4 km north from the city centre. The harbour is a very large port which houses many sailing ships. The port is still in use by the city and the ships which arrive in the ports are beautiful for the eye to see. The Indonesian residence who are working in the port are really friendly for locals and tourists. There is also a fish market where you can buy freshly caught fish nearby the port. The local atmosphere during the morning till dawn is one you have to see during your visit to Makassar.

Ever seen a floating mosque
The Masjid Amirul Mukminin also called ‘the floating mosque’ is located on the Pantai Losari. The mosque is called the floating mosque due to its floating appearance. The mosque is built on pillars on the see which makes the mosque looks like it’s floating. You can go to the mosque if you want to see a beautiful sunset. The mosque is surrounded by clear water which makes the sunset even more beautiful to see due to the reflecting effect on the water. This mosque is for the locals the place where they take their daily break during the Ramadan.

/by
,

Best things to do in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a special region in Indonesia, because this area is the only area that is led by a sultan. With its Javanese customs and culture that are still thick, this place also has many tourist destinations that are no less exciting and interesting than Bali or popular tourist attractions in Indonesia. The following are recommendations for activities that you can try while on vacation in Yogyakarta.

Studying History in Borobudur and Prambanan
Borobudur and Prambanan have become icons of Yogyakarta, so your visit to Yogyakarta would not be complete if you don’t visit both. The magnificent Borobudur architecture and also its history make this temple one of the world’s biggest cultural heritages. The history of the Borobudur temple is estimated to be around 750 AD and was built by king Samaratungga of the Syailendra Dynasty, one of the great and powerful dynasties that once existed in the Nusantara. Turning to Prambanan, a temple that tells the story of an eternal love. The story speaks about Bandung Bondowoso who struggled to build a thousand temples to be able to marry his idol, Roro Jonggrang. Visiting these two places can be a medium for learning history and admiring the great culture and abilities of the forefathers of humanity.

Admire the Yogyakarta Palace
Kraton Yogyakarta, also called Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, is a kingdom complex located in the heart of the province of Yogyakarta. The palace, which was established in line with the Giyanti agreement in 1755 which split the Islamic Mataram Kingdom into the Kingdom of Ngayogyakarta “Surakarta” kept the undoubted beauty of Javanese architecture. You can take pictures with the background of Javanese buildings which are beautiful for the eye. In addition to admire the architecture, you can also watch art performances ranging from gamelan music, puppets to traditional dance.

Enjoy the iconic dish of Gudeg
Gudeg is a traditional Javanese dish of Yogyakarta’s cuisine which is made from raw young jackfruit boiled for several hours with palm sugar, and additional spices with coconut milk. Gudeg is served with rice, chicken, eggs, boiled, tofu or tempeh, and krecek which is made from fried sambal existing of crispy cow skin. Spicy flavor becomes sweet and has a distinctive and delicious taste. For culinary lovers, it is a must-eat dish which you have to try when traveling through Yogyakarta.

Surrounding Malioboro by Becak
One of the fun things to do on vacation in Yogyakarta is to travel around Malioboro using a Becak. Becak is traditional transportation which you will sit in the front while the driver sits behind while pedaling. One of the advantages offered by a Becak is a minimalist seat, which can only be occupied by a maximum of two people. Thus of course you can enjoy quality time while enjoying the beauty of Malioboro. The Becak is driven by human strength and because of this, the Becak won’t be fast. Thus you can hunt more photos than usual.

Explore the beauty of Parangtritis beach
Parangtritis Beach is indeed famous for its legend, which is related to Ratu Kidul as the ruler of the southern sea. Apart from the legend, this Parangtritis beach area offers beautiful natural scenery and doesn’t make you feel bored looking at every inch where you can have a look. This beach is undoubtedly beautiful due to its wide beach in Yogyakarta which offers a big variety of activities, such as driving around the beach using an ATV motorbike, horse or delman riding, doing sports such as soccer at the sand, playing on the edge of the waves, playing kite surfing, or just sitting while enjoying the atmosphere of Parangtritis beach which is so charming.

/by
,

Best things to do in Wakatobi

The name Wakatobi is a combination from the first two letters of every island. WA stands for Wangi – Wangi, KA stands for Kaledupa, TO stands for Tomia and BI stands for Binongo The Wakatobi islands are an undiscovered paradise for divers. The islands have more than 50 diving spots, one of the highest biodiversity in Indonesia and best of all; the spots have a low amount of visitors. Above the surface you will be impressed as well. The sea surrounding the island inhabits villages which are standing in the middle of the ocean. The island have quiet white beaches and boats are sailing over mangrove forests which is an impressive sight to see.

Visit the city on pillars
This village of Bajau is built on pillars and its location is 1 km offshore Ambeua pier. The pillars of the village are standing on coral under water. The locals of the village live in wooden stilt houses which are connected by small bamboo bridges. In the rivers under the bridges is enough space for boats to pass through. The citizens of the village are very friendly and welcoming to the people who want to visit the village. The women in the village do the household duties like cooking, cleaning, going to the mainland to buy groceries at the market, etc. The men in the village are fishermen. They catch fish for their village and for their family.

Discover Wangi – Wangi
Wangi – Wangi has a various underwater world. The reefs are colourful and there is a big variety of marine life under the surface. The ocean floor has various landscapes which you can explores during you stay in Wangi – Wangi. The landscapes vary from Flat plains, gentle slopes, steep walls, and deep caves which you explorer during your adventure at the bottom of the ocean. You can discover the island of Pulau Wangi – Wangi by bicycle. The island has good flat roads which are perfect to cycle. Along the road, there are more than enough beaches and caves to stop and they are all easy accessible.

Discover Kaledupa
Kaledupa was the island of the Ruling Kingdom before the arrival of the Butonese. The royals had a reason to settle on this island and you will see it right away when you enter the island yourself. This island is an beautiful paradise. The mangroves and coconut trees are greeting you when you arrive at shore and when you go into the inlands, you will impregnable landscape. This landscape is even more impregnable then the other Wakatobi islands.

Discover Tomia
Tomia has a beautiful ocean surrounding it which makes the island a perfect diving destination. With beautiful reefs and colourful corals, this destination attracts many visitors. But there is also more than enough to discover when you go to the island itself. Tomia has white beaches and cliffs which are waiting for you to be discovered. After a whole day of exploring the island, you have to go to the night market where you can eat traditional food. Tomia has also a good infrastructure due to its popularity among drivers.

Discover Binongko
This island is famous for its blacksmiths. That explains the nickname of the island which is Kepulauan Tukang Besi. This means blacksmiths archipelago. The island may be the last of the Wakatobi islands, but this island is more than worthy enough to visit with is untouched cliff landscapes, white beaches, turtle breeting grounds and hidden hot springs throughout the island.

Diving in Wakatobi national park
This national park is one of the top 10 diving spots of Indonesia. The diving spot has more than 25 coral reefs and over 900 marine species. The corals are still untouched by humans and the amazing biodiversity underwater makes the diving spot very attracting for scuba divers. The World Wildlife Fund has also helped out the park management to publicize the biodiversity of the park. The WWF even has made a movie over the area.

/by
,

Best Things To Do in Jakarta

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. This huge city holds a lot of history that you don’t want to miss. You will already see the history when you take a look on the buildings in the colonial era and government buildings. The artificial tours represent the history of Indonesia. Do you want to visit Indonesia in the near future? Then you have to put Jakarta on your list. Here are some activities you can do while on vacation in Jakarta.

Go back in time in Kota Tua
The Kota Tua, located in West Jakarta, is one of the historical and cultural tourist destinations visited by many tourists. There are many spots that can be visited in this Kota Tua tourist area. One of them is the Fatahillah Museum which has a very strong historical value, due to the reason that this building is used as a town hall, court, and civil registry office during the era of the Dutch colonialization. These buildings are located in Dewan Kotapraja. In addition, there is also the Sunda Kelapa Harbor, which in ancient times was often used as a place to lean on commercial boats from China, India, Arabia, and others to trade or visit in Indonesia. There is also the museum of Wayang, which, as the name suggests, holds a variety of wayang on display. This museum may be a dedication to the people of Java and the world of wayang in Indonesia.

Visiting Monas, the legendary Indonesian landmark
Tugu Monas (Monumen Nasional, in English: National Monument) is a monument in the form of a obelisk monument, built on the orders of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno. At the very top of this monument is a flaming torch shaped crown which is coated in gold which has a weight of 50kg.This tongue of fire symbolizes the unending fire, a symbol of the spirit of the Indonesian people that will never fade. The monument is surrounded by an open and green city park. The environment is green and shady, and there is also a jogging track and land for exercise. In some spots, there are also beautiful works of art in the form of sculptures and there are also reliefs that illustrate the history of Indonesia in every corner of the courtyard outside the national monument. Inside the monument there is also the National History Museum which shows the history of the archipelago and holds the original manuscript of the independence proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia which is stored in a glass box framed by a gold-plated gate in a room called the Ruang Kemerdekaan (Independence Room).

See the Indonesian miniatures in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is one of the largest recreational parks in Indonesia. Standing on an area of 150 hectares, TMII contains a picture of Indonesian culture. You can learn various things about Indonesian culture at TMII, from traditional houses and clothes, regional dances, to houses of worship of every official religion in Indonesia. There is also a large lake in the middle which lies a park that forms islands resembling the Indonesian archipelago from Sabang to Merauke is located. This lake is referred to as a miniature of the Indonesian archipelago. In addition, there are various kinds of museums that you can visit, such as the Museum Indonesia, the Indonesian Museum of Komodo, Fauna and Reptile Park, and other museums. Want to get to know Indonesia more easily? TMII is the answer.

Play challenging rides at Ancol Recreational Park
Ancol Recreational Park, commonly referred to as Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, is a recreational park that stands on an area of 552 hectares. Ancol has several interesting parks, beaches and recreation areas that you don’t want to miss. However, among the recreation parks offered by Jakarta, Dufan is the most famous recreation park. Dufan (uptake from English: Do Fun) is an amusement park that has many rides and is well known throughout the country. Not only does dufan offers various interesting rides, Dufan also has an interesting physics education center to study. If you like playing with water, then Atlantis Water Adventure is a good place to visit. There are eight main pools in this waterpark, and the highest ride is called Crazy Highest Longest will make your adrenaline reach is maximum. If you are curious about the underwater world, don’t forget to visit Sea World where various marine life live in giant aquarium. In addition, there are many other recreational vehicles that you can try in Ancol that you won’t be able to visit all in one day.

Admire the splendor of the Istana Merdeka
Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) is one of the many state palaces owned by Indonesia where the President works and has government activities. Besides from being a place for presidential activities and receiving state guests, Merdeka Palace can also be visited by tourists. The tour can be carried out when there are no presidential activities carried out at the Merdeka Palace. You will be invited to look at the front page of the President’s office, the corridors next to the state guesthouse, and many other destinations with rules that do not interfere with the work of the President and his apparatus, and do not compromise the security of the President, First Lady and his family. Remember to follow all the rules that have been set to honor the Merdeka Palace and remember that this is the place where the President lives and is active for his duty for Indonesia.

/by
,

Best things to do in Sumbawa

Sumbawa is known for its excellent waves for surfing and beautiful coral reefs, but the island is still not well-known under many tourists which turns this island into a quiet paradise for the adventurous tourists. Sumbawa has also a big amount of nice sandy beaches where you can spend the full day to relax. But the island is not only special because of its reefs, beaches and waves. The citizens of the island have also a traditional way of living which you have to see. The citizens remained their old rituals which makes the island authentic.

 

Explorer the island of Kenawa
Kenawa Island is a beautiful place which is well suited for people who want a day full of seeing beautiful sights and relaxation. The island is filled with green fields as far as the eyes can reach and there are many white sandy beaches. The island itself is really quiet. You can’t even hear the when you go a little bit more to the inlands. When you go to the beach, you can snorkel or lay at the beach to relax. When you go snorkelling, you shall be amazed by the underwater world. You can see seahorses, starfishes, crabs and a wealth of colourful life under water. There is also the option to do an organised which gives you the possibility to camp on the island. This will give you an adventurous feeling and makes your visit more special

Surf at one of the many surf spots of Sumbawa
Sumbawa is one of the best places in the word when it comes to surfing. There are many beaches where you can grab your board, run into the sea and catch a wave. The 3 best surf spots on the island which you have to visit are Lakey Peak, Lakey Pike and Cobblestones. Lakey Peak has waves which are waiting for you to surf on. You will be challenged by waves which are 2 to 4 meters high and they will give you an adrenaline boost which you will never forget. Lakey Pike is also a surf spot which provides you from high waves. Cobblestones is a surf spot for the beginning surfer. The waves are smaller which makes it ideal to learn how to surf.

Admire the traditions of Sumbawa
Sumbawa is an island full of traditions which, as a tourist, you have to see during your stay. One of those traditions is buffalo racing. This is something the people of Sumbawa do every time when new rice is planted. The reason why they do this is that it’s good for the new rice to grow. The people of Sumbawa also use boxing as one of their traditions. The boxing men are actually not well-trained and have a lack in technique. During the boxing match, there are no written rules and also no rounds. The men show off their boxing skills in front of the women who admire the boxing men. If you visit those traditions, your stay would even more memorable than it already is.

Visit the famous Mata Jitu Waterfall
Walk in a real fairy-tale world and visit Mata Jitu waterfall. This is one of the most famous waterfalls on the island. The waterfall is even so beautiful that even princes Diana paid a visit to the waterfall. The waterfall itself has many pool-shaped creeks. In these creeks you can swim and cool down. The water itself is crystal clear which helps you see the biodiversity in the creekes.

Taste the cuisine of Sumbawa
During your stay at Sumbawa, you have to taste Sepat. This dish is authentic to Sumbawa, so it would be a pity if you miss out this dish. Sepat is made of snapper or rabbitfish. They grill the fish after it is freshly caught. After the fish is prepared they make a delicious sauce from eggplant, young mango, aru leaves, leaf ketimus, starfruit, tomatoes, pecans and sour Sumbawa. After the sauce and the fish is prepared, they serve the dish with rice, tomato sauce and cucumber and the taste is delicious when it all comes together.

/by

Bali Hidden Gems

What is the first thing popped in your mind when you heard a word “Bali”? Most people will say beach. Indeed Bali has beautiful beaches stretch along the island. Not only the white sandy beaches, but also the black ones. But do you know that Bali is not just about the beach?

The island of Bali has many hidden gems spread throughout the island. Rice terraces, forest, volcano, lakes, rivers, caves, canyon, you name it. The good thing is most of those places are still less exposed by many tourists. You still can enjoy the stream of the river between lush green canyons while you do rafting. Even if you are lucky, you can see one or two apes hanging on the trees.

Wandering the non-touristy places in Bali is one of my favorite activities during the weekend. I usually go with scooter for faster and easier way to travel around this island. I visited a scenic jogging/walking path on the hill in Ubud, enjoy the view from atop of hill overlooking to the sea in Karangasem, found a hidden waterfall with its blue lagoon, hike Mount Batur on sunrise time, trekking in an uphill village overlooking to the lake, and etc.

Bali is famous with its authentic rice terraces called Subak. Subak is the water management (irrigation) system for paddy fields on Bali Island, which was developed in the 9th century. For the Balinese, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plant’s roots, but water is used to construct a complex, pulsed artificial ecosystem. The famous rice terrace in Bali can be found in Tegalalang, Keliki, and Jatiluwih as a UNESCO world heritage. Make sure you stop by those places to see how Balinese combine art and irrigation system.

Are you an adventure seeker? Try to climb the volcano in Bali. Mount Batur is an option for those who want to witness a stunning sunrise above the cloud, with not so long hike needed. Only require about 2 hours hike to reach the top of Mount Batur on 1.717 meters height above sea level. And prepare yourself for the golden sun rising slowly from behind the sea of cloud. You also can spot Mount Rinjani in Lombok at the far east. Want to try the higher level of hike? Then you should hike Mount Agung, the highest one in Bali with 3.031 meters height elevation. Those volcanoes are not only for the strong legs hikers. For people who just want to enjoy the volcano from afar, there are restaurants that offer lunch with the view of this majesty volcano.

Where there’s a volcano, there’s must be a waterfall. And it’s true. Bali has a lot of waterfalls to offer. From the highest one in the midst of forest, until the one situated in the centre of rural villages. Both are worth to visit. And let the cool breeze indulge you while you enjoy the sound of waterfall hit the lagoon underneath.

Talking about the lake, Bali has some lakes with beautiful view surrounding. The famous ones are Lake Batur and Lake Bedugul. Each has their own beauties to capture. While the more secluded one, Lake Tamblingan, lies side by side with Lake Buyan in the midst of Munduk green hills.

I’m sure by now you just can’t wait to come to Bali and explore its secret gems, hidden in the middle of untouched nature. Then just pack your bag and go!

Written by Fransisca Widi

/by
,

Best Things To Do in Medan

Medan is the capital of North Sumatra province and also the third largest city in Indonesia. The former citizens of Medan existed out various ethnic and cultural groups such as the Batak, Malay, Javanese, Chinese, and other ethnic groups. Medan is not only rich in cultural diversity, but it also has quite a diverse tourism potential. The following are recommended activities for those of you who want to travel in Medan.

Visiting the legendary Lake Toba
Lake Toba is a vast and beautiful lake formed by an enormous volcanic eruption that occurred around 77,000 years ago. In an exotic view, you’ll see Samosir island in the middle of Lake Toba which has many famous legends in the archipelago. The natural panorama is so beautiful and the rows of mountains surrounding Lake Toba makes the view even more beautiful. You can enjoy the beauty of nature while relaxing and taking a break from work.

Stimulate adrenaline in the Asahan River rafting spot
Challenged for a tour that drives adrenaline? Asahan River is the answer. Asahan River rafting spot has been named the number 3 best rafting spot in the world! Having a steep flow of 22 kilometers, the flow of water comes from Lake Toba, then accommodated in the Sigura-Gura Dam. Its swift flow follows the exotic Bukit Barisan valley, until it ends in the Malacca Strait through Nibung Bay. This river has 4 difficulty levels and the most favorite is the ‘Never Ever End’ side. Asahan River also has fun rafting, which is ideal for children at least 6 years old and can also be enjoyed by the elderly with 80 years of age.

Enjoy delicious Medan Lontong Sayur
Lontong sayur is a typical Indonesian food that is easily found throughout the country. However, Medan’s traditional lontong sayur has a unique taste to the spice. The use of shrimp and tauco makes the food taste more savory and appetizing. The vegetables consist of pumpkin, yellow jackfruit broth, chayote, carrots and long beans. Equipped with balado eggs, rendang meat, dried tempi anchovy beans and fried peanuts. No wonder Medan’s lontong sayur is one of the favorite breakfast menus of the local population.

Visit the place full of culture, the Batak Museum
The Batak Museum is a magnificent building within the TB Silalahi Center complex. This museum was built based on the concept that the Batak ethnic group have known high cultural values since time immemorial. This is evidenced by the fact that the Batak people have their different languages and writings, they have the traditional democratic principles of Dalihan Natolu, and the use of family names or family names. In addition, this museum also acts as a unifying symbol of different Batak clans, namely: Toba Batak, Simalungun Batak, Mandailing Batak, Angkola Batak, Pakpak / Dairi Batak, and Karo Batak. If you want to get to know more about culture in North Sumatra, the Batak Museum is the right place for you to visit.

Seeing the splendor of the Maimun Palace
Medan Maimun Palace is a heritage museum of Deli Sultanate which has an area of 2,772 square meters and has 30 rooms. The distinctive yellow palace of the Malay decorate the architecture of this magnificent building standing in the middle of Medan city is also an icon of the capital of North Sumatra. The design of the Maimun Palace is a combination of elements of Malay, Spanish, Indian, Italian cultural heritage with an Islamic style. According to history, the Maimun Palace building was designed by architects from the Netherlands and was built in 1888 by Sultan Deli, Makmun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah. As a memento, you can take pictures using the Malay aristocratic clothes provided by the museum manager.

/by
,

Best things to do in Flores

Flores is one of the most beautiful islands in the Indonesian archipelago. There are a lot of things on the island which you can do and see. Begin your trip to Flores with visiting the komodo dragons, go diving in the wonderful underwater world of the island and interact with the hospitable citizens of the island. Already curious about the island of Flores? Read further and explorer the activities on the island of Flores.

See a real dragon
Visit the Komodo islands on the west of Flores and discover why this small island is famous along many tourists. This island is the only island in the whole world where you will find the Komodo dragons which is the reason why this island is famous. The Komodo dragons are the biggest lizards in the whole world and that also explains the nickname of the animal. These beasts have a highly aggressive nature, so do you dare to encounter with the famous lizards? These lizards are also highly protected by the Indonesian law and if you see them in real, you know why.

Diving to Komodo National Park
After your visit to the Komodo Dragons, you have to dive in Komodo National Park. The underwater world is known for its manta rays. Encountering with the manta rays will make your visit to Flores unforgettable. The waters are also filled with many schools of fish which are not afraid for you as a diver. Swim together with the fauna under water and you will never leave Flores.

Experience the famous Caci Dance
Encounter with the citizens of the west part of Flores. This tribe is called the Manggarai People and this trip has a big wealth of traditions. One of those traditions is the Caci Dance. Feel the excitement of the dance where you’ll see people fighting against each other with whips while they are dressed as animals. The dance is guided by drums which make the dance more serious, but don’t be afraid about the dancers themselves. The dancers know that the dance is meant to be a spectacular ceremonial happening and they won’t really hurt each other.

Make your way to Wae Rebo village
During your stay on Flores, you have to go to Wae Rebo village. This village is home to the Manggarai tribe. These people live in a special way which you have to see. The villagers live in primitive cottages which have an extraordinary appearance. The roofs of the cottages are shaped into tipi tents. The villagers will be more than happy to show you their way of living and this is unique to see as a tourist, cause you won’t see this in another part in Indonesia.

Enter the spider lair in Cancar
With spider lair, we don’t mean a real spider lair. In Cancar, you’ll see a pattern of a spider lair in the rice plantations. This is a beautiful sight to see and a pity to be missed during your stay on Flores. During your visit to the rice plantations, you have to encounter with the owners who are happy to welcome you. The farmers will explain you that the weightiness of the plantations will describe the wealth of the family. This is an interesting story to hear, but you have to visit the plantations for the full story.

/by

Indonesia Culinary Experience

Visit Indonesia is not only for the beautiful sceneries and cultural richness. It is also about enjoying the delicious culinary experience. You will always captivated by the various kinds of Indonesian foods in every province you visit. Indonesians eat rice as their daily meal, three times a day. Yes, three times. You might be surprise with this and wondering how Indonesian people could eat that such high carbohydrate in the morning. But that’s how we are. Most of us indeed eat a complete big meal with rice in the morning, but there are also people who choose to eat lighter meal on breakfast. The common breakfast menu in Indonesia are Nasi Goreng (Fried rice), Mie Goreng (fried noodle), Bubur Ayam (chicken porridge), Nasi Uduk (coconut milk rice), or Mie Ayam (chicken noodle). But in some provinces in Indonesia, they also have their own authentic breakfast menu. While eating bread or cereal in the morning is less common for Indonesians, unless the big cities residents.

Nasi Goreng Curry

Talking about lunch, we must agree with the common diet concept of big meal for lunch. And Indonesians know it so well. Even for dinner, we still able to eat rice complete with its ornaments. Lunch and dinner menu could be anything, like rice (of course), sautéed veggies, chicken/beef/fish/eggs, soup, and etc. You must have heard about Beef Rendang. It is one of Indonesian famous foods. It made of beef meat cooked in a thick coconut milk with herbs and chili. It took several hours to cook Rendang to make it soft, tender and juicy. Chicken is another favorite menu as well for Indonesians. In Bali, you can find the famous Ayam Betutu, chicken with fresh chili sambal and several kinds of ornaments to enjoy together. In Jogjakarta, you will find Nasi Gudeg – a mix rice with beef, chicken, egg, sautéed jackfruit, tempe, and sambal – display on a piece of banana leaf as your plate. Nasi Gudeg is slightly sweet. So, if you are afraid of Indonesian sambal (famous with its HOTness), you can try Nasi Gudeg.

Nasi Ayam Betutu Bali

Beef Rendang

Nasi Gudeg

Typically Indonesian Lunch

Indonesians have a motto for daily meal as “4 healthy, 5 perfect”. The 4 Healthy consist of carbohydrates main meal (rice, noodle, potato or bread), Animalic proteins (beef, chicken, fish, or egg), Veggies Vitamins, and Fruits vitamins. And number 5 is for milk. So it means if we could fulfill 4 kinds of those specified foods in our daily life, it’s good for our health and even perfect if we could drink milk as well.

So, got an idea of what food you will try once you are in Indonesia? Don’t think too much, just come and experience it yourself! ☺

Written by Fransisca Widi

/by
,

Best things to do in Chiang Rai

Chang Rai has become a famous destination among international tourism. The city is located in the jungle area in the north of Thailand. Chang Rai is well known of the beautiful Buddhism Temples, the golden triangle, flora and fauna and many more. There are also enough of hotels with different hotels which are friendly to many budgets.

Connect with your spiritual self
During your stay in Chang Rai, you have to go to the Wat Rong Khun, also known as the white temple. This temple is famous, because it’s totally covered in White. The temple was meant to be a private temple and now, it has become a must see attraction in Chang Rai. The temple is made from a concept which is different from the regular belief of Buddhism. The concepts of this temple are karma, heaven and hell.

African art in Thailand
If you want to see something what is totally different than you’ve seen before in the country, you have to go to the black house museum in Thailand. The museum exists out of 40 houses which are filled with extraordinary art. It is also good to know that some buildings are off limits for tourists .The artist makes use of animals and his pieces have an African twist.

Go to the golden triangle
The golden triangle is the border of Thailand. If you want to go to the to the border between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, you’ll have a view over Laos and Myanmar. This view is among many tourists an extraordinary sight to see and a must visit during your stay in Chang Rai. The border is formed by 2 rivers which are the Nam Ruak river and the Mekong river.

Spent your day with your family
Singha Park is a family friendly park with many activities like zip lining, climbing, cycling doing an adventure rope course, and many more. There are also several events organised by the authorities of the park such as hot air balloon events, mountain events, farming events and many more. There is always music during the events and they are categorized in festival, sport and exhibition events.

Art in the open air
The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park has the biggest collection of art of the whole north of Thailand. The park is also a very good place to buy some souvenirs due to all the Thai residence which sell their handmade art crafts. By buying the art crafts, the Thai Hill Crafts Foundation helps to preserve the traditional skills and they support the ethnic minorities living in the north of Thailand.

/by
,

Best things to do in Labun Bajo

Labun Bajo is a small village on the island of Flores. This place is famous for its Komodo dragons, wonderful underwater world and friendly citizens. Many people fall in love with Labun Bajo because of its natural charm and friendly citizens. Are you already interested in this beautiful destination? Keep reading and be amazed by Labun Bajo.

Trek your way through Komodo Forest
Are you looking for an adventure? Then stop looking and go to Komodo Forest. During one of these tours, you will be guided by an ranger who will bring you to the Komodo Dragons. The Komodo dragon as the biggest lizard in the world and that’s also the reason why Labun Bajo is so famous. You will trek your way through the forest, where you will see the beauty of nature itself and during your trek, you’ll also see the fearless Komodo Dragon which can get a length of 4 to 5 meter.

Want to see 3 different beaches in 1 day
Go to Padar island where you’ll see 3 different beaches in just 1 day. The beaches are famous as a view point at Komodo Island. That’s because of its 3 different beaches which has al a different colour. One of the beaches is pink, one of them is white and one of them is black. This is a wonderful sight to see and you even get the chance to see the Komodo Dragons, but be aware that the dragons like to be in the shade and that you are not allowed to come near the Komodo Dragons. The best time to climb Padar island is in the early morning due to the temperature.

Dive everywhere you can
Komodo National park is a group of islands which is famous for its biodiversity underwater. Everywhere in Komodo National park is a good place to dive where you can see a lot of the underwater world. There is even the possibility to swim with manta rays at Komodo National park. Have you ever done that? At the same spot, you can also swim with sea turtles which is and extraordinary experience which you have to do during your stay in Labun Bajo.

Go to the fish market for freshly caught fish
Every morning, the fishermen of Labun Bajo fern the see to catch fish to sell at the fish market. The fish they sell is full of flavour and that’s why you have to taste this during your stay in Labun Bajo. The market is also a nice opportunity to meet different people due to the extraordinary mix of visitors of the market. The people who visit the market are expats, backpackers and locals. This is something you don’t see a lot of times happening and that’s why the market is a good place to visit.

Explorer the cave of Batu Cermin
Do you stay in Labun Bajo, but you don’t want to go too far away from the village? Then you should go to Bato Cermin cave. The name of the cave is “Batu Cermin” cave which means Mirror Cave in English. The reason why this cave is called the mirror cave is because, this cave is filled with crystals which shine bright in the morning sun, so you have to be in the cave between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. The cave is located in a natural canyon which for you is a wonderful sight to see.

/by