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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Indonesia’s Beautiful Underwater

Indonesia consists of 36% of main land and islands, and 64% of sea. So, besides having a range of beautiful landscapes and volcanoes, Indonesia also has countless water resources and underwater beauties. Not to mention the beautiful beaches stretch along the country, for Indonesia is the biggest archipelago country in the world.

As an Indonesian, I am aware that my country is an epicenter of biodiversity, hosting a greater variety of marine life than anywhere else on earth. Having bunch of dive sites throughout the archipelago, Indonesia provides many kinds of diving style to try. From challenging drift diving, extensive reef diving, amazing night diving, unique muck diving, and stunning steep walls to enjoy. This fact makes me curious of knowing more of the underwater world and decided to take a diving license to explore deeper and longer.

And once I saw how underwater world looks like, I never stop craving for more dives in my life. Since I live in a beautiful Bali island, which surrounded by some popular dives area, I usually go for a dive trip every few months. Tulamben, Amed, Padang Bai, and Menjangan Island are the perfect option for recreational dive as well for beginner divers. For the adventure seekers and big fish lovers, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida Island in Bali or small islands in south west Lombok are the answer. So far, my favorite dive sites are Tulamben with its Ship Wreck and Nusa Penida with its Manta Point. Diving with some Manta Rays surrounds me gives a special sensation and makes me more grateful for a chance to see such a beautiful giant fish yet friendly.

Fransisca dives in Tulamben Coral Garden

When I’m not diving, snorkeling and skin diving are my other water activities. With its pristine water, Bali and Lombok offer the easiest way to enjoy the underwater. You can get in a glass bottom boat, and enjoy the trip to the snorkeling spot by watching the underwater life beneath your feet.

Of course Bali and Lombok are not the only underwater paradise in Indonesia. There are a lot more destinations that have different beauty to offer. East Indonesia is famous with its underwater heaven. From Karimun islands in East Java, Wakatobi islands in Celebes, Mollucas islands, Nusa Tenggara islands, until the famous Raja Ampat in West Papua islands. Not to mention, underwater of Weh island in the very west of Indonesia also surprisingly beautiful. All of them offer you the stunning underwater experience that you will never forget.

Spare your time to enjoy the sea and underwater when you visit Indonesia. If you want to peep a bit of underwater beauty, take a snorkeling tour. By floating with mask and snorkel, you already can see the corals and colorful fish decorating the underwater world. If you are curious what lies down there and want to explore deeper, take a diving lesson to get a license. Or if you only have limited time, join in a Discover Scuba Diving trip. It allows you to dive up to 12 meters without holding the license. And trust me, once you get down there and see the underwater beauty, you will never see the world in the same way you see it before!

 

So, ready to see the other world under the water? Grab your google, snorkel, and fins! And let’s enjoy the underwater heaven of Indonesia.

 

 

Written by Fransisca Widi

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Best things to do in Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a perfect destination for couples and families to go on holiday. The city is located at the shore and there are many tourists attractions in the city and surrounding area. Furthermore, Hua Hin Has many accommodations, because the city was hundreds of years ago a holiday destination for the Thai Royals. Hua Hin is also not too far away from Bangkok, so when you want to escape the crowded city, you can go easily to Hua Hin.

Relax at the beach
Hua Hin has a wide beach which is visited by many tourists. This beach is clean and pleasant for families with young children, has many restaurants at the shoreline and during the weekdays, this beach is not too crowded. There are also many sun beds to get a nice tan during your day the beach. Furthermore, there many activities you can do during your day at the beach like jet-skiing, water-skiing, kiteboarding and horse riding.

Fun an Vana Nava Waterpark
If you get enough of the beach, don’t worry. There’s also an enormous waterpark which has many different pools and waterslides. A fun fact to know is that this waterpark is an ecologic waterpark. There is also a big variety of flora and fauna, because there are 2000 different plants and trees which grow over the whole of Thailand planted at the waterpark. Due to this wide variety of flora and fauna, this park is also named “Vana Nava Jungle”. The park is friendly for all ages. If you want to have a relaxing day or a day full of aqua fun, the park is a decent place to go.

Travel back in time to Plearn Wan Shopping Village
Travel back in time to the 50s. When you go to Plearn Wan Shopping Village. Parents enjoy their visit to the village and teenagers can learn a few things from the past. The village exists from a wooden complex with 2 levels. In this complex, you’ll find many vintage shops from the 50s. all those shops are covered movie-star and fashion magazine posters from the past. You’ll also hear music from the 50s-60s throughout the whole complex. The complex also offers many vintage accommodations which are an experience to stay for the night.

Hole in one in Hua Hin
Hua Hi has 3 big greens which are in use for golfing, these greens have all one of the if not the lowest fees to play in the whole world. The 3 courses are The Royal Hua Hin, Black Mountain and the Banyan Golf Course. All the courses have 18 or more holes, so you aren’t done with the courses that quickly. All the courses have a restaurant where you can go for lunch of dinner.

Khao Takiab “the spiritual monastery”
Visit Khao Takiab and experience the spiritual side of Hua Hin. The mountain is a spiritual monastery for many monks within the Buddhism religion. Monks goes to this place to pay their respect for the gods by praying. While traveling to the monastery on the mountain, you’ll see monkeys. These monkeys are also called “the carb-eating macaques” and they are an attraction to see by themselves. Be aware that these monkeys are wild monkeys and you have to make sure that you hide your shimmering personal belongings.

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Best things to do in Tana Toraja

This place has been opened for the rest of the world at the beginning of the last century. That’s because, Tana Toraja is protected by big mountains and rugged granite cliffs. Tana Toraja is located in the north of the province South Celebs. This is also the middle of the island of Sulawesi. Because this place is discovered early in this century, Tana Toraja has still a lot authentic traditions which makes it a special experience to visit this place. But Tana Toraja has also modernised in a short time. They even have embraced Christianity.

Visit the village above the clouds
Visit Lolai Village which is located on a cluster of mountains. The village exists on a height of 1400 meter above sea level and this is a wonderful sight to see. The houses of the village aslo look extraordinary, cause the roofs which have the shape of a boat. The village is surrounded by clouds which gives you the feeling that you’re in heaven. The citizens of the village are friendly and welcoming. They like to see tourist. The village is also easy to reach, due to the infrastructure which makes it possible for cars to reach. Do we see you in Lolai Village?

Climb mount Sesean
The climb of mount Sesean is a tough one with a lot of muddy paths, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views after you climbed the mountain. Put on your sturdy shoes and begin early morning with the climb and don’t forget to bring warm clothes with you. After you reached the top, you will have a beautiful panorama view over the whole area of Tana Toraja.

Raft on the Sa’dan River
The Sa’dan river is a fun challenge for everyone who likes rafting. The river is 184km long with a lot of different rapids which makes this river a good rafting spot for everyone who likes rafting, even if they are a beginner. Along the way, you will be amazed by all the flora and fauna of the surrounding area. The river flows through a rainforest which is the reason for the beautiful flora and fauna of the area. The river itself can be really wild which gives you a lot of adrenaline during your rafting adventure.

Visit the extraordinary Londa cemetery
Go to Londa and see a cemetery like you have never seen before. This cemetery is made out of cliffs with tombs for the dead people of Tana Toraja. The dolls you see in the cliffs represents the dead who are buried in their tombs. This is something very important within the culture of Tana Toraja. The dolls are beautifully made to show their respect for the people who lost their live. Nowadays Londa is a tourist sight you have to see during your stay in Tana Toraja, cause if you haven’t seen this, you haven’t been in the “real” Tana Toraja.

Try the local cuisine
When you are in Tana Toraja, you have to try out some local dishes. One of them is Pa’Piong. This is dish which can be made from a various amount of fish or meat which will be mixed with spices and other ingredients like lemon grass ,grated coconut, scallions, pepper, garlic and leaves of Miana. All the ingredients will mixed and put in a shell of bamboo. The ingredients will be cooked barbeque style which gives the dish an amazing taste.

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