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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