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Travel Tips to South East Asia
Planning a holiday all the way to South East Asia might be an exciting thing to do in your vacation agenda. But what if you have never been to Asia before? What things you should be preparing for an excellent journey to Asia?
Here we share some tips for everyone who will travel to South East Asia:
1. Essential Documents
Prepare your passport and its digital copy. Some countries are free visa entry, some will apply Visa on Arrival. Don’t forget to check the immigration information in advance, for every country you will be visiting. If it needs visa in advance, you can arrange it in your home country.
2. Travel Duration
If it’s your first time to South East Asia, my tips is: don’t rush! Many traveler choose to travel fast in order to fulfill their bucket list in such a limited time. 1 night here, 1 night there, and then cross the border to the next country. It’s exhausting, besides you could not get enough experience of the places you are visiting. Spend at least 3 nights in each city to know more about the area, the culture, the local life, and the culinary. Because traveling is not about how many places, but it’s about how much experience you get during the journey.
3. Eat like locals
Want to experience an absolute travel? Try the local street foods! South East Asia is so famous with its street foods. Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, you name it. All of them have their own authentic street foods to offer. Almost in every city, there’s a street foods market, both day and night. Make sure you do at least once, roaming around the packed night market and eat the local foods in one of the stall. I’m sure you will not end up with 1x visit only!
4. Drink from the bottle
To avoid any bacteria or germs infecting your liver, try to drink only from a sealed bottled drink.
We don’t say that South East Asia is dirty and has a high risk of diarrhea, but the different climate between Northern hemisphere and the South East Asia could also be the main factor your body immune needs to deal with. And if you are not in your peak performance, the risk of getting sick from any germs is still possible to happen. So protect yourself.
5. Light packing
Traveling to the tropical South East Asia doesn’t require any of bulky outfits. As the weather is relatively warm all year long, light clothes would much work for entire occasion. T-shirt, casual shirt, short, light dress, and sandals are the essential, plus a sun glasses. Only in the rainy season you might need a hat or umbrella. But if you are a kind of who love to dance in the rain, you probably don’t mind to get a bit wet. In some areas of SEA there’s winter season (like in Hanoi), but the winter in SEA is still relatively warm for the people from Northern hemisphere. It’s around 14-20’c.
6. Join in at least one cultural exchange activity.
By joining in an activity that has some culture activities to offer, you will get a new unforgettable experience during your travel. For example visit a farmer’s house, traditional market, join in an art workshop, lunch with the royal family in the formerly palace (in Bali), join in one hour teaching at the local school, farming with local farmers, and etc.
Best things to do in Kupang
Kupang is a less known tourist destination in Indonesia, but the best thing about Kupang is that this destination is totally different from the rest of Indonesia. This city is located on the island of Pulau Timor. The landscapes are similar to the landscapes of Africa and because of this, you have the feeling that you are in a totally different continent. The people in Kupang are dying to meet you, especially when you are a foreigner from a western country. Already interested? Keep reading our recommendations for Kupang.
The forest in the sea
With forest in the sea, we mean mangroves. Mangrove is not touristic and you can see that on the way how it’s built. During your visit, you will think that you are walking on a tree-house-like architecture and this gives you an exciting feeling. The structure is really stable, but it doesn’t feel and look like it. The locals are making pictures of the mangroves and when they see you, you have to go on a picture with them.
Drive around the island of Pulau Timor
Driving around the island is for itself a very nice activity to do during your stay in Kupang. When you are exploring the island, you will see a landscape of a dry rainforest which is extraordinary sight to see for you as a tourist. There are also several markets you will pass. It’s a good idea to stop at one of those markets, cause you will have to opportunity to buy traditional handcrafts which are unique to the island. You will probably be the only foreigner at a market like that and the local people will admire you during your visit.
Eat at the boulevard of Kupang
At the boulevard of Kupang, you’ll find some nice terraces to have a meal or something to drink. Mostly of the time, the terraces have 2 levels which provides you for more places. The music which is played is modern music which gives you a real holiday feeling. On the beach are many seats which are waiting for you to take place, so you can enjoy the sunset while you are dining or just drinking something. This is a must do during your stay in Kupang.
Crossing the border to Timor Leste
When you go to the north of the island, you’ll be going to the border of Timor Leste. This is a different country, but you will get the opportunity to set a few footsteps in the county. The landmark of Timor Leste is waiting for you at the border of Indonesia. It is a massive pole with the name of the country on it and this is a good stop to make a picture which will make your trip memorable. After you have been there, you can go back to Indonesia which has also a landmark with the letters of Indonesia which you have to see.
Seek refreshment at Oenesu Waterfall
This waterfall is easy accessible and not touristic, but it is still big and it’s a wonderful sight to see. The waterfall even has its own parking place. Reaching the waterfall itself is a little bit tricky after you have parked your car. That’s because there is not a real walking path, but that makes the waterfall look more natural than it already is and you will have a little bit of a challenge during your visit. After you reach the end, you will be rewarded with an amazing view and you can even jump off the waterfall if you brought you swimming clothes with you.
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.
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.
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.
Best Things To Do in Banyuwangi
Banyuwangi “the sunrise of Java” this is the name of the eastern tip of Java which is given by the residence of the island. Banyuwangi offers many natural sights which are a feast for the eye. Have you ever seen a big blue flame? Then here is your chance, because there are just 2 places where these kind of flames exist. Or maybe you want to have an African-Style holiday where you’ll see African wild life in front of your eyes. Do you want to relax? Banyuwangi is a perfect place. The following are recommendations for activities during your holiday in Banyuwangi.
Witness the beauty of blue fire in Ijen Crater
Mount Ijen feels special due to its rare phenomenon in the form of blue fire which only exists in 2 places on the world. Blue fire is a process of sulfur evaporation that looks bright blue at night. The blue fire moment will be only at 02.00-04.00 local time. With an estimated start at Ijen Cater, you’ll do a trek of 2 hours. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see the blue fire phenomenon. Tourists will start at Kalipuro around 1:30 in the morning.
See rare flora and fauna in Baluran
Baluran is a national park that is often dubbed as the “African of Java” and that is not without reason. In Baluron is a savanna landscape similar to the savanna landscape in Africa. The national park area which has an area of approximately 25 thousand hectares has a variety of flora and fauna that are protected by the state. You’ll be treated by views of meadows and exotic mountains. You can get acquainted with protected animals such as bulls, buffaloes, deer, and long-tailed macaques. During the rainy season, there are many animals that look for food in savanna which covers almost 10,000 hectares. you still have to be careful with wild animals such as snakes and a herd of bulls that can come at any time considering this still wild life.
Visit the unique Selendang Arum waterfall
Selendang Arum is a waterfall located in Sumberasih sub-village which is rarely touched by humans due to its somewhat hidden location. With its height of 20 meters and lush trees, Selendang Arum Waterfall is a beautiful sight to see. This waterfall is called Selendang Arum due to its rock-like shawl. The water runs through stone walls which sparkles when exposed to sunlight just like an present an exotic feel resembling a shawl.
Surfing at G-Land beach
G-Land Beach, also named Plengkung beach, is the best surfing spot in Indonesia. Both beginner and professional surfers can surf at the G-Land beach, due to three levels of waves at the beach which are ranked from 3 to 4 meters for beginners to 6 to 8 meters for professionals. The surfing experience of G-Land beach gets even better with the atmosphere which is still beautiful. Its remote location and surrounding dense forest makes the air pollution-free. You will get an unforgettable surfing experience on this beach.
Go on an adventure in the forest of Alas Purwo
There is one more location in Banyuwangi which is a pity to be missed. This location is Alas Purwo National Park. Navigating this area is like exploring the wild version of Indonesia, which is said to be the oldest land in Java. The national park, which covers 44,037 hectares and has been designated a National Geopark, is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Not far from the gate, you will see a Hindu temple called Site Kawitan, which in Jawi Kawi means oldest temple. This is related to Alas Purwo, which is believed to be the first creation made be humans on Javanese land. You can also visit the vast Sadengan savanna where you can see peacocks, deers and Javanese bulls.
