Indonesia is not only known for its endless list of tourist attractions.  My stay in Indonesia has also been made memorable by its wonderful people, delectable Indonesia cuisines and nice hotels like the Ascott Jakarta Hotel.  Aside from all these lovely things, I especially enjoyed the different kinds of coffee that I got to savor.

How can I ever resist coffee?  I am a certified coffee addict and it really took quite an effort on my side to limit my coffee intake to just two cups in one day (there were days when I can finish up to five cups!).  So when I found myself in Indonesia, I promised myself that I will try as many kinds of coffee as I can while in Asia’s “coffee heaven.”  Indonesia is actually the third largest producing region in the world!

Coffee beans have their own origins and possess different characteristics that they got depending on how these beans are processed, where the beans were grown and the weather conditions that beans have to face.  In the case of Indonesia, the major places where coffee is grown include Sulawesi, Sumatra, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Java.  Unfortunately, only a very small region grows Arabica coffee beans which are most preferred kind.   In terms of percentage, only 10% of the harvest is Arabica Coffee.  Even if this is the case, it is known that Arabica coffee beans that are grown in Indonesia are the best.  These beans are priced high for the rich flavor, gentle acidity, and full taste among others.

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Posted in Food, Indonesia |

Jakarta, the vivacious capital city of Indonesia, is a favorite destination among thrilled visitors not only in Asia but in other parts of the world.  The culture is so rich with history and Indonesians are known to be people who give so much importance to their traditions.  Those who would like to catch with some rest and relaxation can do so while staying in any of the available hotels in the city.  One great example is the Allson Residence Hotel Jakarta.  But aside from immersing one’s self in this city’s unique way of life, tourists head over to Jakarta to do a bit of shopping.

There are various malls to visit in Jakarta.  But for those who would are budget conscious, there are other shopping options, of course.  One can visit the dry market or head to wholesale markets.  One of the famous wholesale markets in Jakarta would have to be Mangga Dua or Two Mangoes in English.

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Posted in Indonesia, Things to do |

Are you a worldly traveler preparing to explore Indonesia? If so, let me direct you towards Yogykarta City, also known as Jogja. This incredible city is the main attraction on the Indonesian island of Java and regularly attracts visitors from all over the world. Visit this beautiful and cultural city for yourself and you’ll quickly understand why.

The History of Yogyakarta

Image credit: zsoolt

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Posted in Indonesia |

One of my all time favorite movies would have to be “River Wild”.  Watching this movie back in 1994 and seeing Meryl Streep’s character brave the strong rapids stirred within me great interest in the extreme sport of white water rafting.  I wondered as to when I can get the chance to try this for myself and where in the world will I get to do this for the very first time.

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Posted in Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Things to do |

Indonesia is not one to be left behind when it comes to the number of appetizing food items that it can offer.  There are Indonesian cuisines to experience and there is an endless list of snacks that you can sample in between your main meals.  You can also munch on these snacks whenever you are in a hurry.  Snacks can come in the form of appetizers, finger foods, small versions of the main meals, desserts, or tasty liquid concoctions.  Snacks can serve as full meals especially when  served all at the same time buffet style.

Given that Indonesia is the world’s biggest archipelago having over 17, 000 islands and populated by more than 200 million people, it is easy to assume that there will be infinite possibilities when it comes to food.

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Posted in Food, Indonesia |

It was one slow Sunday afternoon and I was seated comfortably in my room at the Aston Rasuna Residence Jakarta switching movie channels on cable TV.  I was taking advantage of my free coffee sachets and nibbling on my favorite crunchy Kuzuka cassava chips.  I just came from my short walk on the hotel grounds and decided to go back to my room to rest for a bit.  But as always, I couldn’t stay long in one place and the day was just too beautiful to spend indoors.  I grabbed my Indonesia map and tried to look for an interesting place to explore for the rest of the afternoon.  I chanced upon a short yet informative feature on Taman Mini Indonesia Indah and my curiosity immediately got the best of me.  I grabbed my purse and immediately left my hotel to catch a cab.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) or Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park is an extraordinary park that is located in Southeast part of the city.  From the city center of Jakarta, TMII is located about twenty five (25) kilometers away and travel time can last anywhere from thirty minutes to almost an hour depending on traffic conditions.  But if you’ll be coming from the Perdana Kusuma airport, it is a mere five (5) kilometers away.  You can reach the park by taking various means of transportation like a private rented car, the public bus, metro mini or the ever dependable Blue Bird taxi cabs.

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Posted in Attractions, Indonesia |

Traveling can really be fun, exhilarating, and exciting! You get to visit new places, try out new cuisines, experience different cultures and, of course, meet people then eventually make new friends. Plus, you can stay in really nice hotels like the Ascott Jakarta Hotel.

You will live through these and more during your trip to Indonesia. But before you head to the nearest restaurant, visit the museum, go on that tour or explore every corner of this energetic city, it is highly advisable to familiarize yourself with the various modes of transportation that you can take in Indonesia so that you can save time, money and most especially to ensure your safety.

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Posted in Indonesia, Transportation |

Jakarta is another city in Asia that offers great shopping to all travelers. Prices here are said to be lower compared to some Asian countries like Hong Kong and Singapore. There are so many shopping destinations to include in your travel itinerary and these stops should include the city’s grand malls.

TAMAN ANGGREK MALL
Gatot Subroto St. Kav. 21 Slipi West Jakarta 11047
+62 21 564 3777

Locals would proudly tell you that this mall is one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. It is a place where you can find everything that you need. With over 400 shops and two department stores namely Galeria Matahari and Metro, what more can you ask for?

From the moment you walk through the huge revolving doors and step into the main lobby, you will immediately be mesmerized by this mall. After a few steps, you will find yourself in the middle of the spacious atrium where most mall events like product launches, concerts, fashion shows, etc are held.

Stores here cater to all kinds of shoppers. There are brand names that are affordable even for the young crowd. Of course, there are high end boutiques for those who are brand conscious and prefer designer brands. It is easy to lose track of time in all these shops where you can spend hours scouring through the finest merchandise.

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Posted in Indonesia, Things to do |

Thrill-seeking travelers would find no shortage of haunted places to visit around Asia. After all, a whole sub-genre of movies called Asian Horror wouldn’t be so popular if cultures across the continent didn’t have their own ghostly legends.

Here are nine places in Asia that are said to be haunted.

Old Changi Hospital – once a military hospital in Singapore before being closed down some years ago, this hospital is the most haunted spot in Asia’s most ghost-ridden city. The morgue is a particular hot spot for ghost sightings of the headless and feetless kind. Recently, plans have been drawn out to convert the area into a spa resort. Will it still maintain its most haunted status by then?

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Posted in Asia, Attractions, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam |

No portfolio of a nature photographer is complete with capturing the majestic beauty of waterfalls. The rush of water pouring into an emerald pool surrounded by greenery is the stuff that inspires zen gardens and nature walks. What’s best about these waterfalls in Asia is the occurrence of the monsoon season, when torrential rains turn the surge of water into a glorious spectacle of  nature’s fury.

Here are nine Asian Waterfalls to admire during your travels.

Shiraito Falls - the most famous waterfall in Japan, located in the lower slopes of Mount Fuji. Shiraito has been proclaimed as one of the most scenic waterfalls in the country. The best time to visit is during autumn, when the leaves in the enclosing forest are starting to change color.

Pagsanjan Falls - one of the big thrills of this falls in the Philippines is the journey by traditional bancas. A boatman will paddle, push, and shove his boatload of passengers past rocks, curves, and the current to reach the destination, then repeat the performance on the way back. The base of the falls is a large pool where people can swim, bathe, and enjoy themselves. There is also a cave behind the falls for exploring.

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Posted in Asia, Attractions, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand |