Asian News on Travel and Hotels

When it comes to sparkling blue waters and beaches perfect for an afternoon of surfing in Indonesia, Bali naturally comes to mind.  But the truth of the matter is that the Indonesian archipelago has so much more to offer holiday travellers.  The Gili Islands, for one, deserve strong consideration.

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The Gili Islands or what are collectively called the Gilis, are a popular tourist destination off the northwest coast of Lombok.  The name “Gili Islands” is somewhat redundant given that gili actually means “small island”.

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Posted in Attractions, Indonesia |

Tourists who yearn for authentic cultural experiences in Indonesia must definitely try a shadow puppet show. Wayang Kulit (literally “shadow skin”), is the most popular version of the art form and is most prevalent in Java and Bali. Other incarnations of this highly distinctive UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity endure throughout Indonesia. If you have a trip to Indonesia in mind, be sure to inquire at your Bali hotel (or Java hotel for that matter) about notable shadow puppet performances on the island.

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Without question, Wayang  Kulit is one of the most venerable forms of traditional storytelling in the world. The custom is particularly strong in central Java.

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Posted in Attractions, Indonesia |

Planning your first trip to Indonesia can be a bit overwhelming. After all, Indonesia is considered the largest archipelago, or chain of islands, in the world. There are 5 main archipelagos and an additional 30 smaller chains, housing a total of over 17,500 separate islands.

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Posted in Indonesia |

If you are a pig or water buffalo, it’s a bad decision to visit the highlands of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi. In this Indonesian province, despite the rapid encroachment of modernization, the locals cling to many traditional ways as exemplified in their funeral rites. In a ceremony that takes days or even months to complete, the family of the deceased organize a large party to bid their final farewells to the departed. And that includes feasting on large quantities of pork and native beef.

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Posted in Events, Indonesia |

Set in the heart of Indonesia, the island of Bali has long been a popular destination amongst those seeking a place to escape from the rest of the world.

The white sandy beaches and pristine waters offer a warm invitation to those who simply need to relax while the open waters, hiking trails, and historic attractions intrigue those who want to stay active. Are you ready to embark on a trip to Bali? Here are a few things you should know. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Indonesia |

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 |