As you plan your next adventure, ask yourself: “How can I leave a positive legacy?” As we travel and explore the world, it is becoming increasingly important to travel responsibly and sustainably. Mindful travel is about making conscious decisions that prioritise the...
How to Get There: The easiest way to reach Sumba is to take a flight from Bali. There are daily flights from Bali (DPS) to Sumba’s two airports: Tambolaka Airport (TMC) in West Sumba and Waingapu Airport (WGP) in East Sumba. The flight duration is 1 hr 25 min...
If you love the outdoors and nature, have you ever considered glamping? Bali Cliff Glamping is Bali’s newest hidden gem, where the beauty of camping meets luxury indulgence. Positioned on the clifftop, 20 minutes North of Candidasa, the beautifully appointed tents...
After a day of losing myself in the historic town of Bergen, Norway, with its narrow alleyways and charming wooden houses, I felt a wave of anticipation as I prepared to board the majestic Havila Castor in the early evening. The thought of embarking on a journey into...
It’s possible to live your best life during retirement, provided you enter it prepared for the two things they say we lose in our retirement years: energy and money. Thoughts of life after work often evoke mixed emotions. On one hand, we eagerly anticipate the...
More travelers are seeking meaningful and immersive experiences rather than just ticking boxes at a rapid pace. As I listened to these words from Regal Star of Jasri Bay Hideaway, a small but elegant seaside hotel in east Bali, about the rise of slow travel in the...
In the early morning, I spotted my first orangutan high up in the trees. I heard him before I saw him. I awoke to branches cracking and some pretty furious tree-breaking overhead. Luckily, I was on a boat, safe from the massive, hairy, reddish-orange male orangutan...
I sat on the beach at Lamalera Village, only a couple of metres from a giant whale carcass, and chatted with my new friend, Benjamin. “We are devoutly Catholic here in Lamalera,” he said. “From late April to early May, our priest conducts a mass to open Leva Nuang,...
Solana Luxury Wellness Retreat is a secret find. A stunning eco-luxury bamboo resort which opened only one year ago. The ten private villas are all unique, and I loved the natural feel of the resort’s layered stone wall features and the stunning high-set bamboo...
A decade ago, no one spoke about emotional vulnerability. It was often seen as risky and uncomfortable territory, evoking fear and uncertainty in many individuals. What is emotional vulnerability? It is intentionally putting yourself out there in a conversation with...
When I entered Sungai Utik Village, in the heart of West Kalimantan, I felt very excited when I caught my first glance at the longhouse. This long wooden communal dwelling with one roof stretched for 214 metres and houses 293 people. A delegation of young Dayak Iban...
A fine dining experience awaits you at Akar Restaurant. It is on another level altogether. When you walk into the restaurant, the vibe is high. Under a domed bamboo roof, you will be delighted by the unique setting at the jungle’s edge. In the evening, a...
Sunday brunch is a Jakarta thing to do. Many of the 5-star hotels host a Sunday brunch with an elaborate spread of food and include free-flow drinks. However, which 5-star brunch do you choose? Hands down, without a doubt, try the Hotel Mulia in the heart of Senayan....
Published: Lonely Planet, Apr 2022 As the largest archipelagic country in the world, majestic Indonesia showcases a wealth of jaw-dropping natural wonders across its 17,000-or-so islands. From leviathan volcanoes and lakes that hang uniquely above the sea to pristine...
Stephanie Brookes writes about Pejeng Kangin, a resilient weaving village just outside Ubud that has united the weavers of Bali and helped revive a long-lost artisan craft. Around 25 years ago in Pejeng Kangin Village, the women were spinning cotton, dyeing with...
Published in Lonely Planet Apr 2022 In an archipelago that stretches more than 5000km (3107 miles), with 17,000-some islands to explore, Indonesia’s national parks offer close contact with orangutans, leopards, and chattering rhino hornbills – even Komodo dragons –...
I stood safely behind a thin rope as a lone Sumba horseman advanced with great speed onto the large grassy field. With spear poised, he challenged his opponent on the other side of the field to come forward. He looked like he wanted blood. Elizabeth, my guide,...
World music is coming to Bali! For four days, March 24-27, the IMEX – Indonesian Music Festival is kicking off at the Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud. Stepping up on stage to dazzle and delight is a dynamic assortment of over 100 musicians and vocalists flying in from...
A lost village in Flores A last-minute decision to buy a pig before setting off into the isolated mountains of Manggarai, Western Flores proved to be a wise decision. I was about to embark on a three-hour trek to the old Manggaraian village of Wae Rebo and I felt it...
TripbaliGazing over the Indonesian map sprawled out on the table, my eyes turned to the more remote Eastern part of Java. I live in Bali and drive a motorbike, as most of us do living here. I thought, maybe if I rally the troupes, we could ride our motorbikes from...