Kalimantan is an island offering superb snorkeling and diving, pristine rainforests, and a rich array of exotic wildlife. It is home to the Dayak people, some of the friendliest people in the world. Come on a journey to three handpicked places and discover what...
ROAST OF THE TOWN From artisan coffees and exotic aromas to in-house roasting and award-winning baristas, Jakarta’s coffee houses offer the perfect blend of quality and taste WORDS: STEPHANIE BROOKES Rich, aromatic and stimulating, coffee’s allure has endured over...
In the highlands of Timor on an isolated mountain ridge is the village of Boti. A very humble and gracious king reigns there, ruling over 76 families and 316 Boti tribal members. He is often referred to as the last king of West Timor. There is no evidence that the...
Story by STEPHANIE BROOKES I stood with my blowpipe at the ready. “Gather strength from your core and aim high,” Agus advised. “We are excited to have an Australian team enter the competition and best of luck to you”, he added with a broad smile. More than 300...
Padangbai is a small, friendly Balinese seaside village and a great little getaway about an hour and a half from the airport. Tony and Marita, the visionary owners of Bloo Lagoon, have designed and built a gorgeous small villa resort, which is more like an eco-tourism...
An art-filled Bali beauty Endless rice fields and tasteful artwork combine to create a sense of harmony and balance at The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in the foothills of Bali. This hidden luxury retreat, which has 20 individual villas dotted around its lush sprawling...
Story by Stephanie Brookes Photos by David Metcalf There is only one way to meet the Wana tribe. You must walk into their rugged territory. Arrangements should be made in advance because the Wana are wanderers and their territory is vast. They pack up and move when...
While the island is often regarded as a beach paradise with a variety of boat tours and diving options, many foreigners are looking for the quintessential jungle experience when they get on a plane bound for Bali. If you are keen to stay somewhere that is surrounded...
We were living in Jakarta, thousands of miles from our home country, when we took our daughter to the doctor with flu-like symptoms. We did not expect the diagnosis. A urine test revealed “sweetness in the urine”, or diabetes mellitus (known simply as diabetes). Our...
John and Kerry For many, Bali is a wonderful retirement option. The climate is perfect, the culture fascinating and the cost of living relatively low. In addition, the Balinese warmly welcome foreigners. You can choose to relax or you can become involved in the social...
Nyepi in Bali is unique. It is known as the Day of Silence. The three to five day period leading up to Nyepi Day (a Balinese Hindu ceremonial religious day), is one of the most exciting, colourful and festive times. However, from the stroke of midnight on Nyepi Day,...
Divorce in Bali. If this topic is raised, you may hear about the work of Ibu Sari. She is well known on the island and her story is an important one to tell. Ibu Sari (Ni Komang Sariadi) is the founder of an organisation where Balinese women can go for support if...
Share This: Tangkahan is a remote village in Northern Sumatra where you have the opportunity to sleep in the jungle with the ‘big five’ of Indonesia – the Sumatran elephant, the Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran rhinoceros, the Sumatran orangutan, and the clouded leopard....
Share This: Spas have a personality. From the delicate scented air of the lobby to the presentation of fresh ginger tea in a delicate pot to the flow of the gracious staff – all of this hints at a spa’s unique personality. As I entered the Body Temple Spa, I...
Share This: If you want to bounce your day away and keep the kids entertained then head on out to the Canggu Club, located 15 minutes from Seminyak. Bounce Bali is one of the attractions at the club, where up to 50 kids at a time can trampoline to their hearts...
Share This: Belitung Island emerges gracefully out of the Java Sea inviting curiosity and exploration. It does not disappoint. It is unquestionably a place of extraordinary and untouched beauty. The beaches are chalky white, and are touted to be some of the most...
Share This: COCKFIGHTING SHOWDOWN I witnessed my first cockfight in Bali, in a small village just outside Ubud. I stumbled upon it by chance when I was running, with a local sports club, on a Saturday afternoon. Our route took us through a temple complex in the...
Share This: Stephanie Brookes delves deeply into her yoga practice while falling in love with Bhutan, a spiritual Buddhist nation widely known as ‘the land of happiness’. EXPERIENCE MOVING SLOWLY AROUND, around the giant prayer wheel at the Memorial Chorten in...
Share This: Reinventing Your Life at 60 Sheila first came to Bali in 1985 and had a strong connection with Ubud which she maintained through the years. After a career working in International schools around the world, she felt ready to settle down, but where? As she...
Share This: 376 Rooms / 22 Suites / 17 Villas French elegance and Balinese tradition blend seamlessly together throughout Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort on the island’s southern peninsula, but no place more than in the lobby. Sweeping ocean views fan out before...
