Pantai Kuta. The coastline of Kuta Beach in Lombok curves into the form of small bay; and the sand grains here are bigger than your average beach sand. Photo by Tekno Bolang.

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Immersing yourself under the fountain of sacred springs at Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring, Bali is believed to have healing and purifying powers.



Aside from being a religious site, the Tirta Empul Temple is also a tourist destination most notably known for its springs, which are believed to flow with holy water.

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The long coastline of Palambak Island is still pristine and beautiful. The islands of Palambak Besar and Palambak Kecil are part of the Banyak Islands on the west of Singkil coast in Aceh. Its isolated location offers solitude for those who seek it. To reach there, you must fly to Medan and continue to Singkil by minivan before crossing the sea to Balai Island…

If you are looking for a piece of serenity and an unforgettable experience in southern Indonesia, Alor is where you want to be.

A peaceful morning at the bay of Mutiara Alor On the edge of the quiet Teluk Mutiara district, Kalabahi is the capital of Alor regency and the center of the local economy. Start your unforgettable journey by cruising the…

Despite the wasted potential, Semarang’s old town makes a pleasant, picturesque background for a walk. Garlands of shrubbery grow across chipped walls. The eighteenth-century Protestant church is scrubbed dental white and the former opera house has an unusual wooden ship deck ceiling. Gnarled men perched on rickshaw seats offer pedal-powered rides. The traditional…

Magelang, with the famous Borobudur Temple, is a good excursion for those who seek serenity.



I went to Magelang with my old high school friends. It has been 14 years since we first met and in our day-to-day lives we often deal with traffic jams, so getting out of Jakarta and off the radar was the main idea.

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An early morning flight is definitely not my cup of tea, especially when I have to deal with Terminal 1 at Soekarno-Hatta airport. This “vintage” airport shows its worst face in the morning. On that particular morning when I had to catch a 6 a.m. flight to Kupang was even worse, because there was an electricity failure. A frustratingly long line to the check-in foyer…

If you like finding remote travel spots and seeking out non-touristy places, then this secret little spot, Selayar Island, in South Sulawesi will satisfy, delight and inspire you.

Culture abounds in Selayar.  The little seaside village of  Kayu Panda is home to the sea gypsies. If you are lucky, and the season is right, you will get the chance to meet…

Getting around Jakarta is often regarded as a problem, especially if you want to use public transportation. But the availability of Transjakarta provides a great alternative for anyone who's up for a little adventure and sightseeing in the historic parts of the busy capital city while spending only Rp 3,500 (less than half of US$1) per trip.

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What I love about being on the Rungan River, Central Kalimantan is that you get to experience the river, the Dayak culture and the orangutans, with no other tourists around.

Gaye and Lorna, the Australian and English owners of the Rahai’i Pangun cruise boat, are the only tourist boat operators on the river.  To view the orangutans, small canoes take you…

One cannot ignore the tsunami when talking about Aceh province. The country’s westernmost province was decimated by a magnitude 8.9 quake followed by a destructive tsunami in December 2004. Hundreds of thousands of Aceh people were killed in one of the most devastating natural disasters in history. Most parts of the province were…