Archive for the ‘Indonesia’ Category

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

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By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

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By Dian Hasan | November 15, 2009

Good things come in small packages. If the Robinson Crusoe in you beckons to a getaway on a remote tropical isle, secluded yet close to modern civilization, Nikoi Island is just for you.

A private island with only 6 beach villas, off Bintan Island in the Riau Archipelago, eco-friendly luxury on a serene private island in Indonesia just 2 hours from urban Singapore. Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | October 20, 2009

Not bad for a day's catch. Photo: Jungle Ulua Fishing Adventures

For the seasoned Bali visitor who yearns to explore all the Isle of Gods has to offer (even an extended vacation will never suffice) and anyone who is intrigued by unique travel experience, with some fishing thrown in, here’s a Safari Camp like no other.

Join Cyrus Boyum and Michael Owen, two American adventurers and fishing aficionados for a safari camp to Grajagan, East Java, for some serious Ulua fishing. For the novice, Ulua is Giant Trevally. All fishing trips depart from Bali.Jungle Ulua Fishing Adventures. And while in the area you can always go surfing at the world-famous G-Land.

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By Dian Hasan | October 16, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | October 12, 2009

The animal world is more captivating than ever. With the explosion of media, especially TV programs dedicated to animals and wildlife, and with a big help from the internet, information about animals have become readily available like never before. The most intelligent of animals, apes, are of particularly interest, as they… well, remind us so much about ourselves.

With continued research we are learning about just how intelligent they are. Recent research indicate that Orang Utans have the ability to heal themselves with self-made medication when they are sick, making concoctions of herbs and leaves they find in the forest. An interesting find indeed, as research has demonstrated that Orang Utans in the wild are healthier than those in captivity, that are more prone to ailments. Germs passed from humans are one reason to blame. The fact that Orang Utans recognize which plants to use for medication is fascinating. You can get involved by becoming a volunteer to work with these fuzzy, cuddly & friendly Man of the Forest (Malay translation of Orang Utan)!

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By Dian Hasan | October 5, 2009

A child works on the polluted river in Jakarta. Photo: Reuters

The Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire has made the world’s poor urban districts a popular tourist destination. Is it supportive or exploitive? National Geographic Traveler takes a look.

There was a time when most travelers tried to avoid the dicey parts of town. But an increasing number are now seeking them out on so-called reality tours. From Rio’s favelas to Mumbai’s Dharavi slum to Nairobi’s Mukuru district, the trend is gaining steam as the latest frontier in travel. The phenomenon shows no sign of waning as more travelers rethink indulgent vacations in favor of more meaningful travel experiences. It’s partially a byproduct of the global economic crisis. Another, sadly, is that the ranks of the poor are growing.

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By Dian Hasan | October 9, 2009

The annual "Tree of Life" award held in Morava, Czech Republic. Photo: Nadace Partnerství

Love thy tree.

The movement to better appreciate the environment around us is showing us innovative ways the world over how this new-found sense of nature’s importance is put into practice.

Take trees, for example, they play different roles in different cultures (curious? See below). In some they are revered, in others feared. They are also given names and prayed to, while in others they are bestowed with awards and named “Tree of the Year”. An Oscar of sorts for our green friend that without fail always provides us with shelter from the elements. Worthy of a recognition. And we’ll universally agree that any tree is a giver of life. That’s what they do in Czech Republic’s heartland, the rich agricultural land and wine country of the Czech Republic, Morava. The Czech Environment Partnership Foundation (Nadace Partnerství) holds an annual “Tree of Life” competition for communities to nominate their favorite tree.

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By Dian Hasan | September 29, 2009

As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia is home to over 17,508 islands (the actual count varies between low and high tides!), that stretches an eighth of world’s mid-section, the diversity of her landscape is simply staggering.

Lush tropical rainforest teeming with wildlife, many of which are among the world’s most critically endangered species, volcanic peaks that are never quite dormant, and a choice of tropical isles surrounded by sandy beaches and waters of all imaginable hues. Sailing is therefore a natural attraction, and most activities take those with a zest for adventure eastward towards Lesser Sunda Islands, to the Land of the Komodo Dragons! Komodo Island forms part of Indonesia’s protected Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and only known habitat of the Komodo giant monitor lizards.

Here’s a brief look at look at the beauty of this far corner of the world from aboard the indomitable traditional double-masted Phinisi Schooner, which to this day is still handcrafted by the Bugis people of South Sulawesi (Celebes) . Another day in Paradise, no doubt!

Source: Enchanting Eden

As a travel destination, Indonesia has earned the bragging rights as the world’s most diverse. A staggering variety with no parallel in the world. The one country that would come close is probably Brazil, with its Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. Indonesia is home to the second largest, replete with all its contents. Flora, Fauna… and indigenous tribes that dwell in the hinterlands. Some of whom are still carrying on a sustainable life based on their approach to the immediate environment. In the past, we’d simply lump everything into one category “primitive”, but with the world’s rising fascination with eco-consciousness and sustainability, we are quickly realizing that we have plenty to learn from these groups of people that have survived with their way of life for… eternity! Or so it seems. Here’s a look at the Kombai people ofIndonesia’s West Papua with their unique tree houses dwellings.

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