One thing about writing guides for Lonely Planet is that you find yourself discovering and exploring locations that you otherwise might have completely passed by. Such was the case with Dieng Plateau when I visited there a few weeks ago. Located right in the middle of Java, this highland gem […]
In a country like Indonesia, there just HAS to be a few haunted places, right? Well, there are, and I’m here to tell you that after living in the country for several years, I rate Indonesia as one of the most haunted countries in the world! In this article, I’ve […]
One very under rated getaway from Semarang in Central Java is a place called Benteng Fort Willem I. This partially abandoned fort hails back to the early 1800’s, and is a fascinating place to visit if you are in the area. Located not too far off the motorway, and in […]
Most visitors to Jakarta have no idea that there are idyllic tropical islands only a short boat ride away. Thousand Islands Jakarta sit right on the doorstep of the Indonesian Capital, and yet remain one of the city’s most well kept secrets. But how do you get to Thousand Islands, […]
One of the most popular places to visit in Jakarta is the National Monument. Located right in the center of the city, it’s impossible to miss. Every visitor to Jakarta must pass by it at least once, as Merdeka Square, where Monas Jakarta is located, is a major intersection and […]
One of the best day trips from Yogyakarta I’ve done is by far a trip to Jomblang Cave. This incredible sinkhole is a once in a lifetime experience, and something I can’t believe took me so long to do. It wasn’t until I was recently researching for Lonely Planet that […]
If you are in Java or Bali and wish to travel from one to the other, then flying is not your only option. You can also travel by road, on a scooter, in a car or on a bus. To do this, you will need to cross between Java and […]
Pulau Merah is a place that I heard about several years ago when I first moved to Indonesia, but until recently haven’t had the opportunity to visit. Now, having been there and spent some time exploring the area, I wish I had made it sooner. Better known as Red Island […]
If you are in East Java, and have ever heard of Red Island, or Pulau Merah as it is known locally, then you will also know that there are many other wonderful beaches in the area. One of these is the beautiful Pantai Wedi Ireng, which is one of the […]
It seems that nearly every second day a new restaurant, night club or beach club is opening in Bali. During the Pandemic they even opened up some new waterfalls. Uma Anyar Waterfall at Gianyar is one such example. It’s not every day that a new beach opens up though, but […]
Every first time visitor to Bali will notice one thing as soon as they leave the airport. There are literally scooters everywhere! This is no exaggeration, as the main form of transportation on the island is by scooter. And with SO many scooters cramming the streets in what can only […]
Having lived on the island of Bali for the over 5 years, and after posting over 90 articles about experiences, itineraries and places to go, I have decided to do an update to my Complete Guide to Bali! Everything that I put in this guide will be from my own […]