As someone that lives in Bali and has been to nearly everywhere on the island, I am constantly fielding enquiries from friends, relatives, and readers about the best places to stay. As a long term resident of Nusa Dua, many of those enquiries are, is Nusa Dua or Uluwatu better? […]
Is the new Bali Railway the answer to the rapidly growing traffic issues on the island? This is a question many are asking, and one that authorities believe they have answered. A long-awaited ring road servicing the Uluwatu area, and railway network connecting the airport to central tourist hubs could […]
Tourists behaving badly in Bali still defies belief, even after crackdowns by law enforcement and immigration officials. Solutions appear to be few and far between, and no matter what measures are put into place, unruly tourists in Bali just seem to keep coming. From Uluwatu to Canggu, local authorities have […]
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 […]
For first time visitors to any city, the first question that gets asked is how many days they will need to see the city and the sights. At least, the main sights at a very minimum. Having visited Kuala Lumpur now on half a dozen occasions whilst researching guides throughout […]
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 […]
Are you totally confused about how to get around in Langkawi? Because believe it or not, I can relate! Having been there recently, it took me totally by surprise that there simply isn’t that many ways to get around in Langkawi. Now, while this might happen on other, smaller tropical […]
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 […]