Retreat into COMO Shambhala Estate this Lunar New Year
Nestled in a secluded enclave just north of Ubud, where jungle, river and valley meet, COMO Shambhala Estate presents a space that encourages rejuvenation and transformation. Photos courtesy of COMO Shambhala Estate/NOWJAKARTA On Saturday, 25 January 2020, the world celebrates the Lunar New Year, calling in a brand new Zodiac and thus a new era for
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Stylish COMO Uma Canggu
Comfortably located on a corner of the surfer’s paradise of Canggu, COMO Uma Canggu bestows dazzling panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and heavenly sunsets. Photo Courtesy of COMO Uma Canggu/NOWJAKARTA This Lunar New Year, COMO Uma Canggu invites you to celebrate the prosperous occasion at the stylish oceanfront resort. Falling on Saturday, 25 January
Embrace the Spirit of the Lunar New Year at COMO Uma Ubud
Enclosed within its rich Balinese landscape and cultural surroundings, COMO Uma Ubud is renowned as a centre for peace, harmony and wellness. Photo Courtesy of COMO Uma Ubud Withdraw into the serene hills of Ubud this Lunar New Year and celebrate the Year of the Rat at the tropical sanctuary of COMO Uma Ubud. Embrace this
Makassar: A Living Maritime Heritage of Island Traders
There is a modern port in Makassar, but the harbour of Paotere is where the Portuguese and Dutch sailing ships moored centuries ago. Photos courtesy of David Metcalf/NOWJAKARTA Walking towards a long line of tall traditional pinisi boats in the historic Paotere Harbour in Makassar, I caught whiffs of freshly cut timber. I watched strong, sinewy sailors
Secrets of Siem Reap
You’ve heard of Angkor Wat, and so have the millions of people that visit the temple every year. However, a destination should not be defined by a single site, as I discovered on a recent, eye-opening trip to Cambodia’s cultural capital, Siem Reap. With a history comprised of an ancient civilisation, colonisation, civil war and
Taiwan: Pioneers of Technology, Leaders in Tourism
John Chen, Representative of the Taipei Economic & Trade Office. Photo by Raditya Fadilla/NOWJAKARTA Representative of the Taipei Economic & Trade Office, John Chen, talks about Taiwan tourism and why you need to visit the country. Taiwan and Indonesia have enjoyed quite a healthy partnership over the years. How is the balance of visitors between the
Reflections 2019: From Lombok Peresean Stick Fighters to the Dark Tales from Banda Islands
Photos by David Metcalf/NOWJAKARTA Each month, NOW! Jakarta brings you tales of hidden heritage from our travelling duo, writer Stephanie Brookes and photographer David Metcalf. During 2019 they have brought stories back from the Kei Islands, Lombok, the Banda Islands, Seram Island, Kalimantan, Bali, Java and Sumatra. From accounts of meetings with forest-dwelling shamans who
A Road Trip to the West Coast of Java
Sunsets are always stunning in the west coast of Java. Photos by Rintang Azhar/NOWJAKARTA Starting from the zero-kilometre mark of the Great Post Road, roll down the window of your car to appreciate the endless nautical beauty of Anyer littoral zone that spans through its long coastline. Taking a two-hour road trip to the west
Vilnius: The Lithuanian Capital’s Coming Out
A stunning sunset over Vilnius, Lithuania. Photos by Katrin Figge/NOWJAKARTA Despite its eventful history, picturesque old town and laid-back energy, Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, remains a hidden gem in Europe—but this may change very soon. When travellers plan to explore the cities of Europe, only few will give Vilnius a second thought. But the capital of Lithuania,
Into the Wilds – West Kalimantan
Photos by David Metcalf/NOWJAKARTA Sitting on a woven mat, I listened as a Dayak Simpang elder explained, “Our history and our story are told through the old songs.” I was in Ketapang Regency, around four hours from Pontianak, the gateway city to West Kalimantan. I sat captivated as he continued, “We moved a long time
Taiwan: A Different Nightlife Sensation
Taiwan offers many things. The night markets are the ones you should not miss. Photos by Taiwan Tourism Bureauy and Refa Koetin/NOWJAKARTA Offering a plethora of treats, trinkets and fun activities, the night markets in Taiwan are too good to pass up. I recently found myself in Taiwan in a trip sponsored by the Taiwan
Seram Island – Meeting the Nuaulu Tribe
Seram Island in Maluku Province of Indonesia is steeped in tradition. Deep in its mountains and along its coast, several indigenous tribes still hunt with long wooden spears and adhere to their old ways of life. The largest island in the Maluku archipelago, Seram is known affectionately as the Nusa Ina (Mother Island) and is considered the
Revisiting Lombok: The Breathtaking View and The Intriguing Sasak People
Travel brochures advertise Lombok as “the way Bali was 30 years ago”, untouched and unspoiled. In other words, those venturing the island east of Bali will find equally enchanting beaches, surf, and culture. Photos by Namhar Hernanto/NOWJAKARTA I remember arriving in Lombok five years ago at Teluk Kode, an area in the northern part of
