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
The Joys of the Harvest Festival in East Belitung
While Belitung island is unquestionably home to the most secluded and beautiful collection of beaches, it’s also remarkably known for diverse cultural heritage, ranging from thanksgiving celebrations to folk festivities. This year, the province successfully held its most anticipated event, bringing in more than 4,000 visitors. The perfomance of Alu Besantok played by Sanggar Tembang
Sunset Spots in Bali
Envision Balinese cliffs, golden beaches, and glorious ocean vistas—Bali’s tropical sunsets are second to none. The island of the Gods has harboured an ardent crowd hunting for the island’s best seat to revel in the sunset spectacle. Ji Terrace By The Sea in Canggu, Bali is one of the best spot to witnes sunset in
Brilliantly Designed Mosques in Indonesia
During the national coordination meeting at Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama last January, the then Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, who is also the chairman of Indonesia Mosque Council (DMI) stated that there are more than 800,000 mosques around the country. The government aims to develop and curate Muslim places of worship to be promoted as destination for halal tourism.
Korea Sees Rising Trends in Travel and MICE Tourism for 2019
Thanks to its modern development in infrastructure, excellent services and accessibility, Korean MICE destinations have become as one of the best meetings and conferences tourism trend in the world. Embassy of The Republic of Korea in Jakarta together with Korea Tourism Organization held an event last month about the Korea MICE Roadshow 2019 to foster
Medan, North Sumatra’s Hidden Charm
North Sumatra’s capital city, is often overlooked thanks to its gridlocked streets and industrial feel. Long regarded as a stopover en route to more glamourous destinations in the province, a closer look yields some delightful treasures. Little India in Medan. ulturally, this is a diverse city with Batak people, Chinese and Tamils originally from India who
Magical Places: Hindu Water Sanctuaries of East Java
Water is often called the elixir of life. It also plays an essential role in religious practice, especially in Hinduism where it is considered to have spiritual cleansing powers. Even today, sacred bathing spaces, such as Belahan and Jolotundo in East Java are used for purification ceremonies. About a one-hour drive from Jolotundo are the
Fantastic Thailand Family Holiday
Thailand is top destination in Southeast Asia and the country always has something to offers within season. Check these several activitiesfor your future itinerary. From Michelle-star restaurant to famous Thai massage, Thailand is one of the top destination in Southeast Asia and the country always has something to offers within season. Photo coutesy of Tourism Authority of
In the Heart of Java, Yogyakarta and Solo Offer a Wealth of Cultural Experiences
Yogyakarta is a bustling town of some half a million people and the most popular tourist destination on Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. The town is a hub of art and education, offers some good shopping and has a wide range of tourism spots. Prambanan or Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound
A Spiritual Experience with an Ocean View
Think of an end-of-the-world spot, think Pacitan! These rugged and remote beaches in the southwestern province in East Java are not only beautiful, they are truly magical. Around 7 beaches are stretching along the sparsely populated Pacitan coastal line. In total unity there is a Hindu Temple, a Kebatinan place of worship and a Mosque,
