Lombok’s Enchanting Beaches, Surf and Culture
There’s no doubt that Bali is the most popular island destination in Indonesia, but those ventur-ing east to the neighbouring Lombok will find equally enchanting beaches, surf, and culture. The warmth of the sun, a good book to read and a cold drink in hand, my sailing trip to the island east of Bali was
Louvre Museum Battles Prejudice with Arts
Islam and the West have a complicated relationship: a number of terrorism attacks and, most recently, the travel ban targeting seven Islamic countries implemented by the US government, are only two of the many factors that have led to exacerbate prejudice on both sides. Prejudice only causes further hatred and discrimination; fortunately, there are still
Venturing Into the Wild at Sebangau National Park
I started my trek in the Sabangau National Park, Central Kalimantan under a veil of darkness. The earthy smell of the peat bog forest rose sharply to greet me as I held my torch steady so as not to trip and fall into the organic black water swamp that lay on either side. I was
Spending Weekend in Singapore? Why Not!
If you are looking for a weekend break away from the Big Durian, look no further than the melting pot of Singapore, a mere hour and fifty minute’s flight away. Don’t be fooled by the shiny facades and branded shopping of Orchard Road (unless that’s your thing?), because Singapore has much to offer in terms
Full Moon Rising, Buddha’s Birthday Party
Every May, a vibrant festival is held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, located in Central Java. Buddhists from the far reaches of Asia gather to celebrate the holy festival known as Waisak, celebrating Buddha’s birthday. “I used to be a Thai Airways flight attendant,” the monk said,
Ubud Food Festival (UFF), Ready to Serve
The anticipation has been marinating for a while now, but the month is finally here! The Ubud Food (UFF) Festival is all set to light their stoves and cook up 3 days of gastronomic excitement, together with the archipelago’s most celebrated culinary icons. Returning for its second year from 27-29 May, the UFF spans high-energy
Swing Like Tarzan at Bandung TreeTop
Spending the weekend in Jakarta may not seem so appealing, especially for the kids, as the entertainment options here in the city tend to centre on indoor activities. With its intense humidity and (sometimes) unreasonable traffic, it’s understandable that many Jakartans prefer to stay indoors. However, if you want to take a break from the
Small Things, Great Things at TedxUbud
After a year hiatus, the island’s most interesting and informative conference is returning for its fifth event. On 28 May 2016, TEDxUbud will be bringing change makers, innovators, social pioneers – and more – from around Indonesia back on to the Bali stage. TEDx events are independently organised fringe events of the immensely popular TED
A Journey to Two Capitals
As the reign of the white empress comes to an end, Mother Earth begins to re-emerge in all its beauty and colour. The weather is getting warmer though hints of the cold winter still return every now and then. Beautiful morning bird song returns once again to gently wake all the living beings, including the
Travel Diaries: May 2016
Last month I was invited back to Nagaland, my favourite corner of India, to deliver a lecture on ‘Cultural reference in Tourism Architecture’ to the Nagaland Ministry of Tourism. This is a subject i feel very strongly about — especially since the rise of the Singapore-Jakarta hotel developer world ‘Culture neutral’ Movement. I went via Goa on the West Coast of India, to
The Osing of East Java
“It’s a very tough life for us sulphur quarry workers,” Ali said, “I had to stop quarry work at Ijen crater when I was just 35 years old as my back was in bad shape and the pain in my legs was giving me too much trouble.” Ali is now a porter and has given up hauling
Must-See Attractions in Dubai
Dubai is an exciting and happening destination that has to be seen – and experienced – to be believed. Of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is known for its welcoming hospitality and the wealth of amazing experiences that await. Here is a handful of those ‘not-to-be-missed’ attractions that every
Incredible Arts the Barberini Museum
Art lovers who are planning to visit Germany should plan to stop by in Potsdam, neighbour city to the capital Berlin. Immerse yourself in the world of impressionism at Barberini Museum, a new attraction that opened its doors to the public in January. The museum, located in the reconstructed Barberini Palace, boasts a historical facade
