Text & Images: Chris Andre Shanghai, the most sophisticated metropolis in China, strikes as a surprisingly affordable and beautifully urban holiday destination. For those who’ve never stepped a foot in mainland China, a trip to this part of the world could be a little bit daunting. The absence of Google (the browser, map and Gmail) and the experience of lost in translation are just two among many challenges you’d encounter right from very start. Thankfully, what Shanghai lacks in … [Read more...]
Buton Revisited
Text : Gandi Faisal In late June, I got a chance to revisit Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi. It was a trip long in coming if for no other reason than Buton being my late mother’s hometown, and that I finally got the chance to take my family there. It was also a trip I found I sorely needed to recharge and to get reacquainted with my parent’s past, or what’s left of it. Buton is more than a paragraph or two in students’ book describing the island as the place where all of that … [Read more...]
Indonesia’s Raja Ampat: A perfect marine wonderland
Ared soldierfish, sheltered in a crevice, is looking bashfully at me with big doll eyes, like a wee escapee from a Japanese anime film. Then silvery trumpet fish with Pinnochio noses shimmy past. I am hovering above a gloriously alive coral reef in my wetsuit, blowing bubbles and loving the sensation of weightlessness again after a hiatus of long years from scuba diving. Raja Ampat, meaning Four Kings, is a quartet of islands (Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool) on Indonesia’s far … [Read more...]
Patrick Roux: Combining delegation and empowerment to reach greater heights
Executive Patrick Roux believes in the power of his team in the pursuit of establishing a stronger presence in Asia Pacific, including Indonesia. Patrick Roux is aware that building a solid team takes more than just strong leadership and clear vision. No less important is the ability to balance the differences within an organization. “Cultural and character differences have the potential to create conflicts within a team. However, if communicated in a right direction, the differences can … [Read more...]
Restoring coral reefs through art initiative breathes new life into Senggigi Beach
Text by Sudibyo M. Wiradji. Photos by Foued Kaddachi. Published in The Jakarta Post on June 5, 2014. Underwater installations for an artificial reef park not only attract fish and divers but also benefit locals. Senggigi Beach in Lombok, one of Indonesia’s emerging tourist destinations, is on its way to regaining it lost heyday as a habitat for shrimp, lobster, squid, jelly fish and other unique marine species. The beach lost its appeal years ago due to the destruction of coral as a … [Read more...]
Stunning Samosir
Once ruled by kings for nearly 400 years, this ancient island at the centre of the world’s largest volcanic lake is a wonderland of nature and culture Words: Aulia R. Sungkar Photography: Suwandi Chandra Jetstar Asia Magazine, February 2014 A four-hour drive from Medan to Parapat, a small town on the Uluan peninsula, followed by a 45-minute ferry ride, takes me to Samosir Island, a wedge-shaped landmass roughly the size of Singapore at the centre of Lake Toba. It’s a tiring … [Read more...]
Top Ten Countries to Visit in 2014
These 10 countries, according to Lonely Planet, are destined for an epic year, whether they’re hosting festivals, cutting the ribbon on new attractions or simply raising their game for travellers. Feast your eyes on 2014's most unmissable destinations. 1. Brazil All eyes on the pitch for 2014’s World Cup As if endless strands of sun-toasted coast, mountains splashed with Crayola-green rainforest and some of the planet’s most beautiful colonial villages didn’t already add up to an unfair … [Read more...]
Bali: beyond the usual suspects
Bali may have its fair share of tourists seeking nothing more than seven days of sun, sand and sex in the southern party triad of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, but this only forms a small part of what’s on offer. In reality, Bali is a lush Indonesian island teeming with cultural experiences, delicious food and exhilarating adventures. For those after a little slice of Balinese culture, food and adventure, consider the following, less visited possibilities: 1. Southern Bali: Bukit … [Read more...]
W Retreat & Spa Bali
By Chris Andre. Published in Hello Bali, March 2013 neighbourhood Petitenget is the name of the fab lane where designers, artists and socialites, not to mention jetsetters, are often spotted rubbing shoulders in this neck of the woods. It's an eclectic neighbourhood whose establishments form a microcosm of hip Bali – Mantra with its rustic charm, Biku with its modern translation of traditional Balinese, and Potato Head Beach Club with its reputation as the island's concert Mecca. In that … [Read more...]
Ultimate Flying Experience with Garuda Indonesia
People demand to have as much comfort as they can possibly get when travelling, whether they are families going on a vacation, or executives on a business trip. They want to have their energy reserved for all of their carefully planned activities once they have reached their destination. And the Indonesia’s top flag-carrier airline, Garuda Indonesia with its Full Service concept, understands this. Starting a Journey Hassle-Free Early bookings ensure that travelers get the best offer … [Read more...]