By Prasiddha Gustanto The writer is editor at ALVEO Five of the breathtaking places to visit on the Island of the Gods Of all the 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, not a single one of them commands more international adoration than the island of Bali. With all of its gorgeous natural, cultural and spiritual destinations, the place is globally viewed as a tropical paradise. Its tourism industry nickname, “The Island of the Gods”, reveals as much. Whenever you look … [Read more...]
Sunrise of Java
By Ulia F. Rachma Editor at ALVEO Exploring the charm of Banyuwangi in East Java I believe many of you have been to such Javanese cities as Yogyakarta, Malang, Surabaya, but I also know that Banyuwangi is not as famous as those aforementioned cities. Banyuwangi, being a city located at the easternmost tip of Java Island, is widely known as “the Sunrise of Java”. Its geographical location, which is close to the Island of the Gods, indeed shares some similarities with Bali, both in terms … [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...]
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...]
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...]
MEDAN: 1 Holiday 3 Ways
Words: Aulia R. Sungkar Photography: Suwandi Chandra Jetstar Asia Magazine, June 2013 Enthusiasts of art-deco architecture, foodies and nature lovers will find the charms of Indonesia’s third largest city well worth exploring FOR HISTORY BUFFS Alongside the modern infrastructure that Medan is building to propel the city forward, you can still find traces of Dutch colonial history. Stay: Emerald Garden Hotel is truly an old hotel with a new look. Nestling on Yos Sudarso … [Read more...]
Green Tokyo
By Aulia R. Sungkar Exploring sustainable city living The world’s largest metro area and most populous city, Tokyo offers a unique destination. Apart from its excellent eateries, fun entertainment centers, fabulous shopping venues and other related cosmopolitan excitements, the concrete jungle of Tokyo is also a garden city. Despite blending into the rhythm of the city’s busy scene, Tokyo residents are accustomed to creating gardens in small public spaces outside apartment buildings, … [Read more...]