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 e … [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 l … [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 res … [Read more...]
An art tour shows Vietnamese history in full color
Five years in Ho Chi Minh City, working as a hotel manager in the city once named Saigon, I’ve explored this city’s alleys, its boulevards, its riverfront, its museums, pagodas, temples, churches and palaces. I’ve pieced together a pretty solid picture of Vietnamese history. I know what events followed each other, as well as the crucial names, dates and figures along the way, and even some of the lesser-known details peppering the country’s past. But what I didn’t know much of were the pers … [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 journe … [Read more...]
The ancient Fez
Making the most of a short hop to Morocco’s oldest imperial city By Mylda Sadrach As I walked through the urban labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, I was taking a step back in history. Just like other cities in Morocco, Fez has a medina, a walled city which dates back as far as 1,000 years. The houses in the medina are built around courtyards with an Arabic style of archways and detailed mosaics. While exploring one of the neighborhoods, I was stunned by a traditional Moroccan home b … [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...]
A Celebration of Hairy Crab
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur's signature Chinese restaurant Tao is honoring its commitment to sourcing the finest seasonal produce in the region to create memorable and authentic dining experiences, with a menu celebrating one of China's favourite autumnal delicacies, Hairy Crab, this October 7 to 31. Offering guests a true taste of freshwater luxury, Tao has sourced the shellfish from the banks of the Yang Cheng Lake near Shanghai - the most famous area of origin for the Chinese … [Read more...]
Home to the Rich & Famous
This jet setter’s haven, Monaco basks in ostentatious luxury of the royals, fancy autos and roulettes Located along the famous French Riviera, the sovereign city state Monaco possesses all the dazzles that have enticed many men of means to splurge and enjoy a little slice of worldly heaven. With no government tax levied upon the residences, life on the 1.98-square-kilometer state is pretty enviable. Of course this is not to say that daily expenses go less than most in European countries. I … [Read more...]
J-Walking
Jakarta is getting merrier with more F&B and entertainment establishments to keep you up all night 7pm: Arguably the busiest eatery in town, Kitchenette lets you experience the concept of ‘dining inside a kitchen’. Cosy, comfy and casual, this new F&B establishment offers French and Italian fare served fresh directly from the kitchen into a social space. Plaza Indonesia Extension 1st Floor, Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30, tel:+6221 2992 3580 9pm: Just walk to the adjacent building, … [Read more...]