A Little Piece of Heaven at Sundays Beach Club
The Sundays Beach Club and its friendly staff are a true embodiment of Balinese hospitality. Photos courtesy of @sundaysbeachclub/NOWJAKARTA A perfect place to take a break from everyday life, Sundays Beach Club offers both secluded serenity and entertaining activities. Situated on a pristine stretch of white sandy beach on the Bukit Peninsula and surrounded by dramatic
Travel Diaries of an Amateur Photographer in Australia
Every Olympics I dash home to Australia to watch the games and brush up on the latest sports commentator jargon. “Portia’s in the sin-bin” was one commentary classic during a women’s soccer match. While in Sydney, I got to see the Dobell drawing competition at the NSW Art Gallery which featured a wall of art by my
Following in the Footsteps of “Pete’s Dragon”
Ever since “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies came to life on the silver screen, travel enthusiasts around the world made sure to put a visit to New Zealand on their bucket list as the films perfectly showcased the stunning beauty of the country’s natural landscape. But it wasn’t only the tourism
Borobudur Writers & Cultural Festival: Celebrating Indonesia’s Unique Heritage
When Yoke Darmawan travelled to Central Java in 2010 with a couple of friends, she found herself sitting on the top floor of the Borobudur temple, fascinated by the immense beauty of the monument and the storytelling behind the reliefs. “Our imagination flew high picturing the life of the past, the life of our ancestors,”
While in Bali, Go to These Top Restaurants for a Refined Dining Experience
Despite the huge rise in Bali’s food scene, which now bustles with all-day breakfast establishments, health cafés and niche dining spots, a fine dining experience remains a hard find. Fine dining requires impeccable service, polished furnishings, a unique dining atmosphere and, of course, food that stirs and stimulates the eyes, mouth and even mind of
A Bridge Between Art, Commerce and Content
Art Stage Singapore, Southeast Asia’s flagship art fair, will return for the seventh time from January 12 to 15, presenting artists from across Asia and the world. More than just a market platform, Art Stage Singapore continues to address issues touching on current world affairs and their impact on contemporary art in the region. The
Discovering Valencia’s Architectural Gems
These days, there are many different ways of enjoying travel moments. Some globetrotters dedicate their time to savor the local food during their trip, while others might prefer to visit various historical sites to learn more about the story of their destination. During a recent trip to Valencia in January, I decided to try something
The United Arab Emirates: An Introduction
The United Arab Emirates, sometimes referred to as UAE or Emirates, was established in 1971 and consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert but has contrasting landscapes—from the towering red dunes of the Liwa
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,
