Year: 2023

Indonesia, the largest archipelago country in the world, offers attractions and places that you will not find elsewhere. There are more than 17,500 islands in Indonesia, although only 6,000 of them are inhabited. If you have the passion to travel to hidden gems and explore untouched beauty, Indonesia is the place to go. Imagine what you can find there… Imagine what you can see there… Imagine what you can experience there… There are countless diversity and unique experiences that can indulge your senses in Indonesia.

Let’s take West Kalimantan for example, we found Pagatimun, a hidden beach that offers tranquility and solitude. This natural attraction is located deep in an area hardly touched by travelers, even by the locals. The sound of waves breaking was as calming as the sound of stars above. Pagatimun offers serenity that you may not find anywhere in the world.

Another thing that you may not already know, some places in Indonesia are well-known worldwide. Bunaken Marine Park is considered as one of the best diving sites in the world. Located just offshore the North Sulawesi capital of Manado, Bunaken offers diverse marine experience with its amazing coral reefs and numerous types of marine life. It was first established as a national marine park in 1991 and it covers an area of 89,605 hectares.

What I’m trying to convey is that Indonesia has all the prerequisites to become the best travel destination. It offers exciting adventures, hidden gems, cultural diversity and friendly hosts. So the next time you are planning your vacation, consider visiting Indonesia!…

Deciding which part of Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, to visit can be a little bit puzzling. If you only have a 2-week vacation and you would like to get the best out of your Indonesian trip, where should you go?

Home to more than 17,000 islands, 300 distinct native ethnicities and 700 different languages, truly exploring Indonesia will take a lifetime! However, don’t let these numbers scare you away. You can still experience the best of Indonesia if your trip is well planned.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, more than 6 million foreigners visited Indonesia in 2008. This remarkable number increased enormously from 2007. Despite the recent negative media coverage of Indonesia’s situation, tourism in Indonesia has never lost its value.

Here are some of the top tourist destinations in Indonesia:

1. Bali – The Island of Gods Bali has now become one of the top WORLD destinations for its white sand beaches, blue sky, magnificent waves, tropical weather and friendly locals. For several years, the International Travel Magazine awarded Bali as the world’s best island. There were more than 1.4 million tourists to Bali in 2008. You have to wonder, what makes Bali the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia? First of all, the island is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator with the Java Sea to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south, which gives Bali wonderful tropical weather all year long! If it is a rich cultural experience that you are looking for, Bali has it all for you. Balinese people have very strong Hindu beliefs. This is depicted through the statues and temples that you can visit all around Bali. One of the most popular art forms is “Tari Kecak” or the Ramayana Monkey Chant. A fact that most people don’t know about “Tari Kecak” is that this art form was originally a traditional trance ritual.
2. Bunaken – A Marine Paradise on Earth It is said that Bunaken Marine Park has one of the highest levels of marine biodiversity. The park covers 89,065 hectares of warm tropical waters. It is a paradise of magnificent coral reefs. Many tourists come to this site to dive or snorkel to see the corals firsthand. Bunaken has received much international recognition for its marine park preservation. For instance, The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) has chosen Bunaken as its single Asian demonstration site for sustainable reef tourism. You are guaranteed to have a spectacular diving experience here! Staying in the marine park is also a relaxing one. Its laid-back lifestyle provides tourists with an enjoyment that they don’t usually get in big city life. Here, everything flows gently and you need not to worry. Start your day by going for a morning dive, then come back for a quick lunch and nap before going for an evening dive.

Indonesia, without a doubt, is one of the most fascinating countries in SE Asia. From the jungles and lakes of Sumatra, to the cultural heart of the nation, Java, onward to Bali, Flores, Sulawesi, West Papua, Ambon, the Banda Islands, and West Papua – every step is one of discovery.

Let me provide you with a few tips which should make navigating this incredibly diverse country, Indonesia.

Cultural Sensitivity

Indonesia is the largest Moslem country in the world. Although Islam is the state religion, there are parts of the country where other religions are prevalent. Northern Sulawesi is 90% Christian, the Balinese are predominantly Hindu, and in the Malukus and Flores Moslems and Christians live side by side – usually peacefully. When visiting places of worship, whether it’s a mosque, a temple or a church, please ensure that you are conservatively dressed. Remember to take off your shoes before entering a mosque or a temple. Ladies should wear tops with longish sleeves, skirts which go below the knee, or loose fitting, long pants. As far as clothing in general is concerned, please don’t take Kuta as being typical for the rest of the country. If you go out to a restaurant (other than in Kuta) or if you are invited to visit an Indonesian home, smart – casual clothing is fine. Local people really appreciate it if you can use a few words of Bahasa Indonesia, the language which binds Indonesia, and crosses geographical and cultural diversity in this huge archipelago.

Money

The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). It’s always a good idea to carry some small banknotes (Rp 1000, 2000, 5000) with you when shopping in local shops (toko) or planning to eat at a warung (small local restaurant or food stall). The easiest way of handling money is by using a credit or debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs, which are just about everywhere, other than in some really out of the way places. If you intend to travel to, or stay for any length of time off the beaten track, you are going to need to carry sufficient Indonesian cash with you to pay for accommodation, food and transport. Please don’t rely on being able to exchange foreign currency. With the advent of ATMs, Travelers cheques have pretty much gone out of fashion.

Health

By far the biggest danger to tourist’s healthcare dehydration and sunburn. Please try to drink at least 2 litres of water per day. Coffee, tea, beer, juice and other fluids really don’t count. Indonesia is in the tropics, and you’ll probably be spending quite a lot of time out of doors, so protect yourself and use a good quality sun block, as well as wearing a hat.

In Bali there is currently a problem with rabies spread by sick dogs. If you are scratched or bitten by a dog, you need to get medical care as quickly as possible.

Water – even local people drink bottled water! It’s cheap, so don’t take any risks.

Alcohol – there is some questionable Arak being sold in Bali, and there have been further deaths this year because of it.

Sex is fun, but please make sure that condoms are used should you have a close encounter of a (very) personal kind during your stay in Indonesia. All kinds of STDs, including HIV/AIDS are widespread, so please take precautions.…

There are many reasons why you must visit Singapore for holidays. Other than tourist attractions, there are other reasons why Singapore can manage to attract so many tourists every year.

Every year, tons of tourists come to Singapore for holidays. In this article, let me highlight why you should visit Singapore:

1. Local delicacies. Every one who has been to Singapore cannot forget its local delicacies, especially Chilli Crabs. The delicacies in Singapore have many different flavours that suit all kinds of appetite. Some of the local delicacies are chilli crabs, chicken rice, laksa, fried quay teow, and many more. You can easily get these foods at restaurants or food houses which are popularly known as Kopitiam in Singapore.

2. Shopping paradise. Singapore is well known for its shopping experience. There are a lot of famous shopping destinations in Singapore, namely Orchard Road, Sim Lim Square, Marina Square, China Town, Suntec City and the newest shopping centre Vivo City. And every year, there will be an island-wide sale, popularly known as the Great Singapore Sale (GSS). It is held annually in June. If you love shopping, you should visit Singapore from late May till June.

3. Budget hotels. If you are on a budget, do not worry. In Singapore, you can easily find budget hotels. Our budget hotels have great room service and I am pretty sure that you will be very satisfied by their services. The budget hotels are not only located in cities but in small towns too. This allows you to take a quick walk to visit the various food houses and try out our local delicacies.

4. Tourist attractions. There are many tourist attractions in Singapore such as the newly built Singapore Flyer, Sentosa, War Memorial and the Singapore Zoo. Recently, Singapore government has just approved to open the first casino here. It will be located at the new integrated resort (IR), which is in the midst of construction and projected to be ready by 2010.

5. Adventures. If you are an adventure seeker, you should visit Sisters Island of Singapore. On Sisters Island, you can get to enjoy snorkel and sky diving which will prove to be a memorable experience for you.

6. Nightlife. When you are bored at night, do not worry. You can find lots of nightspots in Singapore that you can visit even when it is 2am! Some popular places are Zouk, St James Power Station, Boat Quay and Clark Quay.

In Singapore, you can be sure that you will not run out of activities to do. So make sure that you visit Singapore for your next holiday trip.…

Singapore is remarkable in that it is one of the few “city-states” left in the world. This is an indication of how old Singapore is, since most city-states, like Athens, date back to thousands of years before Christ. There are only two existing city-states in the world other than Singapore: Monaco and Vatican City. Singapore is also widely known as a “microstate”, which is the perfect description for the city considering how small its dominion is. Though bigger than its other two city-state brethren, Singapore is easily the smallest nation in Southeastern Asia.

Singapore wasn’t always an “Asian” nation, though. For a long time, in the 1800s, Singapore was part of the British Empire and thus a British nation by default. This was during the time of the United Kingdom’s immense grandeur, before places like Egypt and the Falkland Islands threw off their royal oppressors. Singapore remained under British rule all the way up until World War Two, when Japan defeated England inside the city and took over. As soon as the war was over, though, Singapore went back to Britain and continued business as usual until the 1960s. This period of time was particularly strange because Singapore essentially stopped existing from 1963 to 1965 and was absorbed with its surrounding nations into the land known as “Malaysia”. This short two year tenure was clearly ill-fated and Singapore quickly became its own nation again in 1966.

Though it is a small nation in a somewhat poor area, few people realize how costly and lucrative Singapore is. Most studies cite Singapore as the tenth most expensive city to live in throughout the entire world! Around Asia, only Osaka and Tokyo rank higher than Singapore when it comes to cost of living. Despite this, Singapore maintains a healthy population of five million people threatening to burst the little country apart from the seams. Of these five million people, Chinese descent makes up the majority with several other Indo-pacific peoples filling the remaining void.

Though Singapore has a formidably productive economy, Tourism is a large part of the country’s income and, upon looking at the grandeur and beauty of the city of Singapore, it is easy to see why. Over ten million people visit Singapore each year to see such amazing sights as the famed Orchard Road, one of the most famous shopping districts in the world. Legalized gambling is also a huge draw and Singapore boasts some of the most luxurious casinos in Asia, like Marina South and Sentosa. Curiously, many tourists who visit Singapore each year don’t go for such sights, though. The city’s medical reputation is unparalleled in its surrounding area and over half a million people go each year to Singapore for medical operations, thanks to the advanced care and quick service. This kind of pioneering mindset is indicative of Singapore’s consistent dedication to its citizens. The diverse groups of Asians and English people who populate the city are among the happiest and most satisfied anywhere and it is a testament to what can be achieved when the ruling parties actually listen to the people who they oversee. If you are one of the many people planning a visit to Singapore this year, you are in for the time of your life.…

What does Singapore have that makes it so attractive to foreigners and travelers? What can a person expect in this small country?

Sentosa is probably the most popular resort found in Singapore. Millions and millions of people visit this place every year. Here you can find the Universal Studios, the Resorts World Sentosa, and a couple of five-star hotels and golf courses.

If you would like to experience a memorable “sea show,” do not miss the Songs of the Sea. It is the world’s one and only show that is set in the crystal blue waters of the sea. You are brought to an enchanting show of pyrotechnic displays, laser shows and water jets.

Sentosa is also the home to the first 4-dimensional movie theatre in Southeast Asia. The Sentosa 4D Magix uses state-of-the-art and highly modern technology to give everybody the best possible movie viewing experience.

For daredevils out there, drop by the MegaZip Adventure Park and zip down one of the longest zip lines in Asia. The amusement park is found at the top of a hill, making this experience much more fun and exciting.

For people who like to swim and get a tan, Sentosa has two kilometers worth of seashore, where you can do a lot of beach activities like beach volleyball. There is also an area where you can mountain bike and rollerblade. Shops and restaurants are located all over the area, ensuring that you would not go hungry while you are out there enjoying the sights.

Of course, who has not heard of Universal Studios? This theme park is a popular destination in the United States, where one is located in California and another one in Florida. The Singapore branch is the newest among the lot, and has just started operations in March this year.

This 20-hectare park has over 20 attractions that are based on a television show or a hit movie. There is a roller coaster that is based from the TV series “Battlestar Galactica,” and several other attractions based on characters from DreamWorks Animation films like Shrek and Madagascar.

Imagine walking bare feet on the soft sands of the tropical paradise that is inhabited and untouched. With pristine beauty to witness all around, Bahamas offers a wide assortment of diversions and attractions to its visitors. Serenity and adventure, all in one destination provides great satisfaction to people on their Bahamas vacation. While boundless beauty and breathtaking beaches offer great time for self-indulgence, fun seekers can explore the Hatchet Bay Caves. Inagua bird watching is one activity that many visitors love to enjoy in the Bahamas. Great Inagua and Abaco National Park are the two famous places that are known for bird watching in the whole Caribbean islands. Most visitors to Bahamas end up with an opinion that a revisit to the island is a must for them to experience the variety of pleasures and fun and frolic that Bahamas vacation has on offer.

The continuous stretch of sea and sand makes Bahamas a beach lovers’ paradise. The place is undoubtedly a great idyllic refuge for everyone, be it a world-weary traveler or star-eyed honeymooners. It is also the best place to work on your tan. Emerald green and crystal blue waters make available an amazing venue to taste the adventure of water sports. Waterskiing, windsurfing and parasailing, the list goes on for adventurous sports in the Bahamas. Game-fishing is another enthusiastic activity that enhances the experience of visitors in the Bahamas.

Sea Park and The Exuma Cays Land are the huge wildlife refuge located in the Bahamas. Here, you can witness the inhabitants that include exotic reptiles, colorful fish and some of the rarely seen birds and not to forget, the endangered species of Bahamian Iguana.

Bahamas vacations allow vacationers to feast their eyes on both the man made attractions and ecological wonders. On the one hand is the untouched beauty of the island set forth in the beaches of the island, on the other is the major casino, vivacious nightlife and inviting hotels. On the western side of the island is located the most ancient city of the island. For a tranquil vacation, away from the hustle bustle of city life, you can visit the eastern side of the island.

Out islands of the Bahamas offer amazing opportunities for tourists to appreciate and explore the place. You can feel the best sailing and boating experience at The Abacos, which is one of the best out islands of Bahamas. For couples it is a nice secluded place to watch the sunset together and add the moment onto their most romantic times.

The remote islands named the Crooked Islands provide an unforgettable time to fishermen, snorkelers and divers. Hence, there is a never-ending adventure and fun stored in the Bahamas islands for its visitors. One trip is certainly not enough, if you wish to experience the smallest of pleasures of the island.…

Are you tired because of working so hard and need to take some rest in the lap of nature with everything of your choice? If yes, then there is nothing as relaxing as Bahamas golf vacation. Most of the people in the Bahamas use to play golf, as it is very popular out there. Beautiful sceneries, beaches and golf are the perfect stuff to make a vacation fabulous. This great combination doubles your enjoyment as it relaxes your mind and body both. This land of wonderful beaches and green golf grounds offers various packages to comfort you. People who can not afford to go for an expensive vacation in the Bahamas can also have a delightful time with a cheap Bahamas golf vacation.

Bahamas golf Vacation not only offers excitement of golf but you can also enjoy many other activities like swimming, beach basketball and many other thrilling water sports. A Bahamas golf vacation has all the luxurious stuff that is needed to complete a relaxing vacation. Facilities of that package will definitely throw out all tensions from your mind. In a trip to Bahamas with Bahamas golf vacation you will be able to explore the wonders of nature; the Bahamas golf Vacation package will take you to the islands, which is known for the most stunning places like high mountains, dense forests, unusual string of beaches and green golf grounds. As far as the Bahamas golf vacation rentals are concerned, you can be rest assured that the rentals of this package are not going to trouble your budget. If you are looking for a cheap Bahamas golf vacation then you can also search it on the internet as many websites deal in organizing vacations to Bahamas. Bahamas golf Vacation also offers an affordable airline booking so that you may not miss the chance to visit the land of golf and exotic pink and white beaches.

To have a memorable time in the Bahamas with golf, the Bahamas golf vacation can be your preferred choice. With this you can enjoy the reasonably priced air travel and exciting golf along with the finest hotel accommodation and additional facilities. It is worthwhile to prefer the services of a travel agent unless you have the proper idea about the destination. Travel agents help you in every step of your vacation right from booking an air ticket to returning back. In case you do not have enough time to manage a vacation then also travel agents can be beneficial for you. As you are going there for a vacation, you need someone to take care of you and your precious family members.

Bahamas golf vacation package is the best option to make your vacation memorable as you can also have the fun of playing golf. With Bahamas golf vacation package you will never need to worry for air ticket booking and reservation of a hotel room. It offers you a wide range of facilities to make your vacation great. If you are planning to see the Bahamas in season, always have a hotel reservation in advance so that you may get the accommodation of your own choice. As a variety of packages is readily available to spend a tremendous vacation in the Bahamas, anytime you can plan to visit this exotic land of beaches and golf. So, plan your vacation with Bahamas golf vacation and have a great time.…

The Bahamas is an archipelago of some 700 islands and cays in the Atlantic Ocean between Florida and Hispaniola. Sun, sand, and sea are merely perimeters of the Islands of the Bahamas. Christopher Columbus’s first landfall in the New World in 1492 is believed to have been on the island of San Salvador (also called Watling’s Island), in the southeastern Bahamas. The climate is tropical marine moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream and it’s perfect for sun vacation all year long. The islands are less than 10 miles from the south Florida coast, closer than other Caribbean destinations, and can be reached quickly and easily either by air or by sea. Lots of large airlines have flights to the Bahamas, and also several charter airlines can drop you there. Frequent flights are available to Nassau, Freeport, and the Out Islands.

There are a lot of things to do in this tropical paradise. Anyone in search of the perfect beach should start here. The relatively small islands offer amazing beaches like Treasure Cay Beach, considered by National Geographic one of the best in the world or like Pink Sands Beach rated as one of the Caribbean’s best beaches by Caribbean Travel and Life magazine. If you get bored you can explore the amazing reefs, wrecks, and coral walls of the Atlantic. There are numerous companies that offer dive and snorkel trips. Also let’s not forget about dolphin encounters adventures. For fishermen the Bahamas islands are a true paradise. The Bahamas islands are among the premier destinations in the world for sport fishing including bone fishing and fly fishing. The Andros Island is also called The Bahamas BoneFishing Capital and there are numerous guides and fishing lounges in the area. The islands are surrounded by hundreds of miles of soft and hard bottom flats, creek channels and ocean drop off. You can catch jacks, barracudas and many more species.

Sailing finds an ideal location in The Bahamas. Each major island hosts its own regatta. The contests are taking place in late summer; the best are to be found on Exuma, Long Island, Nassau/Paradise Island or Freeport/Lucaya.

Also the islands are a great place for birding. One of the top destinations for ecotourism is Abaco National Park. The park is located in the southern part of Great Abaco Island in Bahamas between Hole in the Wall and Crossing Rocks. You can expect to see warblers, yellowthroats, West Indian woodpeckers, swallows and Cuban Emeralds and also hardwood forests, nature trails and wild Atlantic coast scenery, and fauna include butterflies, egrets, herons, spoonbills and rare hummingbirds. You can explore the natural beauty of these islands by plane or by bicycle. Or you can choose a round of golf, a set of tennis, or a visit to any of the island’s shopping arcades or casinos.…

Feel like getting into a holiday mood and thinking about the destination and that too in the spring season! Well, beautiful beach islands of the Bahamas are the perfect and ideal place for resting in peace. That awesome scenery and cool beaches provide you with the relaxation that you have always wanted. In fact, spring is considered as one of the best times to enjoy a break in the Bahamas, the hub of beaches. It is this reason that spring break Bahamas is a hit among those people who love to freak out at beach areas. Everyone wishes to spend some time with family members or friends, after working through a long and tiring schedule.

Spring break Bahamas has lots to offer to visitors, as per their preferences. If a visitor is willing to enjoy a vacation that is full of water sports, then you can visit Paradise Island, Grand Bahamas and many others. Be it fishing or any other form of adventure sports is concerned, spring break Bahamas has everything for all the visitors. Bahamas has been preferred by almost every visitor, as it gives mesmerizing views, tasty food and many activities to relax themselves. Every other beach in the Bahamas unfolds something or the other option for a perfect enjoyment experience.

Bahamas is a perfect destination bliss that can be checked out. You can decide over the island that you have to visit and go to a travel agent for checking out the packages that he or she may have. The Bahamas package will surely provide you with what you want in your holiday. The travel agent may have a variety of tour packages to suit your budget and needs. You can consult your travel agent and you will surely be assisted with the package to suit your budget. And if you happen to get a cheap spring break Bahamas vacation, then you are one of the luckiest chaps.

Nothing in this world can be more relaxing than going to a place that offers everything as per your likes. After all, you and many others deserve a break from your tight working schedule that you undergo everyday. One of the main things in the spring break Bahamas package can be your staying option. The Bahamas has a variety of hotels and resorts that offer a perfect staying experience. You can choose the resort or guest house according to your budget, so that you can enjoy your holiday within the allocated budget. In fact, the Bahamas is an ideal place for couples who can even come here for their honeymoon.

If it becomes difficult for you to find a tour operator near your place who offers spring break Bahamas packages, then you can search for them on the internet. The Internet is the best option to check out a number of travel agents. It is, in fact, appropriate for those people who do not get enough time to go to a tour operator and discuss his package with him or her. It is not like this that you cannot afford to visit the Bahamas. You can take up only a 3 or 4 days tour package instead of a 10 days one. The choice is entirely yours as you are going there for peace of mind.…