“The free-visa entry for foreigners from 159 countries has been opened at LIA. Hopefully it can widen access for foreign tourists traveling to Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara in general,” said the region’s Tourism and Culture Agency head Mohammad Faozal to thejakartapost.com on Monday.

There are currently 29 airports, 88 seaports and 7 border checkpoint posts in Indonesia where certain foreign citizens can obtain a free visa upon arrival.

Faozal said the free-visa regulation could be enjoyed by foreigners who were traveling as a tourist, coming to visit their family, conducting social activities, attending art and culture seminars or participating in international exhibitions or meetings held by their office’s headquarters/representatives in Indonesia.

He was hopeful that the regulation would help boost the number of foreign tourists to West Nusa Tenggara as they would be able to head straight to Lombok without having to transit at another airport. Business-wise, airlines will be more encouraged to open direct flights to the region.

Silk Air Lombok branch head Sufit Arif Barata told thejakartapost.com that the regulation would encouraged tourists from Asia or other parts of the world to visit Lombok via Singapore.

The airline currently has four direct flights per week from Singapore to Lombok with most passengers coming from Germany, the Netherlands, UK and Norway in addition to Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and China.

Close on the heels of Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan were awarded fifth and sixth best in Asia, respectively. Maui in Hawaii was awarded the top world rank.

“Indonesia is an archipelago blessed with thousands of wonderful islands that offer spectacular scenery, unique ambiance and vast marine biodiversity,” a representative of the Tourism Ministry commented.

“Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan are island destinations that are not merely great to visit, but places that serve as enchanting sanctuaries that perpetuate harmony between the people, culture and nature of Indonesia. […] we look forward to more visitors from around the world coming to further explore the beauty of these islands,” the Tourism Ministry representative further added.

TripAdvisor used an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions on islands worldwide over a 12-month period, as well as traveler booking interest, resulting in its list of award winners. ( kes )

Top 10 islands in Asia

1. Bali, Indonesia

2. Phuket, Thailand

3. Ko Samui, Thailand

4. Koh Tao, Thailand

5. Lombok, Indonesia

6. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

7. Boracay, Philippines

8. Langkawi, Malaysia

9. Havelock Island, India

10. Taketomicho Iriomote-jima, Japan

Top 10 islands in the world

1. Maui, Hawaii

2. Santorini, Greece

3. Jamaica, Caribbean

4. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

5. Bali, Indonesia

6. Majorca, Spain

7. Mauritius, Africa

8. Phuket, Thailand

9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

An enchanting place to begin our natural journey is with the fireflies of Selangor, one of the most eye-catching and enriching sights of Malaysia’s natural world. A visit to Kuala Selangor, to the north-west of Kuala Lumpur, allows visitors to appreciate the evening air above the Selangor River with the beauty of Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park. Watch the night come alive, illuminated by the flicker of these beautiful insects. The fireflies cluster around mangrove trees at the edge of the river, and are best viewed from the row boats which can be hired with friendly local guides. They may be small, but the beauty of the flickering fireflies flitting through the darkness above the water is not to be understated.

Moving from the miniscule to the ginormous, the beautiful elephants of the Asean region have long been a draw for tourists. Exposure in recent years has highlighted some of the less sustainable practices in elephant tourism, but that shouldn’t put you off your own experiences in gaining an understanding of these beautiful creatures. The Elephant Nature Park in the Mae Taeng District ofChiang Mai, in the north of Thailand, offers an award-winning, sustainable alternative to the tourism elephant rides often found elsewhere.

In rehabilitating and supporting rescued elephants, you will come to know these beautiful animals more closely, while enjoying an adventure that at the same time supports a worthy cause. The Elephant Nature Park is the most famous of several sustainable elephant sanctuaries throughout the region, each of which offers you the chance to learn the simple pleasures of feeding, herding and cleaning these beautiful creatures.

Elephants offer an iconic image of animal tourism, but the wild nature of South-East Asia is perhaps no better depicted than in the majestic orangutan, our very own “man of the forest”. These beautiful creatures have faced significant challenges in recent years, with the loss of much of their natural habitat. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabi­litation Centre, located on a 43sqkm reserve in Sabah, offers visitors a chance to view these awesome creatures while supporting an organisation that seeks to highlight and address the challenges to their survival.

Visitors to the centre are treated to educational videos about these beautiful creatures, and the opportunity to view them appropriately in their natural surroundings. There are five bus trips there a day from nearby Sandakan and the centre is open from 9am to 4pm. Visit at feeding time around 10am and 3pm for the best chance of seeing one of these great creatures.

The drive to protect wildlife, while revealing the wonders of the natural world, is at the very heart of Cambodia’s Wildlife Alliance. This organisation works closely with government and wildlife organisations to nurture and protect the wonderful creatures and their habitat throughout Cambodia. Their mandate is not only to protect, but to educate, and as such they offer some wonderful opportunities for sustainable tourism that at the same time supports their fantastic cause.

The Wildlife Alliance tours at their Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre provide the opportunity to get up close and personal with rescued animals, hand-feed elephants, appreciate the beauty of their rescued big cats as well as visit the cutest in all nature – the baby animals! A day’s tour costs US$150 (RM580), with a pickup at 8am from Phnom Penh. The payment for these tours goes directly to funding the organisation’s work in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals.

On top of this great day out, the Wildlife Alliance has a variety of alternative experiences. This includes being part of the awe-inspiring moment of release, as rehabilitated animals are let free into the wilds of the Cardamom Mountains, near Chi Phat in the south-west of Cambodia, to eco-tours of the region around Chi Phat.

For a full-on immersive eco-adventure, you can even take part in their “Be a Ranger” experience, also based in the Cardamom Mountains area. Experience the intense and challenging life of a wildlife ranger – from patrolling the forests to keeping wildlife safe. The Wildlife Alliance offers a truly unique opportunity for sustainable travel and enjoying the wonders of the natural world, all while playing your part in helping to maintain them.

Finally, if we’re to maintain the beauty of nature for the next generation, then educating them about its wonders should start at an early age. The aptly named “Farm in the City” in Seri Kemban­gan, Selangor, is a wonderful example of this important opportunity, and it’s right here at our doorstep.

By combining its role as a nature conservation park with that of an immersive and interactive zoo, Farm in the City means the next generation can get a sense of the natural world far removed from their often urban lifestyles.

With a variety of family-friendly attractions, such as a petting zoo, alongside various educational programmes and conservation projects, you’re bound to inspire a love of the natural world in the younger generation, while enjoying the wonders on show too.

Now go talk to the animals.

The Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival (BEC) on the eastern tip of Java, Indonesia, is a celebration which presents both local and foreign tourists with a fantastic cultural show.

The carnival has a different theme each year, and the one that our group of journalists was privy to was inspired by the Usingnese Royal Wedding (the Using are the indigenous people of the Kabupaten region).

The show, held at Blambangan Park in Banyuwangi, was eagerly attended by locals and tourists. Although Banyuwangi is a lesser-known destination, compared to the highly popular Bali, Bandung and Jakarta, it has a charm all its own.

Travel options to Banyuwangi include a ferry service from Bali, or a flight from Surabaya (a bus ride takes six hours). Spurring tourism through a cultural event like the BEC, which harnesses the local community’s creativity and tenacity, seems like the perfect business model to attract visitors from all over the world.

At the festival, many visitors weathered the hot sun by trying to cool down with hand fans, as well as caps and sunglasses, standing beneath the provided tents while trying to catch a glimpse of the amazing traditional show on display.

And they were definitely not disappointed, as the parade had participants donning different wedding apparels and dancing their way along a 70m runway, right down to a designated spot where photographers could snap away to their hearts’ content.

The carnival had three presentations; the Sembur Kemuning, Mupus Braen Blambangan and Sekar Kedaton Wetan. The costumes of the Sembur Kemuning, the wedding ritual of the coastal people there, were dominated by yellow, orange and purple colours, forming a striking picture for the audience.

The Mupus Braen Blambangan, the middle class people’s ritual, displayed red, black and gold hues, while the Sekar Kedaton Wetan, the wedding ritual of the nobles, had its models bathed in glittery green and silver. Unsurprisingly, yet amazingly, all the wedding apparels were designed by local designers.

On the fringes of the BEC site, there were many kiosks which sold local products, such as batik and accessories, including handicrafts. One of the proprietors, Ibu Hani, the owner of SriKandi Batik art shop, said she has been in the trade for over a decade, adding that the Gajah Oleng Khas Batik clothes and materials that she sells, are made in Banyuwangi, inspired by the culture there.

Scent of an attraction

Hikers will be pleased to know that the cultural fix in Banyuwangi can be swapped for natural treats, with Mount Ijen promising an unforgettable experience. The swirling wind, which blows fine sand, as well as the scent of rotten eggs spewed by the sulfur lake at the Ijen crater, could be discouraging, though.

The pathway to the crater, which was paved with dust and volcanic particles, made it almost impossible for one to gain enough traction to hike. Still, our troop adhered to the “no pain, no gain” mantra to have us trudging along.

The Ijen crater, which is a quiet, but active volcano, offers a breathtaking view from its peak, which could easily send shutterbugs into a frenzy. High quality sulfur is mined here, with many workers walking up and down the path; some with wheelbarrows, others with shoulder baskets. The pure sulfur is delivered to a nearby town.

This isn’t a vocation for the faint-hearted, and stuck with a meager wage, the enterprising miners try to supplement their income by selling pure sulphur stones carved into flowers and other designs, to tourists. The miners were quite friendly, waving to and greeting us when they passed us along the steep pathway.

Apparently, Java’s sulfur is a high-grade natural resource for sulfuric acid, which is in great demand in the oil-refining business and in the production of fertilizers. Sadly for the miners though, it is also back-breaking work.

We stopped by the Candi Ngrimbi, a resting point at Paltuding, which is 1,850m above sea level. We enjoyed cups of coffee and instant noodles to recharge ourselves before getting back on track to tackle the peak, which stands at 2,386m (above the sea level).

As expected, Ijen did not disappoint – the magnificent view, coupled with the buffeting wind, made the experience extremely thrilling; one wrong move could send a person tumbling straight into the belly of the crater lake. The 200m deep turquoise lake, was mesmerizing, with plumes of smokes rolling above its 600 x 960m surface.

Some in our party, went a step further by getting down to the mining site. The sulfuric air is so overwhelming that breathing masks are required for a person to get down there, lest they risk inhaling toxic fumes.

The Yellow River, located at the foot of Mount Ijen, earns its name because of the sulfur content which flows down with it from the mountain. The rocks there are also yellow, no thanks to the sulfur in the water. However, it formed a picturesque and unique sight.

Kemiren village

We stopped by a coffee plantation right after coming down from the Ijen Crater. Madurese women, young and old, could be seen indulging in casual conversation while filling their sacks. They were all busy collecting and segregating the Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, dumping them into sacks.

The beans are used to make the Using Coffee (Kopai Using) at Kemiren Village, which has been gazetted by the government as Using Tribe Cultural Village.

A village in the Glagah district, is home to the Genjah Arum studio, a traditionally-designed museum run by coffee planter Setiawan Subekti, who was present on the day of our visit. Setiawan, or Pak Iwan, as he is fondly referred to, is also a world-class coffee maestro who specializes in the production of Luwak Coffee, the most expensive coffee in the world.

He showed us the raw beans (acquired from civets excreting beans they consume) which are used to make the coffee powder. We were lucky enough to take turns to roast the beans on a traditional stove while a group of old ladies (who did not look their age) entertained us with music played by traditional rice pounding apparatus, which clearly served two purposes.

Naturally, the lingering taste of the coffee had each of us snapping up a bag of the fragrant Kopai Using. Besides, the price of Kopai Using was at least affordable. At Rp75,000 ($1,125), it made for a more practical souvenir than the exotic Luwak, which costs around Rp500,000.

Apart from being a coffee master, Pak Iwan also salvaged some of the near 100-year-old traditional houses of the Using tribe for conservation. The wooden houses, in the middle of the village, have now become art centers, where locals practice their dances and other communal activities. We had the chance to watch the Jejer Gandrung, the tribe’s unique dance. The dancers even invited some of us to join them, raising the bar in entertainment value.

There’s fun and culture to be had, in equally huge doses, so, what are you waiting for?

Of course, the idea of “walking” through the sea sounds ridiculous and hilarious, and yet, this was what I experienced recently. This pristine, wild coastal area in the south, untouched by humans, where I could actually stand with my feet in the water. It was truly a paradise for an introvert like me.

Called the “Hạ Long Bay” of the south, Ba Lụa Archipelago is located in the Kien Luong commune, of the Kien Giang province.

Ba Lua Archipelago consists of over 40 islands, only 10 of which are inhabited by humans. All the islands are named after their shapes such as Hon De, Hon Heo and Hon Ngang, among others. The most beautiful ones are the three islands which form a Hon Dam triangle. These are Hon Dam Duoc, Hon Dam Duong, and Hon Dam Gieng. Behind the history of these three islands are many interesting tales.

We were told that during the French colonial period, a high-ranking French officer usually took his wife (often addressed by the locals as Ba Dam) and children to the islands by helicopter to enjoy the peaceful scenery there. Another explanation is that these three islands form a triangle, which resembles a dress (Dam in Vietnamese), so the locals add the word “dam” to the names of the islands.

One of the most exciting experiences throughout the whole trip was our walk through the water from Hon Dam Duoc to Hon Dam Duong. The water level here was not above one’s back, even lower when the tide receded.

It was early afternoon when my group started its walk. The 300-metre distance with the crystal blue water surface gave rise to a little fear, yet lots of excitement and curiosity because I had never experienced anything such as this before. Noticing the fear and hesitation of inexperienced tourists such as me, Pham Van Muc, and Hon Dam Duoc, the owner, advised me, “Step on the whitish spots. That is the sea floor with the sand layer and the little pebbles.”

Although Muc led the group and kept a close eye on us, it was not easy to get rid of the fear because we had to get through the mass of sea kelp. Treading through the water, our feet played with the floating sea kelp in excitement and in the fear of slipping.

“Oh, goodness, it is over. I am lucky not to be bitten by any creature,” my friend Nguyen Quang Minh said with joy as soon he took the first step on Hon Dam Duong.

Unlike Hon Dam Duoc which has a shoreline full of pebbles, Hon Dam Duong possesses a flat, fine sandy beach that is taken care of. Since 2006, Hon Dam Duong also has a helipad on it. After the walk under the sun, we could not help dipping our body in the cool crystal clear water to release all the heat.

“Walking through the water and going for a swim at this clean pristine beach? What a fun trip!” Tran Ha Trang, my company for the trip shared with a giggle.

As it was dusk and the sky changed into a majestic pink hue, we continued the walk through the water to visit Hon Dam Gieng. We observed with our eyes hundreds of fishing vessels being moored to the wharfs around the island. Some were still out, floating amid the vast water body. Everything became so lively through our own eyes.

“I have never stood in front of the sea and seen such a peaceful scenery,” Trang exclaimed.

Hon Dam Gieng welcomed us with its wonderful seafood dishes. We were ravenous after this long walk through the water to get to this island around dinner time. The seafood was fresh, tasty, finely seasoned and well cooked. The most delicious dish was the shallot-oil grilled sea urchin and lemonfish hotpot.

Sea urchins here were grilled minimally with the shallot oil, topped with mustard and pepper sprinkled on top, so that its sweetness, succulence and buttery texture were preserved. The lemonfish hotpot is the delicacy of Ba Lua Archipelago, famous for its natural sweetness, straw mushroom, tomato, onion and taro. Fresh rice noodles and raw herbs made up the final touches to the perfect dish.

“So delicious! The fish is white, sweet, still firm but not chewy, and comes with the thick fatty skin yet not fishy,” my companion Minh, a long-time foodie, said sharing his thoughts.

Satiating our appetite, we all took time to relish the delicious food we had and enjoyed the trip to the fullest.

So, if you have time on your hands, don’t hesitate to spend your two-day weekend here. I can guarantee you that Ba Lua Archipelago is one of the best travelling experiences that Kien Giang Province can offer.

Speaking at a media briefing during the World Travel and Tourism Council summit last week, Japan Airlines chairman Masaru Onishi revealed that LGBT families were now included in the airline’s family mileage pooling programme. The Japan Times reported last month that the national tourism agency had asked hot spring operators to allow tattoo-sporting guests into their facilities in a bid to draw in more overseas tourists. Tattoos are fairly controversial in the Japanese society due to its association with triad yakuza members; many spa operators do not admit people with tattoos due to the stigma attached.

All of the efforts combined with a range of factors including visa relaxation policy and the devaluation of yen last year showed results on the tourist arrival numbers. For the first time in 45 years, inbound tourists to Japan in 2015 surpassed the number of outbound Japanese travellers. Tourist arrivals in Japan reached an all time high of 19.74 million visitors last year, almost doubling the number of inbound visitors in 2013.

In its most ambitious plan yet, the Japanese government recently announced a target to double the inbound tourism numbers to 40 million by 2020 and 60 million by 2030. During the same event held at the WTTC summit, Japan National Tourism Organisation president Ryoichi Matsuyama said a special panel was set up by the Abe administration in November last year to achieve the targets. “Our goals may be ambitious and challenging but we believe that we can achieve these goals by working with the private sector,” said Matsuyama.

As part of the plan to boost tourism, Matsuyama said the government decided to open up access to the country’s national parks. The Environment Ministry announced last month that five national parks were earmarked for tourism promotion programme this summer. The decision to liberalise access to the national parks came about to address criticism levelled at the government’s failure to tap into Japan’s natural treasures for tourism. The rustic beauty of the natural parks could be the backdrop for outdoor events like cycling and music festivals. According to a report from Nikkei Asian Review, the number of foreign visitors to 32 national parks in Japan totalled 4.3 million last year. The government aims to increase the number to 10 million by 2020.

More hotelsAlthough the steady rise in tourist numbers since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake augurs well for the sector, the dramatic increase in tourist arrivals—an increase of 47.1 per cent last year—presented a problem of hotel shortage in Japan.

“Hotels in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka have an occupancy rate of more than 90 per cent, we would like to invite the big chains to invest in new hotels in Japan,” said Matsuyama. On the other hand, Matsuyama said it was time to overhaul regulations for hotels that were set over 60 years ago. The hospitality industry in Japan is governed under the provisions of hotel business law which set conditions for the number of rooms, floor area to the establishment of a front desk. “We have to review the system and remove barriers to increase productivity of the hotels,” he said.

Chinese tourist bonanzaAsia accounted for 82.9 per cent of tourist arrivals with China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong among the top four countries. Despite the tiff between the two countries, Chinese tourists are flocking to Japan with a quarter of the arrivals posted from the mainland last year. “The majority of Chinese tourists travel in tour groups but we are seeing more individual tourists, an encouraging trend that hopefully will continue to grow,” said Matsuyama.

With more than 30,000 duty-free stores, Japan, perhaps advertently, caters to the shopping spree habits of Chinese tourists who buy everything from rice cookers to toilet seats. Tourist spending increased by 71.5 per cent last year to US$30 billion; the government had set a target of US$72 billion by 2020.

“Besides the arrival numbers, we are focused on increasing tourist spending and the number of repeat visitors as well as broadening the tourist routes,” said Matsuyama. The government hopes to diversify destinations beyond the Tokyo-Hakone-Kyoto golden route, including Tohoku prefecture which was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. “There are many hidden attractions in Tohoku yet to be uncovered by tourists such as powder snow for skiing and snowboarding activities,” said Matsuyama. He assured tourists that radiation level was normal in the region apart from areas that are within 10-km radius from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Key eventsAs part of its preparation plan for Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Japan had signed an MoU with Britain to learn from the latter about strategies to attract visitors when London hosted the games in 2012. Japan will be hosting three major events back-to-back, starting with Rugby World Cup in 2019, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Kansai World Masters Games the following year. “The focus now is on preparation for the Olympics Games as it is the most urgent,” said Matsumaya.

If you want to get away from it all, there’s perhaps no more iconic destination than your own desert island! With over 20,000 islands in the South-East Asia region, there’s certainly a wealth of destinations to choose from. The trick is to find that slice of paradise that few others have discovered before you.

Myanmar’s Macleod Island, located in the beautiful Mergui Archipelago, is a great place to start. This private island retreat offers a single resort destination, one of only two in a stretch of 800 nearby islands, and a great base for some world class snorkelling. The serene slice of tropical heaven not only delivers solitude away from prying eyes, but just enough luxury to make the journey worthwhile. The private speedboat leaves from the city of Kawthaung, southern Myanmar, and delivers you to the island refreshed by the crisp ocean air an hour-and-a-half later. That’s off-the-beaten track, indeed.

If something a little closer to nature is what you’re after, Cambodia’s own Crusoe Island might be the tranquillity you’re looking for. With a selection of camping grounds and bungalows, this tropical retreat tends to cater for a younger, more energetic desire to get to a secluded locale. Crusoe Island is found on Koh Ta Kiev, with ferries from Otres Beach, itself a fairly tranquil little escape in the Sihanoukville area on the southwest tip of Cambodia.

Of course, if you want to go true Crusoe, this kind of pampered camping adventure is far too mainstream! Go the extra mile, or perhaps league, to get away from it all, with your own abandoned desert island adventure. There are companies which offer the real Crusoe experience, carting you to deserted islands throughout Indonesia and the Philippines. Relax on the uninhabited paradise that can become your home for weeks, and enjoy a true exclusive experience. Various locations are available, depending on season, with everything from relaxing bungalows to the sweet call of the abandoned wild.

Naturally, escaping the bustle of tourist traps doesn’t just mean taking to the high seas and setting sail for your own sandy paradise. Malaysia has its own opportunities for beauty away from the masses. Sarawak’s Bario Highlands provides a distant treasure that’s still on our own doorstep. The wonderful, peaceful home of the Kelabit people, resting in the northern part of the province, against the borders of Kalimantan, Indonesia, offers something truly unique.

The Bario Highlands consists of a vast highland plateau over 1,000m above sea level, and is home to 10 villages and a great wealth of nature to explore. It’s most easily accessible by plane, the 45-min flight a more sensible option it seems than the 10 to 14-hour drive from Miri, depending on the road condition and weather, making it truly one of the most beautifully-rural locations in all of Malaysia. Flights leave from Miri, Lawas and Marudi, but can be subject to weather disruption.

The Highlands offer a stunning base to enjoy the natural world, with treks through the nearby jungle or kayak trips possible upon arrangement. If you’re lucky enough to visit between July 28 and 30, you’ll also have the pleasure of experiencing the Bario Food Festival, also known as Pesta Nukenen Bario, a riot of food and festival atmosphere that’s a delight for the senses.

Accommodation in the Bario Highlands comes in the form of a traditional longhouse stay, allowing guests to best enjoy the warmth and hospitality offered by the local people. This wonderful accommodation also allows guests to benefit from the local knowledge of friendly guides who will ensure you get the best out of this truly unique experience.

If enjoying nature’s wonder is a goal, then our last destination of Umphang, Thailand, will be met with a roar of approval. This beautiful region lies in west Thailand, nestled against the border of Myanmar. The village itself can be found five hours south of Mae Sot, reached by 165km of breath-taking, winding mountain roads.

Umphang is a small village, resting at the end of the journey. Yet, it is the springboard for one of Thailand’s greatest natural wonders, Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, and the mighty Thi Lo Su Waterfall. Despite its size, the village has several types of accommodation, yet, retaining the natural charm of a rural destination.

Thi Lo Su Waterfall is best accessed through an organised trek, which can be booked in the village. Depending on how long you want to get away from it all, you can experience everything from a direct trip to the stunning waterfall, or a longer adventure through the natural beauty of the nearby jungle in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy the beauty of this jungle paradise, surrounded by the echo of local wildlife and the roar of the mighty Thi Lo Su.

It’s time to book your next adventure!

Note: This article is courtesy of GOASEAN, the first multi-platform channel on all things Asean. For more information, go to http://www.goasean.com, Astro channel 737 and TheStarTV.com.

For those looking to add more gorgeous photos to their social media, we have curated these Instagrammable hotels in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Bali that are just too good not to share.

Summerbird Bed and Brasserie

Only a 10-minute drive to Bandung’s popular shopping mall Paris van Java, this BnB quickly became the subject of talk among young people for to its cute, thematic rooms. Room prices are pocket-friendly for youngsters too as they start from Rp 439,000 (US $33) per night, including breakfast for two.

Mix up the room pictures with the well-lit dining area that offers the perfect spot to take #ootd or #foodgram photos.

Location: Jl. Ksatriaan No. 11 Bandung

Oliver’s Hostelry

Situated in the northern part of Bandung overlooking the city lights, this inn looks like a lodge usually found in the US. Up to 18 rooms are available for reservation; each is uniquely designed and named after a popular song like “Holocene”, “Wonderwall” and “What a Wonderful World.”

The place also has an outdoor coffee corner, which means ample sunlight, so there is no need to edit the brightness of photos.

Location: Jl. Panumbang Jaya No. 5 Ciumbuleuit, Bandung

Artotel Thamrin

In addition to its strategic location in the city center, Artotel is also a favourite among editorial magazines and TV shows to hold a shoot. The hotel features original artwork by local artists; in fact, all three Artotels are customized and designed individually based on their location — currently available in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali — and the locals’ lifestyle.

Those checking in at its Jakarta location, take an elevator up to its rooftop bar, which offers a view of the capital city’s picturesque skyscrapers.

Location: Jl. Sunda No. 3 Menteng, Central Jakarta

Brown Feather

When a hotel’s backdrop is Bali’s signature lush paddies, the first thing any good netizen would do is take out their smartphones and snap a photo of the view. This two-story boutique hotel, which exudes vintage vibes with its white-painted walls, rustic and vintage furniture using local materials and recycled wood, offers just that.

Despite its very au naturel location, it is only five-10 minutes away from Seminyak’s shopping and dining district.

Location: Jl. Batu Belig No. 100 Kerobokan, Bali

Tijili Hotel Seminyak

Stepping inside this spacious boutique hotel is like entering an eclectic-style painting as it is dominated by bright colors and pattern-clashing interiors. The balconies are also colorful, making them noticeable even from a distance.

The lobby alone is worthy of an Instagram post with its dry-stone walls and splashes of color. The natural light that shines through the windows also makes for a pretty image without an added filter.

Location: Jl. Drupadi 9 Seminyak, Bali

Lokal Hotel

Deliberately not built into a high-rise building, this hotel only has 12 rooms and an 80-seat restaurant. Its one-story and mezzanine rooms have a strong homey vibe.

As the name suggests, it only uses locally made products, including the shredded kawung artworks found on the hotel’s walls and floors, and attractively features a mix of minimalistic and traditional design.

Location: Jl. Jembatan Merah No. 104C, Yogyakarta

That pretty much summed up the Tourism Malaysia Shopping Hunt 2016. Participants – comprising shopping outlet executives as well as local and international media and travel agencies from 12 countries – found themselves hurled into the middle of bustling Kuala Lumpur on a hot and humid weekday.

The objective? Decipher cryptic clues and take “wefies” at designated locations within various popular shopping malls and districts in the city. Being a self-professed shopaholic, the idea of an Amazing Race-like treasure hunt – with a retail twist – was a dream come true.

What I wasn’t prepared for, was the exhaustion that came with exploring a plethora of malls. Malaysians are a lucky lot – our shopping complexes come in a variety of shapes and sizes!

That observation is shared by fellow participant Mohanad Ibrahim Ahmed Abuzaid. “It’s difficult to visit everything in one day!” the travel agent from Sudan exclaimed as we roamed around Starhill Gallery.

Indeed, the event – held in conjunction with the grand launch of the country’s nationwide sales campaigns – was a good avenue to showcase KL’s many shopping centres.

The hunt was certainly an effective method to promote the 1Malaysia Super Sale (March 1 to 31), 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival (June 15 to Aug 31) and 1Malaysia Year-End Sale (Nov 1 to Dec 31) – notwithstanding the physical exhaustion at the end of the race, that is.

This year, the three sales adopted the tagline “Super Bargains, Fantastic Experiences”. And an incredible adventure was just what participants of the race had.

Here are some things picked up from the shopping hunt around KL:

1. Take a walk – from one mall to another

Did you know that Suria KLCC, Avenue K, Pavillion, Starhill Gallery, Lot 10, Fahrenheit 88, Sungei Wang Plaza and Berjaya Times Square are all just walking distance from one another? Sure, Malaysia’s scorching hot weather might have you thinking twice (at least Suria and Pavilion are connected by an air-conditioned walkway). But on cloudier days, travelling on foot around Bukit Bintang will unveil a cornucopia of sights and sounds – as well as burn some calories. Now who say shopping isn’t a form of exercise?

2. …or just hop on a train!

Most malls within the city are just a stone’s throw away from a monorail or LRT station. Granted, peak hours will have commuters huddled together like sardines within the coaches. But the flip side is you can avoid paying a ridiculous sum for parking. Save that money for a cup of overpriced coffee instead.

3. Find all of KL’s hawker food under one roof

Never in a million years would I expect to find a marketplace-like atmosphere in the heart of Bukit Bintang. But that’s what Lot 10’s basement food court feels like. Whiffs of delectable street cuisines evoked pangs of hunger as I entered. From springy wantan mee to crunchy popiah, it can be overwhelming at first to take in the array of stalls. But if you’re famished after that retail therapy and looking for some local flavours, this place is a convenient stop.

4. Look out for the unexpected

Some malls have some interesting surprises. For instance, it’s easy for the indoor theme park at Berjaya Times Square to overshadow everything else within the complex. But did you know that it’s also home to a one-of-its-kind-in-Malaysia musical staircase? Lit in vibrant dancing LED lights, the staircase is designed to resemble a classical piano keyboard. Take a walk and create some sweet melodies!

5. When in doubt – ask!

Okay, this might seem like a relative no-brainer. But when in doubt, a trip to a mall’s information counter might just reveal more than the shopping centre’s directory. A few friendly exchanges with the staff might even unravel some best kept secrets such as a sky alfresco dining area and a tiny Taipei gate for that photo op. So flash that smile, keep calm and shop away!

After we touched down at Juanda Airport, Surabaya, we were greeted by our trekking guide Agus, who is named after the month of August. He made our five day, four night expedition an unforgettable experience.

Our expedition began with an almost 10 hour, 300km drive in a minivan to Sempol Blawan village. After dinner and a trek briefing at our Catimor Homestay, we repacked the stuff needed for hiking and then hit our beds.

At 2am, we began our trek up. Once we reached the Ijen plateau, we stood and looked down at the dazzling, electric-blue fire. This came from the burning of sulphuric gas, which was emerging from cracks of the Ijen volcano.

As the sun slowly rose, the site looked even more surreal, as the turquoise blue lake there unfolded.

The lake is the site of a labour-intensive mining operation, in which baskets laden with blocks of sulphur are manually carried up from the floor of the volcanic crater. The lake is recognised as the largest acidic crater lake in the world.

A two-hour hike is required to reach the rim of the crater, followed by a 45 minute hike down a narrow stairway. Despite its dramatic setting, the Mount Ijen trek is a relatively moderate one, suitable for any first timers. However, a mask is a must to avoid getting choked by the thick and pungent sulphuric gas.

Magical lakes

Magical Lakes

After tackling Ijen, our next target was to hike Mount Semeru, which is the highest volcanic peak of Java. After a tiring eight-hour drive to Lumajang town, Agus brought us to the local hospital to check on our blood pressure and body oxygen levels – our health certificates were required to get the trekking permits.

The next morning, we got all our luggage thrown into a 4WD jeep that took us to Ranu Pane village, where the trek was to start. The jeep ride was a lovely experience, as we passed villages and vegetable farms. The landscape was simply beautiful.

At Ranu Pane, we left behind the extra luggage that was not required for the trek. We also met our porters cum cooks who would carry two days worth of food supplies, water, cooking utensils and tents – plus our bags. Hiking with porters definitely made the experience more bearable!

Agus registered our group at the ranger’s office. The start point was at 2,100m above sea level. The stratovolcano Semeru (also known as Mahameru) is very steep, rising abruptly to 3,676m from the coastal plains of eastern Java.

The Ranu Pane – Semeru route would go through a lot of beautiful scenery at Waturenjeng, Oro-Oro Ombo, Cemoro Kadang, Banjangan and Kalimati, where we would camp overnight before ascending Semeru the next morning.

Here is where I would like to wax lyrical on the wonders of Ranu Kumbolo Lake at 2,390m, midway to the Kalimati camp. We had been trekking through pine forests and when we suddenly stepped out, it seemed that we had stumbled on an undiscovered world.

The lake took our breath away. No man on earth could have carved such a landscape. Only Mother Nature herself was capable of such a masterpiece. It made me recall a quote: “Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you” (David McCullough Jr).

The lake was surrounded with hills filled with green pines, and white clouds were reflected in the lake. A cool breeze removed the fatigue we felt from the hours of trekking. It was a perfect getaway spot to recharge mind, body and soul.

The porters prepared hot meals for us and Agus pointed to a hillside.

“You see the heart-shaped terrain?” he said. “It is known as Love Valley. As you climb up the valley and leave the lake, think of the person whom you love, make a wish and climb straight up. Don’t look back at the lake. Your wishes may come true”.

From the lake, it was a four-hour trek to Kalimati base camp (2,700m) crossing the Oro-Oro Ombo and Cemoro Kandang points. Kalimati, which translates to “Dead River” in Javanese, had a savannah bush type of landscape with plenty of small mountain flowers.

Tents were pitched. I put on my thermal wear and tucked into my sleeping bag to keep warm in the 10°C cold. Armed with only headlamps and flashlights under the starry night, we tucked ourselves in early that silent night.

Night trek

At 1.30am, we had to wake up to fill our stomachs with some food and warm coffee. We wanted to get to the peak to witness the sunrise. The trek from Kalimati would take about four hours.

We soon got to Arcopodo, the last check point before the ascent to Semeru. The trek became abruptly steep and our feet sank into the loose sand, making the climb even harder.

This was the hardest part of the trek. Trekking in the dark, we relied on light from our own headlamps, and also from those ahead of us. We had to ascend the 45 to 60 degree gradient slope and the sand, loose stones and gravel made the climb three times harder – with every step forward, we were liable to slip back down two steps.

There were no plants or trees to hold on to, and there was no proper trail. The climb drained our stamina. To make matters worse, the air had less oxygen at this high altitude.

But it was glorious when we finally got to the peak. The slow sunrise provided a panoramic view at 3,676m above sea level. The splendid landscape unfolded as we rejoiced reaching the top of Semeru. The cold, the altitude, the steep climb were all worth the pain once we set our foot on the highest point of Java.

Having enjoyed the scenic views, getting down was fun – what took three hours to climb just took less than an hour to slide down along the sandy slopes.

We packed all our stuff from the Kalimati camp and trekked down. On our way back, our thoughts were on crossing the magical Ranu Kumbolo lake again. When we got there, we enacted a Bollywood moment, our own version of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

At Ranu Pane village, we collected the stuff which we had left behind, hopped onto the 4WD jeep, and headed straight to the homestay at Cemara Lawang for our last destination, Mount Bromo. The jeep passed through picturesque savannah-like fields and plains filled with fine volcanic sand.

On our last day in Java, we drove up in the jeep to Mount Panajakan, the most popular viewpoint to see the sunrise at the entire Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.

Mount Bromo (2,329m) is an active volcano and its name is derived from the Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu creator god. It sits in the middle of a vast plain called the “Sea of Sand”.

The Hindu temple here is a place of worship for the Tengger tribe of the mountains of East Java. (They are a remnant from the days when the main religion of Java was Hinduism.)

At Panajakan, the sky started to change colour as the sun crawled up slowly, revealing the elegant Mount Batok in the middle of the Tengger Caldera while Mount Bromo sat humbly behind it.

From afar, the majestic Mount Semeru overlooked the vast caldera of the other two mounts.

We then went through a vast plain and reached the foothills of Mount Bromo. From there, it was an hour walk over 245 steps to reach the top of the Bromo crater. That was the finale of our hike.

It had been a memorable trekking trip and I had made 10 new friends. What a great adventure holiday!