Karimunjawa – a Tropical Island Getaway near Central Java

By: Reza Daffi

Looking for a tropical retreat, but no time to fly to Bali or even further? The Karimunjawa Islands lie in the northern waters of Central Java Province, 120 km north of province capital Semarang. The nearest Javanese town, however, is Jepara, from which people usually depart for the islands. It takes a 6-hour ferry trip covering 83 kilometers, but it’s definitely worth it. Renowned for its picturesque beaches and rich biodiversity, it was established as a national marine park by the Indonesian government in 1999 and turned into a marine protected area two years later.

The name Karimunjawa can refer to either the cluster of islands or its biggest island, where tourists usually stay in hotels or in the cheaper option, locals’ houses. The second biggest island, separated by only a thin line of water with Karimunjawa on its south, is Kemujan. Together they are surrounded by as many as 25 smaller islets, not all open for recreational visits. The two mentioned before, along with Parang, Nyamuk, and Genting, are the only inhabited islands.

A Schengen Visa for Asia

The team behind evisaasia.com are based in Malaysia. It all started when the team began developing an online visa system for the government of Cambodia 6 years ago. Eventually, it led to the creation of this project, which encompasses more than 20 countries in Asia and provides secure and reliable visa services for travelers worldwide.

THE ABC OF BANDUNG: Aroma Coffee, Batagor & Ciwalk!

By: Andri Suryo

Get ready to explore one of Indonesia’s most bustling cities: Bandung! Bandung is the capital city of west Java, the Indonesian answer to Paris or as we like to call it ‘Parijs Van Java!’

Bandung is not the most tourist friendly city out there, as public transport is hard to figure out and information and facilities are haphazard to say the least. Yet, there is plenty to explore. If you're in Bandung for just a day, nothing beats these fundamental principles of Bandung, THE ABC OF BANDUNG!

Pulau Pari @ Pulau Seribu: The Island of the Refugees

By: Putri Fitria

Pulau Pari is one of the islands of the Pulau Seribu archipelago, located a stone's throw away from Jakarta. Pulau Pari is one of the more quiet islands, which made it my first option for a visit. Although the kapal kayu (a wooden fisherman's boat) I rode on the way there was full, the amount of tourists on Pari Island seemed sparse compared to other more popular islands of Pulau Seribu.

Pari, the Island of the Refugees

The boat ride from Jakarta's Muara Angke harbor took an hour and a half. The boat dock at Pari Island, which was recently expanded, was nothing out of ordinary. But walking a little bit to the east, the white shore of Perawan Beach did look mesmerizing. This beach has only been a tourist destination for a year. It is called Perawan (meaning virgin), they say because the native people had to work very hard to open the route to get there. “The plants were high and sharp. It was so difficult to ‘get in’, thus the name Perawan,” shared a woman who sold coconuts, with a grin.

Book Review: Land of the Birds of Paradise

By: Mariecke van Vugt

The internet and industrial revolution have changed the world and the lives of the people living in it. Fortunately for us, some places in the world are still untouched and offer us an environment full of surprises. Tanah Papua, the easternmost region of Indonesia, is one of those places. It has the same size as Ireland and Germany combined, but counts only 3,6 million inhabitants. Tanah Papua is known for the rich biodiversity. From evergreen forests to winding rivers, and from valleys with eternal snow to savanna plains. This biodiversity is showcased in the beautiful book "Land of the birds of paradise".

The first part of the book describes the history of Tanah Papua. It covers the cultural, political, geological and natural aspects. The chapters that follow take the reader on a adventurous journey through Tanah Papua. You get to read and learn about the different species of animals, flowers and some stories of explorers who discovered the region. The biggest and, in my opinion, most important part of the book contains the story of the conservation of Tanah Papua and the work that the WWF Indonesia has done here.

The Green Hajj

By: Kafil Yamin

300.000 Indonesian Muslims, along with around 3 million pilgrims, return from Mecca annually and leave behind 100 million plastic bottles. Unless immediate measures are taken, the holy land will soon transform into a waste land. The figure, published by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation [ARC], does not include mounting waste from takeout foods and other goods during the 30-day hajj season. This daunting situation has caused a major headache among Muslim academics for the prospects of the holy land. “Islam venerates cleanliness in all aspects of life. This situation in Mecca is a great cause for our concern,” said Dr. K.H. Ma’ruf Amin , chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council [MUI]. Muslims leaders and academics then put forward the so-called green hajj scheme.

Si Phan Don, an Island Experience in Landlocked Lao

By: Isaac Olson

Si Phan Don or the 4,000 Islands are nestled in the Mekong River in the Champasak Province of Southern Lao (Laos) near the Cambodian border. Whether or not there are actually 4,000 islands is unclear, but three principal islands cater to tourists with others remaining largely free of visitors.

Vientiane, Laos’ Easy Going Cafe Capital

By: Isaac Olson

“Is this the best apple pie that I have ever tasted in my life?” My grandma might have been offended by this thought, but I couldn't stop this from entering my mind while savoring my sweet reminder of home at a cafe in Vientiane.

Compared to other Southeast Asian capitals, Vientiane is a sleepy destination. Many travelers have commented on how boring they found the place. In fact, Vientiane is one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia. It's only the party and booze crowd applying the “boring” label to Vientiane. The city is not an all night party spot but the capital of a still largely traditional country with a government believing in control. However, more seasoned travelers appreciate the city's cafes, modest sights, charming residents, and easy going pace.

Introduction to the Moluccas

By: Tegar Putuhena

Ever since Indonesian independence in 1945, the Moluccas Islands (or Maluku in Indonesian) -one of the oldest provinces in Indonesia-, formed a single unified province. However, in 1999 it was split into two provinces: North Maluku and Maluku. North Maluku is predominantly Muslim and its capital is Ternate while Maluku has a larger Christian population and its capital is Ambon.

Marina Bay, Singapore’s Swanky Bayfront

By: Cher Tan

The name “Marina Bay” may be an anomaly of sorts – while it technically describes the body of water around the mouth of the Singapore River and blocked off from the sea by the Marina Barrage, it also encompasses the surrounding “Marina” areas, spanning bits of City Hall and the east of Shenton Way. Being Singapore’s newest district, Marina Bay is built on reclaimed land with the intention to combine business and pleasure, with swanky bayfront residences dotting the vicinity.