This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Indonesia. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:1664 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-06-14T04:44:58Z 340153http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Indonesia. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-07:6654450 2008-03-07T06:44:56Z 2008-06-14T04:44:58Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19946.html">Ubud, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Well, I don't even know how to start describing Bali. After I was there for seven of my nine days, it felt like no time and a lifetime all at once.</p><p>To start my story of Bali, I have to start with the Balinese New Year's Eve. The people throughout Bali prepare extensively for this celebration and the following day of fasting, meditation and no business, no moving vehicles, no leaving your home, no electricity (not even the airport is open). The day, called Nyepi, is a day of reflection and introspection after a day of acknowledging and slaying of the bad spirits/demons that are exhibited ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6654450.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_c-ZDLY-8Nu0rmHE-EfQHbicSw2Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/c-ZDLY-8Nu0rmHE-EfQHbicSw2Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_c-ZDLY-8Nu0rmHE-EfQHbicSw2Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=c-ZDLY-8Nu0rmHE-EfQHbicSw2Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fubud-journals-j6654450.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6654450.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6824475 2008-04-08T08:46:19Z 2008-04-08T08:46:19Z Princess Bunny http://realtravel.com/member-m1300446-princess_bunny.html <p>a entry by Princess Bunny from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/gili_air-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d6824451.html">Gili Air, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Our trip to gili air started in usual southeast-Asia style – we were picked up from our hotel by a taxi which spent 20mins weaving around backstreets only to drop us off at a travel agency only 5mins walk from our hotel!</p><p>We then hung around there for 45mins before being collected by minibus which drove us to bus station on the outskirts of kuta; we waited for a further 30mins before our bus arrived to take us to the port. At the port we had an hour wait for the boat!</p><p>The 4hour boat ride was lovely with clear blue skies all the way and they even gave us a rather delicious free ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/gili_air-journals-j6824475.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_CPN5iIkEk7nxRYU.J9fpPbHgBbk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/CPN5iIkEk7nxRYU.J9fpPbHgBbk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_CPN5iIkEk7nxRYU.J9fpPbHgBbk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=CPN5iIkEk7nxRYU.J9fpPbHgBbk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fgili_air-journals-j6824475.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/gili_air-journals-j6824475.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-03:6797676 2008-04-03T04:46:26Z 2008-04-03T05:02:16Z The Sehrineau's http://realtravel.com/member-m5754747-the_sehrineaus.html <p><em>"An incredible culture with bloody funerals and amazing scenery to boot!"</em></p> <p>a entry by The Sehrineau's from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/waikabubak-nusa_tenggara_timur-reviews-hotels-d6797668.html">Waikabubak, Nusa Tenggara Timur.</a></p> <p>Getting to Sumba required yet another long voyage, this time 26 hours on ferries from Flores. Luckily we managed to snag benches we could lie on overnight as the one ferry a week that goes to Sumba was completely packed with livestock, goods and of course people.</p><p>Sumba is an island that does not receive a lot of tourists. An Irishman we met living there reckons it gets more anthropologists visiting than tourists. It's a mystery to us how it has remained so isolated as the island (like all the ones we've seen in Indonesia) is stunning, and its people have an incredible and vibrant ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/waikabubak-journals-j6797676.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_utfiEjGPbXw4DPGVSbQ3eolDlEg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/utfiEjGPbXw4DPGVSbQ3eolDlEg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_utfiEjGPbXw4DPGVSbQ3eolDlEg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=utfiEjGPbXw4DPGVSbQ3eolDlEg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fwaikabubak-journals-j6797676.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/waikabubak-journals-j6797676.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-03:6797575 2008-04-03T04:24:09Z 2008-04-03T04:34:11Z The Sehrineau's http://realtravel.com/member-m5754747-the_sehrineaus.html <p><em>"Mythical creatures on land and under the sea"</em></p> <p>a entry by The Sehrineau's from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/labuanbajo-nusa_tenggara_timur-reviews-hotels-d4500916.html">Labuanbajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur.</a></p> <p>After the Gili Islands our next destination was theisland of Flores and it's famed neighbor the KomodoIslands. To get to Flores required taking a boat, car,car, bus, ferry, bus, minibus and ferry across severalislands. Add to that the numerous touts trying toconvince us our tickets weren't valid so we'd pay themsome money and ferries and buses that left hoursbehind schedule it was quite the odyssey! However 38hours after departing we finally arrived in LabuanBajo, the western port on Flores.</p><p>The area around Labuan Bajo is stunning, with verdantgreen hills arching out of the sea and the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/labuanbajo-journals-j6797575.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Py5AyzF7LkClJ-n54h7A.fEBsis_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Py5AyzF7LkClJ-n54h7A.fEBsis_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Py5AyzF7LkClJ-n54h7A.fEBsis_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Py5AyzF7LkClJ-n54h7A.fEBsis_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flabuanbajo-journals-j6797575.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/labuanbajo-journals-j6797575.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-01:6788049 2008-04-01T07:00:00Z 2008-04-01T07:00:00Z The Sehrineau's http://realtravel.com/member-m5754747-the_sehrineaus.html <p><em>"Hippies, Gucci, New Years, arts, culture and a wedding"</em></p> <p>a entry by The Sehrineau's from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19946.html">Ubud, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Our next stop in Bali was its cultural capital Ubud. It is famed for artists of all kinds, painters, dancers, carvers, chefs etc. As a tiny village set among verdant rice fields and ancient temples, it has developed a huge tourist industry over the years.</p><p>Maybe it was because there was a yoga conference in town but Ubud seems to have a very high influx of rich hippie tourists and expats, artist types with lots of money for lattes and designer clothes. Anyone who has read 'Eat, Pray, Love' recently knows it as the setting of the "Love" part of the book. We were trying to come up ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6788049.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_rnl370h6PHPhayFBZ1d2QJmfp.M_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/rnl370h6PHPhayFBZ1d2QJmfp.M_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_rnl370h6PHPhayFBZ1d2QJmfp.M_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=rnl370h6PHPhayFBZ1d2QJmfp.M_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fubud-journals-j6788049.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6788049.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-26:6762086 2008-03-26T05:07:12Z 2008-03-26T06:00:29Z dungroovin http://realtravel.com/member-m4613964-dungroovin.html <p>a entry by dungroovin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bali-bali-reviews-hotels-d6295364.html">Bali, Bali.</a></p> <p>OOOOOH Bali is sooooooo lovely!! Immigration is the toughest yet and a real pain but ubnderstandable given the damage the Bali bombers have done to the economy. We get met at the airport by the guys who own the home stay we'll be using and take the hour and a half drive to where we'll call home. The place is just stunning. We're staying in a "Lumbung" a traditional Balinese building with an upper floor for the bedroom under a thatched roof. Our window looks out onto the Ocean (which lulls us to sleep each night) through the jungle palms in our private lttle garden. At the lower floor we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bali-journals-j6762086.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Wbyt9.yax5-GvGqiRKQl4BLthnk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Wbyt9.yax5-GvGqiRKQl4BLthnk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Wbyt9.yax5-GvGqiRKQl4BLthnk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Wbyt9.yax5-GvGqiRKQl4BLthnk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbali-journals-j6762086.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bali-journals-j6762086.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-15:6701540 2008-03-15T05:45:12Z 2008-03-25T06:40:13Z Leigh+Mal http://realtravel.com/member-m4788744-leighmal.html <p><em>"The lightening was so bad it lit up the plane"</em></p> <p>a entry by Leigh+Mal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bali-bali-reviews-hotels-d6295364.html">Bali, Bali.</a></p> <p>The take off from Darwin was interesting to say the least. It was pouring with rain and the lightening was close behind. After a 2 hour delay taking off in this weather was a dream lol. The lightening was so bad it lit up the plane but once through the clouds it was fine for the rest of the trip.</p><p>On landing in Kuta we were met by our pick up and taken to the hotel. As we had spent a month staying in dorms all the time up the coast in Aus we thought we deserved a little luxury so had booked a resort and spa. Since its Bali, the cheapest place we have been, it didn't cost much (about 12 ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bali-journals-j6701540.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_QQ3FiQq0MT8v2Zo.DpkaTLz.M5Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/QQ3FiQq0MT8v2Zo.DpkaTLz.M5Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_QQ3FiQq0MT8v2Zo.DpkaTLz.M5Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=QQ3FiQq0MT8v2Zo.DpkaTLz.M5Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbali-journals-j6701540.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bali-journals-j6701540.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-14:6700063 2008-03-14T13:39:50Z 2008-03-14T13:45:22Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p><em>"As we drove out of town I saw a striking sight, against the pink dawn sky the volcano Gunung Merapi was silhouetted in the distance."</em></p> <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/yogyakarta-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19951.html">Yogyakarta, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>The Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu temples at Prambanan are both popular and easily reached tourist attractions, and World Heritage Sites, near Yogya. As I’d yet to go on a packaged day tour in Indonesia, I thought I’d give it a try and see what it’s like. The minivan picked us up at 5am and our group included 11 very tired looking people. As we drove out of town I saw a striking sight, against the pink dawn sky the volcano Gunung Merapi was silhouetted in the distance. From its mouth a steady stream of smoke curled upwards. I wish I could have captured that very Indonesian moment ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/yogyakarta-journals-j6700063.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_pJjc8r0oPIR0EqkVQaOkmWcC95s_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/pJjc8r0oPIR0EqkVQaOkmWcC95s_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_pJjc8r0oPIR0EqkVQaOkmWcC95s_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=pJjc8r0oPIR0EqkVQaOkmWcC95s_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fyogyakarta-journals-j6700063.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/yogyakarta-journals-j6700063.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-14:6699961 2008-03-14T13:24:49Z 2008-03-14T13:28:28Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p><em>"Environmentally, it’s probably not the best idea just producing more junk people don’t need, but on the other hand it does make for an easy home indusrty for villagers to earn some extra income."</em></p> <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tasikmalaya-west_java-reviews-hotels-d6699951.html">Tasikmalaya, West Java.</a></p> <p>If there is something interesting to see, there is usually a hawker nearby trying to sell hats, bags, or key chains emblazoned with the place's name. I’ve noticed that the next vendor I see is usually selling even less practical merchandize, like paper fans or woven boxes. Like it or not, handicrafts and souvenirs have become an engrained component of most tourism destinations. Environmentally, it’s probably not the best idea just producing more junk people don’t need, but on the other hand it does make for an easy home indusrty for villagers to earn some extra income. Not to mention for ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tasikmalaya-journals-j6699961.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_IERfXyVVnynyRq5TW0UR-aImppw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/IERfXyVVnynyRq5TW0UR-aImppw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_IERfXyVVnynyRq5TW0UR-aImppw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=IERfXyVVnynyRq5TW0UR-aImppw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftasikmalaya-journals-j6699961.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tasikmalaya-journals-j6699961.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-14:6699880 2008-03-14T13:11:04Z 2008-03-14T13:11:04Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bandung-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19831.html">Bandung, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>This final day under the wing of Dr. Ko was spent learning more about traditional Sundanese culture.</p><p>Almost 30km to the North of Bandung, the third biggest city in Java, stands Tangkuban Prahu, a still active volcanic crater and a part of local Sundanese lore. It’s a curious Oedipius style tale of a separated son coming home and falling in love with his mother, but in order to marry she gives an impossible task – build a gigantic boat in a single night. He nearly completes it, but the mother cheats and asks the gods to bring the sun up early. When he fails, he kicks the boat over in a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bandung-journals-j6699880.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_SftmHDoiTVzOH7cdjtGGzNoyDM0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/SftmHDoiTVzOH7cdjtGGzNoyDM0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_SftmHDoiTVzOH7cdjtGGzNoyDM0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=SftmHDoiTVzOH7cdjtGGzNoyDM0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbandung-journals-j6699880.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bandung-journals-j6699880.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-14:6699813 2008-03-14T12:58:59Z 2008-03-14T13:06:21Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p><em>"Strangely, the little 3 year old also knew the word “sexy,” which she loved to exclaim before posing for a picture."</em></p> <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/puncak-west_java-reviews-hotels-d6699780.html">Puncak, West Java.</a></p> <p>Originating from the era of the Dutch, vast tea plantations sprawl throughout the low hills of Java. Row after row of well-kept tea bushes are part of the scenic landscape of the highlands in Bandung and the Puncak Pass region of West Java, particularly ideal areas for cultivating tea. However, in recent years the tea industry in Indonesia has faced decline as global competition becomes fiercer, and the costs associated with production increase. Many tea plantations are turning towards tourism to help generate some additional revenue to continue operations.</p><p>Gunung Mas tea plantation can ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/puncak-journals-j6699813.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_4zfXa3FWG9pm0q5d8IR3ahu-Ymc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/4zfXa3FWG9pm0q5d8IR3ahu-Ymc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_4zfXa3FWG9pm0q5d8IR3ahu-Ymc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=4zfXa3FWG9pm0q5d8IR3ahu-Ymc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpuncak-journals-j6699813.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/puncak-journals-j6699813.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-14:6697151 2008-03-14T03:39:57Z 2008-03-14T03:42:28Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p><em>"While illegal logging does go on all over Indonesia, it just seems particularly unscrupulous for these actions to be taking place in a protected area and with the support of the indigenous inhabitants."</em></p> <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/cibabi-west_java-reviews-hotels-d6697143.html">Cibabi, West Java.</a></p> <p>Previously, I mentioned meeting Andy a local guide at the Jakarta National Monument who was wearing a WWF t-shirt.He had told me about a place called Cibole and the nearby preservation area housing the Baduy people.On Saturday afternoon I decided to take him up on his offer to guide me to this area.</p><p>The Baduy people make up an indegenious community that live in a 5,000 hectare reserve among the hills of West Java.They largely still hold onto their traditional beliefs, and are thought to consist of over 7,000 people, but census takers are not allowed inside so it isn’t known for ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/cibabi-journals-j6697151.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_atBmmUJgtmx84W-4YHMevEVOOuw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/atBmmUJgtmx84W-4YHMevEVOOuw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_atBmmUJgtmx84W-4YHMevEVOOuw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=atBmmUJgtmx84W-4YHMevEVOOuw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcibabi-journals-j6697151.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/cibabi-journals-j6697151.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-14:6697076 2008-03-14T03:29:39Z 2008-03-14T03:33:07Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/jakarta-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19861.html">Jakarta, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Jakarta is a sprawling and crowded city home to an approximate 12 million people.The city is, unfortunately, famous for its smog.I’ve been here for just over a day and I’m already noticing the heaviness in the air, and in my lungs.In an online version of the Jakarta Post, I read that 75% of the city’s pollution is due to motor vehicles, which is easy to comprehend as cars and minivans seem to dominate the roads.Just walking down the street, you can get a sense of the chaotic lives of urban residents who must cope with this continual noise, traffic, and fumes that come with city ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/jakarta-journals-j6697076.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_VcgXEUkH5.Del-fH9Qre07MgD.o_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/VcgXEUkH5.Del-fH9Qre07MgD.o_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_VcgXEUkH5.Del-fH9Qre07MgD.o_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=VcgXEUkH5.Del-fH9Qre07MgD.o_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fjakarta-journals-j6697076.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/jakarta-journals-j6697076.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-12:6689923 2008-03-12T14:58:54Z 2008-03-14T03:14:45Z travelbaxter2 http://realtravel.com/member-m6689904-travelbaxter2.html <p><em>"Echoing “Calls to prayer” are sounding from quite a few different mosques as I listen from my room, trying to collect my thoughts about my initial reaction to Indonesia."</em></p> <p>a entry by travelbaxter2 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/jakarta-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19861.html">Jakarta, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Echoing “Calls to prayer” are sounding from quite a few different mosques as I listen from my room, trying to collect my thoughts about my initial reaction to Indonesia. Um, “it’s great and I’m having a really good time,” wow, I guess that wasn’t too difficult after all.</p><p>I arrived in Jakarta via Malaysia, where I’ve been for the last few days getting my visa. The plane ride was just a couple of hours and 1 time zone away. Everyone seems eager to talk with you here, or at least to a female bule (foreigner). The first people I meet are two guys sitting near me while waiting for the bus ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/jakarta-journals-j6689923.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_EnW2iU0WqCjgJ.ORjxeJ-YClbhM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/EnW2iU0WqCjgJ.ORjxeJ-YClbhM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_EnW2iU0WqCjgJ.ORjxeJ-YClbhM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=EnW2iU0WqCjgJ.ORjxeJ-YClbhM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fjakarta-journals-j6689923.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/jakarta-journals-j6689923.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-01-17:6379020 2008-01-17T03:45:50Z 2008-01-25T14:26:43Z Shane S http://realtravel.com/member-m4831432-shane_s.html <p><em>"the Komodos are up feeding on wild boar, deer and water buffalo"</em></p> <p>a entry by Shane S from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/komodo-nusa_tenggara_timur-reviews-hotels-d1440992.html">Komodo, Nusa Tenggara Timur.</a></p> <p>So this was a multi day trip from Bali to the islands of Rinca and Komodo where the Komod dragons live. They are monitor lizards, but the largest type and they only live on 3 islands in Indonesia. First you have to take a flight (1x per day) to a town near Rinca, and then hire a boat to head out to the islands.</p><p>On the way it poured buckets! It waves weren't overly high, but it was raining hard. And the boat I took was a small boat, without any cabin to hide (or sleep in). In fact, we just slept in our clothes on the deck. They cooked some decent food on the boat, but on our way to ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/komodo-journals-j6379020.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_KqafGdLUkcA9Pg551HA.ilQic70_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/KqafGdLUkcA9Pg551HA.ilQic70_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_KqafGdLUkcA9Pg551HA.ilQic70_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=KqafGdLUkcA9Pg551HA.ilQic70_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkomodo-journals-j6379020.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/komodo-journals-j6379020.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-06:6144338 2007-12-06T03:43:40Z 2007-12-06T05:02:39Z ladycarmelkent http://realtravel.com/member-m4161158-ladycarmelkent.html <p>a entry by ladycarmelkent from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kaliurang-daerah_istimewa_yogyakarta-reviews-hotels-d6144330.html">Kaliurang, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.</a></p> <p>With Vinnie, Tans, Niall and I all in the taxi we hit the road for Mount Merapi. It didn't take long to get there and find Vogel hostel which came recommended in our guide books for organizing treks. We were actually the only guests staying there the first night and choose the balcony bungalow between us for our two nights there.</p><p>Outside the hostel there was a little stall that the owners brother ran, frying up vegetable type snacks every evening - they were to die for! We pigged out on those both evenings we were there!</p><p>Kaliurang village itself is really quiet with not a lot going ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kaliurang-journals-j6144338.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_kqHLMTlAkGi8oN49prz1qdwPAFY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/kqHLMTlAkGi8oN49prz1qdwPAFY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_kqHLMTlAkGi8oN49prz1qdwPAFY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=kqHLMTlAkGi8oN49prz1qdwPAFY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkaliurang-journals-j6144338.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kaliurang-journals-j6144338.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-06:6144476 2007-12-06T04:19:42Z 2007-12-06T04:28:43Z ladycarmelkent http://realtravel.com/member-m4161158-ladycarmelkent.html <p>a entry by ladycarmelkent from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bogor-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19841.html">Bogor, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Once we touched down in Jakarta from Yogjakarta we hopped straight on a bus at the airport to a town called Bogor. We had heard that Jakarta was a bit of a dump and as we weren't flying out until Wed (and we arrived on a Friday) we decided to head to Bogor for 2 nights. We didn't know much about the town except that it had nice botanical gardens and was more picturesque that the bustling city of Jakarta.</p><p>The bus took us under two hours and we weren't long finding a guest house on a secluded residential street. It was run by some family and it really felt like we were in an old style bed ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bogor-journals-j6144476.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_hGP68y.Scg-2Tz08i-LjsgDq2Jw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/hGP68y.Scg-2Tz08i-LjsgDq2Jw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_hGP68y.Scg-2Tz08i-LjsgDq2Jw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=hGP68y.Scg-2Tz08i-LjsgDq2Jw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbogor-journals-j6144476.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bogor-journals-j6144476.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-17:6019966 2007-11-17T10:52:35Z 2007-12-05T05:23:39Z ladycarmelkent http://realtravel.com/member-m4161158-ladycarmelkent.html <p><em>"One thing I am noticing is that the more west we travel across Java the more attention we are drawing as we clearly stand out!"</em></p> <p>a entry by ladycarmelkent from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_bromo-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d3999509.html">Mount Bromo, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>After spending a night in a dump of a hotel in Probolingo (it was 2am when we got off the bus so couldn't be too fussy) we hopped on a local mini bus the next morning which was bound for Mount Bromo. (We didn't even eat the free breakfast they were offering at the hotel - it was cold rice with a lump of meat that looked like chicken but I couldn't be sure and a bowl of brown coloured sauce with lumps in it that may have been some sort of animals testicles or intestines!!)</p><p>Niall and I sat up front as it seemed the most comfortable option while all the locals piled into the back like ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mount_bromo-journals-j6019966.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_kg2Oj4t4egg9FjUvRZ4PGkDh-qo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/kg2Oj4t4egg9FjUvRZ4PGkDh-qo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_kg2Oj4t4egg9FjUvRZ4PGkDh-qo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=kg2Oj4t4egg9FjUvRZ4PGkDh-qo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmount_bromo-journals-j6019966.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mount_bromo-journals-j6019966.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-17:6019853 2007-11-17T10:05:01Z 2007-12-05T05:13:29Z ladycarmelkent http://realtravel.com/member-m4161158-ladycarmelkent.html <p><em>"It was the most unusual funeral I have ever seen in my live!"</em></p> <p>a entry by ladycarmelkent from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19946.html">Ubud, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Once back in Bali after my stint on the Gili Islands I really wanted to see Ubud having heard about it from several people I had met on my travels. So off Niall and I went and boarded a bus to Ubud one afternoon from Bali. It didn't take that long to get there and find a nice hotel to stay in.</p><p>Straight away we rented a scooter and buzzed about the town to see what was going on - it seemed to be the best way to get about. No sooner had we started driving out the country roads when we spotted tonnes of locals running down the street celebrating and carrying some sort of bed up in ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6019853.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_4c.3XLYuAPyp-nkVXjNSOzuwgZ8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/4c.3XLYuAPyp-nkVXjNSOzuwgZ8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_4c.3XLYuAPyp-nkVXjNSOzuwgZ8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=4c.3XLYuAPyp-nkVXjNSOzuwgZ8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fubud-journals-j6019853.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6019853.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-30:6100733 2007-11-30T08:13:19Z 2007-11-30T08:20:55Z Sam and Steph http://realtravel.com/member-m4806664-sam_and_steph.html <p>a entry by Sam and Steph from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/gili_trawangan-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d2446465.html">Gili Trawangan, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>An early morning departure from Ubud; we had a one and half hour minivan ride to the five-hour ferry. We picked up some fried goodies and mangoes for the tour from Padang Bai to Lembar, Lombok. We lucked out when we boarded the vessel with two very friendly Filipino girls who gave us ideas for our next adventure. From the boat, troll lines were set out, and in every imaginable spot. Steph met the captain right as the bonito school set the boat and troll lines into a frenzy. After landing 4 of them, the captain gave us a tour of the helm, cool! Upon arrival in Lembar, we loaded up into ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/gili_trawangan-journals-j6100733.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_xWXEQ9b9jYjMN6uYkgDw-2TcHqc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/xWXEQ9b9jYjMN6uYkgDw-2TcHqc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_xWXEQ9b9jYjMN6uYkgDw-2TcHqc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=xWXEQ9b9jYjMN6uYkgDw-2TcHqc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fgili_trawangan-journals-j6100733.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/gili_trawangan-journals-j6100733.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-30:6099525 2007-11-30T06:25:15Z 2007-11-30T06:30:44Z Sam and Steph http://realtravel.com/member-m4806664-sam_and_steph.html <p>a entry by Sam and Steph from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19946.html">Ubud, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>We arrived in Ubud and found a killer homestay where we were welcomed into a very nice family home. For $8 a night, we stayed in a posh room that included linens, toilet paper, towels, a fan, and breakfast (all luxuries in these parts!) We visited the Monkey Forest Sanctuary where we were able to feed monkeys bananas (Sam had them crawling all over his back and head!); Steph was all smiles the whole time! After the Monkey Forest, we took a small side street up to an overview of the rice paddy fields. We stopped to assist a local mason, Sam jumped right in to lay a block. We even had Line ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6099525.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_V8yzrJk74IC8QzcjLj-Z2tQV8.U_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/V8yzrJk74IC8QzcjLj-Z2tQV8.U_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_V8yzrJk74IC8QzcjLj-Z2tQV8.U_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=V8yzrJk74IC8QzcjLj-Z2tQV8.U_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fubud-journals-j6099525.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ubud-journals-j6099525.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-17:6019247 2007-11-17T08:29:03Z 2007-11-17T08:29:03Z ladycarmelkent http://realtravel.com/member-m4161158-ladycarmelkent.html <p>a entry by ladycarmelkent from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/gili_trawangan-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d2446465.html">Gili Trawangan, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>After flying from Macau to Singapore, then taking a bus to Kuala Lumpur (where some dude nearly robbed my backpack with all my money, credit cards, passport, camera etc in) I spent a night at a hostel before catching a flight the next afternoon to Bali.</p><p>I was happy to arrive and see some familiar faces again. Dave &amp; Niall, who I had left not so long ago in Borocay were also in Indonesia so no sooner had I arrived at the hotel in Kuta Beach (very developed tourist resort full of Oz tourists) did we hit the town for a few sociables! Nothing hectic mind you as we had a very early ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/gili_trawangan-journals-j6019247.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_QpVSwil8T-wMAYKfGQkbWqs69yc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/QpVSwil8T-wMAYKfGQkbWqs69yc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_QpVSwil8T-wMAYKfGQkbWqs69yc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=QpVSwil8T-wMAYKfGQkbWqs69yc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fgili_trawangan-journals-j6019247.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/gili_trawangan-journals-j6019247.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-05-20:4564288 2007-05-20T13:53:55Z 2007-11-04T21:09:19Z Taisteal http://realtravel.com/member-m1393428-taisteal.html <p><em>"Muslims protecting their Buddhist and Hindu past was heartening"</em></p> <p>a entry by Taisteal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/jogjakarta-daerah_istimewa_yogyakarta-reviews-hotels-d4564254.html">Jogjakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.</a></p> <p>Heading for Jogja</p><p>The world knows Indonesia as a Muslim country, and associates all Islamic stereotypes with it. The reality is a lot different. The Indonesians are actually quite moderate and tolerant Muslims and a case in point for this argument are the attractions around Jogja. The magnificent Borobudur is a Buddhist monument to rival the best in Asia. The other side of the city Prambanan stands as a relic of the Hindu past of the area. Jogja has sprung up as an arts centre also with lots of annoyances to go with it. It was all ahead of me.</p><p>Jogja is proud of the fact that the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/jogjakarta-journals-j4564288.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_HdI.hgtrIDa0mzutbzhtMNcmbcA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/HdI.hgtrIDa0mzutbzhtMNcmbcA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_HdI.hgtrIDa0mzutbzhtMNcmbcA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=HdI.hgtrIDa0mzutbzhtMNcmbcA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fjogjakarta-journals-j4564288.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/jogjakarta-journals-j4564288.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-05-20:4564136 2007-05-20T13:29:19Z 2007-11-03T21:18:45Z Taisteal http://realtravel.com/member-m1393428-taisteal.html <p><em>"Without doubt one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen"</em></p> <p>a entry by Taisteal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bromotenggersemeru_national_park-east_java-reviews-hotels-d2012363.html">Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, East Java.</a></p> <p>I have to admit that I was a little scared of travelling on to Java. Not because of any personal risk or danger, but by the fact that it's half the size of Great Britain and has a population of 120 million people. Hard to comprehend really. I had a vision that it would be like a conurbation of Indian villages with people scrambling for every inch of space. Java has a few jewels though that are not to be missed on any Indonesian itinerary. My first destination the fabled volcano, Gunung Bromo.</p><p>According to legend, a local princess started a separate principality there together with her ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bromotenggersemeru_national_park-journals-j4564136.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_eAq0KfYxwMPp.aBbH2-GgRqhBuE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/eAq0KfYxwMPp.aBbH2-GgRqhBuE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_eAq0KfYxwMPp.aBbH2-GgRqhBuE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=eAq0KfYxwMPp.aBbH2-GgRqhBuE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbromotenggersemeru_national_park-journals-j4564136.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bromotenggersemeru_national_park-journals-j4564136.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-06:5226479 2007-08-06T08:19:42Z 2007-08-06T08:19:42Z Dudeinindo http://realtravel.com/member-m5226444-dudeinindo.html <p><em>"Padi after padi after padi."</em></p> <p>a entry by Dudeinindo from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/jakarta-indonesia-reviews-hotels-d19861.html">Jakarta, Indonesia.</a></p> <p>Travel Log.</p><p>Day One ; Jakarta to Jyogjakarta</p><p>Craft ; Toyota Kijang – poorman’s SUV - on this trip sits 8.</p><p>Companions ; Yayang , her Mum and Dad ( 86years old and still kicking ) Big Sister JuJu ,</p><p>Not so big sister Ani ; Her hubby – the driver – Lasio and nieces Vivi and Lila.</p><p>Weaponry ; SonyHandy cam , Olympus Digital , Nokia</p><p>We got away later than expected. Juju had to fix her hair or something. Too bad, a six o’clock start as planned would have avoided the Jakarta peak hour. Half past eight (she’s got a lot of hair) put us in ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/jakarta-journals-j5226479.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_n.rTD5nAMGR594NZgzpJ5cgbyXQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/n.rTD5nAMGR594NZgzpJ5cgbyXQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_n.rTD5nAMGR594NZgzpJ5cgbyXQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=n.rTD5nAMGR594NZgzpJ5cgbyXQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fjakarta-journals-j5226479.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/jakarta-journals-j5226479.html