When we landed in Chiang Rai, our vision was flooded with signs of Buddhism in the same way it was flooded with signs of Islam when we landed on Java….towering Buddhas, soaring stupas and sweeping golden rooflines. Indeed, Chiang Rai is predominantly known on the tourist circuit for its extraordinary wats or temples…some of them draped with traditional elegance and some…
We are always a bit wary about visiting tribes or places that are portrayed as a spectacle of animal or human tourism. One such place was the Hill Tribe and Long Neck Karen Village outside of Chiang Rai, which according to Google reviews, can definitely feel like a gray area. However, after understanding the motive and history behind the village,…
The Charm of Luang Prabang Thanks to its cultural heritage, distinct spiritual vibe, culinary wonders and rich French colonial architecture, the UNESCO World Heritage jewel of Luang Prabang is a place that oozes culture, history, class, and charm at every turn. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why it has become an undeniable hit along the Southeast Asian traveler trail. Unfortunately,…
Arriving to Bali & Renewing our Visas From Malang, we had every intention to head to the far east of Java to Banyuwangi by train to see the blue flame of the Mount Ijen volcano. However, after an eruption on July 10, tours were closed for this natural wonder and we really weren’t in the mood to blow up anyways.…
The Best Apartment We Could Ask For For our week in Bali, we made a very good decision by heading to a tiny village about 9k south of Amed Beach, which is a chill up and coming spot known for snorkeling/diving in East Bali. In our village, we had a bright and cheery small ocean view apartment, a fully stocked kitchen…
Day One: Senggigi to Tetbatu While on West Lombok, we have parked ourselves between Senggigi and Mataram for three weeks, and most of the month, have every intention of keeping it to one place. However, we couldn’t miss an opportunity to explore this resplendent Hawaii-esque island laden with tucked away waterfalls, quirky wildlife, pristine beaches, lush forest, hospitable people, stunning…
Most people who have traveled to or researched Indonesia have probably heard of the Gili Islands. But if you start scanning the coastline of the country, you’ll notice many Gilis because Gili simply means “small island” in Indonesian. However, when tourists speak of them, they’re typically referring to the ones off the north coast of Lombok, and easy to access from…
As our allotted sixty days ended, our time in Indonesia came to a close which feels incredibly bittersweet. This is a country we easily fell head over heels with for multiple reasons. And, because of its vastness and the fact we only visited 5 of 17,000 islands, we still have a few more to get to on our return. We…
