Tag Archives: Indonesia

All Blogs, Destination Travel Guides, Travel Videos, and other content related to Indonesia.

A Vintage Photo Story of Modern Travel

Imagine the world a century ago, when there wasn’t a fast metro connection, nor was convertible an entity yet. An age of black and white photographs, which people still treasure today.

We bring you a series of the vintage photos to paint the story of modern travel: from how stewardess became flight attendant and how convertibles came to play. We hope you enjoy this series as much as we did.

This is how a bustling street in the Cairo Open Market (Egypt) looked like in the year 1911, with the camels gracing the roads along with the crowd.

Posing is an art as old as the civilization itself, and this man does it like a pro. Dressed like an Arab in front of the Great Sphinx back in 1913.

The travelers of the 20th Century admire the fortifications of a building from the 18th century in Acapulco, Mexico in 1916. Two Centuries captured in one vintage photo.

Read: The Ultimate Travel Bucket List

The Atlantic City Boardwalk was a perfect place for an evening stroll, back in the days of 1920. And by the looks of it, we can see it was very popular among the folks.

A beautiful sight is hard to look away from. That is what passengers of the Oriental Limited Train are doing. As they go from the Skykomish county, Washington in 1923. The passengers are just peering down to admire the view of the river across them.

Related: World’s 10 Most Beautiful Train Rides

Our genes are forever the same, throughout the ages. Then how can we ignore the hawker trying to sell souvenirs? Image of the French Riviera in 1926.

 

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The Islanders are all set to offer their daily offerings to the temple in 1927, Bali, Indonesia

40 long years after its construction the once hideous tower was now the emblem of Paris. A man soaks up in the majestic view of the Eiffel Tower in 1929.

Composing a photograph to bring the iconic half dome of Yosemite National Park, might be hard. But we had talented photographers back in 1933. Two visitors pose in the Glacier Point Hotel against the background of half dome of Yosemite National Park, California.

A Pan Am flight landing in Brownsville, Texas in 1938. You can see the flight’s comfort clothes were not hoodie and sneakers but traditional dresses.

 

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A Pan Am plane docked at the Manila Bay as curious children look at it in awe in 1940.

A stewardess putting together the meal for the passengers. Don’t be surprised by ” Stewardess” because 1940 was long before the use of ” flight attendant” which was used after the rise of the third wave of feminism around the 1970s.

A woman just getting out of her car to admire the gorgeous landscape ahead of her in South Africa, 1941.

Shreds of evidence in history show us that fine dining came from the French. Guests dining al fresco in Dives-sur-Mer in 1943.

This image calls out epicness on many levels: a woman, on a horseback, calling out to  an eagle. Image clicked in 1944.

Dark and desolate landscape sometimes makes for an amazing photo. This image captured in 1945 is of the rocky landscape of Costa Rica.

It was the year of the independence of India – 1947. The sightseers revel in the beauty of a wooden float boat ride.

Before hiking became a hype these two men, stop and stare at the Grand Falls, Arizona by leisurely sipping their coffee in 1951.

A convertible rides from Anacapri, Italy in 1970. Convertibles were first manufactured in the 1940s and the first ever was Chrysler Thunderbolt.

This gorgeous image was taken at the Ionian Islands, Greece, 1973. The boats wind through the narrow cliffs of Cephalonia.

All Photo Credits go to the National Geographic Photo Archive.

 

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10 Summer Destination Ideas for a Christmas Vacation

If you are tired of spending Christmas the same way every year, bored with the view of snow and ice and eager for new experiences, try choosing a summer destination for your Christmas vacation this time.

Celebrating Christmas among sandy beaches, warm waters and palm trees, instead of snowstorms, ice sculptures, and traditional ornaments.

Isn’t it a wonderful idea? Here are our top ten summer destinations for your Christmas vacation:

Australia

During Christmas time, Australians enjoy sun baths, diving and drinking cocktails on the beach, as the holiday season falls during the summer in this part of the world.

What could be better than spending Christmas diving with colorful fish in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef? Cairns, for that matter, has become one of the most popular Christmas destinations in recent decades.

Barbecues on the beach, tours to the wine lands of the Yarra Valley and road trips along the Great Ocean Road are also popular Christmas activities in Australia. And you can build a sandman, instead of a snowman, if you want.

Fiji

If you really want to escape from it all and have a week or two just relaxing on a sandy beach with a refreshing cocktail in your hand, Fiji is the perfect choice for you!

A stunning archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, surrounded by crystal waters, coral reefs, and rich marine life, is probably the closest you can find to heaven on Earth. It is populated with the friendliest folk on the planet and offers numerous activities for travelers. No wonder, Fiji is one of the most popular summer destinations in the world!

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka usually experiences monsoon season from October until January. However, the southern part of the island is generally dry from October until April, which makes December a perfect month to visit.

The island offers much more than just the sun and the beach. You’ll also find a fascinating culture, ancient cities, rich history and prosperous wildlife. Visit the Nala National Park and watch leopards, colorful birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and elephants.

Or explore the jungle while sitting on the back of an elephant. Or watch the magnificent sunset on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Your Christmas in Sri Lanka will be unforgettable!

Thailand

If your idea of a perfect Christmas includes white sandy beaches, unique culture, and delicious food, then Thailand is a perfect destination for you. The “land of smiles” offers its visitors a warm welcome and a warm climate, diverse wildlife, and cultural heritage, various entertainments and Buddhist temples to explore.

Thailand is really the best value for your money!

Indonesia

The Indonesian island of Bali is a wonderful travel destination all-year-round. There’s no way it will disappoint you during the Christmas vacation. Like Thailand, it offers great value for money and both day and night entertainment features.

During the day, Bali offers surfing, lying on the beach under the shadow of a palm tree or exploring the island. While during the night, you can enjoy the vivid club life with great music, dance, and low-priced drinks. Thousands of people go to Bali every year to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the tropical climate and pleasant, friendly atmosphere!

Mexico

Mexico offers numerous destinations for a warm sunny Christmas vacation. Swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore the Mayan sites in Cancun or enjoy the taste of Mexican delights in Puebla. 

This includes mole, a chocolate sauce with chili peppers, cinnamon, and fruit. In Puebla, you can also take part in the Christmas night procession, which represents the biblical story of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. It starts downtown and walks throughout the neighborhoods of the city.

By the way, its proximity to the United States of America makes Mexico one of the most popular Christmas destinations among American citizens.

South Africa

South Africa is another fantastic place, which receives plenty of sunshine in December and January.

Enjoy a hot air balloon ride in the bright blue sky on an aerial safari as you look for elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Visit Ukutula Lion Park or a penguin colony on Boulder Beach, near Cape Town. Or spend Christmas day diving with Great White Sharks.

Christmas in South Africa will surely be an experience you’ll never forget!

Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean region is a perfect destination for visitors from the USA. Its geographical proximity, favorable climate, and the regular air connections make it one of the favorite places for Christmas vacation among travelers from the USA. Of course, island such as the Bahamas, for example, are dream destinations all-year-round.

But who could refuse to spend Christmas time among deserted sandy beaches, clear warm waters and out-of-this-world views?

Christmas celebrations in the Caribbean follow many American traditions nowadays. However, they are complemented with an abundance of traditional local festivals, carnivals, and other festivities. In the Cayman Islands, you can even meet their very own Caribbean Santa.

Holidays are also the great time to visit Barbados, with its endless blue sea, soft sand, and unique traditions. No matter, what island you choose for your Christmas vacation, the Caribbean will not disappoint you!

Spain

If you would prefer to spend your Christmas vacation in the Old World, but still want to bathe in the rays of a warm sun, then Spain should be your main choice. The Canary Islands are not as hot as Africa, but winters here are warm enough for a pleasant vacation.

Also, if you feel adventurous, you can explore the island’s soaring volcanoes or sail in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

United Arab Emirates

When you’re looking for Christmas vacation opportunities in a summer climate, you can’t leave Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, out, of course.

In this metropolitan city, you can ice skate, watch a fountain show or visit the famous Dubai Aquarium. The shopping enthusiasts will be excited to hit the huge Dubai Mall. This is the world’s largest shopping mall by area, which hosts over thousand different stores.

However, if Dubai is too much for you, and all you want is some peace and quietness, head towards the nearby island of Abu Dhabi, where you can relax and kayak in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf.

 

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7 Interesting Facts About Indonesia

Indonesia is a popular tourist destination. The reason behind it is the gorgeous natural beaches and the lovely tropical climate. Travelers from everywhere flock here. Bali sees ten million tourists each year.

There are numerous islands present in Indonesia. You can’t help but love Indonesia. It is the top place for tourists in Southeast Asia. There are some facts about Indonesia that you might not know. We bring them to you.

SIX FOREIGN POWERS HAS RULED INDONESIA

It might be a shock to know as facts about Indonesia that a country now flourishing was once under the rule of others. But yes, Indonesia was in clutches of the Spanish, Dutch, British, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian. It was colonized by many. Still, it does not acknowledge any of the languages. They don’t speak Japanese, Portuguese or Dutch. Yay to Bahasa, It is their national language.

Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia by Hulivili CC BY 2.0

IT WILL TAKE YOU HALF A DAY TO FLY ACROSS INDONESIA

Indonesia has 17,508 islands. It can be called a collection of islands. The area spans from Asia to Australia. Numerically speaking the area is 1,919,440 square kilometers. With a land so huge how can you think of traveling fast? It will take you twelve hours to move from one end of the country to the other(on the flight). Take a deep breath before you get on the plane.

YOU CAN LIVE ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES

We are not talking about a time travel movie. The truth is Indonesia is so vast that it covers three time zones. There is Indonesian central time that is UTC+8:00. Next is Indonesian eastern time – UTC+9:00. Indonesian western time is UTC+7:00. The time in Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra will be different from each other.

Komodo Island north aerial by jon hanson CC BY-SA 2.0

IT HOUSES THE WORLD’S LARGEST FLOWER

Indonesia is full of natural diversity. It has varieties of flora and fauna. Rafflesia Arnoldi is in Indonesia. The scientist J Raffles invented the flower. The rare flower is a parasitic one. It can be seen in the rainforests of Sumatra. If you are in Indonesia, you should not miss looking at Raflessia-The largest bloom on earth.

Rafflesia arnoldi by Rendra Regen Rais CC BY-SA 3.0

FOUR EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IT EVERYDAY

You can plan on visiting the lovely country. But at your risk. The location of Indonesia is such that it triggers a regular earthquake. It is in the region of Ring of fire. From the eastern fringes of Pacific ocean to deep waters of the western Indian Ocean. The tectonic plates between this region shift regularly. That is why earthquakes are an everyday occurrence here. You might feel a vibration or two while here.

YOU CAN’T BE AN ATHEIST IN INDONESIA

An Indonesian has to embrace religion. It has six religions which are acknowledged by the government. You can be a Muslim, Protestant, Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, Confucian. If you are neither one of those, you cannot marry. It is even prohibited to marry outside your religion. Marriages can be held between the same religion. It is a Muslim country. Hence the traditions are conservative.

Masjid Raya Medan by a_rabin CC BY 2.0

HUNDRED OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

The rainforests of Indonesia cover only 1% of the earth. But you will be surprised to see the biodiversity in such a small area. It has 10% of plant species on earth. It is also a sanctuary for many endangered species. It is the only place where you can see Komodo dragons. A Sumatran tiger prowling in the forests can be seen specifically here.

A place where elephants, Tigers, Orangutans, Rhinos live in harmony. Hope you liked our article on facts about Indonesia. Leave comments!

 

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