Tag: Indonesia
AirAsia to fly Pontianak-Kuching direct from June 5
April 4 (TravelAndy): Budget airline AirAsia has announced to start a direct flight between Pontianak in Indonesia and Kuching in Malaysia from June 5, 2017.
This will mark the airline’s first direct flight route between Indonesia and Kuching.
At present, AirAsia flies only one flight from Pontianak to Malaysia — to the country’s capital Kuala Lumpur. Continue reading AirAsia to fly Pontianak-Kuching direct from June 5
Hidden Canyon: Quite an adventure near Ubud, Bali
There were two local guides in the water helping visitors cross a narrow and waist-deep part of the river. It had been raining and the current was very strong — practically impossible for anyone to cross the stretch without help, especially when you have bags with you. The four of us stood there and wished we had hired a guide at the entrance.
The previous evening, I had met Meri at 9 Angels in Ubud, Bali, and it was she who told me about Hidden Canyon.
“I went there this morning with people from my hostel and it was great fun. Because of the rain over the past few days. parts of it were deep waist-deep and we had to swim through. It was so exciting,” she had said. Continue reading Hidden Canyon: Quite an adventure near Ubud, Bali
Indonesia (Bali) visa for Indians
I’ve written about it earlier, but the Indian passport is more powerful than you think. You will realise this fact again while planning a trip to the incredibly beautiful Indonesia.
Yes, Indians do not need to a visa to enter Indonesia.
It took three hours for my AirAsia flight to get to Bali from Kuala Lumpur. Continue reading Indonesia (Bali) visa for Indians
If you’re in Ubud, Bali, go to 9 Angels
No one noticed when the music stopped.
The evening rain splattering on the tarpaulin above and through the leafy canopy on the tables set outside had its own music.
By the side of the piano, purple lights reflecting on the dried grass mound reminded me of the film Avatar. As the minutes passed, scores of the bugs we call Ui Poka in Bengali — a flying insect of the termite family — flew to the lights under the tarpaulin and outside. In ten minutes, there were hundreds of them at both the places. Continue reading If you’re in Ubud, Bali, go to 9 Angels
Michi resort near Ubud in Bali is a weird place
The two of us had hired a scooter and were headed to Michi Retreat Village situated a few kilometres from Ubud, by far my favourite among the places I have been to in Bali.
Esther, a Dutch solo traveller I’d met on the road, was riding pillion and checking directions on the phone and telling me which way to go. Between her not-too-confident English and my non-existent Dutch skills, communication was often a problem, but we managed somehow. Finally, after one or two wrong turns, we found a sign saying “Michi” with an arrow pointing to an alley to the left of the road. Continue reading Michi resort near Ubud in Bali is a weird place
First direct flight between India & Indonesia
December 18 (TravelAndy): Indonesia’s flagship carrier, Garuda Indonesia, has started the first direct flight between India and Indonesia.
The thrice-a-week flight operates between Mumbai and Jakarta with a stopover in Bangkok on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Garuda, a member of the Skyteam airline alliance, operates a Boeing 737 on this route. Continue reading First direct flight between India & Indonesia
Bali is set to become the next Bangkok for Indians
Of all Indians who have been outside the country for travel — not work but travel — a very large percentage has been to Thailand.
The reasons for this are not hard to understand. Bangkok is only a few hours away — almost always a direct flight — and the country is not that costly and this works well for India’s middle class looking to travel abroad.
I believe there’s a second Bangkok waiting for Indians to explore, and that, for better or for worse, is Bali. Continue reading Bali is set to become the next Bangkok for Indians
Bali: I’m going on my first unplanned trip!
The original plan was to go to the UK.
I have never been to the UK and I have a few friends there I was looking forward to meet. Unfortunately, between the time I applied for my leave at work and got it, the plane ticket I was eyeing had gone up by INR15000.
A couple of cheaper options were available but they took more time. Also two of the friends I was supposed to meet told me they would not be available when I’d be visiting. I decided these were the universe’s way of telling me not to go to the UK just yet. Continue reading Bali: I’m going on my first unplanned trip!
Nusa Dua fest begins in Bali from Nov 16
November 14 (TravelAndy): Indonesia’s popular tourist destination Bali is going to host Nusa Dua Fiesta during November 16-20.
Australia issues travel advisory against Bali
June 23 (TravelAndy): Australia has issued a latest travel advisory that urges its citizens to exercise caution before travelling to Indonesia’s Bali, which has recently been designated as a Zika prone area.
The government advisory says, “Indonesia is experiencing sporadic transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. We advise all travellers to protect themselves from mosquito bites”.
“Given the possibility that Zika virus can cause severe malformations in unborn babies, and taking a very cautious approach, pregnant women should discuss any travel plans with the travel doctor and consider postponing travel to Indonesia,” added the advisory. Continue reading Australia issues travel advisory against Bali
Indonesia plans direct flights to India
November 29 (TravelAndy): Indonesia is planning to start direct flights to India.
Garuda, Indonesia’s flagship carrier, is chalking out these flights from next year, said reports, quoting the country’s consul-general Saut Siringoringo.
“Indonesia’s national-carrier Garuda plans to operate direct flights between Jakarta and Delhi, and Bali and Mumbai,” Siringoringo said. Continue reading Indonesia plans direct flights to India
Volcanic eruption hits tourists in Bali
November 6 (TravelAndy): Thousands of tourists are stranded in Bali following a volcanic eruption.
Bali’s Denpasar airport had been closed on Tuesday after a volcano in the nearby Lombok island began erupting. Though the airport authorities reopened the airport yesterday, airlines said it was still not safe to fly, said latest reports.
Two airports on Lombok and Java have also been closed. Continue reading Volcanic eruption hits tourists in Bali