Category: Blogging

Korean wave is everywhere since these pas few years. It might have started with the K-dramas and K-pop and now people have that Korean fever. Today, lots of people are more and more interesting on Korean culture. Almost in every country, there are places that offer Korean experiences such as hotels, cafes, etc. And if you are Indonesian and cannot afford travelling to South Korea yet, might as well visiting this one little cafe called Chingu in Yogyakarta.

Various Korean experiences to enjoy during your visit at Chingu Cafe

Yogyakarta itself is one of the most visited destinations for both domestic and international tourists. There are so many attractions you get to visit.  And for you who are a fan of Korean culture, there is this little cafe called Chingu in Yogyakarta worth visiting for. Here you will get to enjoy Korean vibes without travelling to Seoul. What kind of experiences are they? Here are the details:

Enjoy traditional Korean dining

South Korea is very famous for their unique foods. And in this cafe, you will get to experience Korean dining at its finest. There are three different Korean dining venues in this cafe you get to choose. If you like something more traditional, you can choose the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village where you will be seated on floor mats to enjoy your meals. Or, you can choose Chagiya Korean BBQ to of course enjoy Korean style BBQ but in more casual tradition with open grill and cook the meats together by yourselves. You can also hang out at the indoor Chingu Cafe to enjoy Korean desserts while enjoying beautiful views of Sakura tree. 

Experience how to dine at Myeong-Dong 

Myeong-dong is one of the most famous districts in South Korea especially because of their BBQ. At Chingu cafe, you get to experience how it is like to enjoy BBQ at the infamous Myeong-dong street. Grill your own meats of a comforting platter and dip them in a melted cheese. The special about this BBQ experience is the meats that are tender, fresh, and juicy. If you are spicy lovers, don’t forget to dip your wrapped meats into special spicy sauce that will absolutely kick some senses into your head. Also, do not skip the Korean street foods at this district. They are not only delicious but also hearty, and cheap. Odeng, Tteokbokki, and corndog are favorite Korean street foods you must try while visiting this cafe. 

Dress up like a true Korean

In this cafe, you can also visit one section that is filled with traditional Korean dress called Hanbok. They are beautiful, colorful, and unique, dress like a Korean and stroll down the Koreatown at this cafe. Don’t forget to pose and take some Instagram-worthy pictures for your memory. While you are dressing up in Hanbok, visit other sections such as Dongdaemun Street and Cheonggyecheon River. Before going home, don’t forget to shop some K-beauty items to perfect your skincare routine and have that glass skin Koreans rave about.

Everything you’ll need to make your dream Indonesian boat charter a reality. Indonesian luxury yachts charter provide a stunning combination of untamed natural beauty, unmatched dive locations, and unique cultural experiences.

They are currently experiencing a resurgence as luxury boats for high-end tourists. As you cruise amongst the Indonesian islands, you will be astounded by the diversity, culture, and personalities of each island. Indonesia’s national motto is “Unity in Diversity” for a reason.

4 recommended luxury yachts

Lonestar liveaboard

Lonestar is a roomy 85-foot catamaran designed by Van Peteghen & Lauriot Prévost, a renowned racing sailing boat architect. It is fast, comfortable, and luxurious. Lonestar will be an ideal alternative for anyone seeking a private sailing experience in Indonesia, with 6 staterooms to accommodate up to 12 persons and all creature comforts.

Facilities:

• 4 double bed cabins
• 2 twin bed cabins
• Outdor deck
• lounge & bar
• air conditioning
• how water
• Leisure equipment
• snorkling gear
• diving equipment
• kayaks
• standup paddle
• speedboat
• finishing gear
• wakeboard

Alexa liveaboard

Alexa has a carefree romantic style that invites people to follow their dreams and go wherever they want to go. The happy couple will rest on the expansive deck, which is equipped with shaded sun loungers. Guests can tailor their dining experience by dining indoors in the air-conditioned lounge, outside on the deck under the stars, or at a table for two on a private beach. Meals are prepared according to the preferences of the guests and are made with fresh local products.

Facilities

• 1 suite cabin
• open-air dining area
• lounge
• sunbeds
• tv lounge
• library

Leisure equipment

• snorkeling & diving equipment
• kayaks
• paddleboards
• fishing gear

Mahodaya liveaboard

The custom-built Mahodaya, formerly known as the Amanikan, enters a new age while keeping its original style, unique service, and crew. With only three staterooms and ten crew members, the Mahodaya offers a personal experience with great service, making it ideal for a family or small group.

On the foredeck of Mahodaya, you’ll find an outdoor dining and bar area where you may enjoy an a la carte dinner prepared with fresh local products. Each cabin has a deck where you may relax and take in the sights of the Indonesian archipelago.

Facilities

• master suite
• cabin with queen bed
• stateroom with 2 twin beds
• wine cellar
• lounge & bar

Leisure equipment

• snorkeling & diving equipment
• kayaks
• stand up paddles
• speedboat
• finishing equipment
• WIFI

Aliikai liveaboard

Aliikai’s hull began to take shape in 2005, at the same time the keel was built, using the strongest ironwood from Sulawesi and wisdom passed down through generations. The project was finished in 2007. Aliikai has two 28-meter masts and seven sails, with a total sail area of roughly 450 square meters. Aliikai is equipped with cutting-edge technology and comfort to provide travelers with an unforgettable trip.

Facilities

• 2 master cabins with private terrasse
• 2 double bed
• 1 double & single bed
• 2 double bed cabins
• “Zen” area
• dive centre
• camera room
• lounge room
• outdoor deck
• indoor dining area

Leisure equipment

• snorkeling equipment
• nitrox
• diving equipment
• kayaks
• standup paddle
• beach games
• speedboats
• wakeboard

Accommodation is essential for your trip. It ensures you will stay in a safe, and comfortable place during your trip. It is not a problem to find a  hotel in majority of countries around the world now. Even if there is no hotel, there are many other options you can choose for your stay during your trip. However, anyone can book a hotel room but not everyone can save big doing it. You can be a savvy traveler who get big and save big. 

Tips to save big while booking hotel room

Travel can cost a lot. Hence, it just makes senses that you try anything to keep everything under control. Booking a hotel room is essential but you can still save big and allocate your money to other things. And here are some tips and tricks to save big while booking a hotel room for your dream trip:

Try direct booking from the hotel sites

Avoid paying commissions to sites and have direct booking with the hotels. Many hotels now offer variety of options you can choose. They also provide information even for the lowest possible rate on their official website. Hence, you can just book directly from the hotel instead of visiting other sites. Also, you may get some loyalty points by booking directly from the hotel. 

Try booking early

Just like how you book early flight with lower prices, there is higher chance of you getting lower rate for hotel room as well by booking it early. Even if the price drops between when you book and when you stay, you will get refunded. You may visit booking sites such as Pruvo or Service to find various hotel deals with affordable rates especially when booked early. 

Time your booking accordingly

Different type of accommodation may have different busy days. For example, downtown hotels may have their busy days during weekdays since they draw lots of business travelers on weekdays. Hence, they often offer more affordable rates for the weekends. Meanwhile, BnB tend to lower their rates during weekdays because they specialize in providing romantic getaway during weekends. 

Take advantage of free Wi-Fi the hotel provides

Most hotels now provide free Wi-Fi to all their guests. However, there are also some of them that only provide access to free Wi-Fi only to the guests who sign up loyalty program. You can confirm it prior the deal. And if your chosen hotel only provides free Wi-Fi through loyalty program then you may consider signing up. 

Do it yourself 

Do things by yourself during your stay in the hotel instead of using their service that tend to be expensive. For example, you can make your own breakfast if your hotel doesn’t provide it instead of having a room delivery. Then, you can also do your own laundry. It is simple to do your laundry during your trip and doesn’t take much time. You may also consider skipping hotel bars and make your own cooler using bathroom sink, with ice and water to keep your beverages cold.

Labuan Bajo, a majority of whom work as fishermen, is located at the western tip of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. This super-priority destination saves spectacular natural beauty and world-famous ancient animals. As a storied port city, Labuan Bajo offers views of the rolling green plains. Open trip Labuan Bajo tourism is synonymous with island hopping, diving, and snorkeling activities. This one destination is also a destination for photography lovers because of the iconic Padar island with its hill-shaped island and the gradation of the blue sea in the background. Labuan Bajo trip is definitely the only way for you to reach the many islands in Komodo National Park and its surroundings.

Open trip Labuan Bajo, Gateway to Heaven on Earth

A boat is a means of transportation that helps tourists explore each island. Open trip Labuan Bajo by boat have quite a variety of prices, depending on the destination, comfort, and facilities you get during the trip. For diving lovers, the Labuan Bajo liveaboard will certainly be very comfortable because you will arrive right at many dive spots. Labuan Bajo cruises provide sharing/private cabins, meals, and even snorkeling and diving equipment. Then, where does the open trip to Labuan Bajo take you to the best destination spots?

Labuan Bajo trip to Komodo island

Komodo Island is a tourist spot that has the greatest attraction among tourists. Tourists will see the life of the endangered Komodo dragon by doing trekking. 3 trekking options, short track, medium track, and long track. Open trip Labuan Bajo usually does not include Komodo island entry fees, and you must prepare cash. Rangers will accompany tourists and direct tourists to explore the best spots during trekking. The expanse of the savanna and the blue sea will amaze you. The panoramic beauty of Komodo island and its rare animals is perfect for photographer lovers.

Open trip Labuan Bajo to Rinca island

Rinca Island is included in the Komodo National Park area and is not far from Komodo Island. This island is also a habitat for rare animals, Komodo with a super beautiful view that is not inferior to its neighboring islands. Tourists can also do trekking activities with the assistance of a ranger, of course with a more challenging exploration path.

Manta Point

Manta point is one of the favorites and special dive spots. In this one dive spot, tourists will get to grips with a rare and protected animal, the manta ray. Diving and getting close to stingrays offers a unique and memorable experience. Of course, you have to dive under the supervision of a diving guide. The ocean currents in the Komodo National Park area are quite strong and will be dangerous because you are not familiar with the conditions of the dive area.

Travel industry has been advancing more and more throughout the years. With technology and innovation, it is possible to explore the world. Access to visit many places around the world is easier now. Everyone from wherever they has the opportunity to get out of comfort zone and start discovering many wonderful things. 

Why you should travel more

Travelling is not only a matter of seeking out leisure. There are many benefits you can get from travelling to new places because it can be your learning experience. It can a moment for you to find not only the beauty of differences but also yourself. You get to know yourself better because through travel, you have more opportunity to self-reflect and find more potential in you. And here are several other reasons why you should travel and explore the world more:

Get opportunity to build long-term relationships

During a trip, you have higher chances of meeting people new. You learn about them especially when they have different cultures, view of life, characters, etc. It is possible to build long-term relationship from a trip. It is not only about romantic relationship but other types of relationships as well. You may find your bestfriend for life from unexpected meeting during your trip. Even after the trip ends, you can still maintain good relationship with the people you met. 

No reason to wait until you retire

Many people say they want to wait for travelling until they retire from their work. However, there is no guarantee that you will even reach an old age. The future is something that no one can predict accurately. You may have plan but things may turn out different. Hence, it is best to be at the present and enjoy the moment while you can by travelling to places you want to visit. Take some time out to see the wonder of the world while you are still young and capable of moving more freely. 

Gain more perspective

Through travel, you may see differences in many aspects. It opens your eyes and mind so you gain more perspectives. It can help build your personality and development. By seeing so many differences, you learn how to respect others, appreciate the beauty of uniqueness, compromise, and tolerance. A trip can be a learning experience for you to grow to be a better version of yourself. 

Opportunity to learn new skills

During travel, things can be unpredictable, requiring you to think differently and make hard decision. It happens sometimes and it is such a valuable experience to learn new skills and find your hidden potential. You can also use a trip as a moment to upgrade your skills or try new things you have never had the courage to do before. 

Travelling can be daunting in the beginning especially when you do it without any companion. You visit a place you never have known before and you need some times to adjust. But once you overcome your fear and doubt, you will be able to fully enjoy your adventure.

Scuba diving Komodo has something and won’t let you down. Komodo national park diving is included in the top 10 best dive spots in the world. Surprising isn’t it? The popularity of Komodo dive sites not only attracts local tourists but also foreign tourists. More and more Komodo island scuba diving operators have emerged and offered a variety of options to choose the best, experienced, and trusted operator.

Komodo diving daily trip

Is it possible to have daily trips on Komodo island? Of course, I can! Your limited vacation time makes many operators offer daily trip dives to the best dive spots. Komodo national park diving spot is perfect for your day dives.

Komodo National Park has more than 1000 species of fish and 250 species of reef-building corals, as well as 50 dive sites. Another important piece of information is that the underwater conditions of the Komodo National Park have large currents. In fact, most of the Komodo dive sites are not suitable for beginner divers. Make sure you tell your dive level to prevent any unwanted things.

3-5 days diving trip

3-4 days diving trips are perfect for professional divers. Diving at a depth of more than 30 meters at the Komodo national park diving offers spectacular underwater views. A 3-4 days diving trip allows you to find a variety of unique marine life, large animals, such as sharks and manta rays.

One of the factors that make Komodo scuba diving so unique is that it is located on the equatorial border of 2 oceans. Komodo National Park is a migratory route for many cetaceans and it is very likely that you will see dolphins, dugongs, species of sharks, manta rays, and hundreds of fish in groups.

Komodo diving season

If you are planning to do scuba diving in Komodo, then you need to know when is the best time to dive. Komodo diving can be done all year round.

January: Technically January is the rainy season. January is the perfect time to see Manta rays and the many amazing sites south of Rinca Island and Komodo Island that you can access by phinisi boat. Komodo dive sites also offer amazing macros.

February: Still included in the rainy month, offers the opportunity for divers to explore the southern location. You’ll find plenty of manta rays and the opportunity to dive at their lowest point. Divers can also spot hammerhead and thresher sharks.

April: The start of the dry season but the wind season has not yet started which means the seawater is calm and allows you to scuba dive the Komodo dragons. If you want to dive in April, you can switch to other spots such as Castle Rock, Batu Bolong.

June & July: Komodo diving season this month in the Central and northern regions offers visibility of up to 30 meters and a water temperature of 29 degrees. In this month it will be a little difficult to meet the manta ray. This month is the Komodo dragon’s mating season, and you will find it difficult to meet a rare animal, Komodo.

October: This month the Manta Rays return to the central Komodo area. October could be the start of the Komodo scuba diving season, a favorite for professional divers. After the high season, you might consider taking a dive and exploring a little further south.

December: The beginning of the rainy season and dive sites in the south open with increased temperatures and visibility. If you want to do scuba diving in Komodo, you can go to the central area.

Taiwan has one of the best cuisines in the world and worth travelling for. If you are planning to visit Taiwan after the pandemic is fully contained, you need to consider their food scene since there are so many wide selections of mouth-watering delights made with authenticity. Taiwanese cuisine is also influenced by many factors especially the colonizers of Dutch and Spanish, the Japanese, and the Kuomintang from China. No wonder their food options are varied in flavors and appearances. You won’t be running out of ideas of what to eat for sure. And here are some of the most recommended Taiwanese foods to try during your visit:

Danzai Noodles

This noodle dish was first introduced by Taiwanese fisherman named Hong Yu-Tou in 1895 and has become a hit since then. You can find this in various restaurant in Taiwan especially those located in Yongkang Street. There is a restaurant run by the fourth generation of Hong’s family serving the most delicious Danzai Noodles. This dish consists of chewy noodles, hot broth made with various herbs and spices, and topped with minced, braised pork, bean sprouts, bok choy, shallots, and boiled shrimp. 

Gua Bao

This is more like a food to snack on when exploring Taiwan. Gua Bao is pork buns in a palm size stuffed with braised pork, pickled cabbage called suancai, and peanuts ground. This food is also often called as Chinese hamburger especially by travelers from around the world. It is more known as street foods and you can find it almost in every corner of the street in Taiwan. Enjoy it while it is still warm and let everything melt in your mouth. 

Luwei

This is such a unique Taiwanese food you must try. It is like a staple at night markets across Taiwan. To buy this, you will be given a small basket then you can help yourself buffet-style to a variety of foods served. There are marinated meats, tofu, and vegetables to choose. What you choose will be cooked by the sellers and you wait. Most recommended places to enjoy Luwei include Linjiang Street Night Market and Shida Night Market. 

Shaved Ice

This is the ultimate item for dessert lovers. This dessert treat is quite simple. It is made from ice shaved off into massive slabs of ice. The ice pile up precariously high into the bowl. You can choose many toppings such as condensed milk, tropical fruits, and red beans. Or, you can also try the creamier version of this dessert called xue hua bing which resembles snow. 

Stinky Tofu

If you want to go a little bi more extreme, might as well trying the infamous stinky tofu which is also widely known in China and Hong Kong aside from Taiwan. The stinky smell comes from the fermentation process. You can choose stinky tofu that is fried, steamed, stewed, or barbecued. It usually served with toppings such as pickled cabbage or chili sauce. Have a cup of bubble tea to freshen up your mouth.

Raja Ampat is not just a diving spot with its spectacular underwater charm. Papua trip is a unique and memorable adventure experience. Super priority destinations are presented in Papua and West Papua.

Papua Tour, Surfing experience on Wafor Island

Papua is indeed famous for its extraordinary forest and mountainous landscapes. Did you know that Papua diving in Raja Ampat is not the only water activity? Wafor Island is predicted to be a competitor to Kuta Bali beach to hone your surfing skills. The position of Wafor Island is directly facing the Pacific Ocean with challenging waves in the morning and evening.

Wafor Beach is not an empty beach without residents, you can find facilities ranging from resorts, cottages, or hotels. Papua trip to Wafor Island offers a unique and challenging adventure for surfers to conquer the waves.

Papua Diving Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay National Tourism Park

For diving lovers, Cenderawasih Bay National Park is a common Papua diving. The icon that always makes Cenderawasih Bay the best diving destination is the presence of the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus).

This type of whale shark gets full protection status, relating to the entire life cycle and body parts of the whale shark. Your Papua dive trip to Cenderawasih bay will bring you to see the enormous and amazing underwater creatures.

Papua trip, The Mystery of a Pair of Lakes

Papua trip to West Papua, you must visit the Arfak mountains. Arfak mountains offer tourist attractions ranging from lakes, bird watching spots to cultural tours.

Arriving in the mountains of Arfak, tourists can find 2 lakes that are believed by local residents to be male and female. The local indigenous people named the male lake, Anggi Ginji and the female lake, Anggi Gita.

You can reach Lake Ginja by off-road vehicle in 3-4 hours. During the rainy season, the Papua trip to Lake Ginji is a bit dangerous because your trip is hampered by landslides. The lower Gita lake with clear watercolor bright blue.

Papua Tour visits Bihewa Waterfall

The location of the Bihewa waterfall is in the Makimi district, Nabire Regency, Papua. To enjoy Bihewa waterfall, you have to cut through the wilderness. Bihewa waterfall has a height of approximately 40 meters and has seven levels. The rumble of water is very soothing with the cool air and automatically makes you linger.

There are tons of travel types that can bring joy and fun. One of them is a road trip. This is one of the most classic way to travel. You can do it without really having too much preparations. You can just drive to a nearby city with your travel buddy and just enjoy the ride. However, short road trip and the long one are different. You need more preparation because there is a risk of safety because of the fatigue. Hence, make sure to plan more thoroughly if you are going on a long road trip.

Make your long road trip more pleasant and fun

Plan a realistic schedule – With a long road trip, you may think you can put everything into the schedule. You feel like you have time to do so many things in a day. However, remember that you are on a long road trip which means you drive a lot. You may suffer from fatigue. The most important thing when making schedule is to make it as realistic as possible. Calculate the time when you need to take proper rest, have a toilet break, and so on.

Prioritize your safety – Make sure that your car is in good condition so that you won’t have a problems in the middle of nowhere. Also, bring necessary equipment or tools to helps you fix problems just in case. Do not forget to bring first aid kit which include your prescription method, health insurance cards, pain relievers, as well as antihistamines. Also, bring hand-sanitizer, masks, as well as antiseptic-wipes.

Take frequent breaks – It is important to take frequent breaks every two hours. Sitting for a long period of time. It can cause back pain, neck pain, and numbness. Hence, having frequent breaks can help you prevent those discomforts. Always stretch get relax, and drink enough water in every break. You can also refill your stomach with light foods if you don’t feel really hungry.

Bring entertainment to make your road trip more fun and enjoyable. You can put convenient tech such as DVD player, so when you take a break you can watch some movies. Or, you can put your favorite songs in the a flash disk so you can get them played throughout the trip. You can also take puzzles, coloring books, games, and so on.

Always keep your car fresh – Sometimes even if you are feeling fresh, your mood can get cranky if your car is dirty or messy. Therefore, it is best to clean and organize your car throughout the trip. Don’t pile up trash because it can make your car dirty and smelly. Bring necessary cleaning supplies. It is best to plug-in air freshener or traditional spray. You can also buy supportive accessories if necessary or if you need to make it more comfortable. Buy support pillow sets so you can avoid having cramp or numbness due to uncomfortable seat setting. Your spine will be more supported using proper pillows.

With turquoise waters, powdery white-sand banks fringed with palm trees, and sunny blue skies, a trip to the West Papua archipelago is the perfect beach escape. Although the West Papua are known all over the world for spectacular beaches and turquoise waters symbolizing the tropical idyll, the life of these paradise islands below the Papua’s level is the main draw attracting thousands of scuba divers from around the world. This place has some good colorful coral reefs, but the abundance of sea creatures makes the area the world’s best diving destination. Papua diving is an incredible way to see an entirely different world. When you are thinking about planning a dive here, there are a few things you need to consider before booking the trip. This will make a huge difference between having a dive trip of your dreams and ending up disappointed.

Pick you Papua diving location

Choosing the right location is probably one of the most important factors in planning your diving trip. Your dive location will be dependent on your certified dive level and how competent you are in underwater. Preparing yourself to go to the right location it is good to know what dive conditions you can expect.

Book Diving Tour

Actually, there are basically three different types of trip to Papua. The scuba diving enthusiast, the non-diving holiday and both. If you have diving as the main holiday, make sure to book a local dive tour in West Papua. You can decide what you want to see, how much you want to dive everyday, or choose the best destination. So, book the diving trip according to your need.

Make sure you are qualified to dive in Papua

Scuba diving holiday can be a risky vacation. This is why you need to get diving certification to dive in open water and you should not attempt to dive without that. If you have your diving certification, you have a big chance to dive in different dive sites  where you will encounter pristine reefs teeming with vibrant corals, brightly colored fish, and a home of other marine.

Who is going along with you on Papua diving

If you are a solo traveler just looking for your next great scuba diving trip then a liveaboard diving holiday is a great choice. Wherever you go for scuba diving, it is important to stick with a dive buddy. You can’t dive alone, you need to find a dive buddy that you can trust from the way you dive into the water and then return to the diving boat at the end of your dive.

More Travelling Stories:

Kri Island, The Best Snorkeling Spots in Raja Ampat

Discover the Magical Underwater of Triton Bay

Baliem Valley, Exploring the Wild Beauty of Papua

Stay healthy

Well, scuba diving itself keeps you healthy. It is the best exercise for your body. You even burn more than 200 calories per one hour dive. Before your diving trip, nmake suke to pay attention to your diet. You need to drink as much water as you can. Being hydrated can prevent decompression sickness and getting cramps.