We Owe It All To Sir Stamford Raffles…
Borobudur : Java :: Angkor Wat : Cambodia. You’ll thank me when you next have to take the SAT. What I mean is that both temples are so iconic that, even if you can’t name…
Meet The Betels
Indonesia is not exactly a drug-friendly country. When we were landing in Denpasar our steward asked us to fasten our seat belts, raise our seats, and lock our tray tables before cheerfully announcing that bringing…
Java Jive
It’s an hour-and-a-half flight from Denpasar to Yogyakarta, and about that long by cab from the airport to our Airbnb in the Kotagede neighborhood. Let’s orient ourselves. Yogyakarta is pronounced Jogjakarta, and is commonly referred…
A Balinese County Fair
All unbeknownst, we arrived in Denpasar in the midst of their annual month-long art fair, Pesta Kesenian Bali. It takes place on the grounds of the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Centre, which was purpose built…
If It’s Tuesday It Must Be Denpasar
Denpasar, Bali’s gritty capital, isn’t known as a tourist destination. You’re either there for the beaches, as we were in Amed, or you’ve come for the new age hoohah and you’re in Ubud or its…
Ubud: The Heart Of Darkness
Ubud is full of galleries, boutiques, and performing troupes, and is billed as Bali’s cultural center, aside from the capital, Denpasar. It’s also one of Bali’s most heavily touristed areas, which is why, net, we…
Temples & Textiles
Once again, fabric beckoned. After our visit to Tenganan to see their double ikat geringsing, we planned a visit to Sidemen to see songket brocades being made. The Besakih Temple was close enough to Sidemen…
Day Tripper
As lovely as it is to bob in the water, you just knew we couldn’t go a full month with nothing but ocean for entertainment. To what I’m sure will be absolutely no one’s surprise,…
Bali? Hi!
Bali, land of deep, resonant culture, jaw dropping natural splendor, and breathtaking coral extravaganzas. Also, land of wellness centers, yoga retreats, and invasive tourists. Getting the one without the other is a challenge, happily accepted.…
Huế To Go
We had one last road trip in us before leaving for Indonesia. The Imperial City of Huế was a convenient three-and-a-half hour bus ride from Hội Án, and an easy decision. A provincial capital since…