A layover in Makassar in Sulawesi on the way to Maumere Flores, gave us just enough time for dinner and a wander down the port city’s famous waterfront.
Category Archives: Indonesia
Sunrise over the Tengger Caldera
There’s something raw and primal about the Tengger Caldera in East Java. To look across its vast barren sands and smouldering complex of active volcanoes is to imagine our planet before we arrived.
Gunung Batok hike
Often mistaken for Gunung Bromo in the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, the charismatic Gunung Batok is frequently photographed but seldom scaled. Which is a darn shame because its aerial view of Bromo is unbeatable.
Gunung Bromo hike
From Gunung Penanjakan’s view point, Gunung Bromo pales in comparison to the striking form of Gunung Batok next to it and the commanding outline of Gunung Semeru in the far distance. But Bromo’s manageable altitude gain and accessibility make it easily scalable, provided that it doesn’t try to kill you….
Gunung Semeru hike
The highest peak in Java and third highest in Indonesia after Sumatra’s Kerinchi and Lombok’s Rinjani, Gunung Semeru made me cry. Here’s why….
10 natural wonders within striking distance of Medan
A mere 1 hour flight from KL, Indonesia’s fourth largest city might not strike you as a destination for adventure lovers, but with some careful planning and travel, Medan makes an excellent base for these stunning natural attractions.
Continue reading 10 natural wonders within striking distance of Medan
Gunung Sibayak hike via Jaranguda
Since 2013, its been impossible to scale the active Gunung Sinabung in North Sumatra. Even when I visited Medan, Sinabung was kicking up ash plumes and spewing molten lava, and villagers who had just returned to their homes had to be re-evacuated. Neighbouring Gunung Sibayak is 238 meters shorter and can be climbed, but it’s no slouch.
Gili Islands day trip
Having spent the last 4 days and 3 nights hiking up and across the beautiful slopes of Gunung Rinjani, Hafiza and I were desperate for a little excitement, while Vasantha and Shanti who had descended sooner were excited to get off Lombok and explore. We jumped on board a chartered outrigger and headed for Gili Islands.
Gunung Agung hike
It was after climbing Gunung Rinjani on Lombok and staring out across the Lombok Straits to Gunung Agung that I first hatched the plan to climb Bali’s highest peak. If I could do Rinjani at 3726 meters then surely I could climb Gunung Agung at 3031 meters. Little did I know that both climbs couldn’t be more different.
Sari Organik rice field walk @ Ubud
If the human and motorised traffic was anything to go by, Ubud was turning into another Seminyak, its boutiques and bars replaced with art galleries and organic food. But Ubud has another side. Here to climb Mount Agung, Khairul and I headed in the direction of Sari Organik to find it … and something to eat.
POKOK KELAPA 