Travel DIARIES
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Sumbawa is the second (big) island to the right of Bali; surfers surely have it on their radar, but it’s a lesser-known destination for casual travellers. It’s been a dot on my map for years, but I’ve always made it to Lombok and never further. This time, I was determined enough to finally touch ground.…
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Trends come and go, new restaurants pop up every day, but Bali passed the tipping point years ago, where quantity steamrolled over quality. Prices are soaring to the heavens, while originality and character have sunk beneath the rice paddies (well.. at least underneath the remaining ones). What’s the hype in Canggu, Pererenan, and Munggu? No…
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Last visited in May 2025 Living on a tropical island can become monotonous and boring after a while and makes me miss the city vibes – and I don’t mean a small corner town here, but a real metropolis with asphalt, skyscrapers, and neon lights. To put this straight: Jakarta is not Bangkok. It has…
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Bandung is the third-largest city in Indonesia, and while it’s easy to get lost in a Google search rabbit hole, I’m hesitant to label it an unmissable destination. Some call it the Paris of Java (because of its colonial-era architecture), some hype the food culture, and some praise the creative spirit. But what I see…
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Most of my travel stories start with the same trigger feeling: I have to get out of Bali. Since my overseas plans didn’t give the vibe this time, I was poking around domestic flights. My first thought was Jakarta and take it from there, but for some reason, the tickets cost the same as Bangkok…
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Last visited in May 2024 East Sumba is the largest regency, with the most remote, most hidden, and most mind-blowing places.. and a road to heaven. WAINGAPU Waingapu is the capital and the transport hub between Flores and Timor. The city offers a broader range of hotels, and you have more options to rent a…
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Last visited in May 2024 They say Sumba is like Bali in the 80s, and it’s indeed not (yet) a fully explored and developed destination. From what I heard, there were only rocky dirt roads a few years ago; today, the asphalt network across the island is a driving heaven. Progress is definitely happening, and…
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Last visited in May 2024 The more I travel in Indonesia, the more I’m convinced that Bali is the overrated underbelly of the country. It’s good but not great, and since the big reopening, it’s gotten worse. Sumba caught my eye last year when I visited Rote and West Timor. I kept it in the…
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The short version: I had no idea what I was doing. The long version: Around June, Vipassana meditation came across more frequently and built up the calling in my mind. I’ve heard about it before, but my knowledge was limited to the fact that it is a 10-day silent retreat with some strict rules. At…
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This year is all about self-transformation for me. There have been so many events, breakthroughs, and healings that I can’t even keep track. Travelling to Java was not part of my short-term plans, but I learned (again) that everything happens when and how it has to. Many times, I do things just because why not.…
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I don’t have a strict or written-down bucket list. I usually go with the flow, find things of my interest (and forget about them), hunt them down (or change my mind), and then find something new (ADHD rulz). However, one thing has been on my imaginary list since 1999 – watching a total solar eclipse.…
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Let’s call this a teaser rather than a complete guide because Biak has more treasures than I first thought and definitely needs more than three days to explore the largest island of the small archipelago in Cenderawasih Bay. What I can tell for sure is that Papua is something else. And Biak takes this uniqueness…
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Nusa Lembongan. The home of evil spirits and paper straws that dissolve before you have the chance to finish your drink. Would this analogy be a coincidence? I don’t think so. Here’s a random raw thought to digest: Do you think the evil spirits are no longer present on an island where all the demons…
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After five beautifully shocking days on Rote, I had a week, a Honda Beat, and a mission to explore West Timor. I didn’t know what to expect, and to be honest, after the challenges of Rote, I set my expectations low – especially in terms of road conditions, the worthiness of the attractions, and food.…
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Indonesia is such a unique place on the map; it’s literally the land of islands, and the diversity of flora and fauna, people and languages, history and culture are outstanding (either in a good or bad way). But can you, and do you want to visit all the 17508 islands? People who come here usually…
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Manokwari – or Manos for short – is my favourite in Papua so far. It’s not too big, has direct access to beaches, the geography is dope, and people are friendly. I spent three weeks here, which can be a long time if you mostly just sit in a hotel room. Papua is for the…
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Frankly, an average person has no particular reason to come to this part of Papua. Jayapura Regency is heavily colonized (by Indonesians and missionaries), polluted, and not the most livable area. I wouldn’t say it’s extremely unsafe – not forgetting the ongoing conflict situation – but you better watch your back. So, why and how…
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For some reason, my biorhythm seems to be out of sync with the masses (at least since last year). I spend my days alone but also often feel lonely around people. I’m not content with this, and I’m still trying to figure out the whys. At the same time, this separateness, my instinct to choose…
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Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, is a real melting point of cultures but just another big Indonesian city with little to offer the average traveller. You’ll only come here because it’s the jump-off point to more amazing places. In Manado City, I can only recommend trying the best mie ayam and walking around Chinatown…
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The centrally located Makassar not only connects the islands in Indonesia but also serves as a perfect starting point for excursions within Sulawesi. Due to my travel schedule, I only had time for a day trip, but I’ve pinned my map with destination ideas, which gives me the perfect excuse to return. On this trip,…
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My very first visit to Bali (2017) left some imprints that stick with me no matter what. One of the most significant ones is that I spent my first few days in Ubud, and the first coffee shop I visited was Anomali. I remember trying all the different single-origin coffees from Aceh to Papua, inhaling…
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After surviving Ramadan on one of Indonesia’s most beautiful beaches, I felt ready to set off and shift from slow life to exploration mode. I only had a quick stopover in Sulawesi before, but I knew this land was calling me, and I had to immerse myself in it. My journey started in Makassar, and…
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The tinkle of wind chimes announcing the return of our fairy guests made us both look up. Our chance to be alone was going to be shorter than either of us had hoped. I sighed and brushed an errant dragon scale from Eadric’s tunic. “Someday when we have lots of time, remind me to tell…
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It was pure synchronicity to spend a week on the forgotten spice islands. After landing in Ambon, I put little effort into planning; I just went with the flow, and everything unfolded perfectly. This is how I ended up on Banda Neira. Wait, where? I guess not many of you know what it is, where…
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Leaving Raja Ampat gave me some headaches and struggles because my original plans didn’t want to flow. I let the Universe guide me, so I ended up in Maluku, with the entry point in Ambon. Ambon is a UNESCO city of music and is true to its name. You can hear music wherever you go;…
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Raja Ampat has been on my bucket list since I first arrived in Indonesia. I always imagined it as a honeymoon destination to visit with a special someone. Well, I am my special one. I don’t know what this year will bring and where I’ll be in the coming months, and with the season in…
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This won’t make me popular, but I do like 2020 a lot. While the rest of the world is mired in Covid misery, all this drama isn’t affecting my personal life. Instead, it’s providing great opportunities to visit and see places in a way we’ll never be able to experience again. The scenery may feel…
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Nusa Penida. The home of mantas, Jero Gede Mecaling, and black magic. This fascinating island is not only an enchanting destination – especially when Bali feels too overwhelming – but also has a juicy history. The spiritual legends of the former penal colony are said to have deterred even pirates from entering. Well.. believe the myths or not,…
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Driving in Bali for a while has made me rethink the average traffic rules. One of the many things I’ve learned here is that parallel traffic means 3 cars and 5 scooters in one row. So, for the sake of sanity, leaving the madness of the main roads behind is not only refreshing but a…
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This is kinda my goodbye post to Bali, and I don’t know how I feel about it. Nine months. Pregnancy for someone – a whole new life for me (which is pretty much the same thing). Unexpected, spontaneous, stirring, hectic, and perhaps the best word is: heavy. GO BIG OR GO HOME. I didn’t want…
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Initially, I wanted to go on a road trip (by scooter) from Bali to Yogyakarta, but the calling to visit was stronger, and I didn’t have enough time, so I bought my flight tickets instead. I haven’t been this excited in a while – I missed this feeling, and was incredibly happy to get out…
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This is going to be the sweetest post ever with my favourite and must-try sweet treats. Indonesian food is rich in spices, and besides chili, they also have a thing for sugar. In many cases (like how they drink their coffee), this sugar addiction is disgusting. But when it comes to food, they have some…
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Even if you don’t ride a bike (why, why, why?), there are several ways to get from A to B in Bali. CARS and BIKES TAXIS Mainstream tourism’s first choice. I personally don’t like it – there’s a reason it’s called the taxi mafia. These drivers (both with car and bike) are pushy, arrogant, offensive,…
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I love riding motorbikes in Bali. Maybe it’s just the magic of newness, but it feels so natural and free. Of course, the rules and practices are different everywhere, and this island has its own characteristics, too. MY PERSONAL STORY I’ve been a passenger on a scooter countless times, but I haven’t driven it.. until…
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Last updated in October 2024 No two sunsets are ever the same, especially in Bali. The specialty of the island lies in the fact that it has as many colours as many beaches. I can’t pick just one favourite; I love them all!
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Last updated in November 2024 Indonesia spoils us with natural beauties, and it’s easy to become picky about waterfalls – just like sunsets. Bali is undoubtedly the land of waterfalls, and I try to hunt them all down. Some are not worth visiting, some will surprise you, and some are truly remarkable. My map is…
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Last updated in July 2023 Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination, and encourages people to go further. – Keith Haring Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can…
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While waiting for my very first volcano eruption, I have plenty of time to channel all the inputs and feelings I’ve experienced since leaving my motherland. I am in Bali, and seriously, this island smells different than any other place in Southeast Asia – a perfect fusion of incense, beautiful flowers, and the ocean. I’ve…
The Flux in PARADISE 