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Next Stay THE ROYAL PURNAMA ART SUITE & VILLAS

Next Island EAST BALI BUNAKEN

Next Destination SURABAYA MELBOURNE

TROPICALIFE.NET JAN - APR 2016

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On the cover PUBLISHER Olaf Purvis managing editor Yerina Margia Senior EDITOR Billy Bagus EDITOR Anggityas Herwin Setyo W Stephania Shakila Cornelia CONTRIBUTORS Henry Snowden Cristy Elmendorp Jose Jeuland Delia Kirana

JAN - APR 2016

CREATIVE DEPARTMENT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Retno Wulandari Henrych Chrystyan Clif Pontororing Senior photographer Gus Dharma photographer Asfrandi Mudianto Primaldi Godjali

managing director Olaf Purvis act general manager Yerina Margia regional head Woro Agustin AREA MANAGER Dian Yustikarini Rully Hasbi finance Nik Purnama Dewi Gilang Delima operation Imam Fahmuddin Wayan Vena Irawan Made Yogis

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digital DEPARTMENT

sales department

head of digital Sanjaya Margianta

ACCOUNT manager Lucky Martaguna

Digital Promotion Prasyudyo

sales manager Nasrul Jihadan

Digital admin Meynar Audito

account executive Iqbal Febian Tirtowiguno Erma Dwi Kartika

publisher’s note

FROM MY DESK Personally I enjoy a holiday with a lot of freedom; no schedule, no plan, just get there and do the things that come in mind one moment at the time. That’s what vacations are all about - right? Running away from the daily routine of life and enjoying ourselves in different ways! However, I found that I had to do a lot more planning for each and every day I was away on my last trip. Breaking a lifetime habit was hard to do but as it happened, things turned out very well for me. I named this last trip “10 in 30” because I was to visit 10 holiday destinations over a 30 day period. The holiday destinations were in 6 different Asian countries. There was no room for spur of the moment planning – time and travel meant that I had to stick to my schedule. I found some differences in each of these destinations and while some may have offered more in amenities, others had more features of interest. One way or another this was a very enjoyable trip and I shall certainly look to making this same journey again.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Take a look at the journey’s section that covers some of my time through amazing Indochina. I imagine that this section will provide some great ideas for your next holiday trip.

From My Desk

For those seeking a somewhat different holiday atmosphere, we feature here Five Best Favourite Connected Island Destinations; the Gili Islands, Flores Island, Raja Ampat, Phuket and Boracay, These island each present their own unique characteristics and offer a range of different experiences.

In this addition we feature choices for the next destination by AirAsia Indonesia. These choices are made up of Jakarta, Surabaya, Bangkok, Perth and Melbourne and ought to be considered when putting Pandawa Cliff Estate with its clever ne of the probyour next itinerary together. lems face in Balinese design features and tropical selecting holiday gardens has incorporated modern To complete the list, we present an incredible selection of hotels, like the Siam Kempinski Hotel destination is the facilities and comfort with all this. Bangkok, Seri Resort, Desa Dunia Beda and many more. For culinary enthusiasts, Jendela at GWK and over whelming Suku at Mandapa are some of the most recommended restaurants on the island of Bali. choice at one fi- The “5 Best Beach Getaway” presents ngertips. Places to stay, good restau- some truly remarkable destinations of rants, attentive service, access to nature attractive scenic environments. DestinaI hopetion you enjoy issue, stay inspired! choices herethis offer some unforgettable and scenery as well as point of interest are all standard prerequisites for a suc- holiday experiences. cessful holiday. Of course accommodation is one of the most essential parts in As we all aware Bali has become a holiday destination that has now reached new having a fine vacation. heights with its culinary choices. RestauIn these days of modernity, high tech rants for all tastes flourish here. Style, facilities are obviously expected if not presentation and just good food have always required. However, most of the brought Bali to the attention of world thrill of getting away on a well-earned gourmets. Featured in this issue are Cut holiday to foreign parts is the feeling that Catch Cucina at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua you are really in a different part of the Beach Resort, Kayuputi at St. Regis world. I don’t want to travel overseas to Bali Resort, Locavore and Urchin Olaf Purvis end up in a room, albeit a luxury room, olaf@mixmedia.co.id Olaf Purvis that I can find close to my own place of Spas are also highlighted in this issue olaf@mixmedia.co.id residence. I think, hotel or resort design including The Spa at Bulgari Hotels should be influenced by the culture of its & Resorts for an experience of pure environment or at least the property uti- pamper. lizes some elements of the traditional style to its architecture or interior. Enjoy this edition, travel safe and have

a happy holiday!

In this edition, we feature some exciting resort destinations that really do bring their local culture into play for visitors. The Reef on Gili Meno blends perfectly with nature while offering all the comfort

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Next Stay THE ROYAL PURNAMA ART SUITE & VILLAS

Wrapped in its classy contemporary architecture, it is a prime getaway that effortlessly blends elegant interiors with exceptional service.

Journey INDOCHINA

Discover the very heart of south-eastern wonders on the Indochinese Peninsula, encounter both ancient and modern history and witness the unbelievable splendour of an unspoiled exotic nature.

Next Island EAST BALI

Bali is a paradise for both spiritual and physical getaway seekers as it evoke a tropical state of mind.

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BUNAKEN

This tiny, gorgeous island in North Sulawesi, is a diving paradise with extraordinary marine biodiversity.

Five Best

There are lots of pristine island to be your premium holiday destination. In this edition, we help you by narrowing them to five...

Next Destination SURABAYA

Spice

It is a stupendous dining venue and pool bar that offers more than just a memorable gastronomic experience.

As the nation’s second largest city, Surabaya is often overlooked as a tourist destination. However, this ‘City of Heroes’ contains a number of interesting historical and heritage sites.

MELBOURNE

JUNGLEFISH

Both dynamic and cosmopolitan, the city of Melbourne is regarded as the cultural hub of Australia with its fine Victorian architecture, galleries, edgy street arts, parks and more.

Unwind SPA VILLAGE AT PANGKOR LAUT

Gallery I GEDE ARY SUARDIKA

The spa is an award-winning wellness centre inspired by ancient healing rituals throughout SE Asia.

A good photography, according to Ary Suardika, contains inspiring ideas and soul to encapsulate the messages in a captured moment. Take a peek into the mind of Tropical Life Online Photo Contest’s Runner Up. TropicaLife.net

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AIRASIA WON THE ‘INDONESIA LEADING INTERNATIONAL LOW COST AIRLINE’ TITLE IN 2015

In 11 years of operation AirAsia Indonesia has carried over 40 million guests through its five hubs of Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Medan and Bali. Last year, this Airline was awarded the ‘Indonesia Leading International Low Cost Airline’ for the second time.The Indonesia Travel and Tourism Awards Foundation (ITTA) made the award in recognition of the best of the best in Indonesia’s Travel and Tourism Industry. All the nominees and the winner were identified based on judges scoring and an online voting system. This award shows that AirAsia Airline is delivering the best service for its guests. In 2015 AirAsia Airlines also won some nominees named as ‘World’s Leading Low Cost Airline’ for the third consecutive year, ‘World’s Leading Low Cost Airline Website’ and ‘World’s Leading Low Cost Airline App’ for the first time at the World Travel Awards.

DISCOVER A PIECE OF SERENITY AT THE NEW RITZ-CARLTON SPA, BALI

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The Ritz-Carlton, Bali has recently introduced its own signature spa; The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Bali. It is the resort’s ‘harmonious centre’ where nature, culture, tradition and spirituality bring balance to the external and internal worlds. The spa blends all the finest qualities of indigenous natural ingredients from the Indian Ocean with ancient Balinese methods and modern techniques to offer a distinctive wellness experience that is truly Balinese in nature. Here the spa seamlessly infuses the theme of water and healing resources of the sea throughout every element of the spa experience, creating a complete rejuvenation through spa immersion. Facilities in The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Bali includes a Hydro-Vital pool, warm whirlpool, cool plunge pool, steam and sauna rooms, and a luxurious shower room. With its zephyrs of serenity, this is a fine sanctuary for mind and body.

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ART STAGE SINGAPORE 2016: THE SIXTH EDITION Art Stage Singapore, Southeast Asiaís flagship art fair opened its sixth edition from 21 to 24 January 2016 (Vernissage on 20 January) at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. With its newly conceptualized Southeast Asia Forum, the Fair presents a bold new vision for contemporary art in an international context. As a catalyst for contemporary art in Southeast Asia, Art Stage Singapore 2016 continues to be innovative and proactive in creating art markets, matchmaking segmented Southeast Asian art scenes with each other and making connections with wider Asia and the world. This year, Art Stage Singapore introduced the Southeast Asia forum with the aim of emphasising a balance between art, commerce and content with more focus and a deeper view to global issues. Art Stage Singapore is also supporting other projects that include exhibitor highlights in leading galleries, public artworks and new publications to highlight their mission.

HARD ROCK CAFE BALI PROUDLY INTRODUCES NEW DISHES Everyone is welcome to Hard Rock Café Bali located in the popular surf district of Kuta. Here great food and live music take the stage while rock gods and entertainment royalty are honoured. This iconic cafe has recently introduced two new additions to its menu - lamb chops with mint yoghurt sauce and smoked duck breast with Asian spices. These two dishes are put together with fresh ingredients that are transformed into a feast fit for a rock star. Chef inspected select cuts of imported meats are grilled to personal choice and served along with locally grown organic vegetables seasoned with the café’s special spice blends. For a night of legendary food, dancing to exciting live entertainment or soaking in historic music memorabilia, Hard Rock Cafe Bali is the place to be.

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INTRODUCING ALILA SOLO, THE CITY’S FIRST LUXURY HOTEL OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD November 2015: Alila Hotels & Resorts have recently established their new unit in Solo. This is an urban retreat that’s both tradition-inspired and technology driven. Alila Solo is poised to claim an iconic position on Solo’s skyline, offering access to the many cultural and natural wonders of Java. Here the Hotel presents a large event space, an unmatched rooftop bar and a lavish lifestyle venue to wine, dine and socialize. Providing 255 rooms and suites, all with great city views, this is the city’s first luxury hotel of International standard that has been designed to include subtle Javanese nuances. Each room showcases an exclusively commissioned batik design. Alila Solo offers a private hanging garden terrace with plunge pool, 14 spectacular city-centre spaces, two ballrooms, and a perfect wedding or meeting venue. Guests of Alila Solo will be able to soak up the atmosphere of the city’s morning market while shopping for souvenirs and enjoy cooking class offered by the hotel. Alila Solo provides an excellent base for those with wanderlust for the ‘spirit of Java’.

SERES HOTELS & RESORTS TO LAUNCH NEW BOUTIQUE RESORT IN THE SERENITY OF UBUD

Motivated by Ubud’s ever expanding, tourist prospects, SereS Hotels & Resorts will build their second property in this verdant environment. SereS Springs Resort & Spa + Conference facilities will be located in Singakerta village south of Ubud. This 5 star flagship boutique will be sited to take full advantage of the area’s lovely views as it looks over paddy fields and the banks of the Wos River. The resort will comprise of 53 spacious guest rooms, 8 suites and 20 villas with individual dipping pools. Facilities here will include 2 swimming pools, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a grand ballroom, function rooms, business centre, fitness centre, kids club and video lounge. Construction for the resort began in October 2015 and is set to finish by the end of 2016.

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GOLDEN TULIP JINENG RESORT’S SIGNING CEREMONY AT SUNSET ROAD KUTA BALI On November 27th 2015, PT AngkasaPuraProperti along with PT Wika Realty gathered for a signing ceremony for which a final agreement to build Tamansari Jineng Resort Bali was confirmed. This resort is situated at the southern terminus of the

famous Sunset Road in Kuta and a mere 10 minutes’ drive from Ngurah Rai Airport. It offers convenient access to some of the best of South Bali’s attractions and is within close distance to some of Bali’s most popular shopping centres. Golden Tulip Jineng Resort Bali provides versatile meeting rooms, wedding facilities, well-appointed rooms and suites. It also features two themed restaurants, lounge, spa, yoga studio, gym, kid’s club, and a landscaped pool completed with underwater sound system. Its unique design blends Balinese culture and the Eastern philosophy. Golden Tulip Jineng Resort Bali offers a quite different experience, one that will be well received in Bali.

WAKA HOTELS & RESORTS ANNOUNCED THE OPENING OF NUSABAY MENJANGAN BY WHM Last year, Waka Hotels & Resorts was pleased to announce the opening of NusaBay Menjangan by WHM. This is a resort for those looking for an ‘off the beaten track’ experience in a wild and supremely beautiful part of Bali. This resort is situated within a beachside environment in the West Bali National Park. Here six lanai cottages and one 2-bedroom villa are currently available. An eventual total of 14 lanai cottages and two villas are planned. NusaBay Menjangan by WHM facilities are fully operational and include the reception pavilion, a swimming pool, restaurant, spa, and ocean recreation center operated by the PADI certified Blue Corner Dive. There are also ranger-led nature hiking treks for bird and fauna spotting that includes deer, wild boar, monkeys and the Bali starling. A ten-minute boat ride from the resort will take guests to world-class snorkeling and scuba diving on Menjangan Island.

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A GLIMPSE OF TROPICAL ELEGANCE AT THE ROYAL PURNAMA ART SUITE & VILLAS

poolside cabanas invite the guests to perfect their art of laid-back lounging.

WRAPPED IN THE SOPHISTICATION OF CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE, THE ROYAL PURNAMA ART SUITE & VILLAS EFFORTLESSLY BLEND ELEGANT INTERIORS WITH EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. IT IS A PRIME LOCATION FOR A PERFECT GETAWAY AND IS SUPPORTED BY MODERN AMENITIES AND IMPECCABLE HOSPITALITY AS WELL AS OFFERING THE BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY OF A RURAL OCEANFRONT SETTING IN SOUTHEAST BALI.

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Resting alongside the glittering black sands of Purnama beach, this opulent getaway located near the Gianyar region and 15km from the Sanur area offers the best of natural tropical ambience as it tucks itself between the tranquil settings of lush green plantations and the magnificent blue of the Indian Ocean. The accommodation of Royal Purnama Art Suite & Villas consists of 35 units; all come with their very own private pools or balcony Jacuzzi tubs. The rooms’ interiors are comprised of colorful decor, fine Balinese ceramic, local textiles, handcrafted artistry and supported by advanced facilities and amenities to ensure a comfortable and high level of guest experience. Here bedrooms beckon with canopied king-size beds, bathrooms present semiopen-air monsoon showers and decadent soaking tubs, while

The upscale setting of Royal Purnama Art Suite & Villas is complimented by several facilities, such as the Standing Stones Restaurant providing semi-alfresco gourmet dining with magnificent sea views and an ever-changing menu of fine Balinese, Asian and Continental cuisine including fresh seafood purchased directly from the village fishermen. For indulging body treatment the Black Sand Spa provides blissful rejuvenation through curative treatments that celebrate the rich healing traditions of Bali. The Royal Purnama Art Suite & Villas invite their guest to enjoy the best staying experience, inspired by the island’s finest nature, culture and tradition.

Jalan Pantai Purnama (Purnama Beach), Sukawati, Gianyar Tel. +62 361 849 3706 www.theroyalpurnama.com

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BLISSFUL SANCTUARY WITH CAPTIVATING VIEW AT VILLA SEMARAPURA SET OVERLOOKING A MAGICAL SEA TEMPLE CROWNING A DRAMATIC OUTCROP OF BLACK VOLCANIC ROCK ON BALI’S SOUTH-WEST COAST, VILLA SEMARAPURA IS A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED SANCTUARY THAT BOASTS A BREATHTAKING OCEAN VIEW, CHARMING SERVICES AND OPULENT FACILITIES TO DELIVER A UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE STAYING EXPERIENCE.

Built on a side of pristine beach overlooking the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean, Elite Haven managed Villa Semarapura is that kind of tropical retreat that begs to serve you through your holiday period. It offers both outdoor and indoor living areas. The 2,500 sqm villa features five luxurious bedroom suites, formal living and dining pavilions, a media room and poolside pavilion with sunken bar, 20-metre swimming pool, Spa balé with two massage tables and a restaurant offering Western, Asian, vegetarian and children’s serves.

The open-sided indoor living room on the upper floor of the living pavilion commands stunning ocean vistas including views of the Cemagi sea temple. The outdoor area features a gorgeous tropical garden at its heart, flanked by lotus ponds with sun beds, pool deck and a furnished al fresco dining space completing the instalments. The beach of black volcanic sand is great for morning jogs and sunset strolls with far-reaching views towards the Bukit Peninsula. Strong currents here however render the beach unsuitable for swimming from.

The rooms at Villa Semarapura are divided into three types of units, namely master bedroom, the garden suites and the exclusive double-storey ocean view pavilion. All units feature a fully air-conned resting space and international grade amenities, including TV with satellite channels, DVD, Bose music system, safe, bar fridge and more.

Desa Cemagi, Br. Mengening Cemagi Beach, Mengwi, Badung, Bali Elite Havens Office: Tel. +62 361 737 498 www.semarapuravilla.com

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COMFORT & MODERN STAY EXPERIENCE AT VILLA JOSS SEMINYAK

STRATEGICALLY LOCATED BETWEEN BATUBELIG BEACH AND PETITENGET DISTRICT OF SEMINYAK, VILLA JOSS IS ONE OF THOSE EXCELLENT GETAWAYS THAT EMPLOYS ALL THE COMFORTS OF MODERN TROPICAL LIVING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EMPHASIZING THE EXOTIC ATMOSPHERE AND DISTINCTIVE CHARM OF BALI. A careful infusion of ancient Balinese architecture and the best of modern comfort facilities have produced a remarkable building. Villa Joss was designed by one of Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier architects and built with holiday enhancement in mind. The villa makes good use of recycled teak and other beautiful organic materials, as well as a remarkable collection of fine art and Majapahit period stone carvings. Here modern comfort blends flawlessly with the exotic lure of traditional Bali.

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The accommodation unit at Villa Joss is divided into four distinctive types of Suites that are equipped with modern amenities - Master Bedroom Suite, Joss Bedroom Suite, Mount Agung Suite and Batubelig Suite. The first two suites are located on the ground level with sliding glass doors opening onto a covered terrace beside the swimming pool while the other two suites are on the upper level with sliding glass doors that open onto the shared balcony. Each suite is distinct in its own right and differing in color accent, bed facilities and the works of talented local artists.

Villa Joss glamorous interior design emits vibrant natural elements. The convenient air-conditioned living and dining pavilion is framed in a soaring timber-lined roof with beautiful exposed beams and exquisite natural woodwork, three ceiling fans, a marble floor and folding wood framed glass doors on three sides leading to the indoor garden.

Jl. Batu Belig No.55, Seminyak Tel. +62 361 737498 www.villajoss.com

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Gili Meno is an island just off Lombok and is so named ‘paradise on earth’ for its rugged natural beauty. For those planning a holiday on this island, Seri Resort at Gili Meno is a highly recommended choice for accommodation. This absolute beachfront resort offers a simple yet sophisticated accommodation experience on an island where peace, beauty and tranquillity are the by-words. Seri Resort at Gili Meno provides 18 spacious one-bedroom beach bungalows, with direct access to the beach, 32 onebedroom suites with private verandas, and 22 bale huts. White features strongly in all suites and bungalows and is contrasted with colourful sheers and cushions. All are situated to take full advantage of sunrise views over one volcano and sunset down behind another.

PARADISE DISCOVERED AT SERI RESORT GILI MENO One of the most endearing aspects of my work is the explosive intoxication that sweeps over me as I breathe in that magnificent first morning view of the tropical island resort I’ve chosen to stay in. It was from my bungalow window at the Seri Resort at Gili Meno where I absorbed a vista so charming that there was no need for coffee to kick start my day.

For those wanting to explore the kaleidoscope of nature’s underwater reef colour just beyond the island’s shoreline, the resort’s direct access beach is the perfect launching pad for snorkelers to explore pristine coral gardens. One can also swim in turquoise lagoons, explore the saltwater lake located in the centre of the island and visit the wellprotected turtle sanctuary. The resort also provides free Wi-Fi allowing guests to post vacation moments on this paradise island off Lombok.

Gili Meno, Desa Gili Indah, Pemenang, Lombok Utara Tel. +62 81907467235 www.seriresortgilimeno.com

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OTHERWORLDLY STAYING EXPERIENCE AT DESA DUNIA BEDA

A UNIQUELY SECLUDED ETHNIC VILLAGE AT GILI TRAWANGAN, DESA DUNIA BEDA ALLOWS GUESTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE ENHANCEMENT OF INDONESIAN TRADITIONAL LIFE IN A SETTING WHERE WHITE SANDY RIBBONS OF BEACH MEET THE MAJESTIC BLUE OCEAN JUST BEYOND THEIR DOORSTEP.

In English, Desa Dunia Beda literally means ‘Otherworld Village’ and this resort has so aptly named itself. Established in 2004, Desa Dunia Beda maintains a unique identity within Lombok’s hospitality industry and now is still in the process of joining Secret Retreats. Built on 15,000 m² of pristine land where rich coconut groves wave gently in their natural state. A 170 linear meters of gorgeous beach fronts the resort that is inspired by the traditional Indonesian architecture of Javanese Joglo and Rumah Kampung. This concept creates the distinctive and intimate feeling of a close-to-nature staying experience.

villa features full comfort resources including air conditioning, fresh water to each open-air bathroom, a private balcony, mini bar, safety box, and more. The resort is also complete with several other facilities including a restaurant, swimming pool, beach pavilion and sun deck, Wi-Fi connection and a mini library.

There are only 12 units of villas in Desa Dunia Beda. Each is designed to give guests comfortable and private living space. Here the ethnic atmosphere is met with a magnificent sea view. Every

With all the facilities in this vibrant island ambience, Desa Dunia Beda is a recommended getaway for those who seek a time away from their busy daily lives.

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The surrounding area of the resort is well-worth exploring and here horse riding by the beach, snorkelling and surfing are favourite activities for guests. Alternatively one can enjoy the breeze while sitting under the trees overlooking the ocean.

Gili Trawangan, Lombok, NTB Tel. +62 370 614 1575 www.desaduniabeda.com

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Taste Sulawesi’s Elegant Atmosphere at Siladen Resort & Spa Conveniently situated on the western coast of Pulau Siladen, a lush tropical island in the world-renowned Bunaken National Marine Park, Siladen Resort & Spa is an eco-friendly property placing high emphasis on the protection of the Marine Park and its natural environment.

LOCATED ON THE SECLUSION OF PULAU SILADEN OFF THE NORTHERN COAST OF SULAWESI, SILADEN RESORT & SPA IS AN EXCLUSIVE HIDDEN GETAWAY WITH A GREAT DEAL TO OFFER. THIS EXQUISITE RESORT OFFERS ATTRACTIVE ACCOMMODATION WITH FOUR POSTER KING SIZED BEDS, OUTDOOR OPEN AIR SHOWERS, SUNDECKS OVERLOOKING CALM SEAS AND AN OVERALL RELAXING ATMOSPHERE.

There are a total of 19 villas at Siladen Resort & Spa, divided into 4 main types; each come with their own advantages. The Garden View units are elegant wooden buildings peacefully located on a tropical landscaped area. The Beach View units have their very own sundecks perfectly positioned to view amazing sunsets. The brand new Luxury units feature direct access to the beach, are comfortably sized and come with a living room and a spacious terrace. The family garden

is the grandest in terms of size, with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Still in the process of joining Secret Retreats, the resort also provides in-house facilities ranging from restaurant & lounge bar, spa, and an international-standard diving centre. Explore the best of Bunaken’s tropical atmosphere and unspoiled marine life while staying at Siladen Resort & spa and get close to nature in one of Sulawesi’s most anticipated hidden getaways.

Siladen Island, Bunaken National Marine Park, North Sulawesi Tel. +62 811 4300 641 www.siladen.com

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A Satisfying and Intimate Stay over at The Club Singapore THE CLUB SINGAPORE IS COMPRISED OF AN INTERCONNECTED RESTAURANT, CAFE, AND TWO SOPHISTICATED BARS. THIS HOTEL IS A QUINTESSENTIAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL FOR TRAVELLERS WHO SEEK LUXURIOUS AND PAMPERING FACILITIES WITH GREAT SERVICE IN A QUAINT CALMING ENVIRONMENT.

Nestled in Ann Siang Road, Chinatown just walking distance from the Chinatown or Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, The Club is a classy boutique hotel with an unmistakable ‘homey’ ambience. The structure itself is an authentic vintage building, renovated and decorated to perfection while retaining its original colonial charm and character.

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There are 20 exclusive rooms available at The Club that are divided into two types; Club Room and Club Suite. All rooms provide an intimate ambience designed to enhance the pleasure and comfort of guest’s experience here. Tasteful carpeting and soft lighting compliment the international standard of room amenities.

Aside from the cultivated room comfort, The Club has in-house facilities to cater the guest’s particular needs that include dining and bar options. Breakfast at Mr & Mrs Maxwell’s Restaurant in the hotel’s lobby is not to be missed. Its small, personalised and comfortable dining room offers a selection to meet all western tastes.

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The Tiger’s Milk is a rooftop bar of a relaxing tranquil ambience with scenery. This bar is also the home of Singapore’s first Peruvian rooftop restaurant. The name itself was inspired by Peru’s traditional dish ‘leche de tigre’, a citrusbased marinade that cures the seasick. The menu at Tiger’s Milk offers the distinctive and delicious taste of fresh seafood with a combination of citrus flavours. As night falls, Ann Siang Hill has become a get-together space for jet-set expats. The road is closed to vehicles, tables are set, and music wafts over from the

speakers of several restaurants and clubs around the area. Instead of joining the crowd, I opted to visit B28; The Club’s basement whiskey bar specializing in single malt Scotch. This is the oldest facility in the hotel and the first single malt bar in Singapore; it has been running since 2006. This place also serves as a club for whiskey aficionados, where members can have their own storage locker to hold their brand choice of fine single malt. The melodic tempo of live jazz is a nightly feature of B28.

personalised and guest friendly hotel. Here the facilities, impressive service, attention to detail and overall comfort will certainly draw me back for another stay.

Staying at The Club left me with impressive memories of a very

28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708 Tel. +65 6808 2188 www.theclub.com.sg

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TOP NOTCH EXCLUSIVE OVERNIGHT AT BANYAN TREE CLUB & SPA SEOUL

SITUATED IN FRONT OF THE FAMOUS SEOUL TOWER, BANYAN TREE & SPA SEOUL IS A WELL-FACILITATED AND SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATION, IDEALLY SUITABLE FOR THOSE SEEKING BOTH COMFORT AND A ROMANTIC GETAWAY.

For those planning a vacation in South Korea’s capital city of Seoul the Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul offers exclusive accommodation with an accent on comfort and excellent service. The property’s strategic location means guests get easy access to multiple destinations in this advanced metropolis. Taxicabs with affordable fares will take visitors to the city centre and shopping areas. The hotel also provides a free shuttle service to the nearest train station (Dongguk University Station Gate 1 & 5) and Jang

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Chung Park to the hotel. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul features top-notch service and fully equipped facilities in a pampering environment. There are a total of 50 rooms in the hotel with only 2 or 4 rooms on each floor to guarantee a quiet and tranquil ambience for a pleasant overnight stay. The spacious deluxe room in which I stayed was located on the 14th floor of the hotel. So large in fact that it came with its very own relaxation pool. After a long day of city walking I decided to

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experience the hotel’s spa facility and enjoyed a full hour session of lomi-lomi massage. After spending a relaxing night of good sleep I took in the hotel’s breakfast session at Granum Dining Lounge and enjoyed one of the best serves of crispy bacon and smoked salmon that I’ve ever had. Here a great selection of hot and cold dishes and a self-select fruit juicer provided some great breakfast alternatives. For hospitality enhancement, the Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul provides a full range of in-house facilities, including room service, 24-hour front desk, luxuriously appointed air conditioned rooms, unobtrusive housekeeping, good speedy laundry services, and complimentary wired / wireless high speed internet service. The well-facilitated business centre of the hotel has conference facilities, audio-visual equipment, business services and conference suites as well as wedding services and banquet facilities for private gatherings. Gym for fitness sessions and a Sauna for exercise and relaxation are some of the wellness features

of this hotel, alongside an indoor-outdoor swimming pool and gorgeous outside cabanas. Parking is a breeze here as the Guests of Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul are treated to a valet parking. Guests are likely to bump into one or two of South Korea’s public figure during their stay at Banyan Tree Club & Spa

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Seoul as the hotel features advanced club services, where its members represent the best of the upper classes from politics, the economy, social and culture sectors. And as a hotel guest, one can enjoy the facilities like any other exclusive member during their stay. Culinary delicacies in a picturesque setting are to be had at the Festa Bistro—the hotel’s in-house restaurant and coffee shop. Here I had a very romantic dinner with the bistro’s Seafood platter consisting of lobster, salmon, clam, oyster and prawn, perfectly combined with bread and balsamic aglio olio pasta.

To sum up, I must say that I enjoyed my stay at Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul. It was so service orientated and relaxing. This was a recharging getaway and is highly recommended as a place to stay when visiting Seoul.

60, Jangchungdan-ro, Jangchungdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea Tel. +82 2 2250 8000 www.banyantree.com/en/ap-korea-seoul

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The Elegant Orient Atmosphere at Cabochon Hotel

Housed within the Walpole Building of Sukhumvit road, as a member of ‘Secret Retreats, a collection of small hidden gems across Asia’ Cabochon Hotel successfully recaptures the feel of a golden yesteryear. The hotel conceptualizes the grace of Shanghai the 1920s for which the city reigned supreme, famed for its modernity and aesthetics after Europe’s Parisian and Viennese styles.

A HIGHLY POLISHED GEM THAT EXUDES CLASS, SOPHISTICATION AND UNDERSTATED LUXURY. THE CABOCHON HOTEL IS A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE HOTEL BOASTING ONLY 4 SUITES AND 4 STUDIOS THAT EVOKE THE EXCITEMENT OF THAT GLORIOUS VINTAGE ERA OF THE ORIENT IN THE ROARING TWENTIES. 14/29 Sukhumvit 45 Road, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok Tel. +66 2259 2871-3 www.secret-retreats.com/cabochon

While maintaining this luxurious vintage feel of Shanghai’s golden era the Cabochon Hotel confidently boasts 21st century amenities such as Free Wi-Fi, Cable TV, and so on. The interior of this four-story building is garnished with ivory colored window frames, exquisite balconies, and elegant columns festooned with artistic patterns and motifs. As mentioned above, the rooms of Cabochon Hotel are divided into two types; Suites and Studios and each are elegantly appointed to pamper guests. Spacious bathrooms, Belgium linen bed sets, polished marble flooring and other lavish appointments adorn the suites and studios. Other experience enhancing hotel facilities include the Joy Luck Club Lounge on the ground floor and the Thai Lao Yeh restaurant offering authentic Thai cuisine. Expect warm hospitality at Cabochon Hotel from the moment you step in until the end of your stay. Departing guests carry fond memories of their stay away with them.

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AN OASIS IN THE HEART OF BANGKOK

SITUATED CENTRAL TO BANGKOK’S PREMIER SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT AND WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE BTS SKYTRAIN AT THE SIAM INTERCHANGE STATION (IN FRONT OF SIAM PARAGON SHOPPING CENTRE), SIAM KEMPINSKI HOTEL BANGKOK IS WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS ONE OF THE MOST PREFERRED HOTELS FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE.

Even though its location is in the centre of the bustling shopping area of Bangkok, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has however managed to deliver a relaxing atmosphere with the development of this resort-style city hotel. Here direct access is provided to Siam Paragon through the sky bridge located on Floor 2 of the Royal Wing.

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This hotel features 401 contemporary rooms and lavish suites ranging form family suites and rooms to cabanas with direct pool access from a private terrace and The Presidential Suite. All rooms are designed with elegant and stylish contemporary décor using Thai elements through artwork, decorative items, silk curtaining and Thai evocative

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panels. To ensure guests are as comfortable as possible, the Thai style décor is accompanied with up to date modern comforts in every room and suite. All are equipped with hightech entertainment systems, sumptuous marble bathrooms, free Wi-Fi Internet and free daily-replenishment of soft drinks and local beers. The interesting thing about this hotel is that the ground where the hotel stands today used to be part of the Lotus Pond Palace (Sra Pathum Palace) that was commissioned by King Mongkut or King Rama IV as a retreat palace outside the then city. The lotus Pond Palace was made famous to Westerners through the film “The King and I”. On entering the lobby I was greatly impressed by the architecture and elegant design that blended perfectly with an extensive collection of Thai art.

There are several dining choices at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, enough to satisfy a full range of personal tastes. Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin is a must visit while staying in this hotel. The team at Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin successfully takes Thai Food to a whole new level. The restaurant was conceptualised by renowned Chef Henrik Yde-Andersen, whose Kiin Kiin restaurant in Copenhagen is one of only two Thai restaurants in the world that have been awarded a Michelin Star. The superb presentation here is combined with authentic flavour and texture and offers an exquisite Thai food experience. Other restaurants and bars available in the hotel include Niche, Brasserie Europa, Hanuman Bar, and Rotunda. The hotel also provides Function Rooms, Kempinski The Spa and a Kids Club. It’s no secret that Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok stands as one of the premier hotels for luxury accommodation while providing both leisure and business travellers with a haven of tranquillity and comfort.

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok 991/9 Rama I Road Pathumwan Bangkok -Thailand Tel +66 2 162 9000 kempinski.com/bangkok

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BEST FAVOURITE CONNECTED ISLAND DESTINATIONS For keen travellers and island adventurers there can be no better holiday destination than an island with connections to nearby islands and other places of interest. These sorts of island excursions donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave a lot of time to sit around on the beach with a book â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are holidays of movement, adventure and exciting changes of scenery. Here in this edition we have listed five of the best islands for holidays and have been selected because of their connectivity with other islands in their own surrounding area. It is from these islands that holidaymakers can enjoy the feeling of exploratory adventure as they step ashore onto new island landings.

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GILI ISLANDS

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It is clear that the Gili Islands are no longer a state secret, their popularity has sky rocketed and are now one of the most visited destinations of domestic and international holidaymakers. Located just off northwest coast of Lombok visitors travel to these islands for several different reasons. Party people and the young at heart choose to go to Gili Trawangan to enjoy themselves through a host bars and entertainment venues. Known not surprisingly as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the party islandâ&#x20AC;? the full moon has become a popular monthly party time. From Gili Trawangan visitors can catch a short boat ride to Gili Air, the most populated and closest of the three islands to Lombok. This island is blessed with great snorkelling and diving sites from is white sandy beaches. For those looking for a more laid back environment Gili Meno epidermises tropical island serenity. Sandwiched between the other two better-known islands it is the smallest of the three.

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PULAU FLORES

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This adventure begins at Labuan Bajo, a small fishing village that has become the starting point for those travellers wishing to visit The Komodo National Park and its surrounding areas. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It was founded in 1980 in order to protect the Komodo dragon, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest lizard. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rincah, and 26 smaller islands all covering a total area of 1,733 km2. One of the highlights on Komodo is Pink Beach, located in an uninhabited area of the island. This beach is one of only seven beaches in the world that owe their pink hue to a mixture of red and white sand. The water here is shallow making the beach ideal for swimming or snorkelling from. Other isles worth visiting while island hopping are Kanawa, Sebayur, Bidadari, Seraya and Sabolo.

For diving enthusiasts there are world-class dive sites either just off Komodo as well as the close site of Gili Banta, an unpopulated island just northwest of Komodo. Gili Banta features many finger like bays with crescent beaches and is well known for its large population of giant sea turtles and manta rays. The dive site here is said to be comparable with those of those of Raja Ampat.

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RAJA AMPAT

This is a slice of paradise located off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua. Blessed with the sublime scenery of steep, jungle-covered islands, white-sand beaches, hidden lagoons and luminous turquoise waters, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat is widely considered one of the most beautiful island chains in Southeast Asia. This vast archipelago is comprised of more than a thousand small islands and the four main larger ones of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool that collectively go under the title of ‘Raja Ampat or ‘the four kings’.

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PHUKET Phuket is one of Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular beach destinations with a lot to offer visitors. This island of amazing scenery, dazzling tropical sunsets and a warm blue sea promises to deliver some unforgettable holiday moments. There is always something to do both on and off the island. The range of activities and places to visit are quite remarkable for a destination of this relatively small size. For those who like shopping, the island offers a great variety of shopping venues, from night markets and local shops to western style department stores and upmarket specialist shops. A one-day boat trip from the northern end of Phuket is recommended. You should visit Phang Nga Bay for its distinctive feature of sheer limestone cliffs that climb vertically out of their emerald-green waters. Two of the most iconic spots in this bay worth seeing are James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) and Koh Panyee. This is a rewarding cruse through dramatic limestone islands where one can stop and enjoy quiet beaches or paddle through limestone caves of cathedral proportions where stalagmites and stalactites stand and hang like sentinels over natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s majestic subterranean beauty. Paddling through bays in this area is the most relaxing way to enjoy the scenery.

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BORACAY

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This small island in the Philippines is located approximately 315 km south of Manila. Boracay is famous for being one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top destinations for relaxation, nightlife and tranquillity. This island of dreamy white sand beach has rapidly become a top tourist draw for the Philippines. Here the main destination is White Beach, a 4 kilometre pictureperfect stretch of sand facing a turquoise sea and landsided with bars, restaurants that become a busy party strip at night. From White Beach head north to the peaceful vibes Diniwid Beach for a break in the action. Travelling east will take one to Bulabog Beach, home of the local water-sport crowd and a welcoming local community.

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AN UNFORGETTABLE AND MEMORABLE JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF

emories of my trip through the heart of Indochina have become indelible reminders of just how fascinating this area of South East Asia really is. Each of the countries visited here presented their own unique set of characteristics to me. The different people, the changing food and contrasting social structures all worked to make my targeted destinations throughout the area more interesting and enjoyable.

I travelled to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Siem Reap in Cambodia and Luang Prabang in Lao, Laosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capitol Vientiane to Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Halong Bay. All fascinating in their own right and more so because of the cultural makeup within which I found them.

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SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

rom Bali, I headed to Kuala Lumpur and continued the next day with a 2-hour flight to Siem Reap. Siem Reap International Airport is a resort like building with a colonial and Chinese influence to its architecture. Here a delightful tuk tuk transport system ferries people from the airport to their destinations. A 15-minute ride took me to the Amansara. This resort’s name originates from the Sanskrit words for peace aman and apsara, the heavenly nymphs of ancient Hindu texts. The property itself has its own interesting history. It was once known as Villa Princière or Villa Apsara that was used as the guest villa of King Norodom Sihanouk. Here several dignitaries including former French President Charles de Gaulle, Jacqueline Kennedy, and former Yugoslavian President Josep Broz Tito stayed as guests.

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As soon as I checked in I was ready to explore Siem Reap. I was delighted that Amansara had prepared an itinerary for me covering three days of interesting activities with an experienced guide to showcase the best of Siem Reap. Located in NW Cambodia, Siem Reap is the closest heritage site to the world famous Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the remarkable temple ruins of Angkor including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon and many others. Siem Reap, which literally means the “Defeat of Siam” refers to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai Kingdom in the 17th century. Siem Reap has become the major tourist hub in Cambodia with more than one million visitors each year that come to explore the park that has been designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site. The iconic destination here is of course Angkor Wat, which means “Temple

City” or “City of Temples” and is the prime example of classical Khmer architecture. This complex was built for Khmer King Suriyavarman II in the 12th century as his state temple and capital city and which eventually became his mausoleum. The hotel arranged a sunrise tour that began from the back entrance to avoid the morning crowds. Angkor Wat is the country’s prime attraction for visitors and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm (this is the temple that was used as the location in Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider), and Banteay Kdei were also on this amazing schedule. To experience local food one should go to Pub Street where there are many restaurants serving delicious local Khmer food. As a previous French Colony this country also has a fine range of French cuisine on offer.

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LUANG PRABANG, LAOS The town is small yet very charming with a serene atmosphere and palm-lined streets filled with young Buddhist monks from the many surrounding temples. Numerous shops and restaurants occupy French colonial era buildings and there is a great night market selling local crafts.

next destination was Luang Prabang in Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Situated in north central region of the country and now the capital city of Luang Prabang Province, this was the former capitol of Laos. With population about 50.000 people the city sits at confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Khan, that almost surround the city that lies beneath a temple-topped hill.

Fortunately my hotel, Amantaka is situated within walking distance of the main streets where all the major attractions are situated. These include the Royal Palace, famous temples, restaurants, boutiques and bakeries. Once a French colonial hospital, Amantaka derives its name from the word aman, the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’ and taka from Tipitaka found in Theravada scholastic literature, translating to ‘the teaching of Buddha’. The hotel offers 24 suites ranging in size from 70 to 120 square meters.

an important monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and the country’s traditional art. One of the recommended eateries in Luang Prabang is Le Café Ban Vat Sene, a small but delightful colonial style café that is a perfect venue for breakfast or lunch. For dinner I chose to dine at L’Elephant; a French and Laotian restaurant set in a renovated colonial building. It was here that I savoured some of the best food in town.

Of all the temples Wat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Golden City is worthy of a first visit. In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful temples in Asia and also one of the most important of all Laos monasteries. Wat Xieng Thong remains

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VIENTIANE, LAOS

his capital city of Laos has a somewhat different feel to it than my last two destinations. Vientiane has the buzz and vibes of a real city. However a charming laid-back ambience can be found in places here where French colonial charms mitigate the crowd effects. One of the most distinctive landmarks in Vientiane is the Patuxai arch that resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is an impressive monument and has been covered in relief work depicting Hindu Gods. At the top are five towers of traditional Laotian style to where visitors can climb to for good views of the city. Pha That Luang or Great Sacred Stupa is a much-photographed site visited by all tourists. Located on a hill, this large golden stupa is covered with gold and the most important monument in Laos. The French built this not so ancient structure in the 1930â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s but it has earned attention because of its amazing prominence.

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Lao Kitchen and Khop Chai Deu are two really good restaurants for local food worth visiting while in town.

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HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

rom Vientiane I took an hour’s flight to Hanoi, the city with a second name of the ‘Paris of Asia’. So called because here in all of Indochina the French influence on architecture, street planning and food is at its greatest. From Hanoi, I took a 4-hour drive to Quáng Ninh province. It is here that Ha Long Bay is to be found in Vietnam’s northeast. The views are outstanding, one really needs to encounter this bay for themselves to see just how strikingly beautiful this area is. Here in the bay, thousands of limestone karsts and islands in various sizes and shapes rise up from the water. Most are uninhabited and unspoilt by humans. Floating villages of fishermen are dotted around the bay. Other highlights of

Halong Bay are the lakes and caves that are to be found on Dau Be and some of the other islands. I took advantage of my time here and went on a kayaking paddle around and between karst limestone outcrops to get a close up look. My last call here was to the Cave of Wonders where mesmerizing rock formations and colour spectrums made this an enjoyable excursion. This trip was a busy but most enjoyable journey through three countries and I have returned with fond memories of the area.

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A Heartfelt Journey to

East Bali

BALI IS BLESSED WITH A CAPTIVATING RANGE OF STUNNING VISTAS TO ALL POINTS OF THE COMPASS. THE ISLAND’S EASTERN SIDE IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS PRISTINE DIVE SPOTS OF UNDERWATER WONDERS, SOME OF THEM REMNANTS OF THE PAST. ON LAND HERE IN THE EAST, GREEN PASTURES MEET THE BLUE OF THE OCEAN WHILE MOUNTAINS TAKE THE HORIZON TO MAKE MEMORABLE SUNSETS.

There is a lot of very pleasant island here that will please those wanting to escape the crowded tourist destinations on the island’s southern side. I had decided to take a really good look at this quieter aspect of Bali’s eastern edges. It was time to take some time out from my busy schedule. My first stop of the trip was Jembrana, the vast regency covering most of the eastern side of Bali as it stretches down from its northern boundaries. One of the most notable spots here is Medewi, a remote beach that draws surfers of limited experience. The waves are not that challenging; even novice wave riders like myself can test skills here. Most of the beaches on this side of the island are deposits of black volcanic sand that has a soft texture and glitters under sunlight. After taking the breeze here at Medewi I moved on to Pura Prancak; this is a temple located beside a river that converges on to an inlet of tidal seawater. As this is normally a clear sign of good fishing grounds further out to sea the site has become the landing site of many colourful fishing boats. I made Karangasem my next destination. Along the road I was treated to the eye-catching splendour of mountains meeting beach on both sides of the

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bay. Karangasem is widely known for its worldclass diving spot at Amed. There are two popular sites at Amed called Jemeluk Bay and Tulamben. I

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choose to call into Tulamben, a place that is considered synonymous with Amed itself. Snorkelling here was great fun in the clear water over the reef with a colourful splash of fish around and below me. I got the chance to visit the Liberty ship that made its graveyard here at the end of the Dutch colonial era. This shipwreck has become part of the ecosystem forming a marvellous habitat for both coral and fish.

There are still a lot to do or see in eastern Bali, and this one journey obviously couldn’t cover it all So while I had a good time of it I still have more to do and see in this part of Bali – one of the island’s understated tourist destinations.

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The Magical Untouched Island of

Lombok

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A PARADISE ISLAND THAT IS HOME TO ISOLATED BEACHES, ENCHANTING WATERFALLS AND A LARGE LOOMING VOLCANO THEN A QUICK HOP OVER TO BALI’S NEIGHBOURING ISLAND OF LOMBOK IS THE PLACE TO GO.

Just a short flight or ferry ride away; Lombok enjoys the rich and enduring indigenous culture of the Sasak people whose quiet and restrained nature have kept the island free from overdevelopment and mass tourism. Contrary to popular beliefs, the origin of the name ‘Lombok’ is actually derived from the Sasak language, ‘Lum-book’ meaning ‘straight line’. It has no connection whatsoever with a variant of the Indonesian name for chilli as thought by many visitors and some Indonesians from other parts of the archipelago. With a few exceptions, the natural landscape and traditional way of life have remained unchanged for

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hundreds of years and it has become an increasingly preferred choice for honeymooners and well-heeled travellers seeking to escape the crowds and bustling vibe of Bali. This is a tropical island with exquisite white-sand beaches, world-class surf breaks and alluring hiking trails through

tobacco and rice fields. Visitors can make their stay in Lombok as laid-back or as active as they want. From climbing Indonesia’s second highest volcano Mount Rinjani, to exploring the Gili Islands famous for their exquisite diving and party scene, Lombok is the perfect destination for those wanting a full tropical island emersion.

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For others seeking a ‘cast-away’ experience; head over to Jeeva Beloam located in the southern part of the island. This Robinson Crusoe-like beach camp consists of just 11 Beruga’s (thatched bungalows) on a secluded cove bordered by sandy beaches. While the camp offers an elegant and understated luxury experience it is also environmentally friendly and runs solely on solar power while drawing its water

from rain catchment basins. On offer here is full board experience where the seafood dishes are sourced daily from local fishermen, local farmers raise poultry and vegetables are sourced in the nearest market. Jeeva Beloam is a really great place to disconnect from the rest of the world. An absolute must while staying there is to try one of their traditional massages performed by a third generation local healer.

To get to Lombok from Bali visitors can take a 25-minute domestic flight from Denpasar. Other options include the public ferry and express boats that depart from Serangan and Padang Bai harbour.

Cristy Elmendorp www.somajourneys.com

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Bunaken - Indonesia’s National Marine Treasure Established as a national park in1991, the exemplary co-operation between national and local governments, conservation groups and business owners has allowed the 890sq km of Indonesia’s natural marine treasure to be magnificently preserved.

BUNAKEN, AN ISLAND IN THE BAY OF MONADO IS LOCATED AT THE NORTHERN TIP OF SULEWESI IN INDONESIA. THE ISLAND HAS ATTRACTED SERIOUS DIVERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD DUE TO ITS RICH MARINE BIODIVERSITY, WHICH INCLUDES OVER 70 DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF CORAL, FIVE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF SEA TURTLE AND SEVENTY PER CENT OF ALL FISH SPECIES THAT EXIST IN THE INDO-WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN.

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Biologists believe that part of what makes Bunaken National Park such a treasure trove is the abundance of hard corals that are crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. These are the architects of the reef, without hard corals, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals and use them for shelter and places to lay their eggs. Other members of the marine kingdom depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Known for its clear visibility, sometimes as deep as 35 metres during the summer months, its abundance of coral and fish life, and for its precipitous walls with water going as deep as 1,500 metres and more, Bunaken is rated by many as the single best dive site in all of Indonesia. The popular dive site of Bunaken Timur is normally reserved for intermediate scuba divers because of its strong current. Here the site consists of a very long reef and is home to an array of beautiful soft corals and bright butterfly fish including the rarely seen zebra butterfly fish. It is possible here to come across green turtles, sharks, the rare dolphin fish or schools of eagle rays gliding elegantly into the blue.

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Enjoying a tropical climate, Bunakenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wet season is from November to mid April. The dry season runs from May to October during which temperatures can reach 35Â° C but is when one can enjoy optimal visibility. The densely populated island has 22 villages supporting a total of 35,000 people. Most locals work as fishermen or farmers cultivating coconut, sweet potato, banana or seaweed for export. A small number of islanders are employed in tourism as dive guides, boat operators, and cottage staff. Accommodation options range from backpacker cottages to 5 star resorts and the island can be easily reached from its neighbouring island Manado by motorized boats that depart from Manado harbor, Molas, Kalasey and Tasik Ria beach. Ferries from Manado to Bunaken leave daily around 14.00 pm (depending on the tide) on all days except Sundays when it leaves from Pasar Jengki near the Manado harbour. The return journey from Bunaken to Manado usually leaves early in the morning, at around 7-8 am. There are also charter boats that depart in the morning and return in the late afternoon. Cristy Elmendorp www.somajourneys.com

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Faraway Paradise:

Koh Rong Samloem

KOH RONG SAMLOEM IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES THAT SHOULD BE VISITED WITHIN THE NEXT DECADE. THIS IS A SMALL ISLAND IN THE GULF OF SIAM, JUST OFF CAMBODIA’S NORTHERN COAST. WITH INTERNET EXPOSURE THIS ALLURING ISLAND IS GAINING A LOT OF ATTENTION WITH ITS BEACHES AND PICTURE POSTCARD SERENITY THAT REMINISCES THE BEST BEACH AREAS OF THAILAND TWENTY YEARS AGO.

beauty; with activities ranging from jungle walking to boat cruises to various pristine beaches around the island. Koh Rong Samloem is set for a huge increase in visitor numbers during its high season through to May 2016. There is also an expected increase in numbers for the European holiday period of July and August. To cater for this influx many new accommodation options are springing up on the three-kilometre long Saracen Bay and the island’s northern Mpay Bay.

Imagine the picturesque scenery of tropical greenery meeting lonely white sandy beaches with crystal clear ocean water lapping their edges - a place far from modern civilization and crowded cities. In our fast changing world this is a scene that is disappearing rapidly. Here on Koh Rong Samloem Island however, these images are still the real picture. The island measures approximately nine kilometres in length and five kilometres at its widest point. Koh Rong Samloem is ready to take you into its embrace of tropical sun, sand and gentle ocean. Koh Rong Samloem—also spelt Sanloem or Saloem, is situated eighteen kilometres due west of Sihanoukville, the main beach resort of Cambodia and is reachable by fast ferry or fishing boats. Although much less developed than its larger companion island of Koh Rong; a ten-minute boat ride to the north, the beaches of Koh Rong Samloem suffer substantially less noise and is without light pollution that has become a problem on the larger party island due to its all-night bars and crowds dancing through the night.

Saracen Bay is one of the best spots in Koh Rong Samloem. It is basically an enclosed bay boasting three-kilometre length of white beach and is the location of the main boat pier that links the island with mainland. To the North of the island is Mpay Bay, an area that is currently developing into another tourist sector, with a lot of budget accommodation options from individual bungalows to guest houses. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, jungle trekking, mountain biking and fishing trips are just some of the organized activities that are widely offered throughout the island. It should be said though that relaxing in this tropical island splash of sand, sea and sunsets is still the endearing feature of this lovely paradise isle.

The island’s best feature lies in its unspoiled natural

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Exploring the Historical Destinations of Jog jakarta

A SPLENDID CHOICE OF DESTINATION FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN A FANCY STAY IN FIVESTAR RESORTS, JOGJAKARTA IS CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT REFERENCE SITES OF JAVA’S CULTURE AND ART. THIS REGION HAS THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF HISTORICAL AND NATURAL SITES ANYWHERE IN INDONESIA. IT HAS BECOME A DESTINATION OF INSIGHTFUL HOLIDAYS.

Entitled ‘Daerah Istimewa’ (DI), Jogjakarta is a centre of Javanese culture and heritage with more than a few days of ancient sites and natural landscape to visit. I dedicated my recent trip to Jogjakarta to explore some of the understated places that live just a bit below the radar of international and national tourism. The first stop of my trip was at Gumuk Pasir Parangkumo, a vast area of soft sand formed by the natural phenomena called ‘oelean’ in local tongue. It is basically formed as wind carries sand from ocean beaches and deposits it inland to form large dunes. Here I got the chance to try my hand at sand boarding, an adrenaline pumping recreational activity using a paraffin waxed board to glide down a dune’s steepest slope. This activity has been officially listed as one of the ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ programs promoted by the Indonesian Tourism Ministry. After my sand boarding excitement I went off to find some of Jogakarta’s famous traditional dishes. I was pleased to come across Gudeg, a sweet stew made from young unripe jackfruit boiled

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for several hours with palm sugar and coconut milk. This is commonly served with egg, chicken and comes with a plate of hot rice. I tasted one special variant called gudeg manggar, originally from Bantul and where young coconut flower is employed as its main ingredient creating a distinctively unique flavour.

Yogyakarta near the ever-popular Malioboro district, this 5-star hotel set in an historic colonial building offers an elegant, traditionally furnished interior that blends vintage elements and modern facilities seamlessly throughout the 144 refined rooms. Courtesy of The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

My journey ended at Situs Ratu Boko, situated on the eastern side of Jogjakarta in Dawung village of the Prambanan regency. The origin of this prehistoric site can be traced back to the 8th centuries. This magnificent site is thought to have been the inspiration of the heartfelt love tale of Roro Jonggrang and Bandung Bandawasa. Perched 195 meters above sea level, Situs Ratu Boko is a truly beautiful spot and perfectly positioned to take in the sun rising up to its dawn. During my visit here, The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta was my choice for accommodation. Located in the heart of

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The Other Side Of Metropolis: Jakarta’s Enchanting Vintage Sites THIS METROPOLITAN AND SOPHISTICATED CITY NEVER FAILS TO IMPRESS THE MILLIONS OF VISITORS IT RECEIVES FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE. SINGAPORE IS A DESTINATION THAT ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING NEW TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY.

Jakarta is a capital of commerce in Indonesia, and only little known as a tourist destination. But for those wanting to feel something of a different side to this city there are some very worthwhile sites to visit that expose some of the long history of this city’s endless story. The first stop of my journey through the city was Jakarta’s National Museum of Indonesia. It is an archaeological,

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historical, ethnological and geographical museum located in Central Jakarta. Established back in 1868, this museum holds an enormous number of prehistoric, anthropological, and archaeological artefacts from all over Indonesia and Asia. During my visit here I moved around several sections and gained some fascinating insights from the early days of man’s climb down from the trees to the Majapahit era and beyond.

From the city centre I went to the Eastern part of J-town and the famous Taman

exploring this park, rode its cable car, took pictures in front of its artificial lake and watched a movie on the largest screen I’ve ever seen at the Keong Mas IMAX Theatre. Kota Tua was the last destination of my journey through Jakarta. It is a remainder of Old Batavia City—the first walled Dutch settlement in Jakarta stretching 1.3 square kilometres within north western region of the city. There are several points of interest in Kota Tua, such as Jembatan Kota Intan and Fatahillah Square. I was interested to visit the Sunda Kelapa Harbor located on the estuary of the Ciliwung River. This small port was once the heart and life of Jakarta and played a significant role in its development. As I gazed upon the Phinisi boats lining up on its waterfront, I found myself in cognitive mood as I realized just how much things had changed here since to early days of settlement.

Mini Indonesia Indah. This is basically a culture-based recreational facility containing a synopsis of Indonesian culture, with virtually all aspects of daily life in Indonesia’s provinces that are encapsulated in separate pavilions. These different aspects included architecture, clothing, dances and traditions. I had quite some fun

My trip to Jakarta was an expressive and thought filled experience of the past. I got to see the other side of this large Metropolis and felt the vibes of its exciting yesteryear as I shambled down from its usual fastpaced lifestyle and bustling daily activities. AirAsia has direct flights from Bali for those who want to experience a different side of Jakarta. For more info please visit www.airasia.com

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The Attractive Holiday City of

Surabaya

KNOWN AS ‘THE CITY OF HEROES’, SURABAYA IS INDONESIA’S SECOND LARGEST CITY AND ONE THAT DRAWS BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS AND TOURISTS.

Photo by Sihasakprachum

Surabaya with its surrounds has become the centre of economic activity for East Java. Here business is transacted between industry and business people form all over the world. There are also many attractions here that appeal to leisure tourists. Not least of these are interesting landmarks, monuments and well-preserved heritage buildings. One of these is Balai Pemuda Surabaya or the Surabaya Youth Centre built in1907 and originally owned by a Dutch organisation known as ‘De Simpangsche Societeit’ that founded the building as a social venue for dances and party events for the colonisers. Today, the north side of the building is given over to the Arts Council for use as an Art Exhibition Centre. Another site of significance is Tugu Pahlawan or the Heroes Monument that is located in front of the Governor’s official building on Jalan Pahlawan. This monument has become an important memorial for the city; built to honour those who fought and died during the historical battle in Surabaya to gain Independence in November 1945.

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For those looking for a shopping spree there are many great malls offering world-class products making this city one of the shopping destinations of Indonesia. For shoppers, May is a great month here as this is when the city holds its Surabaya Shopping Festival to celebrate Surabaya’s anniversary. December is also a good time to shop in Surabaya as year-end sale takes place where one can save up to 70% in most of the major shopping centres. For those looking for a more adventurous experience; the raw power of nature is on show with a trip to Mount Bromo. This is one of the most iconic volcanoes in Indonesia. This fiery mountain stands tall at 2329 metres and is still

one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Mount Bromo rises up from the massive Tengger caldera, a volcanic crater with a diameter of approximately 10km. The caldera is encircled by the startling Laut Pasir or ‘sea of sand’ that can be driven through to the volcano viewing site. The sunrises here are as spectacular as the awesome doings of Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire. With so much of interest to see and do here, Surabaya should be high on the destination list for those exploring Indonesia. The city can be reached by plane in less than an hour from Bali. AirAsia has one daily direct flight services from Bali to Surabaya. For more info, click on to www.airasia.com

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A Mesmerizing Voyage To One of The Ultimate City Destinations MY ONCE A YEAR TRIP TO THIS EXCITING CITY HAS BECOME RITUAL FOR ME. WITH ALL IT HAS TO OFFER I JUST LOVE BANGKOK.

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The city is considered one of the most visited in the world; there are many reasons for this. One of Bangkok’s magnetic draws is the smorgasbord of shopping opportunities here. There is a vast range of product options and manymany shopping venues throughout the city. Besides the major shopping malls of Siam Paragon, Central World, Terminal 21 and the Platinum Shopping Mall a new mall was opened last year. EmQuartier Bangkok is a huge shopping centre selling premium brands, affordable brands and an enticing range of local brands. Here there are several restaurants to satisfy a whole raft of personal palates. For those visiting between the months of June and August, advantage can be taken of the bargains on offer during the Bangkok Grand Sale. One shopping venue not to be missed is the Chatuchak Weekend Market; the world’s largest outdoor market. A visit here is always exciting as the markets offer a huge variety of items including clothing, accessories, handicraft, antiques, souvenirs, housewares, décor fittings, pets and of course food and drinks. There is always something of a new and unique nature to be found in this market and homeward shopping bags will almost certainly bulge. One of the great things about Bangkok is that it is a staging point for those looking for a quick island getaway to one of the kingdom’s many islands. A must visit is Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket and one of the most popular destinations in Asia. This is not only because of its natural beauty but also its easy accessibility. Koh Samui is home to luxury resorts and villas; it

is blessed with palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense mountainous rainforest. Bangkok is also well known as the ultimate dining destination with its endless number of dining venues from fine dining, casual eateries to the muchappreciated street food outlets. Thai food is rich in special spices, delightful aroma and colourful ingredients. Dishes are not only a treat to the eyes; they are also a sensory merriment to the taste buds. The street food offers first timers an exotic range of delicious bites, some even of the six-legged variety. For a memorable dining event with a view one should try a luxurious dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Dining in style as the boat cruses past the Wat Phrakaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), the Grand Palace and Santa Cruz Church will present much more than a fleeting glance to some of Bangkok’s wonders. Now, traveling to Bangkok is more convenient as AirAsia has twice daily direct flights from Bali. Choosing the morning flight and arriving around noon will expedite your adventure around Bangkok even faster. Visit www.airasia.com to purchase a ticket.

Photo by MJ Prototype

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Exploring Perth: Australia’s West Coast Gem STANDING REMOTE AT THE WESTERN EDGE OF AUSTRALIA, PERTH IS ONE OF THE MOST ISOLATED MAJOR CITIES ON THE PLANET. WITH A POPULATION OF OVER 1 MILLION THIS CITY LIVES A PEACEFUL AND LAID BACK LIFE, THANKS TO ITS PLEASANT MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE, FANTASTIC PARKS AND LINES OF PRISTINE BEACHES. PERTH HAS BECOME A MAJOR ‘DOWN UNDER’ HOLIDAY DESTINATION.

Featuring big-city attractions within its relaxed and informal surrounds, Perth offers an appealing lifestyle for locals and much to do for visitors. Sophisticated bars, nightclubs and live music venues are all vying for attention. Imagine this together with

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the city’s surrounding natural attractions of beaches, green parks and the strikingly beautiful expanse of the Swan River. My first stop within the city’s vicinity was to King’s Park and its classic views over the river. Considered the pride and joy of Perth, King’s Park is a 400-hectare bush-filled expanse. The centre region of the park is dedicated to the Botanical Gardens that are filled with over 2000 species of the indigenous plants of Western Australia. There are breathtaking beds of colourful flowers and in spring there are prolific displays of the state’s famous wild flowers.

Photo by E. A. Given

Just at the mouth of the Swan River is Fremantle, a diminutive city well regarded for its live music and trailblazing craft beer scene. There is a festive air here in this city port where locals and tourists of all types casually move about from cafés to market stalls and the port’s famous fish and chip outlets. Most of the many bars offer live music and enjoy good patronage. Fremantle is steeped in history, city fathers and conservation groups have has paid careful attention to the preservation of Fremantle’s colonial architecture and institutions. Ornate Victorian and Edwardian buildings still stand gracefully as testimony to the city’s early beginnings. Perth’s natural landscape is also one of the reasons it is held in high regard as one of the best destinations for tourists in Australia. I was glad of the chance

to visit Cottesloe beach, this has been one of the city’s favourite shoreline destinations for more than 100 years. The beach is a one-and-a-half kilometre stretch of golden sand just north of Fremantle. The crystal clear water and consistent waves of Cottesloe make it a popular spot for swimmers and families. After watching the sunset beyond Cottesloe’s horizon, I decided to call it a day. The Hyatt Regency Perth became my choice of overnight stay. It features 367 rooms & suites of the highest standard. Located by the beautiful Swan River, this awardwinning hotel offers superior comfort in luxury accommodation and is complete with facilities such as complimentary Internet, fine cuisine and leisure amenities.

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Discover the Fascination of Melbourne

BOTH DYNAMIC AND COSMOPOLITAN, THE CITY OF MELBOURNE IS REGARDED AS THE CULTURAL HUB OF AUSTRALIA. IT IS THE HOME OF FINE VICTORIAN-ERA ARCHITECTURE, EXTENSIVE SHOPPING DISTRICTS, GALLERIES, THEATERS, STREET ART, PARKS AND LOVELY GARDENS. HERE VISITORS ARE WELCOMED TO EXPERIENCE THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF CITY LIFE JUST THE WAY MELBOURNIANS ARE.

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There are many reasons to visit and re-visit Melbourne. The second most populated city in Australia is in fact a fine place to live. Melbourne has been selected this year yet again as the ‘most livable city in the world’. This is now the fifth time in a row that the city has been so selected. Citizen of Melbourne— call themselves Melbournians in this multi cultural and ethnicaly diverse city. They are avid sports fans and gladly share their passion with tourists and newcomers alike. Melbourne is best enjoyed the way locals enjoy their lifestyle. Those who revisit the city tend to find so much more to explore and enjoy. This was my second visit to Melbourne and it was on this trip that I made a point of exploring coastal suburbs, shorelines and nearby islands from one of the world’s most prominent living environments. I took a ride to Phillip Island, located less than two hours drive from Melbourne on a well-maintained highway and bridge. Phillip Island is a popular weekend tourist destination, especially during the summer. One of the island’s main-attractions is known as the ‘Penguin Parade’, where visitors can witness the island’s small penguins walk up from the sea to their nesting grounds. During my visit I decided to take a walk on Cape Woolamai, exploring the well signposted walking tracks of various lengths from the beach. The second stop on this trip was St Kilda, a vibrant inner city suburb of Melbourne that is widely known for its beach life. Acland and Fitzroy Streets

are especially known for their dining outlets and feature cool cafes, elegant restaurants and a good selection of attractive and trendy bars to visit. I enjoyed myself walking along the sandy shore of St Kilda beach and witnessed a stunning sunset from the end of the St Kilda Pier. One of the best and recommended places to stay in Melboune is the Crown Metropol located within the Crown Towers, an entertainment complex – a city hub. Housed here are a world-class casino, a luxury retail area, Melbourne’s famous event spaces, theaters and performance venues, cinemas, highend spa and numerous dining options serving a variety of international cuisines. Crown Metropol features 658 rooms, making it the largest hotel in Australia. For gastronomic enthusiasts, a visit to Nobu should not be missed. Also situated in Crown Towers, this worldwide famous brand of Japanese restaurant offers a wide range of delicious innovative Japanese cuisine with a stunning view of the river. Now AirAsia has a direct flight from Bali 5 times a week, so you can experience the best of Melbourne with only a click away. For more information, visit www.airasia.com

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Admiring The Diverse Ambience of

Hanoi THIS CHARMING CITY WITH ITS BEAUTIFUL CENTURIES-OLD ARCHITECTURE AND AROMATIC CUISINE HAS DRAWN MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF, TO RE-VISIT.

It was early morning when I arrived at the Hanoi’s international airport and went directly to the Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi, where I’d booked. The location of the hotel is in the Hoan Kiem district is situated conveniently within walking distance to some of the city’s major attractions including the Hanoi Opera, Trang Tien Plaza, Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi offers 107 meticulously designed guestrooms comprising of deluxe, grand deluxe, suite

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and grand suite accommodation. Each has lavish quality amenities and timber floors to compliment the finest Asian textiles and silks that contribute to a room’s vibrant colour pallet. One thing I really admire about Vietnam’s capital is the distinctive local atmosphere along with the endearing old French colonial buildings scattered around the Hoan Kiem district. No wonder, Hanoi is regarded as the “Paris of Asia”. The influence of these two cultures can be can be seen and felt throughout the city’s buildings and restaurant cuisine.

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Regardless of the current modernity, the city has managed to preserve its ancient architectural and historical buildings and turned them into some of the major attractions for tourists. While in Hanoi, one should visit The Old Quarter. This is a gathering place for both locals and tourists. The area is packed with restaurants serving local specialties, clubs and bars, shops and a weekend night market providing a variety of clothing, souvenirs and food. A must visit is The Hanoi Opera House, a Mecca for those who appreciate art and architecture. This fascinating building with its art-nouveau exterior is a perfect example of French Colonial flair. The opera house is still a performance venue for Hanoi’s high arts and is an attraction for

both viewers of performing arts and those with an interest in iconic monuments.

by an elegant red bridge built in classical Vietnamese style.

To indulge the palate, a recommended restaurant is a situated just a few steps away from the hotel, Club Opera serves delicious Vietnamese dishes. The place is not that big but the décor is elegant a charming and an inviting ambience pervades.

One should take advantage of a visit to Hanoi by making a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Here limestone karsts and isles tower out of the bay providing visitors with unforgettably stunning scenery.

Strolling along the Hoan Kiem Lake that translates to “Lake of the Returned Sword” or “Lake of the Restored Sword” is a most relaxing outing. While there, one should take the time to go to the famous Ngoc Son Temple. This is a temple surrounded by a lake. The temple is sited on a small island in the northern part of the lake and connected to the lakeshore

It was another memorable trip to Hanoi and I am sure to be back next year.

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PLEASANT DINNER WITH BREATHTAKING VIEW

AT JENDELA BALI RESTAURANT

Incorporated into the of elevated enclave of Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, Jendela Bali Restaurant invites all to dine and savour authentic local cuisine while at the same time enjoying the breathtaking view of Jimbaran’s surrounding nature from a concealed vantage point.

Take a deep breath upon arriving at the restaurant’s front door and sense a distinctively cooler and fresher air from the average dining venues situated in the lower reaches of the Jimbaran area. Jendela Bali Restaurant’s strategic location has made it an ideal setting for those intimate dining sessions with loved ones. Guests are greeted here with stunning vistas and views overlooking the lush tropical cascades of Jimbaran’s hills.

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Apart from the restaurant’s delightful positioning, Jendela offers a range of authentic Balinese dishes to sate the hunger of all comers. My first dish here was Balinese crispy fried duck served with a Balinese vegetable salad known locally as urap. The duck presented with crispy golden skin over tasty and tender meat. This menu item works very well as a lunch or dinner choice most especially for those seeking the tantalizing flavour of Balinese cuisine and local-grown spices. Jendela Bali’s iga bakar sapi was up next, a portion of thick and juicy ox rib meat with a tasty sauce that excited my taste buds from the very first bite. Jendela also offers creativity with fusion dishes with their pizzas. Here a tin crusted cheese-coated home-baked pizza with Balinese-style topping is available featuring sambal matah and minced chicken.

I ended my pleasant dining session with a sweet treat consisting of pisang goreng (fried banana) and laklak (Balinese pancake) coated with brown sugar sauce.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Ungasan, Kuta Selatan Tel. +62 361 704 465 www.gwkbali.com

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A PERFECT PLACE FOR HIDDEN FINE DINING Kubu is an extraordinarily fine dining restaurant, not only due to its uniquely plush design but also for its tempting dishes presented with artistic flair and taste to match. The restaurant is well cloaked in its own environment and is embodied within a striking bamboo structure that blends well with its modern interior. Here Mediterranean-European cuisine is on offer within an intimate setting of 9 private cocoons overlooking the Ayung River. Guests can select from either a la carte or degustation menus. I opted for the a la carte and started with a delightful appetizer of lobster

One of the latest additions to the restaurant scene in Ubud, Kubu can be found in Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, splendidly sited on the banks of the famous Ayung River.

gazpacho, iberico ham, crispy bread, then continued on to a decadent main course of Dutch milk fed veal, “Macarie” potato, eggplants, liquorice jus. My meal ended with with a delicious dessert of ivory white chocolate mousse with cranberry jelly and chocolate crumble – a perfect ending to a great meal. Unequalled presentation, delicious food and excellent service along with the sweet gurgle of the Ayung River made this a most enjoyable experience.

Kubu at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Jalan Kedewatan, Banjar Kedewatan Tel. +62 361 4792777 www.mandapareserve.com

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SWIM & DINE IN THE WILDERNESS AT JUNGLEFISH

Sensationally lodged into the side of a ravine overlooking the Osh River Valley, Junglefish is an open-air restaurant and pool bar that serves International dishes and exciting cocktails. Here guests are invited to enjoy the natural beauty of the area’s surrounds from this magnificent vantage point.

Junglefish is an amazing dining venue that together with its superb menu and dramatic aspects it is also a restaurant of eclectic interior design. Here mid mid-century Danish and Balinese elegance present with an edgy twist. The lower level area brings guests to a face-to-face encounter with Bali’s lush tropical greenery and it is where an infinity pool is featured along with cabanas, sofas, bar and large hanging beds. The Junglefish menu sets new standards for modern cuisine with dishes ranging from Mediterranean, Greek and Asian flavors. Recently introduced dishes include ‘fall off the bone’ barbeque pork ribs served along with grilled pepper and tomato salsa, Thai chicken curry with a creamy coconut sauce along with vegetables and steamed white rice. For fish lovers Junglefish’s delicious grilled barramundi is not to be missed. This is presented with an array of side dishes including ratatouille, dabu-dabu, sambal matah, balsamic dressing and feta-stuffed mushroom. Dining and/or swimming here in these lovely surrounds is an event in itself and is greatly enhanced with the accompaniment of Junglefish’s signature cocktails such as their tequila-based Conchita, rum-mixed passion fruit mojito, or vodka-based watermelon sling.

Chapung Sebali Resort & Spa Jl. Raya Sebali, Keliki, Ubud Tel. +62 361 8989104 www.junglefishbali.com

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GOOD FOOD, GOOD VIBE, GOOD LIVE EXPERIENCE AT LE BON VIVANT RESTAURANT Located on the quiet side of Danau Tamblingan road, Le Bon Vivant has set the stage for casual yet elegant dining amidst its tropical island atmosphere. The restaurant interior design is inspired by a continental Brasserie décor highlighting unique details that respectfully honour Balinese culture and heritage. The name ‘Le Bon Vivant’ is taken from an old French poem and can be loosely translated as ‘someone who enjoys the good life’ - a philosophy that the restaurant projects for its guest’s enjoyment. Le Bon Vivant serves elegant comfort food with its own signature twist. I decided to indulge myself with the restaurant’s Jamon Serrano. This is a dish where Spanish thin-slices of Serrano pork ham

Based in Sanur, Le Bon Vivant is a quaint restaurant serving honest cuisine that takes on a European cultural root as well as world culinary fare and Indonesian flavour, all this with an unmistakable fresh twist.

are served with roasted vanilla pineapple, chilli and Parmesan shavings. The delinquent taste of salty and tender pork ham meeting sweet pineapple made it one of my favourite dishes. Seafood lovers should order Mussels Provencale—a plate of sweet tender mussels cooked with tomatoes, mushroom, onions and herbs. The highlight of my dining session was the Entrecote; 500gr of primegrade Auskobe Black Angus beef served along with butter whipped potatoes, French beans and other tasty ingredients. The huge slabs of thick, juicy and tender Auskobe beef spoilt my palate with its flavoursome taste. This is exactly how quality beef should be prepared.

SHERATON GRANDE SUKHUMVIT A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok 250 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel. (66) 02 6498888 www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com

Jl. Danau Tamblingan No. 156, Sanur Tel. +62 361 283 817 www.lebonvivant.co.id

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Eloquent Dining Experience

at Platinum Grill Surabaya

Golf Graha Famili dan Country Club Jl. Raya Golf Graha Famili, Surabaya Tel. +62 31 738 8990

Situated in Golf Graha Family and Country Club, West Surabaya, Platinum Grill is a high-end restaurant in which to enjoy a fine dining session with loved ones. The restaurant has two dining venues, indoor and outdoor, plus one VIP space. The outdoor area features a scenic view of a lush green golf course, with tables set on a wooden platform above the pool area. Indoors is a more secluded space, fully air-conned with large glass windows on all sides, providing a clear view of the restaurant’s panoramic surrounds. The menu at Platinum Grill consists of Western-based European cuisine. During my visit in a mood of abandonment I treated myself to one of the restaurants most popular menu items. I just had to have the Lobster linguini. This is a portion of tasty linguine pasta topped with butter poach-cooked lobster, white truffle and rose garlic. The pasta combined with white truffle and rose garlic added to the meal’s exquisite taste. Other choices come in form of roasted chateaubriand with wild forest mushroom brandy and au jus, a plate of tenderloin meat roasted to perfection, served with brandy mushroom gravy and cauliflower puree. For dessert, I took the restaurant’s suggestion and ordered the valrhona dome. This is a gorgeous dome-shaped cake which blends marshmallow-dipped caramel sauce with an inside corn cereal mousse-textured chocolate.

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Regarded as one of the best dining venues in Surabaya, Platinum Grill is a lavish restaurant inviting guests to an escalated gastronomy experience while featuring quaint environs. This is a spacious dining venue and a WesternEuropean take on palatable delicacies.

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Inspired by old Indian wisdom, SOHAM Wellness Centre provides a nurturing space for those who wish to rediscover their own spiritual and physical balances with a combination of dedicated therapies, comforting treatment and convenient space.

Tranquility as Its Finest at SOHAM Wellness Center Situated in Lebak Sari Street of Petitenget, just across from MACA Villa, SOHAM Wellness Centre is a sanctuary for body treatment with a full array of facilities and good service. It also features an indulging treatment menu incorporating the concept of old Indian wisdom. The word ‘SOHAM’ in Sanskrit is literally translated to ‘I am He / Him’, in other words ‘be one with Brahma’. There are a total of 11 treatment rooms at SOHAM, divided into certain types, namely 3 rooms for couples, 7 single rooms and a separate room each for Thai massage and healing treatment. The building concept is actually inspired by the earth and sky: they use pale timber, natural stone and sky blue accents for wonderful and elegance looks. Upon my arrival, I was treated to a hot cup of ginger lemongrass, this soothing elixir effectively allowed a calmness to settle upon me. Immediately after this a helpful

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therapist asked some questions to determine the type of ‘dosha’ or force in my body. There are three main types of dosha in the Ayurvedic concept; namely Vatta (Air), Pitta (Fire) and Kappa (Earth). I picked ‘Best of Ayurvedic’ to pamper myself at SOHAM. This is one of their premier treatments featuring 120 minutes of an Ayurvedic combination massage. Starting off with a warm foot bath to wipe away skin bacteria. The treatment then continued with a rhythmic Abhyanga body massage using homemade oil and a scrub of special blends and natural ingredients. The massage was gentle and firm to loosen tight muscle as each rub was applied. The last part of the treatment was also the best; ShiroDhara oil was poured onto my forehead and scalp creating a deep relaxing sensation that rejuvenated me and set a peace of mind.

Maca Group Jl. Lebak Sari No. 7 Petitenget, Seminyak Tel. +62 361 739 090 www.sohamwellnesscenter.com

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CELEBRATE THE FULL MOON WITH WELL BEING ACTIVITY AT FOUR SEASONS SAYAN Full moon in Bali is considered a sacred day by Balinese-Hindus and is period when respect is paid to ancestral gods in gratitude of their protection. Offerings and ceremonies are held across the island during this cycle of the moon. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan celebrates this auspicious moment with their special wellness program conducted on the resort’s brand new ‘by-the-river’ yoga deck.

The platform for this program has been sited to take good advantage of the valley’s attractive surrounds. Here moon salutations are stewarded on a platform surrounded by paddy fields and lush Sayan Vally forest under the moon’s golden orb and the silvery shimmer of its stars.

This full moon yoga program was inspired by the uplift of energy apparent on this important day of the month in the Balinese calendar. Guests of this program are invited to honour the ‘yin’ – the gentle feminine side of nature with their salutations to the moon. This is to counterbalance the ‘yang’ or the masculine nature of classical sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) of daytime yoga. This activity is aimed at countering negative forces and replacing vital energy. The moon salutations are believed to cool-down fiery impulses and ‘hot’ emotions thus allowing creative energy to flow.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan started their program in August 2015 and continued with every full moon since then. In that same year the full moon coincided with Christmas day and it was then that a special Christmas full moon yoga program was held. According to astronomers the next Christmas full moon will occur one in 2034.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar Tel. +62 361 977 577 www.fourseasons.com/Bali

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TIMELESS REJUVENATING SERENITY AT CHAYA SPA, KAMANDALU UBUD One of the pioneers of Bali’s luxurious resorts, Kamandalu Ubud unveils their fine facility; Chaya Spa, a treatment center which combines ancient healing arts with serene environs, high quality pure essential oils and natural skincare products from Bali, Indonesia and beyond.

There are many aspects that need to come together to form a quality treatment environment and Chaya Spa at Kamandalu Ubud has a long list of ticked boxes with its facilities, services and guest comfort. The spa itself is a two level building with all the very best of equipment. This includes bathtub, outdoor shower, cabinets, washbasin, and a convenient double-bed Spa room overlooking the scenic serenity of a tropical green Ubud.

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I was flattered upon my entrance to Chaya Spa. The high level of hospitality certainly helped me feel comfortable and relaxed even before the treatment began. I was offered a ‘pampering of Kamandalu’, two and a half hours of full body treatment consisting massage, body scrub, flower bath and facial. The treatment begins with a foot wash using organic sea salt for its antiseptic benefit. This was immediately followed by a 1-hour massage using Balinese traditional techniques and high quality organic essential oils. The therapist was well trained and knew just what she was doing. The massage technique was precisely applied to my whole body from feet to scalp and from back to front and sides using palm and fingers with firm but gentle tension.

A body scrub came next with freshly prepared papaya fruit, oatmeal and virgin coconut oil to enhance the skin moisture and regenerate dead skin cells. Next a flower bath session began to totally cleanse and scrub the body. The last part of the treatment was facial; it consisted of three different phases, using cucumber oil, honey and lime, and sliced cucumber. This treatment also introduces a Sensatia skincare product to both repair and add more elasticity to the skin.

Kamandalu Ubud Jl. Andong, Banjar Nagi, Ubud Tel. +62 361 975 825 www.kamandaluresort.com

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THE HOLISTIC OF WELLNESS AT SPA VILLAGE PANGKOR LAUT Located within a private enclave of Pangkor Laut Resort, Spa Village is an award-winning wellness centre inspired by the ancient healing rituals from around SE Asia and Malaysia in particular. Spa Village combines pampering environs and abundant natural resources into one memorable treatment experience.

Established in September 2002, Spa Village of Pangkor Laut Resort is spread over four acres fronting the sea on a quiet bay and backed by lush tropical rainforest. This is a perfect setting for an indulging body treatment. The stunning compound is comprised of twenty-two over-water Spa Villas divided into eight treatment pavilions; a deluxe Belian Treatment Pavilion, three Healing Huts, two Bath Houses, three Thai Pavilions and a Herb Garden. The treatments at the Spa Village begin with a unique Bath House Ritual, representing various bathing traditions from around Asia. Starting with a soothing footbath and invigorating Chinese Foot Pounding and followed by a traditional Malay ‘circulating’ bath. After the bath, a Japanese-style cleansing with a ‘goshi-goshi’ cloth is followed by a

dip in the heated Rotenburu pool. One of the main treatment items recommended especially for those who travel with their loved one is the Ultimate Spa Experience. This treatment for two is conducted at the Belian Pavilion, offering the option of a half-day (four hours) or full day (eight hours) experience. The full day experience is the holistic session of wellness that begins with a private yoga session, followed by a body wrap and signature bath to end the morning session. At noon, the body massages session ensues and is followed by facial and signature manicure/pedicure.

Pangkor Laut Resort, Pangkor Laut Island, 32200, Lumut, Perak, Malaysia Tel. +60 5 699 1100 www.pangkorlautresort.com/spa/

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Delivering Message:

Photography According To I Gede Ary Suardika Runner Up of Tropical Life Online Photo Contest 2015

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There are a lot of stories, causes and reasons behind fine photography. For I Gede Ary Suardika it is the story of his early development and how he has learnt to capture moments that deliver messages to his audience.

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Born at Jinengdalem village, Singaraja, I Gede Ary Suardika decided to become a full-time photographer from a young age. He was an accomplished and much talented lad who was selected as one of the judges for his campus photography competition and more recently won 2nd place in Tropical Life Online Photo Contest 2015. He is also currently enlisted as the leader of Singarajaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photographic Community. For I Gede Ary Suardika, photography is a visual media that works best when inspiring viewers of his photographs. This aspect of his art is brought home with his Tropical Life Photo Contest picture; a photograph that conveys a deep sense of sincerity. The delightfully serene tone of green paddies meeting a golden sky as a lone humble farmer stands gazing in awe upon the result of his work. This shot emits such genuine radiance and truly reflects the root nature of Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farming culture. A good photograph, according to Ary Suardika, must contain inspiring idea and soul, so that it can truly deliver a message to its audience. With that kind of understanding, it will be interesting to see how his future photographic work will develop.

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JOSE JEULAND :

THE MAN WHO LIVES IN TWO WORLDS Unlike many other professionals, Jose Jeuland lives in two worlds both of which he enjoys simultaneously. Jose is French born, a full-time triathlete with a passion for physical training, a creative thinker and an accomplished street photographer.

Joseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profession and hobby go hand in hand allowing him to make a living while doing what he loves to do while on the job; so to speak. It is not often one gets the opportunity to pursue both profession and passion at the same time. Jose Jeuland is one of those who do. Currently listed as an active full-time triathlete, he regularly competes around the globe and travels extensively for training meets.

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Not long ago, he discovered a passion in street photography and decided to take it as his main profession. Jose approaches photography with the same intensity as he does with his training. His keen eye for detail and impeccable timing made him an accomplished street photographer with an eye for capturing lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleeting moments and expressions. Describing himself as the man of simple habits, Jose enjoys backpacking to explore the city which he feels that is is an incredible experience. He is happiest on his feet and able to use his camera to document aspects of life in the diversity of his encountered cultures. In between his rigorous training schedules and travelling off the beaten track, Joseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pictures are currently displayed in art galleries to people to purchase and he is currently planning to organize a photo exhition in Singapore this year.

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living

VILLA IN BALANGAN, VIB/AY/TL_B_001 A great choice for those looking a holiday home in Bali. Situated only 3 km from the beach, this fully furnished villa has 4 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, private swimming pool, open living & dining area, fully equipped kitchen service area, staff quarter. 4-bedroom villa Land size: 800 m2 Price: Rp 5.000.000.000 Title: Freehold For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

VILLA IN BERAWA, VIBR/AY/TL_BR_002 For those looking for a minimalist style villa, this is the right choice. Located only a short drive from Canggu Club and to Berawa beach, it has 3 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, private swimming pool, open living & dining area, kitchen, service area, and staff quarter. The villa has a rooftop with green grasses overlooking to the rice field, which is a good spot to enjoy sunset. 3-bedroom villa Land size: 450 m2 Build size: 300 m2 Price: Rp 7.000.000.000 Title: Freehold For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

VILLA IN SANUR, VIS/AY/TL_S_003 The villa sits in 600 m2 and designed to deliver a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;feel at homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; atmosphere. It is fully furnished and has 3 bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, swimming pool, gazebo, spacious terrace, living & dining area, kitchen, service & staff area. The villa is only 15 minutes to the beach. 3-bedroom villa Land size: 600 m2 Build size: 400 m2 Price: Rp 6.500.000.000 Title: Freehold For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

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VILLA IN TIBUBENENG, VIT/AY/TL_T_004 A very special villa that consists of 4 deluxe rooms and 1 superior room with facilities like huge swimming pool, outdoor living and dining area, kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pool, fully equipped kitchen, large bale bengong, a large garden as well as staff and service area. The villa still has about 500 vacant land. 5-bedroom villa Land size: 2.500 m2 Build size: 600 m2 Price: USD$1.500.000 Title: Freehold

For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

VILLA IN BALANGAN HILL, VIBH/AY/TL_BH_005 Within 10 minutes walk to Balangan Beach, this 2-store and fully furnished villa offers 3 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, spacious living & dining area, fully equipped kitchen, gazebo with outdoor dining table, swimming pool with pool deck, wellmaintained garden, staff quarter & service area. 3-bedroom villa Land size: 835 m2 Build size: 500 m2 Price: USD$750.000 Title: Right of Use For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

VILLA IN KETEWEL, VIK/AY/TL_K_006 Looking for a second home in Bali? This one could be yours. The fully furnished villa has 5-bedroom with en-suite bathroom, 8m x 18m swimming pool, 4m x 4m small/plunge pool, fully equipped kitchen, air-conditioned entertainment room, 3 bedrooms for staff, service area, storage and garage & carport fits for 6-8 cars. 5-bedroom villa Land size: 3.750 m2 Build size: 600 m2 Price: Rp 25.000.000.000 Title: Freehold For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

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VILLA M IN UMALAS, VIMU/AY/TL_MU_007 It comprises of 2 units of fully furnished villa, which are located next to each other. Both villas have a single open-air living & dining area, kitchen with private pool and garden. Each villa is suitable for those looking a small holiday villa. 2-unit villa: 3-bedroom & 2-bedroom Land size: 350 m2 & 275 m2 Build size: 210 m2 & 180 m2 Price: Rp 5.500.000.000 for 3-bedroom & Rp 4.500.000.000 for 2-bedroom Title: Freehold For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

VILLA IN PEJENG UBUD, VIPU/AY/TL_PU_008 The estate consists of 3 units of villa. Villa 1 (800 m2): 4-bedrooms & kids sleeping loft. Villa 2 (7 x 11m ): 2-story, can accommodate 7 people, netted double & single bed, gallery style kitchen, open air bathroom. Villa 3 (2 x 4m): 1-bedroom, teakwood cottage, a super king size bed, large open-air bathroom, Indonesian & Tibetan furnishing. Also they provide two saltwater swimming pools, fully equipped kitchen and spacious car parking. It is an ideal location for wellness retreats, yoga, and relaxing holidays. 3 units villa Land size: 4.600 m2 Price: USD$ 2.700.000 Title: Freehold For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

VILLA 3 IN UMALAS, VI3U/AY/TL_3U_009 It has 3 units villa with unique design in a well-manicured garden. Each villa has its own swimming pool, open plan living & dining area, fully equipped kitchen, air-conditioned bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and spacious garden. 3 units villa: 1 unit of 3-bedroom & 2-units of 2-bedroom Land size: 3.900 m2 Price: USD$ 2.500.000 Title: Right of building For more info, contact Tropical Agent Tel. +62 81339840502

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hotel listing

BALI NUSA DUA HOTEL & CONVENTION PADMA RESORT BALI AT LEGIAN

MACA VILLAS

It is a 5-star hotel strategically located in the premier resort of Nusa Dua area. Comprehend of 96 plush rooms and suites, the five-star hotel is connected to Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), a world-class venue for MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference & Exhibition), which has proudly hosted numerous international conferences.

A serene sanctuary under the shades of palm tree, Padma Resort Bali at Legian is one fine alternative for travelers seeking ultimate comfort in tropical ambience. With traditional Balinese architecture design, lavish interior and wide selection of rooms, it is set to bring the best of your stay during vacation.

Maca Villas & Spa Bali offers twentyfive 1 and 2 bedroom pool villas that are intimately designed for total privacy and capture the true essence of a Bali Holiday. The villas feature an open-air receptionlounge in a modern twist on traditional Balinese design, round-the-clock guest concierge and villa butler service.

Jl. Padma No.1 Legian Bali, Indonesia Tel. +62 361 752 111

Jl. Lebak Sari No.7, Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia | Tel. +62 361 739090 www.macavillas.com

SHERATON BALI KUTA RESORT

LE MERIDIEN BALI JIMBARAN

QUNCI VILLAS LOMBOK

Intimately welcomes you to the heart of Kuta, Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is a five-star accommodation offering quality service, comfortable resting space and easy access to entertainment spot around Kuta area. The hotel boasts a total of 203 rooms and suites for their beloved guest, as well as other facilities such as the famous Feast and Bene restaurant.

Located not far from the pristine Jimbaran Bay, Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran is one of the most stylish luxury hotel in Bali. There are total of 117 spacious guest room owned by the hotel, as well as other exclusive facility such as Bamboo Chic Restaurant, Serenity treatment center and the wonderful Smoqee bar & sky lounge.

Nestled in front of the gorgeous Mangsit Beach, Qunci Villas is the ideal place for those looking for a serene and picturesque getaway in the comfort of modern and plush services. It offers 78 rooms, Qamboja Spa, restaurants and two 30-meter and a 15-meter infinity edge pools overlooking the Bali straits.

Kawasan Pariwisata ITDC Block NW/1, Nusa Dua Tel. +62 361 8498833 www.balinusaduahotel.com

Jl. Pantai Kuta, Kuta Bali, Indonesia Tel. +62 361 846 5555

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Jl. Bukit Permai, Jimbaran Bali, Indonesia Tel.+62 361 846 6888

Jl. Raya Mangsit, Sengigi, Lombok, Indonesia Tel. +62 370 693 800 www.quncivillas.com

hotel listing

HOTEL MAJAPAHIT

THE PHOENIX HOTEL YOGYAKARTA

SHERATON GRANDE SUKHUMVIT

A heritage Hotel in the centre of Surabaya city, Hotel Majapahit is a luxurious historical hotel featuring graceful colonialstyle architecture and beautiful gardens. The hotel provides 143 rooms, prestigious dining facilities, a spa, a health club and an outdoor pool.

Situated in the heart of Yogyakarta, The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta is the second of the MGallery collection selected in Asia due to its history and splendid decor. The hotel boasts 143 exquisite rooms, the famous Paprika Restaurant, The 1918â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Terrace Bar and MySpa.

Jl. Tunjungan no.65, Surabaya, Indonesia Tel. +62 31 5454 333 www.hotel-majapahit.com

Jl. Jenderal Sudirman no. 9 Yogyakarta, Indonesia Tel. +62 274 566617 www.thephoenixyogya.com

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok is an iconic address in the heart of Sukhumvit Road. The renowned hotel is ideally connected with a pedestrian sky bridge linking to the SkyTrain at BTS Asok station, the subway at MRT Sukhumvit station, Terminal 21 Shopping Mall and more. Hotel discerning travelers can easily discover the allure of this captivating city, its palatial shopping malls, historic temples and all that the city has to offer.

Rama 1 Road 991/9, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand Tel. + 662 649 8888 sheratongrandesukhumvit.com

TRADERS HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR BY SHANGRI-LA

G HOTEL KELAWAI

THE MAJESTIC MALACCA

Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur offers 571 well-appointed rooms and suites, restaurants, 24-hour business services and health club, and an award-winning rooftop bar-SkyBar. The hotel is within walking distance to the KLCC Park, Suria KLCC and 10 minutes walk to Bukit Bintang.

Located in Georgetown, G Hotel Kelawai is one of the best hotels in Penang offering 208 stylishly appointed rooms and houses the only rooftop bar with 360-degree view of the island. The hotel is within walking distance to Gurney Drive and close to Gurney Plaza.

Situated in The UNESCO World Heritage city of Malacca, The Majestic Malacca houses the Mansion and an adjacent new wing of 54 lavishly appointed guest rooms that include 43 deluxe king rooms, 9 deluxe twin rooms and 2 suites. The hotel features the famous Spa Village Malacca.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel. +60 3 2332 98888 www.tradershotels.com

2 Persiaran Maktab, 10250, Penang, Malaysia Tel.+60 4 219 0000 www.ghotel.com.my

188 Jalan Bunga Raya, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia Tel. +60 6 289 8000 www.majesticmalacca.com

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PICK UP POINT IN ROOM

Blue Water Express Serangan

The Laguna Resort BTDC C151 Smart Villas Jl. Laksmana The Royal Santrian Jl. Pratama The Haven Jl. Raya Seminyak Grand Mirage Jl. Pratama New Kuta Condotel Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Pecatu Sentosa Private Villas Jl. Pura Telaga Waja, Seminyak TS Suites Bali Jl. Nakula Gending Kedis Jl. Karang Emas Sejahtra, Jimbaran Kanishka Villas Jl. Kunti The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak

Bridges Jl. Raya Campuhan Café Degan Jl. Petitenget

Komaneka Resort Jl. Bisma

Café Moka Jl. Raya Seminyak

Kudeta Jl. Laksmana

Canggu Deli Canggu

Kuni’s Jl. Laksmana

Chandi Jl. Laksmana

Kuta Paradiso Hotel Jl. Kartika Plaza

Chapung Sebali Resort & Spa, Ubud

Kupu-Kupu Jimbaran Suite Jimbaran

Club Bali Mirage Jl. Pratama Conrad Jl. Pratama Dejavu Kitchen Jl. Arjuna

Park Royal Plaza

VIN+ Central Park

Naumi Hotel

Sardine Jl. Petitenget

Villa Lumbung Jl. Petitenget

Ramada Bintang Bali Jl. Kartika Plaza

W Retreat & Spa Bali Jl. Petitenget

Ramada Beach Resort Jl. Pratama

The Legian Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak

Rumours Jl. Laksmana

Mantra Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Sawangan

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort Jl. Pantai Kuta Sheraton Laguna BTDC SenS Hotel Jl. Sukma Banjar, Ubud

Villa Jodi Jl. Laksmana

The Bay Bali Jl. Nusa Dua, Kuta Selatan Mozaic Jl. Raya Sanggingan Maya Ubud Resort & Spa Jl. Gunung Sari Peliatan

Made’s Warung Jl. Pantai Kuta Jl. Raya Seminyak

St. Regis Jl. Pratama, Tanjung Benoa

Novotel Bali Nusa Dua Hotel & Residences Jalan Pantai Mengiat

Mamasan Restaurant Jl. Raya Kerobokan

Suka-Suka Jl. Batu Belig

Ritz Carlton Bali Jl. Nusa Dua Selatan

Sushi Tei Jl. Sunset Road

a Ritz Carlton Reserve

TG Lounge International Airport Ngurah Rai

Teatro Gastroteque Jl. Kayu Aya, Kuta, Badung,

Grand Hyatt Bali BTDC

Griya Santrian Jl. Danau Tamblingan H Sovereign Bali Jl. Raya Tuban Hard Rock Hotel Jl. Pantai Kuta Hard Rock Café Jl. Pantai Kuta

ARC Sunset road

Hotel Niksoma Jl. Padma II

Amandari Jl. Raya Sayan

Hu’u Jl. Petitenget

Amanusa Nusa Dua

Intercontinental Jimbaran Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera International SOS Jl. By Pass Jenggala Keramik Jl. Uluwatu

Bali Deli Jl. Kunti

Jemme Restaurant Jl. Petitenget

Blue Ocean Double Six

Junction Jl. Laksmana

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Vila Jerami Jl. Kunti

Downtown Villa Jl. Raya Seminyak

Grocer & Grind Jl. Laksmana

AYANA Resort & Spa Bali Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera

Puri Santrian Resort Jl. Danau Tamblingan Sector Jl. Pantai Shindu

Sienna Villas Jl. Raya Seminyak Gg. Keraton 5

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali BTDC

Ayodya Resort Bali BTDC

The Scarlet Hotel

VIN+ Kemang

Lumut Jl. Danau Tamblingan

Gill Wilson Jl. By Pass Sanur

Alaya Ubud Jl. Raya Pengosekan

Central Park

Dulang Café and Bakery Kuta Square

Chez Gado Gado Jl. Dhyana Pura

Alila Villas Uluwatu Jl. Belimbing Sari, Desa Pecatu

LV 8 Resorts Jl. Discovery, Canggu

Villa Dedaun Jl. Legian

Discovery Kartika Plaza Jl. Kartika Plaza

The Elysian Jl. Sari Dewi

Alilla Villas Ubud Melinggih Kelod, Payangan

L’assiette Jl. Mertanadi

Prana Spa Jl. Kunti

Le Bon Vivant, Sanur Jl. Danau Tamblingan

Faces at The Bale Nusa Dua

Ahimsa Jl. Kunti

Kori Restaurant Jl. Poppies II

Café Batu Jimbar Jl. Danau Tamblingan

Amadea Resort Jl. Laksmana

BALI

Karma Kandara Jl. Karma Kandara Kopi Bali House Jl. By Pass Sanur

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Massimo Restaurant Jl. Danau Tamblingan Melia Benoa Jl. Pratama

Sentosa Seminyak Jl. Pura Telaga Waja

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran Jl. Bukit Permai

Mercure Bali Legian Jalan Legian

TG Lounge Domestic Terminal at Ngurah Rai Airport

Metis Jl. Petitenget No. 6

Tarita Gallery Jl. By Pass

LOMBOK

Merah Putih Restaurant Jl. Petitenget

Teckococo Jl. Petitenget

The Oberoi, Lombok

Mezzanine Jl. Danau Tamblingan New Kuta Golf Pecatu Grand Nikko Bali Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan

The Bistrot Jl. Kayu Aya Dijon Setia Budi The Corner Store Jl. Laksmana The Oberoi Jl. Laksmana

VIN+ Seminyak Bali Jalan Kayu Jati

The Santosa Villas & Resort Qunci Villas The Chandi Boutique Resort & Spa The Lombok Lodge Hotel Novotel

Novotel Nusa Dua BTDC

The Orchard Jl. Laksmana

Mandalika Resort

Panonpoe Jl. Laksmana

The Village Jl. Danau Tamblingan

JAKARTA

Pandawa Beach Villas And Spa Jl. Pantai Gumicik Peninsula Resort Jl. Pratama Piment Rouge Jl. Serangan, Kerobokan

The Villas Jl. Kunti Sofitel Luxury Hotels BTDC Ultimo Jl. Laksmana

VIN+ PIM VIN+ Arcadia Plaza Senayan

SURABAYA Kawi Lounge Sheraton Hotel

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Miracle Aesthetic Clinic

Novotel City Centre Kuala Lumpur

Lobby Lounge JW Marriot

Pacific Regency Hotel Suites

Somerset The Platinum Grill Graha Famili Golf

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur

The Taman Dayu Golf Club Vis A Fis JW Marriot

YOGYAKARTA Grand Aston Yogyakarta Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta HYATT Regency Yogyakarta

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Best Western Premier Dua Sentral Park Royal Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur The Majestic Kuala Lumpur Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur Novotel City Centre Kuala Lumpur

Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa

Starhill Galery

Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort & Spa

Shook @ Starhiil Gallery

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

Enak KL

Starhill Tea Salon Frangipani Restaurant

SOLO

Twenty one Kichen + Bar

Alila Solo

El Cerdo, Cangkat Bukit Bintang

The Royal Surakarta Heritage Solo The Sunan Hotel Solo

SINGAPORE The Club Singapore Hotel Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen The Connoisseur Emporium The Queen & Mangosteen

Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta

Holiday Inn Express Singapore

Shangri-la Hotel

Costa Coffee

Hotel Borobudur Jakarta

Intercontinental Singapore

Hotel Pullman Thamrin

Sheraton Towers Singapore Hotel

Hotel Pullman

KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA

Prince Hotel KL Avani gold coast sepang resort

PENANG G-Kelawai

BANGKOK THAILAND Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok Cabonchon Hotel Bangkok Mercure Siam Bangkok Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

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