Australia
TempusTwo-WineTasting

An Insider’s Guide to Getting the Best from a Wine Tasting

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How to Get the Best from a Hunter Valley Wine Tasting

When you visit the Hunter Valley it is simply impossible to not be tempted by the enormous range of delicious food and wine options available to taste in this region. With Semillons, Verdelhos, and hot climate Shiraz varieties that have impressed everyone from James Halliday to even the most discerning French connoisseur, you will find yourself, wine glass in hand and salivating at the adventure to come when you enter any cellar door in the Hunter.

However, just as all wines are not created equal, all tasting experiences are also not equal. The vast majority of wineries in the Hunter Valley are boutique outlets who simply don’t produce enough bottles to meet the demand requirements of large retail outlets like Dan Murphy’s  or Liquorland. So 95% of their sales come directly from cellar door tastings (the other 5% being to local restaurants) and naturally, their staff is keenly aware that their ability to keep their job in the long term comes from sales.

Having experienced many US and New Zealand wine tastings, I can proudly say that the Hunter Valley region has some of the most professional cellar door staff you will ever meet. People who know their products and communicate their passion for them well.

So, they don’t need to go the “high pressure” route of bullying you to buy. With that being said, many a cellar door owner or manager has felt the heartache when a group of twenty people books for a tasting, consumes many bottles of their produce, and after an hour of one of their staff’s precious time, they have to watch the group say “thanks for the free samples” and walk out empty-handed.

Cellar door staff are all too familiar with this scenario and they are looking for some tell-tale signs from the time a group arrives, in order to identify if this might be an issue and what they can do to minimise their risk/losses.

So how can you get the most from your tasting experience?

If you know some of the signs cellar door staff are looking for and how to send the right message during your tasting then you can find your experience is completely different to that of another group. You might get to try an aged wine or a premium version of the wines that are on the standard tasting list. Often the cellar doors have plates of cheese and biscuits made up or chocolates that compliment their produce that they only bring out for the “right” groups.

Not to mention receiving more generous tasting portions.

As someone who has seen many wine tastings, here is my “insider” guide on how to make you or your group come across as the “right” tasters and get more from your cellar door experience….

TempusTwo-WineTasting

An Insider’s Guide to Wine Tasting

1. Ensure you look the part

This doesn’t mean you need a suit and tie! Smart casual is the way to dress. You would be surprised how many guests I’ve seen show up to a wine tasting with bare feet, ripped jeans, washed out t-shirts etc. You don’t want to give the impression that you’d rather be at the pub with a schooner of beer!

2. Don’t be seen drinking other beverages on the way in

Putting your Raspberry Vodka Cruiser bottle in the garbage bin just before you walk in the door might seem like a good idea at the time but it certainly suggests that you are more interested in a party than finding a quality bottle of vino. And the cellar door staff also know that after such a sweet beverage, your palate is ruined for tasting the subtle and complex fruity flavours of a quality wine.

Everything is going to taste quite acidic after a bottle of sugary mixer drink and prompt a “these wines are horrible” response, so the logical course of action is to cut back your tasting portions. I’m sure this isn’t what you had in mind!

3. Remember that the staff are listening to every word you say and watching everything you do

A good hospitality professional will keep smiling and making you feel welcome no matter what, but it would be a mistake to think that they aren’t listening to the group chit-chat in-between pouring tasting portions.

Who do you think will get more generous tasting portions and maybe get to try a premium or aged wine?

The group who consumes all of their portions, says nice things about them and comments on the wine they bought from a lovely boutique vineyard last year? Or the group who comments that they don’t enjoy wine, they were dragged along to the occasion as the venue was the idea of the group organiser and that Passion Pop is their beverage of choice!?

4. Listen to the presentation and ask questions that show you are interested

You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur or ask complex questions that show-off your wine intelligence, but if you ask simple questions that suggest you are genuinely interested in the products, then you will get much more attention from the cellar door staff.

A few good examples include:

“How long will this wine last for if I wanted to store it long term?” or “Do you use fruit 100% grown in the Hunter Valley or do you source fruit from a variety of locations?” or “You mentioned 2015 was a good year for winemaking, why was that so?”.

The cellar door staff will feel you really appreciate their knowledge and their presentation if you ask such questions. It is human nature to want to feel appreciated and we all go the extra mile when we feel our efforts are valued so this one is just common sense.

However, I have seen so many groups simply chat amongst themselves and completely ignore the presenter at a group wine tasting leaving the poor cellar door presenter to have to try to speak loudly or even yell to get through their presentation. Other than the fact it is simply rude, place yourselves in the shoes of the staff member. Would you bring out that little something extra for the group who isn’t even listening to you?

5. Arrive with a local tour guide who knows the cellar door staff well

As a tour guide who lives locally on the doorstep of Hunter wine country, I am so lucky to enjoy not only amazing wines but amazing friendships with the cellar doors that Tastes Of The Hunter Wine Tours has worked with. My groups have been offered private tastings in underground cellar rooms, cheese, biscuits and chocolates and even special VIP pricing as well as tastings led by the cellar door manager or even the owner of a boutique vineyard, so choosing to join a tour led by a Hunter Valley local is definitely a great way to get an enhanced tasting experience.

6. And lastly, it’s just good manners to find something to purchase at the end of your tasting

Just as it is good manners to bow with respect in certain countries, it is simply the right thing to do to find something to purchase after a wine tasting, especially if the cellar door has not charged you to taste their products. Even if it is just 1 or 2 bottles, it makes an enormous difference to a boutique cellar door to cover their costs or do better. It’s a small way of thanking the cellar door staff who have delivered both friendliness and professional service to your group.

You will also get a much more generous tasting portion if you pull out your credit card and say “I’d like to purchase a good red wine for my husband but I can’t decide between the Merlot or the Cabernet Merlot. Could I taste them both?”. If the staff can tell you are serious about a purchase (whether it is big or small) they will certainly give you a little something extra.

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Whether you are visiting the Hunter Valley or any wine region, you can apply these tips to get more from your tasting and go beyond the stock standard experience being offered. And the best part is the majority of these tips won’t cost you a cent, yet will get you a priceless and memorable experience worth making your friends envious about on Instagram!

Your Say

Have you ever had a fantastic wine-tasting experience?

I fell a little bit in love with the Hunter Valley when I went their as a wine virgin, and have since had some great times on San Diego wine tours or personally designed adventures.

Melbourne
The Melbourne skyline

Celebrating Melbourne’s Fantastic Foodie Heritage

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Celebrating Melbourne’s fantastic foodie heritage

Whilst Australia has earned a legendary reputation for its fresh and delicious cuisine, it’s probably Melbourne that’s the nation’s foodie epicentre.

With the much-loved Melbourne Food and Wine Festival recently enjoying its 25th year, the city in Victoria is one of the global hotspots for enjoying the best in culinary innovation.

Whether it’s checking out the incredible Asian offerings in the much-loved Chinatown part of the city, or even exploring some of the phenomenal Italian or Greek restaurants, it all shows just why Melbourne has earned such a great reputation for its fun and vibrant cuisine.

So what are the must-see sights on a foodie tour of Melbourne that allow you to take in the easy-going ambience whilst enjoying some mouth-watering tastes?

Melbourne’s markets

melbourne markets

Much of Melbourne’s culinary excellence is derived from the wonderfully fresh produce of the region. And where better to witness this than at one of the city’s famous markets?

The fantastic Queen Victoria Market offers a great place to start with local delicacies like peppered kangaroo fillets and crocodile sausages nestling alongside fresh fish, artisan cheeses, and of course plenty of delicious organically grown fruit and vegetables.

But there’s plenty more to Melbourne’s markets than this, as Dandenong Market is famous for its global delicacies with everything from Turkish lokma to Indian spices making this one of the most aromatically inspiring places in the city.

And then there’s the Slow Food market on Abbotsford Covent that takes pride in serving up locally grown organically produced foodstuffs that let you know exactly where they came from.

Meat treats

steak melbourne

Melbourne has plenty to offer for any visiting carnivores with the title for the best steak in the city being incredibly competitive. Many local people swear by Rockpool Bar and Grill for their wide selection of quality steaks, whilst the recently opened Longhorn Saloon has been a welcome addition to the city’s steakhouse scene with their popular New York strips catering to even the largest appetites.

And for those who are seeking something a little different, then the stylish Ribs and Burgers in Hawthorn does exactly what you’d expect, plus they even have a delivery service with Deliveroo so that you can enjoy their wonderful meat delicacies no matter where you are!

But seeing as you can’t go anywhere in Australia without somebody mentioning the good old-fashioned barbecue at some point, then why not see how the masters do it at Big Boy BBQ in the CBD. With everything from ribs and wings to meat platters, it certainly won’t leave you feeling hungry!

Fresh Seafood

seafood melbourne

Those looking to sample Australia’s amazing seafood cuisine are also in for a real treat in Melbourne. Whether it’s keeping it low key at Miss Katie’s Crab Shack in Fitzroy to get some Southern-style seafood, or trying to impress your other half with CBD’s Meat Fish Wine, there’s plenty to discover.

And whilst there’s no shortage of great fish and chips outlets in Melbourne, it’s probably the much-loved Cerberus Beach House that offers the most dazzling view over Half Moon Bay whilst you tuck into the freshly battered fish.

It’s also worth mentioning that Melbourne’s markets also take pride in serving up plenty of excellent fresh fish. Whilst the aforementioned Queen Victoria market has plenty of legendary fish outlets like Gazza’s, it could also be worth heading over to Claringbolds Seafood at the Prahan market.

This much-loved outlet has been serving up prawns, salmon, trout and Coffin Bay oysters since 1909, and it will give you another reason to believe that Melbourne is a fantastic place for enjoying fresh seafood.

Veggie options

vegetarian food melbourne

There’s plenty to enjoy for those who aren’t tempted by ribs and burgers, as Melbourne has long been at the forefront of global healthy eating trends thanks to outlets like Vegie Bar in Fitzroy that have been catering to vegetarians for over 20 years.

It’s also worth mentioning that plenty of Melbourne’s vegetarian outlets also showcase the best in global cuisine. Places like Om Vegetarian are great fun as they are all-you-can-eat Indian kitchens that have a relaxed atmosphere whilst providing a cool way to sample many delightful dishes from the Indian subcontinent.

In addition to this, the Moroccan Soup Bar in Fitzroy North does exactly what you’d expect, but with some delicious sultana couscous offerings, it shows what a wide reach Melbourne’s food scene has.

Other options include Smith & Daughters that specialises in vegan produce that has many interesting Spanish and South American influences, whilst Gopal’s is a nice buffet restaurant that excels in meat-free Asian options. And with the much-loved Crossways featuring vegetarian cuisine that’s served up by the local Hare Krishna group, it all goes to show what a fantastic and diverse food scene Melbourne has.

Your Say

Where are your favourite spots in Melbourne for a bite to eat?

Tanzania
mount kilimanjaro tanzania

Climbing the Roof of Africa: Why Kilimanjaro is an Achievable Dream

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Kilimanjaro: An Achievable Dream

Despite being Africa’s highest mountain at 5,896 metres, and one of the most magnificent sights that the continent has to offer with its three main volcanic peaks – Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an achievable dream for most.

In fact, some call Kilimanjaro “Everyman’s Everest,” since it is the most achievable of the Seven Summits, the highest hills on each of the world’s continents.

That’s a good thing for tourism in Tanzania – even those who believe that a vacation should be as relaxing as possible – can achieve this dream adventure holiday without too much stress on their bodies. It isn’t a very technical climb, but more of a walk that those who are fit would find easy.

kilimanjaro summit
Image courtesy of Jack Zalium

Preparing for Kili

Before heading out on a gruelling trek, people are usually encouraged to pick up a regimen to help them get their body into gear. All it takes is some determination to make it to the top and be rewarded with an unforgettable view that will forever be lodged in your memory.  

In fact, if what you need is some inspiration, just recently, an 8-year-old climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, becoming the youngest known girl to do so. What’s more, Roxy Getter was born with a heart defect and had open-heart surgery as a baby.

In 2012, Kyle Maynard also made a historic ascent and became the first man to crawl to the summit. Others with prosthetics have also made the climb.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t train your body at all before planning such a trip. Despite being a doable feat that even a complete beginner can manage, to get the great sense of achievement of conquering a mountain, it’s advisable to do the trek slowly over time so as to not put too much strain on the body.

The most important thing to truly guard against is Acute Mountain Sickness or Altitude Sickness. To help acclimatize to the altitude, it makes sense to do the trek over 8-10 days. As it is, such a journey to the top should not really be rushed. After all, there’s much to be seen while making you way up to the roof of Africa.

But more than anything, you have to be mentally ready to take on the challenge. After all, we only benefit from our hardships and trials if we patiently learn perseverance.

mount kilimanjaro tanzania
Image courtesy of Ninara

Routes of Kilimanjaro

There are a total of seven routes one can take to make the climb to the top. Of these, the Marangu Route and Machame Route are relatively easy and are the ones that attract the largest number of tourists.

Of the two, it is the Machame trail that is more likely to attract people by the dozens as it far more scenic. Approaching Kilimanjaro from the south, the trek starts in dense tropical rainforest and passes through some of the mountain’s best features – the Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall, and Karanga Valley. The trek is spectacularly rewarding thanks to its stunning views.

More so, the environment keeps changing as trekkers reach different levels of the mountain – that’s partially the beauty of Kilimanjaro.  Level one is a tropical rainforest in the foothills, where locals grow banana and coffee crops.

On level two is a gorgeous cloud forest, where tourists get the chance to see a lot of wildlife – from birds and monkeys to antelopes.  

Then you break into an alpine landscape, where plants look more rugged that the lower regions. After that comes a rocky, almost lunar type landscape, which is followed by the snowline.

kilimanjaro sunrise
Image courtesy of Stig Nygaard

Making it Happen

You will need a day of preparation before and a recovery day afterwards and the hotels are either based in Moshi or off the main road that runs from Moshi to Arusha.

On the monetary front, climbing Kilimanjaro is a far more achievable dream than climbing some of the world’s other famous peaks, namely Mount Everest or Mount Vinson in Antarctica. Even so, all tours are guided tours, the cheapest being around $1,000 US dollars per person. Another $500 or so will get your other basic requisites, from hotels to food and even transportation.  

It’s an emotional thing to get to the summit – when dawn breaks and light from the sun begins to reach out to every visible corner of the sky, trekkers will see Africa spread out before them in a view unlike any other. The elation one gets at the end, of a path trod and a triumphant trek makes for a memorable experience that you’ll never forget .  

There isn’t a single person who won’t be moved.

It may be tough, but you’ll end up happier, stronger and more in tune with yourself for it. While not for the faint hearted, climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the more achievable high peaks on the planet and, with a good level of fitness and sensible approach, is a very worthwhile pursuit.

 

China

Sofitel at Ponte 16: The Best Luxury Hotel in Macau

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Finding the Best Luxury Hotel in Macau

When it comes time to plan a trip to Macau, people are often intimidated by the city’s reputation as a place for high-rollers.

It’s certainly true that the majority of hotels I could find when looking for a place to stay in Macau tended to be on the pricier side of things.

Sure, there were hostels and dingy business hotels aplenty, but finding a base that was affordable and a pleasure to stay in was a tad difficult.

Thankfully, I stumbled across the Sofitel at Ponte 16 during in my searches.

Finding a perfect balance between affordability and the kind of luxury you look for when you’re taking a trip to China’s Vegas, the Sofitel at Ponte 16 is the perfect luxury base in Macau.

Five Reasons Why Sofitel at Ponte 16 is the Ideal Base in Macau

#5 – The Staff

From the moment I stepped out of the cab, I was treated with the kind of respect you’d expect from a luxury hotel chain of Sofitel’s reputation.

The bellboy the concierge the staff in the club lounge and the lovely team who helped me check in were always smiling and always willing to help out.

“But Chris,” I hear you say, “Isn’t that pretty much par for the course at a luxury hotel?”

Sure, you wouldn’t expect any less from Sofitel, but let me give you an example of them going above and beyond to help me out.

That time I left my luggage in a Macau taxi

It was sometime during check-in that I realised I was missing something important: my suitcase full of clothes for my two day trip to Macau.

This isn’t the first time I’ve made a tremendous cock-up in my travels. Earlier this year, I broke my arm without travel insurance while scuba diving in Sumatra, Indonesia.

In my hurry to get out of the cab, pay the driver, and check-in, I’d left my suitcase in the trunk of the taxi and it had driven off.

The staff, from Paige at the check-in desk to the assistant manager who came to grab details from me, kept me calm and managed the situation wonderfully.

They accompanied me to speak with the police officer who found my bag, helped me arrange a cab to pick up my luggage from Taipa, and checked in with me over dinner to make sure everything was accounted for.

Above and beyond

The attention to detail went beyond helping me recover my lost bag.

Several staff members stopped to chat with me during evening cocktails to offer their recommendations on things to do in Macau, and Paige even took me up onto the roof to snap the below photo of a Macau sunset.

Throughout my stay, the Sofitel Macau staff made me feel like a valued guest.

It’s a little thing that doesn’t cost them anything extra, but it goes a long way towards making an already memorable experience an unforgettable one.

#4 – The Sofitel Club Experience

Ever since I experienced my first club experience during my stay in Tainan, Taiwan – I’ve been hooked.

Paying that little extra to have access to a luxury hotel’s club lounge is such a great way to add a little extra flair to your stay.

You not only get priority check-in and access to higher quality rooms, but you get access to the fantastic Club Lounge.

sofitel club lounge
Image courtesy of Sofitel Macau

Happy Hour at the Sofitel Club Lounge

Far and away my favourite feature of the club experience is the daily happy hours.

From 5.30pm until 7.30pm, club members are treated to free flow wine, beer, and cocktails alongside a selection of delicious appetizers such as dim sum, desserts, fresh fruit, and a few western favourites.

Set against the backdrop of the sun setting over Macau’s distinctive skyline – it’s a really great way to work up an appetite for dinner and end your day’s explorations in style.

Breakfast at the Sofitel at Ponte 16

Another perk to the Club Lounge is having access to the complimentary breakfast buffet.

While all guests have access to breakfast on the hotel’s 6th floor, club members can instead dine in the peace and quiet of the Club Lounge.

Whether you sample the traditional Chinese and Western breakfast options from the buffet or ask the chef to prepare pancakes or eggs, you’ll get to wash it all down with fresh juices, coffee, or tea made to order.

#3 –  Signature Restaurants: Prive Restaurant & Le Chinois

While Macau is famous for its affordable street food, I made a point of sampling both of Sofitel at Ponte 16’s signature restaurants while visiting.

In addition to Prive’s French cuisine and Le Chinois Cantonese offerings, the hotel is also home to Mistral Restaurant – which offers a more standard hotel dining experience.

Le Chinois

Having called China ‘home’ on and off for the better part of four years now, I get to eat plenty of Chinese food on a daily basis. From delivery jiaozi to spicy date night malatang to my breakfast jianbing, I’ve become something of a regular with the local flavours.

Le Chinois boasts an impressive selection of Cantonese and local dishes but is undeniably in the Chinese way of dining: ordering a variety of dishes and sharing them around the table banquet style.

Unfortunately for me, I was dining alone, and so had to content myself with an order of flavourful Macanese pork belly and a summery soup with cuttlefish and chicken.

While both were good, I walked away hungry.

This is typical of Chinese restaurants, where eating is a communal affair in which dishes are shared around between all diners. Eating alone, I found Le Chinois to be a less than ideal option.

Le Chinois (4)
Image courtesy of Sofitel Macau

Prive French Restaurant

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Prive Restaurant was the perfect place for a quiet meal for one.

Boasting French sophistication, a daunting wine list, and some truly decadent dishes – I didn’t feel at all out of place alternating between scrumptious courses and a good book.

A small space lit by candlelight and the city’s skyline, Prive was all about quiet charm and I lapped it up.

I sampled an exquisite fois gras creme brulee with champagne gelato and followed it up with a divine salmon, all accompanied by a rambunctious glass of Riesling.

(That may be the most pretentious sentence I’ve ever published)

The entire experience was a pleasure, and one I’d thoroughly recommend.

foie gras creme brulee prive sofitel macau
Decadence. Foie gras creme brulee with champagne sorbet.

#2 – Luxurious Rooms

It goes without saying that a brand as prestigious as Sofitel is going to have fantastic facilities.

You’d expect no less than a large, comfortable bed, a flat screen TV, fast WiFi, and plenty of space in a property like this.

But it’s the little added touches at Sofitel at Ponte 16 that make it such a pleasure.

Welcome Treats

Upon arrival in my room, I was greeted by three tall carafes of fresh fruit juice, a bowl of fruit, and a selection of Macanese desserts including peanut brittle, almond cakes, chocolate coated strawberries, and a delicious egg tart.

After a long day of travel, it was a real pleasure to throw myself back on the bed with an ice cold glass of watermelon juice and some sweet treats.

complimentary sweets sofitel macau

An Amazing Bathroom

A rainfall shower? Check

A big bathtub? Check

A TV over the bath? Check

A waterproof pillow so you can really relax in the bath? Check

Let’s just say I spent a good amount of time relaxing in the bathroom after a hot day exploring Macau.

Eternal Glamour Mansion sofitel macau
Image courtesy of Sofitel Macau

A Complimentary Smart Phone!

By far the most unique touch that the Sofitel at Ponte 16 had to offer was the complimentary smart phone in your room.

Set up with all of the essential apps for exploring a new city, the phone also had unlimited data and local calls as well as free calls to a number of countries (including China and Australia).

While I had my own iPhone with local data on hand, it was handy to have a phone set up to show me the local sights, and I can imagine it would have been a huge help to somebody who doesn’t live in China.

#1 – Location, Location, Location!

Far and away the best feature of Sofitel at Ponte 16 is its location.

While many luxury lodges can boast being at the heart of the casino and nightlife district, the Sofitel is the only luxury hotel in Macau located in the historic old town.

You’re a mere ten-minute walk from local landmarks such as Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and crossing the street puts you at the heart of real Macau.

It’s a location that no other hotel in Macau can boast, and it makes it the perfect base for exploring the city.

macau one day itinerary-4207

As you can see, the Sofitel at Ponte 16 has a lot of reasons why it can claim to be the best luxury hotel in Macau.

Its unbeatable location, innovative inclusions, and delicious food make it the obvious choice when looking for a Macau hotel.

Check Here for Prices!

Read More…

Looking for Macau inspiration? Don’t forget to check out my one day Macau itinerary!

Indonesia
raja ampat scuba diving indonesia

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Indonesia ASAP

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Indonesia: An Oft Overlooked Gem of Southeast Asia

Just below the southeast Asian tourism hot spots of Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam is a country with stunning landscapes, deliciously spicy food, and unforgettable experiences.

It’s perilously close to Australia, although the majority of my countrymen never venture far from the overcrowded beaches of Kuta, Bali when they do make the journey across.

I speak, of course, about Indonesia – a criminally underrated and oft-overlooked destination whose thousands of islands offer up something for everybody.

A Growing Obsession with Indonesia

In the past two years, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Indonesia twice.

My first visit saw me searching for dragons in the parched Komodo Islands and hiking to gorgeous waterfalls in Lombok, while my return journey in early 2017 had me trekking for orangutans, kayaking the world’s largest volcanic crater lake, and scuba diving the stunning waters of Pulau Weh.

Oh, and I broke my arm without travel insurance. Whoops!

Even with this somewhat painful mishap, Indonesia remains one of my favourite countries to explore.

This nation of islands is one of stunning natural beauty, ever ready smiles, amazing food, and unique experiences.

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Indonesia ASAP

rendang indonesian food
Image courtesy of Kyle Lam

#10 – The Amazing Food

Indonesian food doesn’t get the same level of fanatical devotion as Thai curries or Vietnamese pho, and it’s a crying shame.

To me, Indonesian food is one of the most criminally underappreciated cuisines in the world, with a fusion of ingredients from across Southeast Asia coming together to create some truly amazing flavours.

While exploring Sumatra earlier this year, Adventures Around Asia and I ate some truly mouth-watering $2 roadside meals of fragrant satay, spicy BBQ fish, simple nasi goreng, and fiery rendang curry that had us re-evaluating our life choices. Had we been living in the wrong country for the better part of four years?

Indonesia’s signature dish, the rendang ‘dry curry’, regularly tops lists of the world’s favourite foods with good reason, but give me a flavourful mie goreng and I’m a happy camper.

Check out Migrationology’s impressive list of the 50 best Indonesian foods for more culinary inspiration.

Christian rock band waterfall lombok tiu kelep bearded man
Photo courtesy of Jones Around the World.

#9 – The Mountains and Beaches of Lombok

Often overshadowed by nearby Bali, Lombok is an untamed wilderness of dense rain forests, towering waterfalls, and soaring mountains mingling with quaint farms, white sand beaches, and the ominous presence of Indonesia’s second highest volcano, Gunung Rinjani.

Often seen as little more than the gateway to the nearby Gili Islands, Lombok has a lot to offer those who are willing to surrender their creature comforts and get off the beaten track.

Hikers are going to be especially enamoured of the island’s many hiking trails, with the trek to the top of Gunung Rinjani something of a bucket list goal for ambitious climbers. With a crater lake and hot springs waiting as the reward at the summit, it’s something to aspire to.

Surfers and beach fanatics will find cerulean waters and world-class breaks aplenty along the island’s southern coast, and it’s the perfect appetizer before heading to the more popular Gili beaches.

borobudur sunrise
Image courtesy of Justine Hong.

#8 – Historic Sites

With so much natural beauty to be found scattered about the Andaman Sea like jewels, it’s easy to forget that Indonesia has a rich history every bit as fascinating as that that spawned historic sites such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Ayutthaya in Thailand.

Borobudur is a breathtaking Buddhist temple that has become emblematic of Indonesia and is one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions with good reason, but you’ve also got towering Prambanan Temple, the impressive Great Mosque of Demak, and the Yogyakarta Palace to amaze and humble.

If colonial history is of interest to you, you’ll find plenty of Dutch influence in the architecture of cities such as Jakarta. Once known as the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia still possesses some of this colonial influence, and it makes for some startling contrasts against the modern architecture that now dominates Indonesia.

bali villa indonesia
Image courtesy of Matthias Ripp

#7 – Bali

It wouldn’t be an Indonesia countdown without including the nation’s most famous island. Bali is so famous that, in all seriousness, I’ve met people who honestly thought it was a country all of its own.

Australia’s most beloved beach playground, the beaches of Kuta have become infamously associated with Bintang singlet wearing, Southern Cross tattoo having bogans looking for a fight. With flights to Bali being very affordable from most Australian cities, it’s no surprise that we Aussies flock there in droves. Many a first-time traveler has graced the hostels in Bali and ‘discovered themselves’ after three too many cocktails.

It’s a real shame too, as there is far more to Bali than just the tourist strip. As Justine from The Travel Lush says, there’s more than just Kuta in Bali.

From the hipster heaven of Ubud to emerging spots like Canggu, there’s something for all walks of life on Indonesia’s most beloved island.

With Richelle and I looking for a base for 2018, you’d best believe we’ve been reading Little Grey Box’s detailed guide to living in Bali.

If you’re looking for info on how to find a great Airbnb in Bali, Mark Quadros has a fantastic article on the subject too.

findng nemo raja ampat
Image courtesy of Tony Shih.

#6 – Scuba Diving

Indonesia possesses some truly world class scuba diving sites, and diving enthusiasts are sure to find something here that they’ve found nowhere else in the world.

While scuba diving in Pulau Weh earlier this year, I was diving alongside people with so many dives to their name that they’d lost count, but you’d best believe we all emerged from the water with the same looks of wide-eyed wonder on our faces.

20% of the world’s coral reefs can be found in Indonesia, and that is further complemented by ancient wrecks, underwater volcanoes, and a whole swathe of other attractions.

If you do make it to Pulau Weh, be sure to go diving with Rubiah Tirta Dive Center, who took amazing care of me both during my dives and after I broke my arm falling off their boat like an idiot.

gili trawangan
Image courtesy of Walter Wilhelm.

#5 – Explore the Gili Islands

For those wanting the prototypical desert island experience, the white sands, turquoise waters, and coconut palms of the Gili Islands might be just what you’re looking for.

While the islands (especially Gili Trawangan aka Gili T) have experienced a huge upswing in popularity in recent years, they’re still considerably less developed and less crowded than the Kuta tourist strip in nearby Bali.

The three islands each boast something a little different: a vibrant backpacker scene on Gili T, a laid-back local vibe on Gili Air, and an upmarket charm on Gili Meno.

Whichever island you choose, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more gorgeous corner of the world.

east java
Image courtesy of Andrey Samsonov

#4 – East Java

For those wanting to get well and truly off the beaten path and experience unspoiled natural beauty, East Java might be the tonic for what ails you.

A lost world of volcanic peaks, jungle valleys, and unspoiled wilderness, East Java is Indonesia’s least populated province and one of its most endearing.

The Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park is home to the towering twin volcanic peaks of Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru, and the land surrounding the volcanoes is one of fertile forest, serene crater lakes, and rugged mountains. It’s truly spectacular.

The Ijen Plateau is a volcanically active region that draws adventurers and hikers from all around the world. Ijen Crater, with its brilliant blue waters, is a highlight of the arduous hike into the mountains.

For pure natural beauty, it’s hard to rival East Java’s rugged interior. While many think of Indonesia’s beaches when they plan their trip, it’s worth remembering the nation’s truly stunning mountains as well.

raja ampat scuba diving indonesia
Image courtesy of Ratha Grimes

#3 – Raja Ampat

For those wanting to get away from it all, there are few places on earth farther away from ‘it all’ than gorgeous Raja Ampat.

Home to some of the world’s best scuba diving, the four islands of Raja Ampat are located in the Western Papua province – a long way from the more well-touristed areas of Indonesia.

Its location makes it difficult to reach and its lack of tourism development means you’re going to be off the grid while you’re there, but if being away from your emails for a few blissful weeks sounds good to you – there are few places on earth better than Raja Ampat.

Pristine, unspoiled, and utterly unforgettable.

komodo dragon
Image courtesy of Jeffrey Manzini.

#2 – Komodo National Park

You don’t need HBO to see dragons. Indonesia’s Komodo National Park is home to the impressive Komodo Dragons, gigantic members of the monitor family famed for their aggression and their fearsome predatory instincts.

Confined to just two islands in the park, the Komodo Dragons are one of Indonesia’s best-known inhabitants, and the chance to walk alongside these 3+ metre reptiles is a real thrill, even if they’re content to just lie in the sun and wait for somebody to throw scraps from the kitchen window.

While the Komodo Dragons may be the real drawcard for the region, I myself loved the experience of overnighting on a houseboat out among the islands and swimming in the crystal clear waters. After a long, hot day of trekking in search of Komodo Dragons, it’s a real treat to slip into the water and wash away the day’s dust.

 

#1 – Sumatra

Indonesia’s largest island is one of its most breathtakingly beautiful, and you could easily use up the entirety of your 30-day visa exploring just a fraction of Sumatra’s sprawling charm.

My ten-day visit to Indonesia in February only managed to scratch the surface of northern Sumatra, where we were able to trek into the jungle looking for orangutans, scuba dive Pulau Weh, and spend a few blessedly serene days on Lake Toba.

The island’s rugged interior is home to all manner of wildlife, including Sumatran tigers and orangutans. While the endandered tigers are a rare sight indeed, ambitious explorers can embark on week-long (or longer) treks into the jungle in search of them.

Surfers, scuba divers, and beach lovers will find plenty to love on the small islands that lie off Sumatra’s coast, while Lake Toba makes for one of the most relaxing escapes you’re likely to find – it’s all idyllic farms and quiet beaches.

Put simply, Sumatra is reason enough to visit Indonesia even if the rest of this list hasn’t won you over.

As you can see, Indonesia is far more than “just Bali”. Whether you’re a scuba diver, a hiking enthusiast, a wildlife lover, a culture junkie, or an amateur historian, there’s a little something for everyone!

Mix that in with amazing food, cheap prices, and friendly people, and you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable vacation.

Interested in making it happen? Check out Momondo for the best prices on flights and accommodation.

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