Activity Review, Destinations, Las Vegas

A Haunted Tour of Vegas Ghost Towns

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Obligatory Part Where I Hate on Vegas

We breezed into Las Vegas feeling like the crew from The Hangover; a pair of young, single idiots with money in their pockets and an unrealistic view of what we’d find in Sin City.

Maybe I’ve just become old and cynical, but I had rosier memories of Las Vegas from my first visit way back in 2009. This time around, despite being single and having the spending money to have the kind of debauched good time that movies like Swingers popularized, I left the city with a decidedly more cynical view.

I think this quote, taken from my personal Facebook the day after leaving Vegas, sums it up pretty well:

vegas opinion

My Vegas experience saw me nursing a hangover, $1,000 poorer, and with no truly enjoyable memories beyond glimpses of glitter-stained cleavage.

Finding Redemption in Vegas Ghost Towns

To say that my Vegas experience was entirely unpleasant would be patently false.

While I didn’t find much joy amidst the human freak show that is Fremont or the vapid glitz of The Strip, there was one shining light from the trip.

Invited to explore some of the ghost towns near Las Vegas with Vegas Insider Tours, we got away from the cloying stink of desperation and loneliness and let the heat of the Mojave Desert burn away our own feelings of disappointment.

mojave desert
A nice change of pace from the strip, don’t you think?

Picked up by our guide, Steve (who also happened to be the owner and the man who managed to convince me to go vegetarian for two months), we did a whistle-stop tour of the key Vegas sights: the Strip, Fremont Street, the shop from Pawn Stars…

Y’know, the big ones.

From there, it was bon voyage to the crowds as we traded neon for the salt pans of the Mojave. Glitter of a different kind.

Stop #1: Hoover Dam

Vegas Insider Tours, like LA Insider Tours, are all about customised private tours. When we expressed an interest in skipping the Vegas sights in favour of a bit more time out in the desert, Steve immediately suggested we swing by Hoover Dam and check that off of our bucket lists.

There’s not much I can write about this monumental feat of engineering that hasn’t already been written in a thousand guidebooks and a thousand, thousand TripAdvisor reviews.

Suffice to say, it’s pretty impressive, and I appreciated the opportunity to add it to the itinerary at the last minute. I don’t think I’ll ever make a third visit to Vegas unless it’s to check item #2 off of my bucket list.

Stop #2: El Dorado

Our first foray into the Nevada ghost towns would be a stop at the wonderfully rustic little mining ‘town’ of Techatticup in the El Dorado Canyon.

Little more than a general store and a ramshackle collection of slowly collapsing buildings, I couldn’t tell whether this place made me more homesick for my own sleepy little village (which can’t even boast a general store) or of my time living in the NSW Outback.

Guided by the property’s owner, who himself might have been right out of Wild West cinema, we were told about some of the ghosts who are said to haunt the town and the nearby Techatticup Mine where gold sent more than a few man to their deaths.

The mine itself is the highlight of the tour, a blessedly cool reprieve from the desert heat if you can handle the claustrophobia that comes from having several thousand tonnes of stone above your head.

The stories are the typical stuff – betrayal, madness, and greed mixed in with a little run of the mill stupidity.

While we didn’t see any of the mines purported ghosts, the stories themselves were a fun glimpse into a far less civilized time.

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Stop #3: Oatman

With time getting away from us, our next stop would be the popular tourist stop of Oatman.

Less ghost town than it is town maintained in the style of the Old West, Oatman is nonetheless a charming spot.

If you can ignore the expensive modern cars and the ever-present phone lines, it’s easy to lose yourself in the idea that you’re actually somewhen else.

oatman hotel
Home to some fucking fantastic burgers.

Dirt roads, bored burros, grimy glass, and chipped paint lend the place a kind of rustic charm that’s hard not to like, and its surrounds of towering plateaux and buttes makes for a pretty picture.

We feasted on deliciously greasy burgers, washed it down with some locally brewed beers, and bade farewell to the Old West in fitting style – with a fiery sunset illuminating the alien landscape.

————

Obligatory Review

Vegas Insider Tours were kind enough to offer me their Ghost Towns Tour on a complimentary basis, and I’m so glad we took them up on their generous offer.

Our day long exploration of the Mojave Desert and the ghost towns that litter the glittering plains was a lot of fun, and especially so because Steve was such a passionate advocate for the area.

When he wasn’t educating us about the desert and Nevada as a whole, we had a great time talking everything from travel to vegetarianism to everything in between.

I especially loved that, like our LA Insider Tour, it was customised. We asked to see Hoover Dam and Steve was only too happy to oblige.

To me, that kind of personal service separates the worthwhile from the underwhelming.

——

Your Say

Have you ever gone on a ghost tour or visited a ghost town?

Want to read about another ghost tour experience? I checked out a Sydney Ghost Tour back in 2011.

Destinations, Travel Daydream
riviera maya ruins

Travel Daydream: Mexico

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Daydreaming of a Summer Escape

Summer really crept up on me here in Nanjing.

One minute I’m complaining about the fact it’s mostly wet and cool, and the next I step outside to find my glasses immediately fogging up and a kind of oven heat waiting for me. The thermometer might say it’s only 33C, but add in the 90% humidity and it’s like I’m wading through a hot bath that smells of even hotter garbage.

China, I love you, but your filthiness is especially evident when things start to cook in your summer heat.

I’m not completely without escape. The beers are cheap and cold, my air-con does an admirable job of keeping my tiny apartment at a pleasant temperature, and my upcoming two week trip to Taiwan offers a respite from the smell – if not the heat.

If anything, it’s hotter in Taiwan.

So, while I waste away days binge-watching House and/or nursing a hangover, I’ve turned my imaginings to another travel daydream. This time? Mexico!

Why Mexico?

cancun mexico
The beaches of Cancun have become synonymous with a beach escape. Image courtesy of 16:9clue.

Mexico is a country not without its problems, but also not without considerable charms.

Images of its jungle temples, its picturesque beaches, its masked wrestlers, and it’s exquisite food have danced around my subconscious since I was young enough to point to Mexico on a map.

With the heat well and truly on here in China, and good Mexican food almost impossible to find – it’s crossed my mind more than once in the last few weeks.

My travels this year might be keeping me in Asia (with a month in Africa for work), but Central & South America remain very much on my radar for 2017.

Why specifically? Read on.

#5 – Lucha Libre!

I’ve made no secret of the fact I’m an unabashed fan of all things pro-wrestling, even to the point that I went out of my way to see a TNA pay-per-view back in 2012 when I was touring the States.

Hell, I own a fucking luchador mask that I wear whenever I have an excuse (and can bear feeling like a half-blind gimp).

Lucha Libre is the Mexican style of pro-wrestling – full of masked heroes & villains, over the top high-flying, and fans whose passion dwarfs anything that you’ll see in the United States.

lucha libre mexico
Many kids in Mexico grow up idolising their favourite tecnico in the same way kids in Australia idolise footy players and comic book characters. Image courtesy of Manuel Chavez R

#4 – The Natural Beauty

It’s no secret that Mexico has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but to only include its beaches would be to sell the large, geologically stunning country short.

Volcanoes, canyons, caves, reefs, and the aforementioned dense forest all come into play to make Mexico every bit as diverse and intriguing as larger countries.

cenotes mexico
Cenotes, collapsed sinkholes, make for dramatic swimming environments. Image courtesy of Son of Groucho.

Of particular interest to me are locations like the unique swimming experience of Yucatan’s Cenotes, the desert majesty of Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, and the nigh on unpronouncable (for a gringo like me) Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl Zoquiapan National Park with its towering volcanoes.

Mexico’s National Parks might not be as popular as the beaches of Cancun or the ancient Mayan ruins, but they’re definitely something I’m eager to experience for myself.

copper canyon mexico
A combination of six canyons that stretches for longer than the Grand Canyon and is sometimes deeper, Copper Canyon is a sight to behold. Image courtesy of Brian.

#3 – The Food

Mexican food is – hands down – my favourite cuisine in the world.

Whether it’s the bombast of Tex-Mex, the enticing fusion of Californian style Mexican, or the real deal in all of its beans and rice glory, Mexican food speaks to me like no other.

burrito mexican food authentic
Want. Image courtesy of Ray Bouknight.

For the record, Thai and Korean come in a close second and third respectively.

I’m far from an expert on Mexican cuisine, so I’ve instead found you a link to a guide to the Seven Regions of Mexican cuisine to give you a more complete picture.

You’re welcome.

#2 – The Beaches

Mexico, like Ibiza in Europe and Bali for Australians, has become synonymous with beachside debauchery as thousands of young, drunk foreigners descend onto picturesque beaches to drink copious amounts of alcohol.

While the rampant hedonism of this kind of thing is what originally drew me to celebrations like the Boryeong Mud Festival in Korea, I’m a bit more mature in my tastes when it comes to beach escapes these days.

I want the white sand and crystal clear water, but I want it mostly to myself. I want to be able to have my sunset swim in peace, enjoy a book and a cocktail without having some idiot’s braying laughter push me to the point of homicide, and retire in the evening without any doof doof to keep me up.

riviera maya blue water
This will do nicely. Image courtesy of Bodyalive NJ.

The Riviera Maya region of Mexico, facing the Caribbean, is certainly not off-the-beaten track, but it holds a good deal more appeal for me than places like Cancun. While it’s still modern and developed in a way that appeals to western tourists, the 120km stretch of coast still has a few hidden spots to find that solitude I know I crave.

Riviera Maya vacation rentals range from the luxurious to the backpacker friendly.

riviera maya ruins
Gorgeous views are par for the course. Image courtesy of Guillen Perez.

#1 – The History

More than the beaches and the food, it’s Mexico’s history that really appeals to me.

I’m not talking about its history as a former Spanish colony or as a modern nation (although both are interesting in their own way), but referring to its Mayan history. There’s something both exotic and frightening about the ruins of places like Chichen Itza and Tikal that puts me in mind of high-adventure and the early roots of fantasy – lost kingdoms, dangerous animals, and a world far removed from the modern.

chichen itza
One of the world’s more recognisable ancient sites, Chichen Itza. Image courtesy of Paul Simpson.

While this image isn’t easy to see in a rapidly developing world, the ruins themselves still stand as testament to the Mayan culture that once dominated much of the peninsula.

You could do a whole top ten Mexican ruins and still be leaving something worth seeing out, and it’s this fact that makes me so excited to someday see it all for myself.

tikal mexico
Looking like something out of Indiana Jones, Tikal oozes ancient menace Image courtesy of mtsrs.

Standing in the ruins of Angkor Wat or the Stone Fort in Tashgorkan were both emotional and humbling experiences for me, and I’d sorely love to feel that again at the heart of the once great Mayan empire.

——————

Want to Daydream?

Want to read some of my other travel daydreams? You can find them all below, with the ones I’ve since achieved highlighted:

Your Say

Is Mexico on your to do list? Why?

If you’ve been before, what did you love (or hate) about your time in Mexico?

Destinations
helicopter grand canyon

The Five Best Helicopter Tours in the World

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The 5 Best Helicopter Tours In the World

Sometimes the best way to explore an area or enjoy the scenic beauty of the area is by air, and by air we mean helicopter rides. Sometimes the entire view and the true beauty of the location are impossible to appreciate from the window of a tour bus or the back of a bike.

You have to get up in the air, and when you do, you see the full view and the complete picture in one sweeping motion.

Before moving on with the list of helicopter rides that you must go on once in your life, there are some things that you need to keep in mind.

There will involve some preparation like having a headset to make sure that you enjoy your ride peacefully. Most commercial pilots and aviators go to a pilot shop for flight-specific instruments to reduce the impact of sound and enjoy a clear audio experience.

Editor’s Note: Far from the serenity of a hot air balloon ride, helicopters are bloody loud!

You will also need to get yourself a camera like a DSLR so you can capture the scenic beauty forever and a helmet and safety equipment that will be provided by your tour ride operator.

Victoria Falls, Africa

Victoria Falls acts like a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is a sheet of roaring water that runs 2 two kilometers while dividing these two countries.

Fed by the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls is often cited as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Truly stunning from the air or on foot, the Falls are also famous for the ‘Devil’s Pool’ where brave tourists can snap a photo at the literal precipice of the roaring falls.

 

Helicopter flights allow visitors to take in the true scale of Victoria Falls, and both short and long trips are available.

helicopter tour victoria falls
Victoria Falls as seen from a helicopter. Image courtesy of Gareth Williams.

Denali National Park, North America

Located in a remote corner of Alaska, Denali National Park is one of the United States’ most beloved national parks in spite of (or perhaps because of) it’s isolation. Home to Mt. McKinley and an accompaniment of glaciers, gorges, alpine tundra, and taiga forest, it is like nothing else you’ll find in the US.

At over 6 million acres and accessible by a single road, Denali is almost made to be explored from above where visitors can take in its beauty and its wildlife (including grizzly bears and wolves) from above.

muldrow glacier denali
The true scale of a glacier like Muldrow Glacier is best appreciated from above. Image courtesy of Pete Klosterman.

The Grand Canyon, North America

The Grand Canyon spreads across an area of around 277 river miles with the Colorado River moving in and out of sight amid the canyons in the wild deserts of Arizona.

It is not possible to travel beyond the South Rim area, and this is why most visitors often choose to go for a helicopter ride that allows them to witness the breathtaking view of the canyon with the river flowing through its heart.

While up top, you will also get to view the Vegas strip, the Mojave Desert, and towering Hoover Dam.

For those wanting to explore it from closer to earth, there is also a skywalk that is built above the canyon, the option to trek down into the canyon, and even kayak adventures through the canyon.

helicopter grand canyon
Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon let you see parts others never will. Image courtesy of Josh Janssen.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Stretching for more than 2,300 kilometres along the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living organism and the only one visible from space.

While it’s certainly a lot of fun to experience the reef’s myriad colours and its unique inhabitants from the safety of a glass-bottom boat or while scuba diving, seeing the Barrier Reef from above captures its scale in a way that you can’t appreciate from on deck.

Dotted with coral atolls and idyllic islands, the Barrier Reef is more than just a playground for swimmers.

barrier reef above
The Barrier Reef is simply too large to truly take in from the water. Image courtesy of FarbenfroheWunderwelt

New York City, North America

New York is a city unlike any other in the world. Though it is a city and you can travel and visit locations by the road too, the best way to see NY is perhaps by air. The city is divided into grids, and the patterns are clearly visible from above.

You will get to see the iconic Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial, and Wall Street. There are other scenic spots such as Yankee Stadium, Central Park, and the Lower Manhattan skyline that will make your day complete. The entire tour can be completed in a 25-minute long tour, leaving plenty of time to explore the urban jungle on foot.

new york aerial
New York from above is truly a different animal. Image courtesy of zqtouch.

So you see some places are best seen and explored by air and what better way to do it than a helicopter ride. Just make sure that you do not forget your camera!

Your Say

Have you ever been on a memorable helicopter tour?

Disclaimer: This post was contributed by Jane Brown. I have simply edited for content.

Travel Writing
cruise ship night

Five Unique Cruise Experiences

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Oh look, Chris is writing one of those obnoxious listicles. All that’s missing is that ‘before you die’ in the title. Must be a slow day at the office.

Truth be told, I’ve been so busy juggling my various freelance gigs and my alcohol-fueled social life here in Nanjing that I’ve not had time to have any adventures more exotic than a walk around Xuanwu Lake Park.

In the meantime, my old friend, Fuzz has been posting near daily updates on the count-down for his upcoming all expenses paid, booze included pleasure cruise around the Pacific.

Having never done a cruise myself, but being loath to do something that everybody else is doing, it got me thinking about some of the more unique cruises there are out there.

Commence listicle!

5 Unique Cruise Experiences

There is no shortage of cruises catering to those who just want to sunbathe, drink, eat, see pretty beaches, and come back with a smile on their dial and some pretty pictures on their phones.

I don’t begrudge people their enjoyment of this kind of thing – hell, I’d probably enjoy it myself – but I’ve decided to instead highlight cruises that offer something a little more unique than palm trees and smiling locals looking to hawk their shell and bead necklaces at the docks.

#5 – Nile River Cruise

Any student of ancient history has an abiding fascination with Egypt and the vital role that the mighty Nile played in the empire’s prolonged power in the region.

nile river sunset
I have it on good authority that the boat you’ll take your cruise on is a bit larger. Image courtesy of rlsastla

Even as Egypt modernizes, much of its mysterious charm still remains in the form of its ancient monuments and the river’s complete lack of care about all of that human nonsense. The Nile has been there for a hell of a long time, and it’ll be gone long after we nuke/zombie apocalypse ourselves to oblivion.

Viking Cruises’ Pathways of the Pharaoh cruise is a mixture of two cruises (one on the Nile and one on Lake Nasser) and some sight-seeing in and around Cairo, making it a good way to see Egypt for the first time while also seeing it from a different perspective than most tourists.

Prices start from around $4,200 USD per person.

#4 – Cruising the Kimberly Coast

Part river cruise and part ocean cruise, a trip along Western Australia’s Kimberly Coast might just be one of the most visually stunning cruises you’re ever likely to find.

Alternating between the windswept WA coast and the river canyons of stark beauty, Northstar Cruise’s True North cruise is a 13 night odyssey of harsh desert canyons, towering waterfalls, man-eating crocodiles, unbelievable sunsets, and adrenaline activities like jet boating.

kimberley cruise australia
Now there’s something you don’t see everyday… Image courtesy of North Star Cruises.

Australia isn’t usually thought of as a cruise destination as much as a starting or ending point, so this is something extra special.

Prices start from around $19,000 AUD.

#3 – Cruise East Asia

I’m a tad biased in this regard, but why settle for tiny islands and coral reefs when you could visit some of the oldest and most fascinating cultures on earth?

Stretching out over an entire month, Sun Cruises do a trek that takes you from Sydney all the way to Yokohama. Stops along the way are anything but ordinary, with Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Seoul, and Vladivostok just a few of the international ports of call along the way.

jejudo korea
Jeju in South Korea is sometimes called the “Korean Hawaii’. It ‘ain’t half bad! Image courtesy of Voyagista.

Southeast Asia and the Pacific might be more traditional cruise destinations, but take me to cities with the history of Beijing or islands with the volcanic beauty of Jeju and I’m a happy traveler.

CruiseAgency.com.au has cruises like this for as little as $5,000 per person.

#2 – Cruise on a Cargo Freighter

If you’re one of those ‘luxury travel is for posers’ people who scoffs at the well trod tourist paths, perhaps spending your holiday time on a no-frills cargo ship is more your style?

cargo ship
I hope you’ve packed some books, because this could be home for three months. Image courtesy of Daniel Ramirez.

Definitely not one for those looking to meet beautiful women and relax on deck, the huge variety of cruises available on Freighter Expeditions range all share a sedate pace, more down to earth accommodations, and a range of unusual stops chosen for their nautical importance rather than their tourist appeal.

You’ll get a lot of reading done and see some unusual stuff, but these are far from social cruises.

A 93 day round trip between Brisbane and China is likely to set you back around $13,950 AUD, although shorter treks are available.

#1 – Antarctic Cruise

The ultimate goal for any traveler with a desire for completion, a visit to Antarctica is something to save all of those dollars and cents for.

antarctic cruise
If this doesn’t inspire you, I think you might need to give yourself an uppercut. Image courtesy of Roderick Elme.

Exploring the last great terrestrial frontier is one of the last true adventures out there, and while you’re not exactly slogging through sub-zero temperatures with snot frozen in your nose and the immediacy of death over your shoulder, an Antarctic cruise is about as close as most of us will ever get.

Departing from South America, trips range in length from 10+ days, and feature a mixture of being amazed by the scenery from the deck and heading to the shore to experience a little taste of Antarctica for yourself.

Antarctic cruises with SilverSea range in price from $10,000 USD to much, much more.

Your Say

Are any of the above on your bucket list?

Have you been on an unforgettable and unique cruise you’d like to recommend?

Featured image courtesy of Anthony Topper.

Indonesia
gili trawangan

8 Beautiful Places to Visit in Indonesia (That Aren’t Bali)

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First Impressions of Indonesia

Like most Aussies, I grew up with one image of Indonesia standing out above all others.

The image of singlet wearing, fake tanned, drunk Aussie blokes and shielas drinking, fucking, and generally carrying on like the assholes they are someplace that would have been beautiful if not for their presence.

drunk schoolies bali
Woo! We’re assholes! Photo courtesy of Cameron Webb.

Bali, like Cancun to Americans or Ibiza to the British, became synonymous with everything wrong with travel: hedonism, ethnocentrism, disrespect for local culture, and disregard for the lasting impact their two week escape from otherwise drab lives left behind.

In tourism studies, Bali had reached what is described as oversaturation, a precursor to what the Butler Sequence refers to as ‘decline’.

In less wanky terms – due to having too many assholes, Bali had been covered in shit.

Defending Bali

Of course, this isn’t to say Bali is an unmitigated shitstorm or even a lost cause.

Those who get away from the main tourist drag still have great things to say about the island, and my own (brief) time there was far from the scenes from Bangla Road in Phuket that more closely resembled the last days of fabled Sodom.

I don’t want to give the impression that I think Bali is awful (it isn’t) or that everybody going there is an unforgiveable asshole (they aren’t).

Instead, I thought I’d instead highlight places in Indonesia that I think are more deserving of your time, money, and – most importantly – respect & admiration.

bali
Bali sure as hell ‘ain’t without its charms. Image courtesy of Kal Lehmann.

8 Beautiful Places to Visit in Indonesia (That Aren’t Bali)

#8 – East Java

A sparsely populated volcanic playground, the sweeping landscapes and isolation of East Java are at odds with Indonesia’s reputation as a bustling, often overcrowded nation.

It’s a region of towering peaks, brooding volcanoes, and sweeps of isolated jungle perfect for the adventurous.

Highlights include Mt. Bromo (an active volcano), crater lakes such as Kawah Ijen, and gaping craters such as Ijen; but the cities of the region are no less developed and charming than their larger counterparts.

It’s definitely an adventurer’s playground, but there’s a little something for everybody.

east java mount bromo
Image courtesy of Andrey Samsonov.

#7 – Raja Ampat

Located close to Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat (Four Kings) is like something out of a travel postcard. Islands of rock and tropical green cut dramatic figures as they jut out of turquoise waters to stab at cerulean skies, boats skim across the calm waters like water bugs, and locals mix warm smiles with looks of mistrust that come with being a bit off the beaten path.

A long trek from the more popular tourist spots, Raja Ampat’s isolation acts as both a deterrent to the less adventurous and a lure to those of us who could use a break from fellow travelers.

findng nemo raja ampat
Found him! Raja Ampat is especially popular with scuba divers. Image courtesy of Tony Shih.

Even its individual islands aren’t clustered close together like in ‘other’ tropical paradises, and it’s the kind of place where western mod-cons aren’t going to be found in abundance (if at all).

This isn’t a place for clubbing or catching up on your work, but if you like the beach, diving, and being off the grid for a while, it might just be what you’re looking for.

Interested? A Travellers’ Journey has a pretty brilliant guide to Raja Ampat.

#6 – Jakarta

The Indonesian capital often gets a bad wrap due to its sprawling size, ball-sweaty heat, and persistent chaos. It is the prototypical South-East Asian city – a noisy, dirty mish-mash of western and eastern idealogies crashing into one another with all the subtlety of a head-on collision.

It’s sometimes described as being like Bangkok, albeit a diluted version of that charming city that terrifies at first glance but ultimately wins you over.

jakarta fountain night
Like many cities, Jakarta looks a damn side better at night. Image courtesy of Thrillseekr.

It might not have the natural beauty of other Indonesian spots or the cultural draw of some other Southeast Asian cities, but for those who have not experienced this kind of chaos before – it’s an experience.

Titillated? Travel Lush highlights here nine things to do in Jakarta.

#5 – The Gili Islands

They’re technically part of Lombok, but the Gili Islands are something of a ‘new Bali’. They’re the laid back Koh Tao to Koh Phangan’s more debauched, hedonism.

Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan (known to backpackers as Gili Tralala) have the white sand and crystal clear waters that come to mind when imagining paradise, but without the level of development that has spoiled places like Bali and Thailand’s Koh Phi Phi.

Gili Trawangan is hardly a secret, with many backpackers already big fans of the island’s beauty and nightlife, so if you’re looking for the Bali experience without the potential Bali hepatitis, consider the Gili Islands.

gili trawangan
Tell me that this doesn’t look pretty bloody tempting. Image courtesy of Walter Wilhelm.

Curious? Read Jones Around the World’s very good Backpacker’s Guide to Gili.

#4 – Sumatra

If you’re looking for a walk on the wilder side of Indonesia, the archipelago’s largest island is the place for you.

Sumatra is not only the place to go in Indonesia to see orangutans in the wild, but it’s also one of the last places on earth where you’ll find the Sumatran tiger in the wild. While you’re unlikely to spot tigers in your travels, orangutan hikes in Bukit Lawang all but guarantee you’ll see these orange primates in their natural habitat.

Scuba divers are spoiled for choice in the islands and atolls that surround Sumatra, with Pulau Weh in the region’s north considered one of the absolute best places on earth for scuba diving.

Wanting to relax? Lake Toba is the world’s largest caldera lake and the island of Samosir at its heart has become synonymous with peaceful escapes. While the serene island paradise experienced its heyday in the 80s, it’s still every bit as peaceful and charming as it once was. Perhaps even more so.

lake toba sumatra
Image courtesy of Holmes Nalnggolan.

#3 – Yogyakarta

The gateway to famous historic sites and architectural wonders like Borobudur and Prambanan, Yogyakarta is one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist destinations.

borobudur sunrise
Borobudur at sunrise. Wow. Image courtesy of Justine Hong.

They certainly aren’t the only sites of religious or historic significance, and it can prove overwhelming trying to figure out just what to see and experience while in the city.

A place where Indonesia’s rich history and culture can be explored in a more intimate and sedate way, Yogyakarta also benefits from its history as both a sultanate and a former Dutch colony, creating an intriguing fusion that you don’t see everywhere in Indonesia.

Keen? Robert from Leave Your Daily Hell explains how best to spend three days in Yogyakarta.

#2 – Lombok

The next island over from more crowded and well-known Bali, Lombok is a slightly drier but no less impressive island of beaches, tropical forests, and cultural adventures.

Christian rock band waterfall lombok tiu kelep bearded man
Jones Around the World, myself, and Tiki Touring Kiwi braved the water and gave a barbaric yawp in celebration. Photo courtesy of Jones Around the World.

My favourite element of Lombok was undoubtedly its waterfalls and mountains, which were a nice break from the crowds in Bali and the inevitable presence of enterprising kids that line the beaches trying to sell you bananas, coconuts, and scarves.

While tourism is big business here, and Sengiggi certainly reflects this, it still feels like you’re in another country with its own unique personality and customs. Close to Bali in proximity, but not in tackiness.

Intrigued? Read about my time exploring Lombok’s waterfalls.

#1 – Komodo Islands

My overnight live-aboard and day spent alternating between potentially man-eating dinosaurs and amazingly warm, clear waters for snorkeling above colourful reefs remains one of my favourite travel memories.

We packed a fridge full of beers (although not nearly enough, as we’d learn at 10pm), leaped off the crow’s nest into the water, snapped photos of the sunset, chased after exotic fish, fretted over the affects of menstruation on a Komodo Dragon’s appetite, played stupid drinking games, gasped at skies filled with bats and lightning, and finally fell asleep to the distant rumble of thunder.

komodo dragon
“The dragons can smell the menstruation”. “Now you’re putting the whole station in jeopardy!”. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Manzini.

It was the kind of night that comes to epitomise why it is I love travel, and it was made possible by this chain of fascinating, largely uninhabited islands that look barren but foster some of the most unusual life you’ll ever see.

If somebody were to ask me, “Why should I go to Indonesia”, the Komodo Islands would be my single, emphatic answer. They’re something every traveler should aspire to seeing.

Interest piqued? Read The Freedom Travellers’ tale about our time sailing Komodo National Park.

 

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