Archipelago Diaries

Travel brochures advertise Lombok as “the way Bali was 30 years ago,” untouched and unspoiled. In other words, those venturing the island east of Bali will find equally enchanting beaches, surf, and culture.  I remember arriving in Lombok five years ago at Teluk Kodek, an area in the northern part of the island surrounded by swaying […]

Kotagede is an old city that has many treasures, including the tombs of the founding kings of the Mataram kingdom. Among Kotagede’s many riches is the Dalem Natan Royal Heritage building, a Javanese-style house.  Kotagede is at the centre of an upmarket suburb and the hub of Yogyakarta’s centre of silver jewellery and handicrafts. Located […]

Bali is the past. Labuan Bajo is the present. And this land, Sumba , home to ancient villages, is on its way to be the future of tourism in the Indonesian archipelago.   There’s no doubt that Bali is the most popular island destination in Indonesia, but those venturing a bit further east to the […]

Following months of restoration due to the impact of Lombok Earthquake, one of the leading beachfront resorts in Lombok, Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort, is excited to welcome back guests after a rapid resort recovery this 1st of December 2018. Associates at Sheraton Senggigi have been working hand-in-hand with the remediation company and other local vendors […]

This tropical jewel box remained a secret for years, only explored by those willing to go off the popular travel map to discover hidden gems away from the tourist masses. Now that infrastructure has been improved and the tourism industry is maturing, Labuan Bajo has gained a reputation as a must-visit destination with many predicting […]

The east Java town of Malang is soaked in history and surrounded by nature. With that being said, for this issue’s Archipelago Diaries, NOW! Bali’s Alistair Speirs indulged himself in a Malang establishment, where arts take centerstage.  Imagine a hotel whose purpose is to preserve and glorify art. Imagine a hotel where every room is […]

The Riau Islands is home to what is decidedly one of Indonesia’s favoured destinations – Batam and Bintan. Bridging the heart of Singapore with the lush scenery of Indonesia, the islands have seen growth in both business and tourism. The main islands are Batam, Rempang, Galang, Bintan, Bintan, Kundur, and Karimun. Batam and Bintan are among […]

Belitung Island emerges gracefully from the Java Sea inviting exploration. It does not disappoint. It is unquestionably a place of extraordinary and untouched beauty. The beaches, with their chalky white sand, are some of the most exquisite in South East Asia. Granite boulders rise out of the sea like giant megaliths. My exploration started with […]

Once a regency of sleepy fishing villages with empty white sand beaches and bay islands, Manggarai on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara is now on the verge of becoming the next “it” tourism destination in Indonesia. Its extraordinary marine life is definitely an attraction, but more so are its unspoiled, off-the-beaten-track natural […]

Indonesia’s third largest province, North Sumatra is where Toba, Earth’s biggest volcanic caldera, formed around 1.3 million years ago. Incredibly diverse and still relatively untouched by tourism, it is a place with awe-inspiring wonders that one must visit at some point in their lives. We put together a curated list of three natural attractions in […]