Indonesia travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Amanjiwo is located in Central Java, the cultural heartland of Java and modern Indonesia. Amanjiwo resort is located in a natural amphitheatre with the Menoreh rolling hills directly behind and four volcanoes on the horizon. The architecture of Amanjiwo draws from the history, tradition and culture of Central Java. Amanjiwo looks out onto Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world.

36 expertly crafted suites, some with private swimming pools. Entry to each suite is by sliding glass door that provides a light filled living and sleeping area.

Interiors include a central, four-pillar bed on a raised terrazzo platform, sungkai wood screens, coconut wood and rattan furniture,glass paintings and a large sunken stone outdoor bathtub.

Facilities: Babysitting, Banquet, Beach Front, Beauty Salon, Bicycle Rental, Business Centre, Car Rental, Children Playground, City Centre, Coffee-shop,  Conference Facilities,  Doctor, Kid’s Club, Massage, Medical Service, Nature Lodge, Parking,  Restaurant Service, Shopping, Spa, Swimming Pool.

A 40m infinity swimming pool, lined with green tiles and overlooked by banyan trees, is set into the rice paddies below the resort

Offering panoramic views of the rice fields and the volcanoes, the on-site dining room serves delicious cuisine for you to feast on.

Amanusa is Located On Bali’s Southern Peninsula And Overlooks The Indian Ocean And Nusa Dua. Amanusa is only a 20-minute drive from Denpasar airport.

The hotel consists of 35 beautiful thatched roof suites. All suites feature four-poster beds, a sunken indoor bath and a romantic outdoor shower. Rates: $700-$1,550, including breakfast.

Room Facilities: Alarm Clock, Cable TV available and Satellite TV, Coffee and Tea facilities, IDD line, Electronic key-card, Minibar, Modem Dataport, Smoke Alarms, Fire Sprinkler System, Station’s Telephone.

Offering sweeping views of Bali, the terrace serves Thai and Indonesian cuisines for you to enjoy. Overlooking the swimming pool, the Italian Restaurant serves delicious cuisine.

The main swimming pool is like the architecture; monumental and impressive. Beautiful 30m walled swimming pool surrounded by a bougainvillea trellis.

Amanda’s main bar overlooks the pool and the rolling greens of the golf course, all the way to the sandy coastline. The Bali Golf and Country Club lies adjacent to the resort and guests can use the facilities here.

Paid activities: 2 restaurants, massage,  non motorised water sports, beach club, tennis courts, golf course.

Java is an island of Indonesia formed mostly as the result of volcanic events. The Losari Coffee Plantation was started in 1922 and during the years was expanded into a resort.

Central Java is both the agricultural center and the cultural heart of Java: the city of Yogyakarta is famous for its gamelan music, its kulit theater and its universities.

The Losari Resort is a mixture of older plantation buildings and newer villas.

The picture shows the Losari Coffee Plantation impossibly delicious dishes like ikan bakar colo colo, a spicy grilled fish with a sauce that is sweet, sour and spicy.

An owl at Yogyakarta’s bird market where you can find anything with wings.

The Water Palace in Yogyakarta today used for relax and meditation.

Workers stop for a break close to Sindoro Mountain in Central Java.

Steam rises from the active volcano, Mount Merapi.

Say Bali, Indonesia and think of paradise. That’s true! There are stunning sunsets, sculpted rice terraces and a beautiful temple on almost every corner. There’re great surfing clubs and lovely clubs for those of you who seek for bohemian lifestyle.

But there’s nothing like the Scared Monkey Forest Sanctuary. To visit it drive an hour north of Kuta Beach, to the town of Ubud, which is the cultural heart of Bali. The monkeys live in a dense, jungley stretch of green at the southern edge of town complete with its own temple. Some advice: Leave your snacks at home and do not buy any bananas.

When the night comes Bali is going to offer great experience of fire dances, mask dances, trance dances, monster dances and puppet shows, all of which have been refined over the centuries to the point that eyeballs, fingertips and toes all move in elaborate choreographed precision. On a typical night in Ubud you can take your pick from a half-dozen different shows.

Many of the stylish-luxury hotels in Ubud are built along the top of the gorge that the Ayung River runs through. There’s a good reason for that: the views are outstanding. Down on the river, climb aboard a rubber raft and watch the thick vines, low-flying swallows and waterfalls go by.

The Botanic Garden Ubud opened last summer — a magical park with extraordinary lilies, banana twist orchids and a miniature rainforest. Have a snack at the Chocolate House Cafe, which is housed in a 130-year-old jogglo, a traditional Javanese hut made of teak wood. The guava and passion fruit juices (12,000 rupiah) are garden fresh and the chicken kutu kaja, which is cooked slowly in banana leaves and served with red Tabanan rice, is a local specialty (42,000 rupiah). The menu rotates, but if it has it, don’t miss the coconut and jackfruit ice puter, ice cream made with coconut milk in a hand-cranked drum.

PARADISE WITHIN PARADISE

Alila Manggis is really a private place in the world. Hidden from the crowds, the hotel is sitted on the east coast of Bali to Alila Manggis. The place is extraordinary modern with stunning tropical nature all around it. The hotel has four two –story structures built with sense so that outdoors meets indoors. There’re palm-fringed pool and outstanding ocean views. Relax and nurture body and spirit with village temple walks, yoga and Tai Chi. Try your hand at the ALiLA Cooking School, capturing the taste of East Bali, its culture and traditions. Visit water palaces from ancient kingdoms, bike through rice fields and raft down rivers. Climb majestic mountains or dive and discover other worlds. Days at the Alila Manggis are filled with activity and regeneration, pampering at the Spa ALiLA and pursuits by the sea such as discovering East Bali’s legendary dive sites. This is the life, East Bali style. This is the private life.

The stress and hectic pace of modern living have made places of tranquillity and relaxation much sought after be those yearning for peace and a sense of well-being. Physical and mental wellness have their roots deep in traditional and cultural practices. Spices, aromatic herbs have long been used for health and beauty care, as is the spa life and importance of water that are strongly integrated in the daily lives and ritual ceremonies of the people. Now, in many of Indonesia’s major cities and amongst its magnificent natural surrounding, such places offer the opportunity to achieve physical and spiritual harmony. We are present you the Top 15 of Indonesia’s Spa hotels and some typical traditional therapy. MARTHA TILAAR
The total beauty approach by Martha Tilaar seeks to achieve “both inner and outer beauty” through a unique range of treatment that is a mixture of the traditional and the modern, such as the bio energy massage, jamu (traditional Indonesian herbal drinks and foods) , meditation, consultation and special dieting. The treatments: hairstyling & coloring, scalp & hair nourishing, make up, exotic facial healing, exotic body rituals, Martha Tilaar signature favorite, joyful hand & foot treatment, bridal pampering package, etc. JAMU SPA
These newly designed Jamu Treatment are based on Indonesia’s centuries old beauty rituals. Cleansing, exfoliating, balancing, relaxing and healing are part of these beauty treatments. Vanila Mocha Body Scrub is an exotic combination of the Aromatic Vanilla Bean, Bali Coffee and Cocoa Bean powder to moisturizes, soften and detoxifying the skin. Gentlemen will especially enjoy his brisk body scrub. A refreshing, cleansing and nourishing blend of papaya, crushed candle nuts and mint leaves are rubbed onto your body and then covered with banana leaves to seal the nutrients and cool your body. This is followed by a floral rinse. You will feel silky and rejuvenated. BALI HYATT
A tropical spa that offers aromatic treatments designed for peace, health and beauty. Beautiful open-air pavilions set in lush gardens overflowing with fragrant flowers, secluded lotus ponds and the sound of flowing water create tranquil surroundings for unique, holistic spa experience. Experience ancient beautification rites and the oriental art of rejuvenation through saunas, scrubs, jacuzzi, milk baths, massages and wraps, all delivered with exotic oils, balms, and perfumes to caress the body and relax the senses. ESSENTIA SPA
Relax and unwind. Refresh and rejuvenate. Renew and energize your body, mind and soul. Experience total revival and well-being at Essentia Spa. Luxuriate in exquisite spa treatments, designed specifically for the total relaxation and complete indulgence. THE SPA DHARMAWANGSA HOTEL
In south Jakarta’s elite residential area, The SPA caters to discerning tastes. Professional treatments and therapies are delivered in surroundings that continue with the hotel’s unpretentious luxury. Spacious and elegantly appointed private suites are prepared for your total relaxation, providing seven jet showers, hot Jakuzi, saunas, a beauty table and two massages beds. Services and facilities include six facial treatments, aromatherapy body polish, body exfoliation, reflexothermale mud therapy for backs, mandi lulur, algotherapy body wrap, pedicure, manicure, algae scalp treatment and waxing. JAVANA SPA
An International destination spa located in rest on secluded slope of Mt. Salak, West Java which takes two hours drive from Jakarta, in the cool fresh mountain air, surrounding by virgin rain-forest and seven waterfalls. Javana Spa natural experience …a reunion with nature… where you move, what you see, what fell and what you eat are created by gifts of nature. Javana Spa offers a relief from everyday stress by balancing the body, mind ams spirit in its luxurious treatment facilities, such as Jakuzi, dry sauna, steam room, locker facilities, private shower and toilet, vanity area, On-Sen (Japanese sulfur bath of healing water directly from Mt. Salak’s hot springs. GRAGE SANGKAN HOTEL SPA
Grage Sangkan Hotel Spa in Kuningan, West Java boasts of a natural 36 degrees C water pool, rich in minerals and micro organisms. Improving blood circulation, reducing cholesterol, reducing fat, improving metabolism and regenerating new cells are arnong the water’s salutary qualities. Using modern technology, the special water treatment and facilities available include the Buble area, Geyser, Back Jet, Jet Stream, Leg Jet and Water Fall.

 ANGSANA SPA
In beautiful open-air rooftop pavilions or cosy treatment rooms, sensory pleasures are sharpened as professional therapists skillfully ease tension and stress away. Using the ancient art of aromatheraphy and a therapeutic sense of touch, a range of specially blended massage oils, floral-based essential oils soothes you through aromatheraphy treatments, body wraps and scrubs, massage and facial. In total privacy and tranquility, indulge yourself in the Spa’s body and beauty programs that promise to deliver renewal and rejuvenation of the inner-self.  
 FOUR SEASONS AT JIMBARAN BAY
Overlooking the spectular Jimbaran Bay, the Spa at Jimbaran Bay offers head-to-toe all nature spa treatments that uses sea salt crystals, seaweed and aromatics. To cleanse the body, revitalize the skin or balance the senses, island spices, exotic flowers, tropical fruits and essential oils are part of the Jimbaran health and beauty rituals that are derived from ancient Balinese and Javanese traditions. Luxurious Body Elixirs, Lulur Jimbaran, relaxing Ocean Ritual, restorative Aroma Steam and the soothing Rain Shower are some of the spa’s signature health and treatments.
  GAYA SPA “… a place where you can be pampered and promoted total body wellness, a perfect place to balance hectic life of city routine…” You will enjoy many kinds of treatments  like hair and scalp treatments, facial and body treatment. The hotel offers other spa concepts such as Essentia Spa, Sanjiwani Spa is a center with goals like revitalizing or rejuvenate, detoxification and slimming, stress management and relaxation, include calories controlled food. the program range from 3 days up to 10 days. Bali Spa is a serene retreat inspiring a spiritual union between body, mind and soul. In the shadow of the majestic traditional inspiration Indonesian ways and beyond.  

Some of the world’s most beautiful underwater environments are located in Sulawesi, Indonesia. There’s the Bunaken Marine Reserve with white sandy beaches, a dense population of fish, coral and deep underwater gullies and valleys; Lembeh Straits and its WWI shipwrecks and unusual black sand bottoms; the Togean Islands which host all major reef formations (fringing, barrier, patch and atoll); Wakatobi in Tukang Besi Archipelago and its fascinating fossil reef formations and a myriad of marine species, such as sperm and pilot whales, spinner, bottle-nose dolphins and dugongs; the sea garden of Takabonerate National Park, southwest of Selayar Island, which is the third largest coral atoll in the world, as the Banggai Archipelago, the Makassar Straits, Kapoposang, Bira and Selayar islands… the list of amazing location is endless.

The Lariang River, which runs for half its length of the Lore Lindu National Park, is a world-class venue for white-water rafting. Lore Lindu in Central Sulawesi is largest habitat for Sulawesi’s endemic mammals, such as the anoa, babirusa, deer, tarsius spectrum, cuscus, civets, squirrels, rats, and over 55 types of bats and more than 230 species of birds, including the maleo and red knobbed hornbill. See the ancient culture and ceremonies of Tana Toraja. Apart from the wonderful scenery of lush valleys and rice fields sheltered by rocky cliffs, Torajan villages are architectural masterpiece, consisting of the beautifully decorated Tongkonan houses. Coffins containing bones and skulls are kept in the cliffs and cave graves. These unique burial sites are a typical Torajan ritual. At Lemo, carved-out cliff balconies hold tau-taus, wooden effigies of the dead. A pre-historic cave at Miasa Te’ne (Leang Lompoa Cave) has finger painting depicting men and pigs. The cave was once inhabited by the Toalaean indigenous people some 5,000 years ago. In Bada Valley of Central Sulawesi, see mysterious megalithic statues. While the south which is home to the seafaring Buginese, see traditional boat-building techniques at Bantaeng and Bulukumba.150 species of rare butterflies are found at Bantimurung. Known as Turtle Island, Pasoso Island has a high population of green turtle. Between the months of September and October, the turtles lay their eggs in the island’s sandy beaches.

As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia comprises some 17,508 islands that stretch across the equator. There are five main islands and 30 smaller archipelagos. The main islands are Kalimantan(Borneo), Sumatra, Papua, Sulawesi and the most populated island, Java. More than 480 ethnic groups display a rich variety of customs, religious, languages (approximately 583) and dialects. Welcome to Indonesia and enjoy a wonderful journey of discovery. SUMATRA From the north to the southern tip, the island offers vast attractions to see and do. Go trekking at Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the largest parks in Asia and a trekker’s paradise in Sumatra, or try river rafting on the Alas and Wampu River, an exhilarating experience that offers the rare chance to see local wildlife. Avid climbers are sure to find the 100 meters vertical cliff wall at Harau Canyon a challenge. In its semi dormant phases, climb the child of Krakatau, right up to the ridge. Water lovers may experience the exhilarating feeling of swimming or fishing in famous Lake Toba, the world’s deepest lake, and lake Maninjau with warmer and cleaner water. For world professional surfers, look out for Sorake Beach on the island of Nias, which stretches along a perfect horse shoe shape bay, Teluk Lagundri, and offers the best surfing challenge. Other locations to challenge 3-4 meter waves are around the islands of Mentawai. See some of the island’s most famous inhabitants, the Sumatran tigers and elephants, at Lebong Hitam and Sebokor, South Sumatra. On January and February every year, see giant turtles in Bengkaru Island, Aceh. Get up close to orangutans at the Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Station, Bukit Lawang village, North Sumatra. Admire the beauty of the world famous giant flower, Rafflesia arnoldi, blooming between August and November at Pelupuh Village, 16 km north of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. The biggest ever recorder had a diameter of 120 cm.Sumatra is rich in cultural heritage. An animist religious ritual is still observed by a small group at Laguboti, in Balige, North Sumatra. Batak traditional houses and relics are still carefully preserved in the Siallagan village in Ambarita. On Mentawai islands, isolated communities still retain ancient customs and a megalithic way of life.

 

Alila Villas are located on a cliftop in the southern coastline of Bali, Indonesia and they are heaping of structures, terraces, pools and gardens situated one hundred meters above the Indian Ocean.

The number of the villas is 56 plus 5 cliffside villas with pool, a palm- fringed, a fully-equipped fitness centre, an extensive library, a cigar bar, an event centre, a wedding pavillion and lawn.

Just a few steps next to the villas, the guests can enjoy the Spa ALILA, where massages and beauty treatments are offered 24 hour per day.

Around the villas guests also can bump into Warung Restaurant for dining, while the Cliff Top Bar offers East Balinese cuisine. ALiLA Villas Uluwatu is the first resort in Bali designed to achieve Green Globe certification, the highest level of Environmentally Sustainable Design .

The Elysian Resort is sitted in Syminyak, just in two minutes from white sand beaches, restaurants, shops and nightclubs. The Resort is an approximately time of 20 minutes to the airport.

The Elysian on Bali offers 26 private villas, each with its own pool. An open pavilion surrounded by water welcomes guests and a 25-meter pool runs length of the terrace, ending in a waterfall Ballinese temple.

The look of the Elysian is contemporary Asian with stepped pathways meander between tall wispy grasses and groves of banana palms.A luxurious variety of textures provides the extensive use of teak wood nd local stone.

Each villa is equipped with broadbandinternet, bose sound system( included preloaded Nano iPods), one plazma TV(2 on request), DVD player, games, trendy minibar concept with selection of food items, enerdy drinks and funky sexy mini bar items.

As well as the guests will be amazed by the Rush Bamboo cafe & bar, which is designed to be funky & cool. The Food & Drinks menus include a large variety of freshest ingredients, sourced from local organic farms and air flown imports. Freshly grilled seafood and meats, main course salads, open faced sandwiches and sinful desserts will make for mouthwatering dining.

Kemang Icon is located just in the heart of Kemang in south Jakarta, an area known as ‘The Kampung of Jakarta’ where traditional Betawinese and luxury residences stand side by side.

Visitors at this all-suite hotel have many possibilities to choose the hotel amenities that will best suit their individual needs and desires. Meals are prepared to specific culinary preferences, bathrooms are filled with personally-selected accessories and individually-designed rooms are chosen according to personal taste.

In addition to the eight Courtyard, the hotel offers a whole diversity of impressive, inviting spaces for guests to enjoy. These include a 16-metre, rooftop infinity pool and sunbathing terrace, a multi-windowed yoga studio offering daily classes and 360-degree skyline views and a rooftop restaurant with alfresco, pool-side dining.

At the Thann Sancutary, guests can enjoyed a variety of spa and relaxation treatments or steam showers.For business needs there is a meeting room, theatre and multi-function room, which are always available for use. Beyond the hotel grounds the guests can bump into the charming bookshops, galleries and restaurants of Kemang.

This hotel is situated on the island of Bali, Indonesia near the fashionable Nusa Dua area. If you are going to Indonesia(Indian Ocean) you will be delighted by the Bale’s incredible ocean views and exotic nearby beaches with their white sands and pure water. As well as the hotel offers complimentary airport transfers.

The number of rooms are 29, quite surprising cipher for such a place, but the hotel is near the beach, there’re two main swimming pools, pavilions with private pools, two restaurants, stunning design and decor, no children allowed.

This hotel is like an oasis entirely dedicated to delivering peace for both body and soul. The Bale offers 29 private pavilions as I said before, but each one comes with private pool and elegant and refined decor.

You may also enjoy to the other great facilities such as The Spa, with its five spa treatment rooms, the Fluid Lounge, the Beach Club, the library with internet access, the gym or the hotel’s two pools.

Borobudur, the great Buddhist stupa on Java, Indonesia. The Borobudur Temple is considered as one of the seven wonders of the world. Constructed out of an estimated 1,600,000 blocks of volcanic stone, dredged from the river and assembled solely by human labor. Following in the footsteps of various discoverers, let us visit this unique and magnificent monument. Built and decorated perhaps before 800ad, should be on any body’s list of the ten greatest art – complexes in the world for its size, quality, sophistication and excellent state of preservation.The Borobodur Temple complex is one of the greatest monuments in the world. The structure, composed of 55,000 square meters of lava-rock is erected on a hill in the form of a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces and a central stupa forming the summit. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 sq. m. The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha. Besides being the highest symbol of Buddhism, the Borobodur stupa is also a replica of the universe.
The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels namely Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu and Arupadhatu. The 1300 bas-reliefs along the balustrades corridors of the square galleries forming the next five levels of terraces.Upon the upper three terraces are 72 small stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. It symbolises the micro-cosmos in which man’s world of desire is influenced by negative impulses, the middle level, the world in which man has control of his negative impulses and uses his positive impulses. The peak of the structure is a central stupa. The two chambers inside the stupa are empty and it is unclear whether they were empty from the beginning as a representation of nirvana.

The excavation of the monument, known as Borobudur has been ordered by Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles in 1814. He found the temple in wined condition and ordered that the site be cleared of undergrowth and thoroughly surveyed. The massive restoration project began from 1905. It’s takes eight years of labor and unprecedented international cooperation to complete. The second restoration to rescue Borobudur was carried out from August 1968 to 1983 with the help of UNESCO. Souvenir hunters decapitate many of the Buddhas and ship them to mansions and museums throughout the world. For the weary tourist, a tea house is built high on the crumbling central stupa. Representing Nirvana.