We begin our Bali adventures in the party-capital, Kuta, before moving inland to the cultural and spiritual center, Ubud.
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Bangkok, Thailand (3 days ago)
Author Archives: Heather
Appeasing the Volcano Gods at the Yadnya Kasada Festival – Bromo, East Java, Indonesia
Our love affair with volcanoes took us to the very alive and active Bromo Volcano in Eastern Java. We arrived just before sunset and our guide took us to a panoramic lookout for beautiful views of the area, peppered with volcanoes. We could peer down into the old volcanic caldera, now a sandy flat pit, [...]
Falling for a Scam, Feeling Like a Celebrity and Discovering Obama’s Roots – Jakarta, Indonesia
We were a bit sad to leave Malaysia, after enjoying some of its beautiful islands, jungle and wildlife. But we were excited to enter a new country, our 17th of this trip – Indonesia. After landing in Jakarta, we knew it would be a different story than Malaysia. We’re cautious everywhere we go, but with [...]
The “Venice of the East” – Malacca, Malaysia
Our last stop in Malaysia before heading south to Singapore was the old colonial city of Malacca (or as it is know these days, Melaka). Like Penang, this city was a strategic port for Malaysia’s colonial powers, first for the Dutch and later for the British. The meandering Melaka River snakes through the city and [...]
Wild Orangutans and Proboscis Monkeys – Sepilok and Sandakan, Malaysian Borneo
One of the most exciting aspects of our visit to Borneo was the chance to see some incredible and rare primates and monkeys in the wild. As we’ve learned time and again in our travels, seeing animals in person and in the wild is such a precious experience that words can’t really convey. It’s so [...]
Welcome to Borneo! – Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Flying into Borneo, we were filled with excitement, but didn’t really know what to expect. We landed in Kota Kinabalu, checked in at the friendly Lavendar Lodge, and had a walk around town our first night there. We came upon a really cool restaurant known for its fresh catch. The place looked like a pet [...]
Going Bamboo in the Jungles of Taman Negara, Malaysia
After soaking up the life on the paradise islands of the Perhentians, we decided to check out the nearby national park of Taman Negara. We caught a boat back to the mainland and then a bus to the small town of Kuala Tahan, which sits across the river from the park. After searching around town [...]
For the Love of Turtles! – Bubbles Dive Resort, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Malaysia
Erik tried to convince me we had seen enough of Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands after only visiting the smaller island, Kecil. I wasn’t so sure. Although the smaller island is rumored to be more laid back and geared for divers and backpackers, I knew how beautiful both of these islands are said to be and I [...]
September 11 on the Other Side of the World
Today, we are sitting on a sunny beach in Bali, Indonesia on the other side of the globe from New York and Washington DC. But, today, September 11, 2011, ten years after the most horrific day in my life and in our country’s history, our hearts and minds are 100% back home in the United [...]
Cooling Off in the Crisp Cameron Highlands – Tanah Rata, Malaysia
From the cultural and foody Penang, we joined a minivan transport to the crisp cool region of Cameron Highlands. After travelling there in the morning, we were dropped off at our hostel, Gerard’s Place. This cool apartment style hostel is a sister hostel to the more popular Father’s. The place was very modern and clean [...]
