Future Bucket List Adventures - Indonesia and Thailand, the Far East
- Debbie Goodman
- May 5, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 9, 2024
Southeast Asia has been a favourite corner of the world for back-packers and travellers for many years. Two of the most beautiful and most visited countries in Southeast Asia are Thailand and Indonesia.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a huge archipelago of diverse islands scattered over both sides of the Equator between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Here is a list of the places I intend to visit in the future which are part of Indonesia, consisting of Bali, Nusa Penida, Komodo Island, Lombok, the Gili Islands, and Sumba Island.
Bali
The Island of the Gods – Bali is without doubt a special and unique place. The mere mention of Bali evokes thoughts of a paradise. It's more than a place; it's a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind. Bali is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. It is an island in the enclave of Indonesia and is one of the over 17,500 islands that make up the country. Bali attracts a wide variety of visitors and it is the most visited island in Indonesia. Bali is climbing the ranks as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. Bali is best known for surfing, beaches, mountainous jungle rainforest, temples, yoga, Hinduism, spirituality, scuba diving, the vibe of the island, and for being a tropical island paradise.
Ubud
Ubud is known as the spiritual heartland of Bali. Long revered for its temples and artistic heritage, the village has, in recent years, grown into a vibrant hub attracting expats, yogis and digital nomads. Ubud is famous for many things and the film Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts really thrust the town into the international spotlight.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Tegalalang Rice Terrace comprises a series of cascading rice fields. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the area is especially popular during sunrise and sunset.
Bali Swing
Bali Swing allows visitors to go on multiple outdoor rope swings and get the perfect photo of themselves hanging above the Balinese jungle.
The Holy Spring Water of Pura Tirta Empul
One of the busiest water temples in Indonesia, Tirta Empul is a temple considered sacred by Balinese Hindu community. The temple has several holy springs which are said to have been created by The God Indra and believed to be blessed water that could purify those who bathe there.
Lempuyang Temple
Lempuyang Temple locally known as Pura Luhur Lempuyang is one of Bali’s oldest and most highly regarded temples. The entire landscape looks very picturesque from this temple gate, and that gate also known to the western world as "The Gates of Heaven".
Monkey Forest
Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, also known as Ubud Monkey Forest, is a sanctuary located at Padangtegal Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
Nusa Penida Island
Nusa Penida one of the most beautiful places to visit in Indonesia. The island can be visited on a day trip from Bali (same day return). Some of the most well known attractions on Nusa Penida are Kelingking Beach, Angels Billabong, and Broken Beach.
Mount Batur
Mount Batur is an active volcano located at the center of two concentric calderas north west of Mount Agung on the island of Bali, Indonesia.
The Legong and Barong Dance Show
Traditional Bali dance performances are held at the local centre Bale Banjar Ubud Kelod. The two most prominent styles are the Legong Dance and the Barong Waksirsa Dance. The Legong Dance is the oldest classical dance of Bali and used to be a royal entertainment. The Barong Waksirsa Dance tells us about the Goddess Durga/white Rangda who comes down to the earth, followed by her follower (Sisya) named Waksirsa (Pig).
Alena Resort
The Alena Resort is a Balinese design masterpiece. A lush oasis located just outside of Ubud, the Alena Resort has an outdoor pool, sun terrace, yoga pavilion, and a wellness spa.
Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home to the ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple Pura Tanah Lot, a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography.
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major Hindu Shaivite temple in Bali, Indonesia. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul.
Uluwatu
Nestled in the southern tip of Bali island, Uluwatu is known for its dramatic clifftop views, white sand beaches and epic surf breaks.
Gravity Eco Boutique Hotel
Set 3.4 km from Uluwatu Temple, the Gravity Eco Boutique Hotel features a group of beautiful thatched roof bungalows surrounded by tropical gardens.
Sundays Beach Club
Located at the very private end of Melasti Beach, Sundays Beach Club offers almost 200m stretch of white sandy beach with crystal clear waters to explore.
Savaya Bali
Savaya Bali is an all-day party destination perched atop a cliff, 100 meters above the Indian Ocean in stunning Uluwatu, Bali - Indonesia.
Komodo Island
Komodo and the nearby islands of Rinca and Padar make up Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Komodo dragon.
Lombok
Lombok is an Indonesian island located just east of Bali, across the Lombok Strait in Southeast Asia. Lombok is famous for many things: beautiful beaches, epic surf breaks, volcanic mountains, stunning waterfalls and wonderous coral reefs. Lombok is also the gateway to the Gili Islands.
Mount Rinjani
Mount Rinjani is an active volcano in Indonesia on the island of Lombok. The second highest volcano of Indonesia is definitely one of the highlights of Lombok!
Hotel Tugu
Beside the sugar-white sands of one of Lombok's best beaches, Hotel Tugu Lombok offers guests a quirky take on traditional beachfront indulgence.
Lombok Wildlife Park
Lombok Wildlife Park has become a playground for animal lovers. The park is designed to be like the true home for the animals. There park is home to wildlife such as elephants, a variety of birds and Pygmy hippopotamus. There are experiences available which include feeding and bathing the elephants.
Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are a group of 3 tiny islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air – in Indonesia, near the coast of northwest Lombok Island. Characterized by sandy beaches fringed with palm trees, they're known for their coral reefs just offshore, which is great for snorkelling.
Sumba Island
Sumba is known as the “Forgotten Island” of Indonesia. A well-kept secret amongst surfers and adventurers, this hidden gem is only one hour from Bali. The island is also known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, ancient culture and ancestral traditions, in which horses play a major role.
NIHI Sumba
Nihi Sumba is a remote, luxury eco lodge on the island of Sumba, and has been voted the best hotel in the world.
These are the places I aim to visit on a future trip to Indonesia.
Thailand
Thailand is a Southeast Asian country known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. As Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, I decided to visit for my 30th birthday to see what all the fuss was about. I stayed in Phuket for 9 days for my trip in 2014. Here is a list of places I would visit on a future trip to Thailand, they include Chang Rai, Bangkok and Koh Samui.
Chang Rai
Whenever you hear about travel to Thailand, you will usually hear about Chang Rai. Chang Rai is located in the mountaneous, northern Thailand, and is the smaller, more laid back neighbour of Chang Mai. Chang Rai is famous for its Buddist temples, most notably Wat Rong Khun (White Temple). Chang Rai is also home to the Akha hill tribe. The Akha are an ethnic group who live in small villages at higher elevations in the mountains of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Yunnan Province in China.
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand
The Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai is a luxury jungle camp on the Mekong River. The resort is perched above trees, rice fields and lush vegetation which attract the beautiful rescued elephants.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is famous for its street food, nightlife and temples. Wat Arun, the ‘temple of Dawn’ is one of the most famous temple in Bangkok.
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Park Hyatt Bangkok is a 5 star luxury hotel and architectural masterpiece, with world class dining and leisure facilities. It's a tranquil oasis above the cityscape, offering an outdoor pool and unparalleled views of the city.
Koh Samui
Ko Samui is Thailand’s second largest island, and is located in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. It's famous for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Surrounded by tropical gardens, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is situated at the island's northwestern tip, on a little piece of paradise called Laem Yai Bay.
These are the places that I would like to visit on my next trip to Thailand.
Check out my adventures in Phuket, Thailand here:
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