Flores -- 1 Day Snorkeling

I think apart from seeing the komodo dragons, my other favorite was the 1-Day snorkeling trip.

North-West Bali: Bali Gecko Homestay, Pemuteran

There are loads and loads of hotels, villas, and homestays on the coast. You can take your pick depending on your preferred location and budget.

NorthWest Bali: West Bali National Park and Menjangan Island

A quick day trip anyone can do is go up North-West Bali and explore the little but beautiful towns on the coast like Banyuwedang, Pemuteran, and all the way to Lovina and Singaraja.

Flores -- Cunca Wulang

Do you like trekking? 

Then, check out the waterfalls near Labuan Bajo and go have a trek adventure: Cunca Wulang and Cunca Rami are the more accessible waterfalls in the area. Cunca Rami is known to have an easier path and often visited by people who don't like trekking or prefer a less challenging trip.

But if you like a bit of a hiking challenge and a wilderness enthusiast then Cunca Wulang is for you.

Flores -- Batu Cermin Cave + Waicicu Beach

looks like a profile of a bird

A quick trip you can do that's near the town is Batu Cermin and Waicicu Beach.

From the town center of Labuan Bajo, both are only about 20 minutes away. If you're coming from the airport, then about 10-15 minutes on the motorbike.

If you prefer to walk, it's also doable. Best done in early morning so it won't be too hot.

Flores -- Rinca + Kanawa Day Tour

There are two island you can visit to see the famous Komodo Dragons. One is Komodo Island and the other, RInca. 

People will have various opinions on which island is better. After researching and asking around extensively, I realized, it all depends on you and your schedule. 

RANT: TERRIBLE experience renewing the Social Budaya

Let me share the annoyance and inconvenience I encountered. Hopefully this will prevent you from anything similar when you go renew your SosBud.

My Terrible Experience:  Bule Sponsor vs Local Sponsor

How to RENEW the Social Budaya in BALI: Cost and Process

After you receive your Sosyal Budaya Telex (Visa Sticker) from the Consulate, you will have 3 months until the Visa expires so you need to enter Indonesia within that time.

Once you enter Indonesia / Bali, the visa’s allowable 60 days starts running.

Then, 7-10 days before the 60^th day, you need to RENEW your SosBud.

Note of WARNING: 

Renewing the Sos Bud is a time-consuming and tedious process as one is expected to go to the Immigration a total of 3-4 times! This is why most expats use an agent in sorting this out. But if you don't mind the hassle or would like to learn how this is done, read on..

Here’s HOW: 

How to APPLY for the Social Budaya Visa Yourself

An option to stay for a certain amount of time legally in Indonesia is using the Izin Kunjungan aka the famous (Social) Sosyal Budaya.

I say famous because most bules or foreigners that "live" in Indo, especially Bali, use this kind of visa. 

And it is POSSIBLE to do it on your own without having to pay unnecessary agent fees. 

Java: Yogjakarta, Borobudur, Mendut, & Prambanan

the majestic borobudur temple

This 9th century temple stands regally in the heart of Central Java. Built by the monks in the Sailendra Dynasty, the infrastructure is an impressive fusion of buddhism and hindu architecture and design. Hence, within, one can witness both Buddhas and Hindu Gods.

Bali: Karangasem -- White Water Rafting at Telaga Waja River

Just months before, I and some friends went to Telaga Waja River in Karangasem, and had such a great time. So when friends from San Diego came to visit, I took them here as well.  

Flores Island -- Tips on Booking Your Tours / Adventures

And now…. the more important topic regarding your tour activities and trips: 

How to book for your Flores adventure tours (Komodo dragons, snorkeling, diving) without breaking the bank and which agencies are good and trustworthy??

Indonesia: Labuan Bajo, Flores Island

view of Labuan Bajo town

For our 3^rd year anniversary and Christmas holiday, Michael arranged a trip to the Flores Islands. Seeing the Komodo dragons has always been a dream for us, not only because they are part of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World (according to the UNESCO Heritage Site) but we were interested to see these giant lizards in action as well as experience the beauty of the island. 

What’s also highly fascinating is that the Komodo Dragon is one of the very, very few surviving representatives of the Pleistocene era, where creatures and fauna were of gigantic proportions. And now these beautiful lizards are endangered – currently there are only more or less 4,200 dragons left! Their endangerment is highly due to the diminishing fauna and food available to them on the islands they inhabit plus the changes their environments are going through.

Kristin's TOP STREET FOOD choices in Bali

To be honest, I am not a fan of Indo cuisine. I guess this is due to my coming from a place with amazing food and flavors, the Philippines. Also, I find dishes in Indonesia being too rich in MSG and artificial flavorings. Plus, the sambal (shrimp paste) gives me allergies.

However, there are a few that I actually really really like.

Amed

East Bali: Tirta Gangga Water Palace

After bidding farewell to Kusumajaya, we walked down the hill and a hundred meters up the road to the Tirta Gangga watergarden. I had been looking forward to visiting this site for quite a long time and hadn't told Kristin about it at all, so I was excited.

East Bali: Tirta Gangga & Kusumajaya Homestay

After visiting Pura Goa Lawah and continuing another hour north, Kristin and I were ready to settle in for the night. I had been told the best place to stay in Tirta Gangga was the Kusumajaya Homestay. Sitting halfway up a mountain, the site overlooks the beautiful valley below. It's not the easiest place to find, but we didn't mind exploring the surrounding area's rice terraces before finally arriving at our destination.

East Bali: Pura Goa Lawah

Pura Goa Lawah is one of six temples known as the Sad Kahyangan, or the 'six temples of the world'. The Balinese believe these six temples are the pivotal points of the island; along with Pura Goa Lawah, Pura Besakih, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, Pura Uluwatu, Pura Batukaru, and Pura Pusering Jagat makeup this sacred group.

Nusa Lembongan -- How to get there

Dream Beach

I decided to go out of town for the weekend and what better place to do it than
Nusa Lembongan.



Ashamedly, in my almost 4 years here, it was my first time to see this beautiful little island especially since it's so close to Bali.


Having only a couple of days, it was the perfect easy getaway. Because of its proximity to Bali, Lembo is the preferred 'go to' escape for those with limited holiday time or those needing a quick one-day leisure off Bali.

Loads of travel and boat companies offer trips from 1-day cruise tours to 3 Night holiday packages.

Bali Treetop Adventure -- Face your Fear of HEIGHTS!

Last week the parents committee of the school I work for organized a day-out activity for the students and parents. It was at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park in Bedugul.

I had been to one 2 years ago in the Philippines and totally enjoyed myself so I didn't think twice of joining the trip. It was a day of extreme challenge and thrill. I don't really like heights so this was a great way for me to muster up and face my fears. I just wish I prepared well enough in terms of wearing the right clothing -- pants or leggings and gloves would have helped in preventing the injuries I incurred slamming on the trees and nets! But, at the end of the day, all the scrapes and bruises were worth all the fun I had!