anastasiamuralt

[anastasiamuralt]

Come and discover beautiful landscapes in Gilis Islands

How to get there ?

Gili Trawangan or Gili Islands are located between Lombok and Bali. From Bali, you can get there by ferries. You have the choice between a normal ferry or a fast ferry. I recommend you the fast ferry to get there faster. Once there, you can get a horse drawn carriage in order to get easier and faster to your hosting.

What to do there ?

There’s a lot to do here ! I recommend you to go rent a bike and make a beautiful bike ride around the island ! One thing to know is that, walking, getting a horse drawn carriage or renting a bike are the only ways to move around because there are no vehicles in Gili Islands. If you like water, go scuba diving ! You’ll have the chance to see amazing things such as sea turtles and maybe… sharks !! In the afternoon, you can drink some local beer with friends and enjoy beautiful sunsets on the beach ! there are a lot of nice bars around. And if you have the chance, you could see the Agung Volcano which is the largest volcano in Bali.

If you like mini golf, it is also the perfect way to end a day. One more thing to not miss in Gili is the underwater statue and hundreds of different fish. Go hire a boat and see one of the most iconic attraction of Gili Trawangan !

Food ?

There is lots of local food markets here and a night food market which is very renowned. I absolutely recommend it to you because it is an incredible experience for local food and culture ! You’ll probably be able to meet a lot of people and learn from them a lot.

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Take a deep breath and relax in the heart of Jakarta

Find Indonesia’s capital on the northwest coast of Java, the most popular island in the world.  Jakarta has 10 million inhabitants. There is a lot to do in a cultural way in Jakarta. For example, the Merdeka Place is amazing. It is one kilometer park which tells the story of the nation with many cultural monuments and things to see. Furthermore, the National Monument or Monas reflects the independence of this city, and is really interesting to visit. In Jakarta you’ll see important buildings as the national gallery, the national museum of Indonesia. Moreover, in Jakarta you’ll discover the largest mosque of South-East Asia. During Ramadan, over 100 000 people gather together for occasion. There are of course a lot of temples to visit too.

In Jakarta there’s a spiritual vibe which is really present. In the heart of Jakarta old town you’ll find the Fatahillah place with traditional architecture. It is very beautiful ! a lot of museums are here too. There is the old city house which is a museum too and tells us more about the city’s history. In addition to that, a really renowned museum is the Wayang Museum with puppets of Java. It is very original!

There’s some activities in water to do, such as going to the Sunda Kelapa to have a boat ride and to see some traditions of local population. There is also a water adventure in Ancol’s park which is very fun to do! You’ll have the chance to explore the Pulau Seribu National Park which is situated only 30 minutes from Jakarta.

A lot of cafes are opened in Jakarta, some local markets too. There is a lot to discover about the local population and culture. Furthermore, there are some big shopping centers for shopping lovers. Jakarta is a very diversified city with a lot to do for everyone. Beautiful sunsets too, I recommend !

Have fun in Jakarta :)

[anastasiamuralt]

A desire to discover the Lion’s City ? ;)

Singapore is situated in South Malaysia and known to be the financial center of Malaysia. The climate in Singapore is tropical and the population is pretty multicultural. The population of Singapore is about 5.6 million inhabitants.

One thing to do here is the Singapore River Cruise, which a clearly recommend. You can check some information on tripadvisor, which is a very good site. With the Singapore River Cruise, you will be able to make some boat excursions by using some beautiful ferries, some water sport and even historical visits to discover Singapore’s heritage.

At night, I can propose you a nocturn visit of the ChinaTown neighborhood, you’ll be visiting the district by rickshaws (pousse-pousse) which is very original! Singapore's Chinatown is a vibrant district where “the old meets the new”. See its street markets, medical halls, restaurants and bars come alive at night as you explore on foot, trishaw and riverboat. Dine in a local restaurant, visit a street market and admire the illuminated silhouette of Singapore from a traditional boat. You can easily visit Singapore’s by feet which is very interesting and good for the environment. This visit includes the dinner too and lasts four hours.

Singapore’s nickname is the lion’s town, for historical reasons, so if you’re a VTT lover, you can discover the city by bike ! You’ll have a guide to show you the best places. I propose you to dive into the landscapes of Little India, Chinatown, Marina Bay, the Singapore River and much more by pedaling about 20 km in the morning. In addition to a bike, helmet if necessary and rain gear for your protection. All this lasts about 4-5 hours.

I gave you three examples of activities to do there but there are many others ! I hope you’ll have a good time in the lion’s city, and will discover a new beautiful culture and more ! Have fun.

[anastasiamuralt]

Kuala Lumpur by Night !

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital city. It is an urban agglomeration of 7.564 million people and is the fastest growing metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia, in both population and economic development. The city is dominated by two twin-towers, named the Petronas towers. They are 451 meter high with Islamics motifs. These towers have a bridge and a place for tourists to access to the beautiful view from there. The city of Kuala Lumpur has many monuments from colonial British epoch, as for example the railway station and the Sultan Abdul Samad building.

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit and by night too. One advice I can give you is to visit the KLCC lake of the symphony and the river of life. This sightseeing tour lasts 3 hours and presents the main attraction of Malaysia after sunset. Come here and discover some beautiful colors by night! By coming you will:

- Admire the unforgettable moment at the KLCC fountain show - Have a chance to explore the best shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur - Visit one of the world's top 10 waterfront neighborhoods - Have a superb riverside visual experience in the heart of KLCC

During this tour you will visit The Thean Hou Temple, who is one of the oldest and largest temples in Southeast Asia. You will also have a look at the Istana Negara, who is the national palace of Malaysia. Built in 1928, it is located along Jalan Istana.

You will be seeing a spectacular fountain scene, dozens of water jets in the park's artificial lake will burst into the air with colorful beams of light who’ll dance in the water. The harmony of water and bright colors makes the scene more sparkling and radiant. The water will be reaching a maximum height of 42 m, which is pretty high.

This is an example of an activity I advise you, especially a night one, but there is so much more to do there! There are many other options about circuits as: museum circuits, art circuits, cinema circuits, cultural circuits… and even sport circuits! Have fun!

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Chenderoh Lake & Cameron Highlands

Next to Penang, there is a beautiful lake named the Chenderoh Lake. It is a very peaceful place where you can take time to relax. You can rent a bike and make a tour around this lake.

As its name suggests, Cameron Highlands is a mountain plateau. Its altitude is about 1400m, the temperature here is pleasant all year round, around 20°C. Considering the heat that people have in Malaysia, we can imagine that they are impatient to go there to breath some fresh air!

In Cameron Highlands, in Malaysia you can do for example a one-day circuit. Enjoy a private tour of Cameron Highlands, a cool and windy mountain resort located 200 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. In a 3 hour drive, you will drive through a beautiful green forest to reach your destination in the lush green hills of Malaysia's largest seaside resort.

What is included in this circuit is:

- English speaking guide and driver - Entrance ticket to Butterfly. Butterfly is a big park in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.      But we’ll talk about it next week. - Transportation to and from downtown Kuala Lumpur - Lunch (you’ll have the choice between three meals) - Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle - Entrance - Cameron Highlands Butterfly Garden

Cameron Valley is a lot about nature. So if you like plants, you can visit the Cactus Valley which has a lot of different sort of cactus. It’s very interesting. One more thing to visit is the Raju Hill Strawberry Farm if you’re a strawberry lover!

Concerning food and accommodation, there’s so many good cafés and restaurants and the hotels are very affordable. Have a good time in Cameron Highlands. Enjoy the mountains, the calm and the peace here because the next step will be Kuala Lumpur and it’s not that calm !

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Penang !

During your tour, you’ll be visiting Penang. It’s time to quit Thailand and start visiting another country! Penang is situated in North-West Malaysia and is a beautiful place. It is very diversified: you can go to cultural visits, architectural visits, historical circuits or even train excursions. In Penang there’s a lot to do and to see. A lot of architectural buildings to visit and see. One amazing activity to do in Penang is to visit the Temple of Penang. The prices are very affordable and it’s something incredible.

You’ll be welcomed to ride the funicular to the top of Penang Hill; explore the streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be able to watch pewter craftsmen, taste white coffee, and check out the religious monuments of Kek Lok Si Temple at Wat Chaiyamangkalaram Temple and Burmese Dhammikarama Temple. It is time to discover the rich multicultural diversity of Penang!

Furthermore, if you are an animal lover, you’ll like the next activity I’ll propose:

Get a close look at endangered orangutans on this incredible tour of Orangutan Island, Taiping Zoo and the Perak Museum in Penang. Discover some of the most amazing natural sites in the region and learn about the local wildlife from your professional guide, if you’d like to have one. Stroll through the gardens of Lake Taiping, stroll through the corridors of the Perak Museum and enjoy the comfort and air conditioning of your vehicle. You’ll be able to observe endangered orangutans at the Orangutan Island Conservation Center.

Finally, let’s have a break and take care of ourselves on the Monkey Beach with a good breakfast !

[anastasiamuralt]

During your tour, you’ll be welcomed in Khao Sok, Thailand. It is an amazing place ! There is the national parc of Khao Sok which is situated in the Surat Thani province: 

It is composed of a virgin jungle and an artificial lake, The Cheow Lan. Did you know that this parc is covered by the oldest rainforest in the world ? There are beautiful limestone mountain, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes, wild animals and much more....

The so-called wet season takes place from the end of April to December. The temperature varies from 22 to 36 °C all year round. The perfect thing to do is a day or two excursion. There is also a coral cave to visit and see. That’s amazing. The national parc is very large and big but I think two days are good enough to enjoy the place. On the Cheow Lake you can book a guide, he’ll explain to you the local culture and will probably make you discover some new things you ignored ! :)

Concerning accommodation, you can rent some sweet houses on stilts. It’s a funny and nice experience. The budget is very affordable.  

Have a nice stay in Khao Sok & enjoy the change of scenery !

[anastasiamuralt]

Today you’re welcomed in Ko Samui ! 

Ko Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand located in the southern part of the Kra Isthmus and belonging to the province of Surat Thani.

Located about 25 km from the coast, it is the second largest island in Thailand, with an area of 228 km² and a population of 62,500 inhabitants in 2012. It has many natural tourist resources: white sandy beaches, coral and coconut palms.

The capital city of Koh Samui is Nathon. In the city, there are many modes of transportation as: taxis, taxi-moto, songthaw. A songthaw  is a collective cab mainly used in Thailand and Laos. This mode of transportation is also found in other Southeast Asian countries, but in some countries such as Malaysia, it tends to be replaced by closed minibuses.

Cabs or taxis, are the most economical mode of transportation on the island, although the vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned. Do not hesitate to negotiate the price of the trip before getting on.

There are unbelievable beaches in Koh Samui as: Mae Nam, Lamai Beach, Thonson Bay. I recommend you to try these places. You’ll not regret !

You have a lot to do in Koh Samui and you are free to choose whatever you want… Cultural activities, sportive activity, relaxing activity. If you like thai food you’ll be happy. There are so many good restaurants, like the FoodLab, La Playa, Jam restaurant.

Furthermore, in Koh Samui there’s markets that are very known. It’s fantastic. The biggest market is “the fischerman village” every Monday and Friday night from 6 o’clock. If you’re hungry, you’ll find happiness. If you need to buy some souvenirs, you’ll be happy too. There is a large choice of activities and shopping.

Finally, if you like to party.. there are also many discos for you. The best known is the ARKbar beach resort, with an amazing view on the beach and a swimming pool. Another known bar is the Bar Cocktail King, incredible cocktails for cocktails lovers.

Enjoy Koh Samui.

[anastasiamuralt]

Day One: Bangkok

Tuesday 6th October, you’ll arrive in Bangkok, Thailand! There’s so many activities to do there. First of all, you’ll be welcomed in your hotel: GrandHotel Center. Then some activities will be offered to you: The Bouddha’s Temple visit in the afternoon or the Big Palace, known for its historical reputation. You have the choice. Then, for the evening, some restaurants are here to make you feel good: The SEEN Restaurant & Bar Bangkok, with its incredible view of the whole city, which is beautiful by night! Or the Praya Kitchen for seafood lovers. 

Have fun in Bangkok ! ;)