Nusa Penida: A Journey To Bali's Newly Discovered Gem

I woke up from my phone's blaring alarm. With only four hours of sleep, I forced myself to wake up and take a cold shower. Traffic was already building up as we left Seminyak to Sanur Beach. Upon arrival, we were still early for the first boat trip to Nusa Penida. The sun was up, casting an orange-yellow hue from the horizon. Despite being a frequent visitor to Bali, I still feel this sense of adventure overtaking me as we wait for the speedboat to Nusa Penida.

I Won A Free Trip To Bali... AGAIN!

While I was scrolling my IG feed, I came across with Wonderful Indonesia's ad - the Trip Of Wonders online quiz. Suddenly, a rush of memories came through. Two years ago, I won the same contest. Since it was a trip for two, my mom tagged along, and we had a great time touring around Bali. Who wouldn't? Our airfare and accommodation were all covered. Plus, the organizers gave us an allowance to fully enjoy our trip! This year, I took the chance. While it was more difficult this year, I still managed to score higher than the others. It was disheartening not to see my name at the scoreboard though. I kept my expectations low. Besides, I have nothing to lose!

A few days after my trip to Sydney, I received an email from Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism. Fast forward, I went back to Bali just two months after my previous visit. I never thought I'd be visiting this revered Island of Gods twice this year!

PHOTO DIARY: Bali in Technicolor

I spent my 26th birthday in Bali, and it's one of the best birthdays I have ever had. This revered Island of Gods has so much to offer, and I wouldn't mind visiting this place again in the near future.

This year, I am going to create a new photo series: In Technicolor. It was only late last year when I went back to Lightroom to post process my photos. My laptop can now handle the heavy workload and multitasking (Photoshop + Lightroom + Final Cut Pro).

These are some of my favorite shots I took during my first trip to Bali, Indonesia. I only used Canon EOS 1100D with a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. I downloaded a few presets online, and played with it on Lightroom. Hope you guys like it, and expect more In Technicolor posts on my blog.

PHOTO DIARY: Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Yogyakarta (pronounced as Jogjakarta, or Jogja for short) is one of the most important cities in Central Java. Most of its corners are laced with so much history dated back in the early 13th century. Its heritage and culture are so vibrant that it is one of the most visited Indonesian cities by both local and foreign tourists. There are so many places to visit in Jogja - Jalan Malioboro where you can find the cheapest batik goods, the water castle, and other several geoheritage sites. As you explore the outskirts of the city, you'll discover more of the Java Island's history. Ancient temples like Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, and a UNESCO Heritage Site, and Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, offer a glimpse of the country's colorful past.

These are some of the photos I took during my trip in Yogyakarta last August 2015. We only stayed there overnight. I should be back there and explore more of Jogja.

Camera: Canon EOS 1100D / 50mm f/1.8

Thank You, Twenty Sixteen

The year 2016 was a roller coaster ride. I have gained a lot of new experiences mostly in life but lost a few that were dear to me. This so-called adventure doesn't teach us to dwell and linger with our past, especially the bad ones, but to always to keep our steady pace as we gear towards the future. No matter how we carefully plan our paths, life will always give us surprises along the way.

Trip of Wonders: Ain't No Bali Low Enough!

Tucked away in the cerulean waters of the Bali Sea and the towering Mount Agung is an island blessed with fertile lands and rich biodiversity. Bali, with its varied terrain, numerous white sand beaches, picturesque temples, and standout local cuisines, has always been a favorite holiday destination for both local and international tourists.

When I found out I won a free trip to Bali, I got overwhelmed. I never thought I'd be back here so soon! For three days, we went to rediscover Bali, and to understand more about its culture.

Photo Diary: Bali, Indonesia

Bali is an island province of Indonesia. Unlike its neighboring provinces, this region is predominantly Hindu, which is why this region stands out from the rest. After exploring the cities and towns of West and Central Java last year, I finally know why people keep on coming back to Bali. I love the diversity of Balinese culture. Not to mention, there are so many activities to do on this island alone!

I spent my 26th birthday here, and damn, I regret nothing! For four days, we went temple hopping, visited the sacred monkey forest of Ubud, and ate different Balinese dishes. That's why I got so thrilled after receiving an email from Wonderful Indonesia. I just won a trip for two to Bali, Indonesia! Christmas came early! I remember making a promise that I'll return to Bali, but I didn't expect I'll be back so soon. Mom and I will be there in the third week of November, just a few days after our Bangkok trip. Hahaha!

Here are some of my favorite photos on my first visit to Bali. I do hope I'd add more as I explore more of this famed island. Weapon of choice: Canon EOS 1100D, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens.

The Temples of Bali

The last day of our Balinese adventure was dedicated to the temples of the island. Coined as ‘Island of the Gods’, the revered island province of Bali is known for its verdant forested mountains, iconic rice paddies, and beaches and coral reefs. Unlike most of Muslim-majority cities of Indonesia, about 85% of the total population of Bali adheres to Balinese Hinduism - a combination of local beliefs and the Hindu influences from mainland Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

This is just one of the reasons why Bali stands out.

The Monkeys of Ubud

The Bali adventure wouldn't be complete without visiting The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. I never had close encounters with numerous troops (group of monkeys) until recently in Batu Caves and Uluwatu Temple. Despite their obnoxious behavior, these animals are considered sacred in the island's religion. The Monkey Forest of Ubud has numerous temples and pillars dedicated to them.

Out of curiosity, I channeled my inner monkeyness (Merriam-Webster's furious right now because lately, I've been inventing words) and mustered enough courage to interview some of the inhabitants of the sacred forest.

Exploring Kuta Beach and Uluwatu Temple

Our plane took-off at exactly four in the morning and I fell asleep ten minutes after. The next thing I knew, the sun was already up and we were already banking to the right, preparing to land in Bali, Indonesia. Honestly, I kept my expectations low as I didn't know what was in store for us in the next three days!

My Offload Experience with Cebu Pacific

Disclaimer: Before anything else, this is not a rant post about the airline. Rather, this experience was actually the highlight of my recent trip in Bali, Indonesia!

We were scheduled to fly back to Manila from Denpasar at around 8:45AM. Since our hotel is conveniently located right in front of Denspasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport, we left our hotel at quarter to seven in the morning. Besides, we have already checked-in online, so we were pretty much confident with the check-in procedure. The process was quite slow but we didn't care. Besides, we're flying home.

The moment we presented our passports at the check-in counter, we received a disheartening news from the airport ground staff.

The Bali Adventure: Overview

Exploring Bali, Indonesia

It's been a week since my Balinese adventure and yes, I still can't get over with it. If only I had all the time in the world, I'd spend at least two to three weeks just to explore the entire province and its neighboring islands! I celebrated my 26th birthday here and I really had a great time in Bali. For four days, we went temple hopping, shopped at several local handicraft stores, and immersed in Hindu culture and traditions of the island.

Photo Diary: Wonderful Indonesia

I'm itching to travel again and I can no longer contain my excitement for my upcoming birthday trip! And for my photo diary series, I'm going to feature our neighboring archipelagic country - Indonesia. This country is more than just a chain of active stratovolcanoes with exotic animal and plant species thriving around it. Like the Philippines, it is home to millions of multicultural communities, historical architectures, local languages, and local cuisines. Last year, I explored Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor, and Yogyakarta.

Here are some of photos that I truly love from my Indonesian adventure last year. Weapon of choice: Canon EOS 1100D.

Jogjakarta's Hindu Temple: Candi Prambanan

The Borobudur Temple experience was a noteworthy one however, we were told that there's also a temple near downtown Yogyakarta, about fifteen minutes away from Adi Sucipto International Airport. Prambanan Temple, like its Buddhist counterpart, is also a UNESCO heritage site. It is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia.

The Path to Enlightenment: Borobudur Temple

Enlightenment.

One shouldn't miss this UNESCO World Heritage Site when visiting Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Candi Borobudur (pronounced as 'Chandee', which literally means temple), is the world's largest Buddhist temple, and as well as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments built in the whole world. I have been dying to visit this temple since high school, blame it to my obsession in Asian history and culture. Since the day I've first read about this place, I knew right from the start that I have to see this place before I die.

Nothing's really unusual with this candi except that it was decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The temple comprises of six square platforms, topped with three circular platforms. People all over the world travel to this renowned world heritage site simply because of its allegory to enlightenment.

Yogyakarta: Indonesia's Cultural City

The cultural center of Indonesia.

Indonesia is very accessible if you are flying in to Jakarta however, it doesn't wholly represent the entire Indonesian culture. That's why, we opted to visit places outside the capital city: Bandung, Taman Safari in Bogor, and Yogyakarta (aka Jogja). Thus, if you want to experience the 'real' Indonesia, get the hell out of Jakarta because the gridlock traffic won't take you to anywhere.

To escape the carmageddon traffic of the capital, we took a flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, a thriving metropolitan city of Central Java. Booking a flight to Jogja from the capital was probably the best decision we've made in this entire trip. Aside from saving us from eternal damnation, it had allowed us to discover more about the Indonesian culture and heritage.

The Taman Safari Experience

All creatures big and small.

Prior my trip to Taman Safari, the closest encounter I've had with wild animals was in Davao's Crocodile Park, and in the Philippine Eagle Center. But those weren't considered close since all of them were either locked inside a cage or confined in a protected area in which visitors aren't allowed to pet them. Weeks prior our Indonesian adventure, my aunt told me and my mom that we're going to visit Indonesia's Taman Safari. I did a few research about it but their official website wasn't really that detailed, not to mention that it was written in Bahasa. So basically, we were clueless.

The first thing that came to my mind was the African safari type of trip - you know, people inside an armored vehicle with large plexiglass windows on it, with a few lions climbing on top of the car, and zebras licking the window, begging for food. And after that, the lions saw the zebras, and goes the wild chase. Eventually, the lions ate the zebras. It's like watching NatGeo Wild. #CircleOfLife

Well, that was morbid.

Exploring the Tangkuban Perahu Crater

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Indonesian Diaries: An Overview

It's been a week since my Indonesian adventure and yep, I still can't get over with it! Who would've thought that I'd be spending my post 25th birthday celebration in this part of the world? For some, Indonesia doesn't ring a bell. Excluding to those who travel extensively around Asia, try mentioning Indonesia to your friends and they'll only know a few things about it.

For five days, we tried to explore the different cultures of Java Island. Well, what did you know? It had exceeded our expectations!