We had the pleasure of joining the the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia on a cultural journey throughout this incredible country, starting in the nation’s capital of Jakarta and ending in one of the most popular islands in the world, Bali with more underrated destinations such as Yogykarta and Toraja in between.
Our cultural #TripOfWonders theme gave us the opportunity to get a deeper look into this country’s fascinating and diverse culture. I was mind-blown to learn that within the population of 215 million people, there are more than 200 ethnic groups! Below are some things you can do to immerse yourself, beyond the surface level of these popular parts of Indonesia.
BALI
One with nature, the Balinese culture is one of the most beautifully colorful, peaceful cultures in the world and Ubud is where you’ll find the heart of it all. With the belief that existence is a continuous cycle of life, death and rebirth, the Balinese genuinely reflect what it is to be truly Hindu.
Royal Palace of Peliatan
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Balinese culture is to walk in the shoes of the Balinese (literally!) We arrived to the Royal Palace of Peliatan and were immediately greeted with kind smiles and the eagerness to dress us from head to toe in traditional Balinese attire. I simply loved this experience as it was a great way to spend an afternoon ,learning about the royal families and roaming the gorgeous grounds while sipping tea and watching a traditional Balinese dance. An incredibly special experience!
Gebogan, a Balinese offering that weighs around 5-8 kgs!
Rumah Desa
Located in the heart of Ubud, you can easily spend an entire day at Rumah Desa, a unique and traditional Balinese style home that offers a long list of experiences such as cooking, trekking, cycling, dining, spiritual experiences and even weddings! We started off by having lunch on the gorgeous grounds, watched a traditional Balinese dance, had coffee with a view of the rice paddies and ended the day by learning what it’s like to be a rice farmer, hands on!
Where to stay:
With so many choices in the resort heaven of Bali, it can be hard to choose where to stay. We recommend splitting your time between a resort in the hear of Ubud, surrounded by lush forest and a sea side resort to give you two totally different experiences.
Komaneka Rasa Sayang Ubud
Located in the heart of Ubud, Komaneka Rasa Sayang Ubud is a great choice if you want to be in a centrally located resort while still feeling like you’re away from it all while inside the resort.
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
Nusa Dusa is where you go to hit the beach and relax after a long trip. The Sofitel Bali Nusa Dusa is as gorgeous as it is massive! Plus it’s only a 15 minute drive away from the airport so you can soak in the relaxation up to the last minute. This beachfront chic, yet comfy resort features 415 rooms, Sofitel’s siganure beds, a massive pool with a lazy river and much more.
JAKARTA
Setu Babakan
Learn the customs and traditions of the indigenous people of Jakarta, known as the Betawi. Located in South Jakarta in Setu Babakan, this is the center of Betawi culture and we were greeted with the incredible Palang Pintu performance to help us get into the the home! The grounds were super photogenic and we had a blast creating traditional dolls.
Layang Layang Museum
As we sat on the floor of the Layang-Layang Museum, learning about Indonesia’s kite culture and how to make our own, I couldn’t help but to pause and realize just how calm I felt in those moments (a rare occurrence). I live in one of the fastest paced cities in the world, working around the clock to chase my dreams and as my little heart constantly races, I never stop to breathe and tap into my creative, inner child. Creating those kites alongside fellow friends, surrounded by the most peaceful environment made me realize just how important it is to do therapeutic things like this more often as it’s good for for the soul.
Photos by @frameatrip
Where to stay: Aston Hotel Jakarta
We loved the modern and chic Aston Hotel in Jakarta. The rooms are clean, spacious and boast stunning views of the city and the hotel is also equipped with a giant, gorgeous pool.
All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. I was invited as guest by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism. As always, all opinions are my own.
These photos are incredible and inspirational!
Absolutely incredible pictures! It’s definitely a dream destination for any traveler. It’s hard to imagine any other place as beautiful and traditional as this one.
Thank you for information.