Prambanan is a complex of Hindu temples near Yogyakarta in central Java. It is the largest Hindu remnant in Java and it is billed as “the Tallest and Most Beautiful, Largest Hindus Temple in the World”. While I haven’t been to enough Hindu temples to vouch for it’s most beautiful claim, it certainly is grand […]
Archives for 2009
Borobudur: The biggest Buddhist temple in the world
Borobudur Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, which is impressive considering that it’s not in a Buddhist country but in Central Java, Indonesia. [Borobudur Temple] It’s a temple that ranks with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Myanmar’s Bagan as one of the great religious monuments of Southeast Asia. What is more remarkable is […]
Travel the world as a spy
If you are looking for a job where you are paid to travel the world, then perhaps a job as a spy is for you. Here is a compilation of secret service departments around the world and how to go about getting a job as an international man (or woman) of mystery. Secret Intelligence Service […]
The Tomb of Sir Richard Burton
In the leafy suburbs of Southwest London is a small parish church cemetery that has one of London’s most remarkable tombs. The tomb is of Sir Richard Burton and his wife Isabel. [Burton Mausoleum – St Mary Magdalens Mortlake] Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821 – 1890) was a remarkable man in an age of […]
Bandung was once “Paris of Java” – What is it now?
Bandung in Indonesia was once known as “Paris of Java”. I saw a few T-shirts with the proclamation “Paris Van Java”, but other than that there is not much evidence to suggest that this was once a grand city in the resemblance of the French capital. [Jalan Asia Afrika] Bandung was once a grand city, […]
Transjakarta – The express bus system of Jakarta
Jakarta has a population of approximately 9 million people and no metro system. It’s a city that sprawls in every direction and its traffic congestion is legendary. The city has come up with a workable bus system that has at least made travel in some parts of Jakarta much faster. [Transjakarta Bus] Transjakarta is a […]
Movies named after cities
I have blogged about how Australia the movie has potential to be a great branding opportunity for Australia the country. There aren’t many other movies named after countries, but there are a number of movies named after cities and towns. Sometimes the film can become big enough that the city becomes synonymous with the film. […]
Jalan Jaksa – The backpacker budget accommodation street in Jakarta
For backpackers and budget travellers arriving in Jakarta, Jalan Jaksa is the the best option to find budget accommodation. The jalan (street) has Losmen (basic flophouse style accommodation) and budget hotels. The cheapest ones aren’t usally bookable online so you have to get there early to find them, otherwise you can book Jalan Jaksa accommodation […]
Notes on Lake Toba: Tropical lakeside paradise on $15 a day
I set up shop in Tuk-Tuk, which is a little town on the island of Samosir in Lake Toba. Tuk Tuk is the main tourist area of Samosir, reached by ferries from Parapat. Tuk Tuk is on a small peninsula on the island and it’s not over developed. If you have been in the cities […]
Staying in a capsule hotel in Tokyo
[A review of my stay at Capsule Inn Akihabara from my 2007 visit to Tokyo.] Tokyo offers a wide range of accommodation options, but nothing is as quirky as a capsule hotel. The first capsule hotel opened in Osaka in 1979 and they can now be found in major cities across Japan. I stayed at […]
