Indonesia might be the most diverse country in the world to travel through. I didn’t realize it at first, but now returning from my fifth stint in wonderful Indonesia, I’m realizing how different each culture, landscape, food, and religion are across this archipelago. As a solo traveler, that makes Indonesia more enigmatic than the other […]
Should You Learn to Freedive on Gili Air?
I morphed from land shark to mermaid in four days on Gili Air. I couldn’t believe how difficult it was, and then how simple. Something had to click in my mind. Then, like magic, I could fin down to 16 meters on a single breath-hold. Most sports require strength and endurance, but freediving is different. […]
The Ultimate Southeast Asia Itinerary
The parallel universe called Southeast Asia draws me in over and over again. Coming to Southeast Asia feels like coming home. Each time I return, I find comfort in the ease of traveling there, the excitement of new discoveries, and the energy hanging in the sweet, sticky air. I’ve traveled in Southeast Asia for over […]
Review: Rumah Pohon Treehouse in Nusa Penida
There have been many brilliant sunrises in my life, but it’s hard to top the one at the Rumah Pohon Treehouse in Nusa Penida, Indonesia. The way that the sun rose over the jagged islets, lighting up the entire bay in layers of orange, pink, and gold, all while I watched from the perch in […]
The Ideal Indonesia Itinerary for 2 Weeks to 2 Months
Where should you spend your time in Indonesia when you visit? With so many islands, how do you narrow it down? The first time I visited was in 2008, and since then, I’ve returned 10 times, most recently in 2024. Indonesia quickly became one of my favorite countries (after visiting 65 of them). Here are […]