Gili Trawangan the most affordable island destination in Southeast Asia

Gili Trawangan offers the best value of all Southeast Asian island getaways, according to a cost comparison report released last week by TripAdvisor.

The results are taken from the second annual TripIndexIsland Sun report, which compares the cost of a day out and an overnight stay for two in 16 popular island destinations across Southeast Asia.

The list of islands was compiled using data from TripAdvisor on the most searched-for islands in the region in the past year, as well as input from local experts.

The study takes into account the combined costs for two people to enjoy a one-night stay in a four-star hotel, a two-course meal with coconut juice, beers, a massage and rental of bicycles and kayaks.

According to the report, the most affordable island for Indonesian travelers is Gili Trawangan, with a total TripIndex cost of Rp 2,677,194 (US$220).

At the other end of the spectrum, a trip to Sentosa Island in Singapore will cost three times more at Rp 9,499,234.

“This year’s results show that, despite their popularity, Indonesia and Thailand are still home to some of the most affordable island getaways in Southeast Asia, with Gili Trawangan, Bali and Koh Samui topping the list,” said TripAdvisor spokesperson Jean Ow-Yeong in a press release last week.

This year’s results show that travelers heading to islands in Indonesia can expect to save the most, with Gili Trawangan, Bali and Lombok ranked at number one, two and four, respectively, in the top five most affordable islands.

Gili Trawangan and Bali were also listed among the top ten islands in Asia, ranking fifth and second, respectively, in the 2014 Travelers’ Choice Islands Award, while Bali’s Nusa Dua Beach was awarded thirteenth place in the 2014 Travelers’ Choice Beaches Awards.

TripIndexIsland Sun (total cost from most to least affordable)
1. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia: Rp 2,677,194
2. Bali, Indonesia: Rp 3,086,446
3. Koh Samui, Thailand: Rp 3,289,854
4. Lombok, Indonesia: Rp 3,313,408
5. Cebu, Philippines: Rp 3,732,697
6. Phuket, Thailand: Rp 3,841,964
7. PhuQuoc, Vietnam: Rp 4,033,301
8. Boracay, Philippines: Rp 4,037,519
9. Penang, Malaysia: Rp 4,364,523
10. Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand: Rp 4,817,578
11. Pulau Rendang, Malaysia: Rp 5,262,878
12. Pulau Tioman, Malaysia: Rp 5,546,234
13. Langkawi, Malaysia: Rp 5,852,804
14. Palawan, Philippines: Rp 6,154,142
15. Bintan, Indonesia: Rp 6,561,569

16. Sentosa, Singapore: Rp 9,499,234

Enjoying Ramayana ballet's love story at Prambanan

The Ramayana is one of the two greatest Hindu epics.

The story explores human values, the concept of dharma (cosmic order) and finally, by using "ideal" brothers, servants, fathers, wives and even kings, proper human conduct.

All together, the Ramayana is made up of 24,000 verses and seven books. It tells the story of the model king, Rama, a manifestation of the Hindu god, Vishnu, whose beloved wife, Sita, has been kidnapped by the demon-king, Ravana

This memorable ancient Indian literary work has had an important influence on arts and culture, not only in India, but throughout Southeast Asia, where it became popular in the 8th century.

The Ramayana has been represented in books, dance choreography, theater plays, temple architecture and paintings.

In Yogyakarta, the Ramayana was adapted to local taste and represented through dance. It has now become one of the most important dances in the city.

The story might have originated in India, but the version in Yogyakarta is truly Javanese, as is the music.

On a trip to Yogyakarta, make sure to head to Prambanan temple and attend one of the incredible evening dance performances running from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., weather permitting

During the dry season, from May to October, the ballet is held on the open-air stage. From November to April, the performance takes place indoors at the Trimutri theatre.

While waiting for the show to start, dinner is available at the nearby Prambanan Garden Resto, which features a wide range of Indonesian dishes and a romantic setting.

With more than 150 professional gamelan musicians and dancers in the performance, your evening will most certainly be a memorable one.

 

Things to do with kids in Bali

Spending a holiday in Bali can be more enjoyable with family and kids. Here is a list of kid-friendly activities to enjoy on a lazy Bali holiday.

Bounce and Strike at the 'New' Canggu Club
If you are a sporty family, this club's activities might be the perfect fit.

As the name suggests, Bounce is a trampoline center. Strike is a bowling center above Bounce; both located on Jl. Canggu Club in Canggu.

Bounce is said to be the first of its kind on the island, offering a gravity-defying experience and airborne acrobatics in a safe and controlled environment. It has several arenas connected and outfitted with framed and spring-loaded trampolines, completely covered with two-inch foam pads to ensure safety. The mini-trampolines provide an opportunity for games of six-on-side dodge ball and there are two basketball hoops for slam-dunk competitions.

Meanwhile, enabling family members to team up for bowling time, Strike offers a modern ten-pin bowling center consisting of six lanes and automatic pinsetters complete with a computerized scoring system. Besides the bowling arena, it also has a restaurant and bar area serving food and drinks.

Top 7 historic hotels in Indonesia

The latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) counted 1,996 starred hotels currently operating in Indonesia. The rise of Indonesia as a travel destination in the past decades has certainly fueled hotel development in the country, as the number is twice the amount of starred hotels available in Indonesia in 2004.

Among many of these luxurious new lodging facilities, few stand out as hotels with historical significance. Those hotels were built decades ago and are now part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Aside from impeccable comfort, historic hotels offer added value as they played a role in the nation’s past, whether during Dutch colonial time, Indonesia’s war of independence, or the early post-independence time.