Dreaming of Bali – The sounds of Indonesia

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Welcome back to Gadling’s newest series, Dreaming of Bali. Visiting the exotic Indonesian island of Bali is truly a feast for the senses. First time visitors and expats alike frequently remark on this island’s rich tapestry of exotic stimuli: the brilliant orange glow of a sunset as it slides gently into the sea; the wafting scent of kerosene and crushed chilis at a roadside food stall; the soft vibration of a gong as it’s struck in a temple. These are sensory experiences that bury themselves in your subconscious, sticking in your mind long after your return from a journey – they are ultimately the impressions that help to crystallize our understanding of our travels.

Words are only one way to tell a story. Borrowing an idea from Gadling blogger Stephen Greenwood, I’ve tried to capture my impressions of Indonesia through the medium of sound. Embedded below are four “soundscapes” from my recent visit to Bali and the nearby island of Java. Click on play, close your eyes, and prepare to be transported far away to the islands of Indonesia:

Sitting on the beach at dusk, listening to waves crash on the beach – a symphony of frogs croak at the onset of dark:




A group of musicians practices their Gamelan performance at a temple in Ubud:



Walking inside Ubud’s morning produce market:






Most of Indonesia, with the exception of Bali, is muslim. Here’s the afternoon call to prayer in Yogyakarta, Indonesia:



Dreaming of your own visit to Bali? Read more about Gadling’s “visit to paradise” HERE.

[Flickr photos courtesy of ^riza^, didiz | rushdi and norhendraruslan]

48 Hours in Bangkok

by Matthew Firestone on

Since its emergence as an R&R destination for American servicemen during the Vietnam War, Bangkok has had an infamous reputation as a hedonistic den of sin. But look beyond the tired stereotypes to discover the increasingly swish and stylish capital of a booming Asian tiger.

Fueled by manufacturing and heavy industry, Thailand is currently experiencing an annual GDP growth rate of 7.8%. If you’re not easily swayed by numbers, just step off the plane in

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), a soaring steel and glass behemoth of modern engineering.

Make no mistake about it. Thailand is on the rise.

The red-light district of Patpong may still be earning a quick baht, though Bangkok is anything but a one-trick pony. On the contrary, the city is flush with investment, boasting a new subway system, luxury shopping complexes, elite hotels and cosmopolitan restaurants.

Even Khao Sahn Road, SE Asia’s legendary backpacker ghetto, is all-grown up. Peddlers selling banana pancakes and pad thai now share the streets with fashionable bistros, health and beauty spas, quaint B&Bs and child-friendly entertainment options.

As a nod to this impressive urban transformation, Gadling is proud to present ’48 Hours in Bangkok.’1) What’s a wat? Go find out. European capitals may have skylines of soaring cathedrals, but here in Thailand, architectural elegance reaches its pinnacle in the wat. Inclusive of Buddhist temples and monastaries, wats are typified by their golden spires, curved awnings, white-washed walls and elaborate red and green tiled roofs.

One necessary stop is Wat Pho, which houses a golden reclining Buddha statue that is reportedly one of the largest in the world. Wat Pho is also the traditional birthplace of Thai massage, and there is an eager staff of highly talented masseurs on-hand to work the knots out of your travel-worn body.


2) Shop ’til you drop at Siam Paragon. With favorable exchange rates and duty-free prices, Bangkok is nothing less than a shopper’s paradise. The city’s central metro stations are adjacent to palatial malls, including the $450 million installation that is the Siam Paragon.

Compared to luxury-branded Gaysom, Siam Paragon’s retail offerings are a notch below. But Siam Paragon ultimately proves to be a more well-rounded destination, complete with a food court, supermarket, cinema and aquarium alongside well-regarded department stores and franchises.

3) Splurge on a proper English afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental. The original wing of this chic five-star offering is centered on the Authors’ Lounge. A colonial throwback complete with rattan furniture and Siamese umbrellas, the lounge honors past guests including literary greats Joseph Conrad and Barbara Cartland.

In the afternoons, the Authors’ Lounge is the scene of well-heeled patrons sipping organic teas and munching on scones with clotted cream. The rhythm is set by an in-house pianist, and accompanied by the subtle clanking of fine silverware against bone china.

4) Let your hedonism run wild on Koh Sahn. Evenings on this raucous road have something of a split personality. In some stretches, you can booze until the wee hours of the morning while grinding it out on the dance floor. In others, you can relax on a tealight-strewn patio while puffing away on an apple sheesa.

Things are no different on the menu – or in the spa. Street food is hawked in generous portions at rock-bottom prices, while fusion restaurants offer up European comfort food alongside Thai delicacies. Discount massage parlors run less than $10 per hour, while boutique salons prim and pamper from head to toe.

5) Tie up your apron and take cooking classes. Your average gourmand can seek out the best dining establishments in Bangkok, but it takes a hard-core foodie to go back to basics. Sounds like your cup of jasmine tea? If so, don’t leave Bangkok without a crash course in Thai cooking.

In French cuisine, the secret is in the sauce. But when it comes to Thai, it’s all about the ingredients. Not surprisingly, cooking courses start with a quick tour through the local markets. With fresh produce in hand, it’s easy to capture the signature Thai blend of hot, sour, sweet and salty.

Even with all the suggestions we’ve listed above, 48 hours isn’t nearly enough time to scratch the surface of Thailand’s dynamic capital. And, we haven’t even mentioned the stunning nature and cultural sites that lie just outside Bangkok’s confines.

Had a positive experience in Bangkok? Feel free to chime in and share some personal tips.

Sawadee khup. Bangkok awaits.

BONUS FUN FACT: In the Thai language, the official name of Bangkok is “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.”

Registered in the Guineess Book of World Records as the longest place name, Bangkok’s official name translates to “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma.”

** All images are original photographs produced by this blogger **

Big in Japan: Bullet train set to beat domestic rail speed record

by Matthew Firestone on


With the possible exception of the perfectly conical Mt. Fuji and the humble cherry blossom, there is perhaps no greater symbol of Japan than the shinkansen (新幹線) or bullet train. Racing across the archipelago at veritable race car speeds, the bullet train is the technological manifestation of performance, precision and elegance.

The statistics behind the bullet train are certainly impressive.

First debuting in 1964, the bullet train now runs along more than 1,500 miles of high-speed track. The rail system connects most major cities on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu, with planned extensions to Hokkaido starting in 2015.

Although world-speed records for conventional rail belong to the French TGV and the Chinese CRH, the Shinkansen is anything but a slow workhorse. The Nozomi superexpress, which runs between Tokyo and Hakata, reaches speeds of up to 180 mph. But there is a new bullet train in town that is about to change everything.

On that note, allow me to introduce you to the Hayabusa (はやぶさ) or Peregrine Falcon.This past weekend, Japan’s first new high-speed train in 14 years departed Tokyo station en route to the northern reaches of Honshu. Sporting a slick paint job of green, pink and silver, the Hayabusa will carry passengers up to Shin-Aomori at speeds of 180 mph.


By 2012 however, this upper limit will be raised to 198 mph, breaking the current domestic speed record for conventional rail travel. This is not to be confused with the newer maglev technology, which can reach an astonishing 361 mph.

Beyond standard and slightly more spacious ‘Green Car’ seats, the Hayabusa is also equipped with a brand new ‘Gran Class’ car. As a throwback to the grand old days of rail travel, Gran Class passengers can enjoy reclining leather seats, free alcoholic drinks and limited-edition bento box lunches.

One-way normal fare to Aomori costs ¥16,870 ($205), while Green Car and Gran Class seats cost ¥21,360 ($260) and ¥26,360 ($320), respectively. If you’re planning on splurging for Gran Class, book well in advance as they’re a hot commodity right now amongst Japanese rail enthusiasts.


Aomori itself is a rather non-descript industrial city with a few decent art museums and a famous morning market. But the surrounding countryside is home to world-class ski slopes, secluded onsen (hot springs) resorts and some of Japan’s best sake.

What are you waiting for? Spring is just around the corner, so layer up and head north into Japan’s famous snow country before it’s too late.

** All images are courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons Project **

Dreaming of Bali – In search of paradise

by Jeremy Kressmann on

What is paradise? Is it a place we can visit? Somewhere with palm tree-lined beaches, frosty cocktails and simmering volcanoes? Or is it an idea? A vision in dreams that never quite materializes when we wake up? Bali, an intriguingly exotic island tucked into the Indonesian Archipelago in Southeast Asia, is just such a paradise. This elusive island is everything you’ve ever dreamed – a land of otherworldly temples, postcard-worthy sand and exotic colorful wildlife. But just when you start easing into the charms of this idyll, Bali shocks you back to life with its increasing modernity and ever-evolving culture. Dreams take unexpected turns, don’t they?

Everyone in Bali, it seems, is looking for their slice of paradise. The island last year welcomed a record 2.3 Million visitors and it shows. In Bali’s tourist capital of Kuta the signs are everywhere, manifesting themselves as gaudy Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurants and mushrooming surf shops on every corner. But that doesn’t mean this paradise is lost. Simply drift your way towards the island’s serene interior, a place dotted with terraced rice paddies and gently humming frogs. Or find yourself lost inside a labyrinth of street food vendors in the city of Denpasar, your nose perfumed with scents of spice, and smoke, and kerosene heat.

Paradise isn’t just a place. It’s a way of seeing the world, particularly when you’re dreaming of Bali. Keep reading below to learn how to begin your Bali exploration.Getting There
Getting to paradise isn’t supposed to be easy, is it? This is particularly true for Bali, an island that’s hidden itself way down “in the corner” of Southeast Asia. While there are no direct flights from the United States, airlines like Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Korean Air (via Seoul), China Airlines (via Taipei) and Singapore Air all fly via connections to Denpasar (DPS), Bali’s main airport. Typical prices as of February 2011 start at about $1300 from the East Coast. It might be a long journey to get to Bali, but trust us, it’s well worth it!

Orientation
The vast majority of Bali’s tourism (and visitors) end up in the island’s South, centered around the coastal city of Kuta. While not all of Kuta is bad, most of the city is a mass of schlocky souvenir stands, gaudy restaurants and package tourists. Avoid it if you can. North of Kuta is its swanky cousin Seminyak, home to many of the island’s expats, upscale eateries and shopping.

Beyond Kuta and Seminyak is Ubud, a loose collection of villages, rice paddies and greenery centered on the oddly named Monkey Forest Road. Even further north the island is dominated by the massive Gunung Agung volcano, the geographical and spiritual heart of Balinese life. Beyond that is Bali’s largely undiscovered interior, full of interesting spots like Munduk and of course, Bali’s infinite stretches of coastline, populated by towns like Lovina. In the far Northwest is the wilderness of West Bali National Park.

Where to Stay
Accommodations in Bali range from the insanely luxurious (picture that last Travel + Leisure photo shoot) to modest surf shacks. Most visitors find themselves staying in the island’s south, simply because it has the biggest selection of high-quality accommodations.

The best option for those not rolling in dough but still looking to enjoy some of Bali’s legendary retreats is one the fantastic, plentiful and reasonably priced private villa options on sites like VRBO or Homeaway. For less than you think, you’ll be living it up in your own beautifully manicured tropical estate (here’s where we stayed) or condo.

Beyond the villa scene, there’s a huge range of accomodations on offer in Bali. In Ubud in the island’s relaxed interior, try the Alam Indah. Travelers near Kuta swear by the All Seasons Legian. Jimbaran tends to be the island’s most luxurious (and expensive) area, hosting upscale properties like the Four Seasons and Puri Bali.

What to Do
Whether you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure or a nice beach where you can eat Lotus Blossoms, Bali has an activity for you. In addition to our tips below, check out these 10 suggestions for your Bali visit.

  • See the Kecak at Ulu Watu – Kecak, a form of Balinese musical theater retelling the myths of the Hindu religion, is re-enacted at sunset at the island’s Pura Luhur temple, perched dramatically on towering cliffs above the ocean. A truly awesome and interesting spectacle to see.
  • Learn to surf – Due to favorable ocean currents and a uniquely suitable coastline, Bali has emerged as one of the world’s great surfing meccas. Try a class at the surfing mecca of Kuta beach, or head to points further South for some legendary “breaks” at spots like Ulu Watu.
  • Head to the spa – tired and sore from that surfing lesson? Why not hit the spa? Bali is increasingly known as one of the world’s “spa capitals,” whether you’re looking for an insanely luxurious spa treatment or simple inexpensive massage on the beach, Bali has it all.
  • Inland adventures – Bali isn’t just about great beaches and spas. Travelers who venture into the island’s interior will find a wealth of challenging activities and beautiful views ranging from laid-back bike rides among the rice paddies in Ubud, to hikes up volcanoes at Gunung Agung to whitewater rafting.

Dreaming of your own visit to Bali? Read more about Gadling’s “visit to paradise” HERE.

Who is the world’s most typical person?

by Justin Delaney on

Who is the world’s most typical person? This enlightening video by National Geographic attempts to answer that question. By profiling the most typical person in the world, Nat Geo has unearthed several interesting statistics about our earth’s population and disparities between the ways different cultures live. Some are obvious, some are strange, and some will make you feel like you use way too much water. One thing is certain, of the seven billion inhabitants on the planet, most do not live the way that we do in the West.

So what does the most typical face on the planet look like? National Geographic has created a composite image to showcase the world’s most typical face. Check out this video to catch a glimpse of the most common man on the planet. Spoiler alert, he does not come from the United States.