15 Days in Indonesia: naturalistic unique itinerary idea

Menu Home Instagram Pinterest-p Facebook-f Twitter Tripadvisor Lingue Asia 15 Days in Indonesia: naturalistic unique itinerary idea Indonesia Indonesia is a huge, wild country extremely rich in culture and remote natural wonders to explore and discover. For this reason, when I had to plan a 15-day itinerary in Indonesia, I found myself confused about which island and location to visit. Many people ask me how I managed to choose, where to go, what to see and how to organize an unforgettable trip despite having little time available. In these cases my main advice is only one: dedicate quality time to whatever destination you choose to visit. No crazy itineraries with long lists of touristy places to see and activities to try. The reason is simple. Indonesia lives spread across one of the most beautiful ocean floors, boasts an ancient culture deeply connected to nature and its rhythms. In order to authentically savor the wonders of this country, the only way is practice “slow travel”: a slow journey, but truly experienced in all its authenticity. In this article I’d be sharing with you my complete two-weeks Indonesia itinerary. Have a good trip 🙂 Nusa Penida Adventure: an Hidden Treasure As I mention in this article, Nusa Penida is a small beautiful and wild island whose popularity is still growing, and that makes it still partially free from overtourism. For those who seek adventure, it is an unmissable destination as it is still very wild and lush, slightly populated and where nature flourish and shows up with breathtaking views and landscapes. Time for some landscaping: get your camera ready The island has plenty of places where you can admire the natural views and take unique pictures. In fact, it is exactly from here that I began my journey. Most of the places I visited can be reached by taxi or car, but I highly recommend the scooter for a more authentic, cheaper and easier experience: the roads are often narrow and bumpy, or unpaved and it is better to have a small and flexible way to move around. – Kelingking Beach – The view from above: breathtaking! It is by far the most Instagrammed and popular location on the island, it is actually worth a visit to lose yourself in its bright colors and magnetic charm. It can be reached quite easily but as it is such a popular destination I advise you to go very early in the morning to enjoy the real vibe of the location avoiding the crowd. WILDLIFE Mantas Macaques Eco tip n.2: when you encounter a wild animal, respect its space. Observe it, take photos, but DO NOT touch it, get too close or disturb it in other ways. And above all, never feed it! – Angel’s Billabong – If you are looking for a location with a swimming pool on the ocean, this is the right one. Nestled among the boulders along the coast there are some natural pools where you can also swim and admire the surrounding scenario. – Broken Beach – Near the natural pools, there is this unique formation where you can observe how the ocean penetrates the hinterland via a thin and crossable bridge, and hurls itself against the rocks, creating beautiful light and shadow shades of blue . Like Kelingking Beach, it is a fairly renouned destination and the recommendation stays the same: visit it early in the morning and outside of the most popular hours. But these colors? Another personal tip is if you have a drone or want to buy one, this view lends itself very well for some filming or photos! Wildlife Mantas snorkeling and marine views Indonesia is located on one of the most beautiful, various and colorful coral reefs in the world. For this reason, mask, fins and snorkel could not be missing during my trip. – Crystal Bay – This strip of sand is washed by a lively populated sea, where snorkeling is a must if you are interested or passionate in the marine world. In addition to the wonderful and colorful marine fauna, plenty of dogs walk freely in the area and make the atmosphere even more typical. Wildlife and more Coral Reef Dogs – Manta Point – Giant Manta (Mobula birostris) In front of a cliff that drops directly into the sea, there is this incredible point due to the high amount of manta rays (as the name suggests!) where the locals usually take you for snorkeling and spotting. There are many tourists who purchase daily tours or activities that include this location, so it is a controversial choice, but certainly wonderful if you manage to avoid any excessive crowding. When I visited Manta Point, the “sea” was particularly rough, and although I did not have any major problems or difficulties, I do recommend visiting it if you are comfortable to any ocean condition and a good swimmer. wildlife Mantas Coral Reef Exploring Lombok: The Heart of Indonesia After a few days in Nusa Penida, I recommend moving to the nearby island called Lombok. Unlike the first, this one is bigger, wider and more civilized, and has the singular feature of being surrounded by several remote stunning atolls commonly called “Gilis” . As if that wasn’t enough, it shows a wide variety of ecosystems and lanscapes, from the mystical Mount Rinjani to the unique tropical beaches. Between mysticism and tradition One of the things that made me to choose to spend the last 10 travel days around Lombok was the vivid contrast of its nature, which goes from Maldivian beaches and crystalline sea to forests dotted with unknown paths and peaks hidden in a dense blanket of clouds. Furthermore, I was very intrigued by the diversity of such an ancient culture connected to nature. – Tiu Kelep e Sendang Gile – Not having enough time to join the full trekking on Mount Rinjani, I decided to visit the more accessible waterfalls and they left me completely speechless. Each of them exudes mystery,

Indonesia Vegan Food: Best 3 Easy and Delicious Dishes You Need to Know

Menu Home Instagram Pinterest-p Facebook-f Twitter Tripadvisor Lingue Indonesia Indonesia Vegan Food: Best 3 Easy and Delicious Dishes You Need to Know Indonesia Is it easy to eat vegan food in Indonesia? Despite the majority of dishes having chicken, the answer is actually yes. Finding plant-based dishes or having fun customizing some is really easy and stimulating.   Indonesia vegan food: A 5-senses experience I had never tasted Indonesian cuisine before. It took my body (and mind) a while to switch from Australian flavors to the spicy and often sweet Indonesian ones, but I immediately fell in love with the variety of vegetables and colors present in each dish. Indonesian street food offers vegetables and lots of bananas, corn and other vegetables cooked in the most disparate ways. The restaurants serve traditional local dishes, easily adaptable if not already vegan and really cheap. In Nusa Penida we tried some very unusual but delicious fried bananas, chocolate and potatoes for less than 1€ all! If you want to learn everything you need about Nusa Penida, here you can find the ultimate full guide. Despite my unconditional love for pizza and pasta with pesto (#italianshabits), I tried to avoid foreign dishes as much as possible and I dedicated myself to tasting everything that inspired me from the local menu. Indonesian cuisine is, in fact, a real full sensory journey: bright and lively colors, intense aromas, textures that complement each other, opposite, delicate, spicy tastes, all framed by the sound of the waves in the distance and the song of the geckos on the trees . 1. GADO GADO When I first ordered this dish, I wasn’t expecting much. I was thinking of one usual plain salad that is around. I could never imagine that sensorial triumph of tastes, scents and colors that the waiter kindly left on the table, accompanied by that traditional smile that I was already used to. Indonesian cuisine, as well as Asian one in general, makes abundant use of spices and plants for its recipes. Gado Gado is a vegetarian dish that easily turns vegan by omitting eggs, which are sometimes present. It is also one of the dishes I ate the most during my time in Indonesia, without forgetting to specify “no spicy”. Unless you love crazy spicy food, in fact, I recommend you not to forget this sentence when ordering food or eating at a restaurant,to save your tongue and ears from burning. Although defined as a side dish, Gado Gado is a rich, nutritious and complete recipe, so that with one Gado Gado I was feeling full for half a day. It is usually made of a protein part of tofu, tempeh and bean sprouts, boiled vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, green beans and cabbage, and an exquisite peanut sauce which gives a significant energy boost to the dish. 2. FRUIT SALAD It is a classic fruit salad prepared with delicious and colorful local exotic fruits. Simple as it is, it is a dish that I loved and I highly recommend as it is very fresh, especially in the morning. It is also a great way to experience new, authentic and traditional tastes. My morning fruit salad. Delicious! The most common fruits are melon, watermelon, pineapple, banana and dragon fruit. If you want to try something different or make it homemade, I suggest you have a walk around looking for durian, or jackfruit and jambu instead. These three fruits are less common but widespread in Indonesia and Nusa Penida. One of the fruits that is found most in Indonesian cuisine is the banana. Grown locally, it is used in pancakes, pancakes, side dishes and main dishes. 3. RICE AND NOODLES “Nasi” in the local language means “rice” and is used for all those rice-based dishes: you’ll see a lot of them! Just as many are the noodle dishes that get the name of “mie” something instead. Rice and noodle foods, with the exception of Nasi Kuning which is a kind of coconut milk and turmeric risotto (very tasty!), often have meat and fish. However, vegetarians can be requested without any problems. This category also includes the different types of curry, not strictly Indonesian and closer to Thai cuisine, but equally widespread in the area. I perfectly remember that evening when I ordered a non-spicy veggie curry. It was a beautiful cool evening full of stars, with the typical tropical breeze to cool off the heat of the day. We were seated at a table facing the ocean, enjoying the sound of the waves and the relaxing background music. My curry looked divine and I was very hungry: after eating 3 or 4 mouthfuls, however, I realized that my tongue was literally burning. It was clear that we have a different idea of  “not spicy” food! In the end I had the dish corrected, diluted with a mountain of coconut milk to be able to eat it without wasting food. Since that evening I have decided that I would never order curry again on the island.     Ready for this experience? Indonesia, Local products, Traditional Food, Travel responsibly, Vegan Food PrevPrevious Post hey Let’s connect Instagram Pinterest-p Facebook-f Twitter Tripadvisor related posts Nusa Penida Ultimate Guide: An Underrated Hidden Eco Destination Indonesia Vegan Food: Best 3 Easy and Delicious Dishes You Need to Know Nusa Penida Nascosta: Alla Scoperta di una Meta Green Sottovalutata [Guida Completa] Nusa Penida Ultimate Guide: An Underrated Hidden Eco Destination where is it? Newsletter © [hfe_current_year] [hfe_site_title]

Nusa Penida Ultimate Guide: An Underrated Hidden Eco Destination

Menu Home Instagram Pinterest-p Facebook-f Twitter Tripadvisor Lingue Indonesia Nusa Penida Ultimate Guide [hfe_current_year]: An Underrated Hidden Eco Destination Indonesia Nusa Penida is a small hidden gem nestled in the waters of Bali, in Indonesia. It offers a breathtaking escape into untouched natural beauty. With its wild landscapes, vibrant marine life, and fascinating culture, Nusa Penida is a must-see destination for those seeking to explore (and protect) the wonders of the natural world.  When the boat docked at the harbor, I realized how small Nusa Penida was. One tiny wharf surrounded by a handful of buildings. A few narrow tongues of asphalt branched off in all directions. The rest were rustic and unpaved streets, covered in puddles after the rain. The sea around that area was crystal clear and beautiful, full of colorful corals and fishes that I didn’t need a mask to see underwater. Even though rough and wild, the energy that I could feel on the island was very powerful and pure, and the connection with nature was tangible.  As days went by, I couldn’t help but fall in love with those views, where palm trees were growing tall towards the sky, chicks were running in the grass following their mom, and cows were enjoying the warmth of the sun chilling under the trees on the sides of the streets. Is Nusa Penida Worth Visiting? As a “side destination”, the island still enjoys a certain tranquility and mass tourism has not yet arrived. It is therefore the perfect time to visit it and enjoy its natural beauties to the fullest in a much more complete way than how tourists usually do with daily tours. During our travels, we met many people who asked us if this small island was worth a stop or how long to stay there. If you love nature and adventure, you should definitely visit Nusa Penida: its lush nature will surprise you.  When a gentle culture meets such an elegant environment, something magic happens and creates a unique and authentic experience. Nusa Penida as a Green Destination Eco Destination Level 0 % The nature of the island really has a lot to offer. On one side Nusa Penida has a lush vegetation. Sweet and enveloping scents typical of hot-humid tropical areas, a wide variety of tasty colored fruits, including mango, dragon fruit, papaya, jumbo and durian, and some charismatic animal, such as monkeys make it unique. On the other, the coast and the sea hide amazing landscapes, worthy of the fame that the Indonesian coral reef has. It is a worthy stop for sea lovers to enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving. I had never seen a blue starfish.I had never swum with a manta ray.When I decided to visit this island, I never expected such a wonder, nor the emotions I felt. 6 things I loved about Nusa Penida (as eco traveler) – the feeling of connection with the surrounding natural world- the calm and relaxing atmosphere, almost as if time has stopped- the details: colourful flowers, huge leaves, small waves in the sand, some fluorescent blue corals, tiny crabs that populate the beaches. Each landscape hides precious details that make everything unique and wonderful- people’s smiles and traditions, which bring color and simplicity everywhere-the underwater world, absolutely stunning-manta rays! That green! Conscious Travel in Nusa Penida Sustainability Level 0 % Like many other beautiful places in Southeast Asia (and beyond), Nusa Penida also faces two major sustainability issues: – plastic and waste – air / water pollution due to transports. The island is becoming a famous tourist destination, yet the infrastructures are not behind this fast evolution. Moreover, poverty conditions of some areas do not favor a sustainable approach by the local population. Landscapes are truly varied: breathtaking pristine spots, rural life, or strong tourism areas. But the common element (unfortunately) is the presence of plastic on the ground, in the corners, in the forest, almost everywhere. Considering this, our travel choices and habits will have a significant impact on the local environment and fauna, on the general health of the island, its inhabitants and tourists and travellers as well. 5 sustainable habits to use while traveling in Nusa penida:   reusable straws + washable travel cup  One of the easiest ways is to always carry these two ecological alternatives with you and use them to avoid plastics and waste production. Eco tip #1: when you order a drink, ask not to get straws and use your own. You will save a lot of waste and inspire others   use bicycle, feet and scooter People mostly uses scooters to move around, but there are many private tours and drivers that are offering car transport. There are many reasons to avoid cars: prices, pollution, authentic experiences, comfort and practicity.   choose local food Super cheap, fresh, tasty and healthy. Should I say more? 😉  If you want to discover some traditional super tasty vegan food, read this article.  get a reusable bag Food, souvenirs, accessories: whatever you buy it’s usually packed in plastic bags. Bringing your bag will avoid this huge waste.  support local associations Share, donate or join some local environmental cleaning initiative (such as Only One, Trash Hero, Save the Plastic, etc.) Traveling with Pets Pet Friendliness 0 % Nusa Penida is a destination where the natural world still predominates.  Both domestic and wild animals live in uncontaminated areas as well as in inhabited and touristic ones. Humans and animals share the territory, everyone having its place and living independently. On the island there are many stray dogs and they protect their area. So it is not a good idea to violate their rules with another animal, because it could get dangerous for your pet.Moreover, there are few shops where you can find specific products for dogs.  In the same way, wildlife peacefully coexists with people but could become aggressive and territorial in the presence of a new animal. This whole situation does not make it an ideal place to travel with your pet, or at least you need to consider