A Shaman prays at the site of the author's unbuilt villa in Bali

The shaman inhaled the incense smoke and flicked flower petals into the tropical air. My husband and I were sitting on a patch of earth on the Indonesian island of Bali as the local priest, Ida Bagus Putu Wija, communed with the resident spirits about our vague plans to build a holiday home there. Eventually, the Balinese wise man gave us the news that would literally determine the shape of our future villa. In the parallel spirit world of this devoutly Hindu island, our peaceful stretch of riverbank was actually a bustling spirit town, far bigger than the nearby human village.

Bali's bratan lake

What exactly did this spirit city possess, I inquired? The shaman replied: on the lower part of our terraced land, near a rustling stand of bamboo, the spirits had built their own pharmacy, auto-body-repair shop and even a food stall that served fried rice. No infinity-edge swimming pool would be going there, lest we flood the otherworldly denizens picking up a prescription or delivering a motorcycle for a tune-up. We also would need to leave a section of riverbank undeveloped because a local demigod traversed the land on his daily pilgrimage to a volcano up north. My husband and I eyed each other. We’d been prepared for the Bali property market to throw up a challenge or two. But a hopping spirit metropolis and a commuting demigod weren’t exactly what we had expected.

Bali's Ubud

Who, sitting at a computer all day, hasn’t imagined owning a personal slice of paradise, lush with bougainvillea and frangipani, perhaps a sea breeze carrying the scent of exotic herbs and barbecued delights? Southeast Asia abounds with such dream locales, but two destinations trump all others: Bali and the southern Thai island of Phuket. It is on these two chunks of land, a mere 2,400 square miles (6,200 sq km) combined, that thousands of expatriates have bought tropical vacation homes. Indeed, a global real estate slump notwithstanding, Bali and Phuket’s residential sectors are still booming, in part because most of the foreign-owned property on these two islands isn’t bank-financed. In Bali, despite a pair of terrorist bombings in 2002 and ‘05, land prices have increased by at least 20% annually over the past three years, with some prime beachfront land going for double what it did a year ago. In Phuket, which suffered a devastating tsunami in 2004 followed by political jitters because of a 2006 coup, prices for sea-view property on the island’s west coast jumped upward of 30%, year on year, in July.

But is there only one heaven on earth? As the holiday-home market has taken off in Asia, Phuket and Bali have nurtured a healthy rivalry with each other, trading off the honor of being listed as Asia’s best island in travel magazines. Phuket aficionados talk loftily of the Thai island’s superior beaches and cheap but professional hospitals, while Bali fans boast of the island’s volcanoes and great surfing spots. Nevertheless, the business of vacation villas isn’t a zero-sum game, largely because the members of the international jet set who dig Phuket are a breed apart from the culture vultures who flock to the Indonesian island. “People are usually either Bali people or Phuket people,” says Dominique Gallmann, the Swiss-born director of Exotiq Real Estate, which has offices in both Thailand and Indonesia. “They attract different crowds, so the idea of the two islands fighting over the second-home market isn’t really true.”

Oceans Apart
Despite the seeming similarities — balmy islands in Southeast Asia with international airports, abundant marine life and plenty of cafés serving espresso and freshly baked croissants — Bali and Phuket offer vastly different real estate experiences. First off, Bali is much cheaper than Phuket. Because the Indonesian island is so much larger than its Thai counterpart, Bali offers a wider diversity in terms of topography: verdant rice paddies, soaring volcanoes and several distinctive urban centers. The Indonesian island cherishes its deep cultural roots, with traditions interwoven into daily life, not manufactured for some cheesy ethnic show at a beach resort. But because of these bountiful customs, Bali teems with taboos that can trip up even veteran expatriates.

By contrast, Phuket’s real estate market is simpler to negotiate with several top international property agencies open for business. Buying a condominium is so straightforward that an increasing number of people — particularly from Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East — are purchasing for investment purposes. Yet all that ease, along with better roads and telecommunications, comes at prices that are roughly 40% higher than those in Bali.

And for potential buyers who are concerned about cultural authenticity, Phuket underwhelms. Much of the island’s vacation-property development follows an anodyne architectural style that could just as easily be in southern California or the Costa del Sol. Phuket may be in Thailand, but large swaths of it don’t feel very Thai.

My husband and I chose Bali because we like things a little messy. We’re both journalists who enjoy chatting with the shaman, exploring bumpy back-country lanes and trying spicy stews at the open-air restaurant a few rice paddies away from our land. But I recognize that not everyone finds charming the idea of a spirit tax — a contribution to the village partly based on how many spirits reside on your land, and a calculation, mind you, that can only be made by the village elders.

Indeed, if you’re looking for a stress-free condominium with access to yacht marinas and golf courses, Phuket is the right choice — as long as you have the cash to afford it. “There’s a strange situation in Phuket,” says Risinee Sarikaputra, head of research for property consultant Colliers International in Thailand. “You have low-end residential units that are bought by Thais, and you have luxury units that are bought by foreigners. But there’s no real middle-class level. It’s either low or high.”

Asia’s premier island escapes did not always profit from their coastal charms. Phuket came into its heyday in the 19th century when Chinese tin miners exploited its mineral-rich hills. Later, fortunes were made in rubber trees. The island’s main city was originally inland from the Andaman Sea to distance itself from possible devastation by tsunamis or typhoons. So, too, in Bali, where the rich cultural legacy of the Hindu Majapahit culture drew bohemian Western visitors in the 1930s who were mystified as to why most Balinese turned their backs on the lovely beaches, even forsaking fish from their normal diets. (The answer was, in part, because the coasts are considered the domain of demons.)

In the 1970s, though, Bali and Phuket were inundated by foreigners searching for unspoiled hideaways. Tourism soon dominated other industries, with hotels and nightclubs lining once empty beaches. By the 1990s, as overworked Hong Kong investment bankers and Europeans priced out of the Mediterranean real estate market began looking for getaway-home alternatives, the residential property markets in Bali and Phuket began to sizzle. On the Indonesian island, vacation homes mostly take the form of individually constructed villas or those built by smaller developers. The houses, usually designed in a Bali modern style that is now an architectural touchstone for tropical hotels worldwide, are often rented out most of the year to offset building and maintenance costs.

Although the Bali model allows for personal creativity, it also means that owners must hire full-time staff to tend to their paying guests, who fork out an average of $200 a night for a two-bedroom villa. In Phuket, however, the vacation market is dominated by condominiums or villa complexes managed by luxury hoteliers. Such management services come at a premium — these properties cost about 30% more than similar nonbranded villas — but you don’t have to worry about whether the gardener is feuding with the cook.

House Rules
Buying property in both places isn’t quite as simple as purchasing a house back home. Mortgages are rare. Currency fluctuations make buying at the right time all the trickier. And, most importantly, in both Thailand and Indonesia, foreigners cannot own land. Expatriates have two choices. They can either lease land on a long-term basis, which means the value tends to depreciate as the years pass. Or they can set up legal structures in which a local person or company owns the land but usage rights are held by the foreigner. Although tens of thousands of expatriates have negotiated such deals, they can be at a disadvantage should a dispute occur with the local owner. And in Thailand, government officials over the past two years have hinted that they may begin scrutinizing the legality of shell companies set up by foreigners.

Thailand does offer one other option. Unlike in Indonesia, foreigners can own condominiums outright, which explains why apartment complexes are popular in Phuket. Nonetheless, the real lure of Phuket is a villa of your own, preferably with a private infinity pool and ocean view. From 2006 to ‘07, at least 2,300 high-end residential units were launched in Phuket, and roughly 970 more came up for sale in the first half of this year, according to Colliers International. Prices have skyrocketed, with new buyers from India, South Korea and even Central Asia driving up demand. At the Trisara residential complex, for instance, a sea-view, fully furnished two-bedroom villa managed by the boutique hotel of the same name goes for upward of $4 million for a 120-year lease. A first phase of 18 villas perched over a secluded bay has already sold out, with one three-bedroom property having changed hands four times, its sale price more than tripling to $10 million earlier this year. “It’s amazing to see these prices,” says sales manager Sukanya Chuaywang, “but they keep selling.”

Does the real estate meltdown in other parts of the world presage a price correction in paradise? Surely, as hedge-fund managers find themselves without fat end-of-year bonuses because of the recent market madness, they’ll shy away from acquiring luxury second homes. Gallmann of Exotiq Real Estate acknowledges that the financial crisis will dent demand, particularly in Bali where the real estate volume is higher than in Phuket. But he isn’t too worried. “Look, I’ve been involved with Bali for 20 years and through that time we’ve gone through more than you can imagine, from the Asian financial crisis and a political revolution to SARS, bird flu and two bombings,” he says. “But in all that time, property prices have never dropped.”

Down to Earth
For me, my current concerns are less global and more spiritual. The former owner of our land, a rice farmer, feels guilty because he failed to erect an on-site shrine to a local goddess. He thinks we should build it to ease his soul and promote village harmony. After all, locals have heard the spirits on our land wailing when they use a nearby water source. Then, in an offhand remark, our shaman tells us about a Frenchman who had built a villa nearby. Wija was called in to bless the land and chat with the spirits about their wishes. He gave advice to the foreigner but apparently none of the spirit-appeasement tactics were followed. After the house was built, a slew of mysterious things occurred. First there was a fire, Wija recounts, then a burglary. The foreigner has since sold his villa and left Bali. Wija smiles. “It is best to keep the spirits happy,” he says. We can’t agree more — but we still don’t know how much happiness will cost us.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1850972-2,00.html#ixzz0uTVHFXSx

Ngurbloat Beach or Pantai Pasir Panjang (Long Sand Beach), is a beach with the most delicate sand in the world. Located in Ngilngof Village, western part of Kei Island. The reason that you should go to this kind of place is because of the white sand that extends approximately 5 km, nice waves, the water that clearly blue, and thousands of palm trees would make you feel grateful of what we actually have in our country. This beach is very reachable for common residents in Kei Island.

In addition, the color of white sand beach this Ngurbloat bright and very soft. In overcast conditions too, still looks sparkling sand beaches and dazzling enough. At a sweltering conditions, the sand beach is not coming into heat as the sand-sand beach in general. Softness of the sand which is believed to exist in Côte Ngurbloat community can only be matched by the softness of flour. The condition that distinguishes Ngurbloat with other beach. For tourists who bring young children, do not forget to bring equipment to play sand. Fine sand beach that makes the skin feel comfortable when in contact with him.

The area is also allowed people to swim. The location is safe and wide enough for Ngurbloat sloping beach. Small islands located opposite of the beach that make waves on the beach not too big and the tides is not too strong. A number of rooms at several nearby lodging is provided for tourists who want to spend the night on the beach. Inns are generally in the form of tropical-style houses on stilts made of wood. Ngurbloat Beach, located on the west coast of Kei Island is about 20 kilometers from Tual, Southeast Maluku District capital. Areas that can be achieved using a rental car or public transport based in Market Ohoijang, Langgur. Travel from Tual to Coast Ngurbloat taken approximately one hour. There are a number of small settlements scattered location between the stretch of desert scrub.

Kai soil in the form of rocks causing only certain types of plants that can grow there. Rarely found in big trees and lush. To the Southeast Maluku itself, tourists can use the aircraft or sea vessel from Ambon. Travel from Airport Pattimura, Ambon, to the Airport in Langgur Dumatubun taken approximately 1.5 hours using a small body aircraft. Almost every day there are flights from Ambon to Langgur with different airlines. For those who enjoy using sea transportation, the trip can be done from Port Yos Sudarso, Ambon, Tual heading to the port. This journey takes approximately 18 hours using a passenger ship owned by PT Pelni. Travel time is approximately two hours including the stop in the port of Banda Naira. However, sea travel is usually only once a week.

Here, life moves with the rhythms of the ancient continent, while new African nobility take their ease amid sumptuous luxury. At the Palace, you will encounter the Africa of today, and hear the echoes of an Africa long past.

The Palace of the Lost City in South Africa ranks as one of the world’s most extraordinary hotels. The centerpiece of the extraordinary Palace of the Lost City complex is a fairytale palace residence, built with unbelievable attention to detail. The interior features exquisite mosaics, frescoes and hand-painted ceilings depicting South Africa ’s wildlife and culture. Hard to believe that this is all located in a remote part of South Africa!

Ms. Herliani

So, why am i writing this? Because, this beautiful resort was designed and developed by an Indonesian, named Herliani.

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The region offers travelers lush green mountains, rice paddies and well-stocked fish ponds (which the locals call balong).

Garut city, the regency’s capital, is a small town situated on the road between Bandung and Tasikmalaya, famous for its dodol (sticky rice cake) and leather products.

However, the prime attractions in the region are not in the city but in the remote areas that are occasionally difficult to reach.

One thing Jakartans will notice about Garut is its abundant and clean water supply. ome small restaurants and lodgings that I visited surprisingly had clean water on tap in their restrooms.

About 27 kilometers down an undulating, curving road from Garut city is the Curug Orog waterfall, located in the Cikajang subdistrict at the foot of Mount Papandayan.

From a distance, the Curug Orog looked beautiful as we could see the river of water breaking over the hill, about 250 meters high. Near the falls there is a small pool, about a meter in depth, whose waters flow from a freshwater spring.

As I approached the waterfall I was disappointed to see garbage left by careless visitors, mainly cans and plastic packaging. There were no trash bins or litter warnings posted around the area, either.

Curug Orog (Orog Waterfall )

Despite my disappointment, however, the Curug Orog offered cool air and good views after the exhausting bus trip from Jakarta.

Garut regency is also known for its several active volcanoes. One of them is Kawah Kamojang, which is situated on the border between the Bandung and Garut regencies.

It is about 25 kilometers to the north east of Garut city in the direction of a small town called Samarang.

Kawah Kamojang

Kawah Kamojang is also home to the first developed geothermal field in Indonesia, managed by PT Pertamina and PT Indonesia Power.

Before reaching the geothermal area, we drove through a small town where the workers of the Kamojang plant are quartered, passing by the big pipes of the plant’s station.

Then we turned onto a dark, cobbled road that led to the site. The only light came from our car, as there were no street lights. Perhaps due to its challenging access, even on the weekend there were few travelers.

The roughly one-kilometer-square geothermal area consists of craters such as fumaroles (openings in the Earth that emit hot steam or gas), hot lakes and bubbling mud pools.

Kawah Kereta Api

The must see crater for visitors is Kawah Kereta Api. The 60-meter-deep well was first explored by the Dutch in 1928.

When a park caretaker inserted a long bamboo pole into the crater, the escaping gas generated a hissing sound like the steam train.

He placed an empty plastic water bottle over the end of the pole, and we watched as the 140-degree Celsius steam quickly blew it off.

Visitors usually stay for a while in Kawah Hujan to bask in the sauna-like steam that is believed to cure skin diseases.

The next crater, Kawah Hujan, consists of fumaroles that emit sulfur gas and steam from the ground.

Visitors usually stay for a while in Kawah Hujan to bask in the sauna-like steam that is believed to cure skin diseases.

After leaving the crater, we arrived at a warm water stream — perfect for plunging your feet into — that flows from a hot sulfuric spring.

There are other hot lakes and mud pools in the park, but many are fenced off to keep adventurous visitors from getting too close, like Kawah Manuk (Bird Crater) which generates smoke and the high-pitched noises that give it its name.

I felt a mystical sensation when I saw the clouds rising from the pool amid the chilly air.

In the parking lot of the geothermal area there are several rooms with baths and natural running warm water.

However, they are simply constructed and unlit by lamps, so if you are inside after dark, you must navigate by touch.

Cangkuang Temple

But Garut is not only full of natural attractions. Cangkuang Temple, about 17 km from Garut city in Leles subdistrict, is worth a visit as well.

Cangkuang Lake

The temple is located on a 16.5-hectare island on Cangkuang Lake. Visitors have to take a bamboo raft to reach the temple.

On a clear morning, the view from the lake is spectacular, as it is surrounded by mountains rising in the distance.

This Hindu temple is a reconstruction of the original temple that was first discovered in 1966 by an Indonesian archeological team.

The original date of its construction is not yet known.

The temple, standing on a small hill, is about three meters from the grave of Arif Muhammad, a preacher of Islam from the Mataram Kingdom in the 17th century.

Legend has it that he was defeated by the Dutch and was so ashamed that he didn’t return to face his king, Sultan Agung. Instead, he stayed in the village and converted the Hindu villagers to Islam. He was buried in the village and left six daughters and one son.

He built six houses for his daughters and they still stand on the island in a hamlet called Kampung Pulo. Those who live in the houses are descendants of Arif.

According to tradition, the bamboo stalk houses can only be inherited by women. Despite being Muslim, the residents here have not forgotten Hindu rituals.

On my way back home to Jakarta’s concrete, steel and smog-filled skyline, I felt energized after contemplating the diversity of natural beauty and historical richness that Garut offers from just a short distance away.

Report by Wahyuni Kamah/Jakarta Globe

Over one million foreign tourists from the territory are expected to come into Indonesia this year, higher than the original target of 700,000, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik has said recently.

Indonesian leading carrier of PT Garuda Indonesia has restarted inaugural flight to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam on June 1 after the removal of flight ban in July of 2009.

“So with the new line, I believe that the arrival rate will rise,” Wacik said.

According to him the direct route would attract people interested in visiting Indonesia.

“If there was no direct line to Indonesia, people are reluctant to visit our country because they prefer to travel to other countries which have direct flight,” he said.

The Indonesian government has increased the target of revenue from tourism sector this year to 7 billion U.S. dollars from the original target of 6.5 billion U.S. dollars, and promoted Indonesia in some countries.

The improved economy of the world has led to increased spending per tourist.

Garuda Indonesia has targeted to open more new routes in Europe, including to Frankfurt, London, Paris and Rome, President Director of the company Emirsyah Satar has said, which may attract more tourists coming into Indonesia.

The European Union imposed the restriction on 51 Indonesian airliners in July 2007 following the rampant air accidents that killed over 250 people.

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Expedia® travelers have ranked AYANA Resort and Spa Bali among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list. The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and offer notable value. The full list represents just 1 percent of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.

“Delivering our guests superior service is a top priority at AYANA,” said General Manager Charles de Foucault. “We are delighted that our efforts have been acknowledged by Expedia travelers so soon after our rebranding just one year ago, and we look forward to extending our high level of service to even more guests.”

The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is based on more than 1 million independent traveler hotel reviews collected by Expedia, combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide. With an overall score of 94.6 percent, AYANA was one of just 5 hotels in Bali ranked in the 5-star category to make the list.

This honor follows several other accolades since AYANA rebranded in April 2009. Most recently, the 77-hectare property was voted the #1 Spa Hotel in the World in the 2010 Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards; made the Conde Nast 2010 Gold List (Best Hotels in Asia); was ranked #18 in the World’s Top 20 Best Hotels for Value by Travel + Leisure readers; and won Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort in the 2009 World Travel Awards. AYANA has been nominated in this year’s World Travel Awards for the World’s Leading Spa Resort, Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort, and Asia’s Leading Luxury Villa.

Source: etravelblackboard