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Three unusual experiences in Bali
Here are just three of Asia Expert, Alex’s favorite unusual experiences while in Bali. Hot air balloon ride In Ubud, there is one resort that sets itself apart from the rest by offering a hot air balloon ride and that is the Chedi Club. Set upon vivid green rice terraces 10 minutes away from the main hub of Ubud, the Chedi Club is a serene escape for guests looking to be close to the action but want to feel like they are miles away. Chedi Club swimming pool Villa at the Chedi Club Chedi Club A hot air balloon ride was never something I would have expected to do when I was in Bali, but I was incredibly delighted when I walked up and saw the brightly colored balloon warming up, waiting for us to hop on. I was a bit nervous for the ride as I had never been on a hot air balloon before but felt eased when I found out it would be tethered. The hotel manager explained to me that Bali has strict licensing restrictions (some are based in their Hindu beliefs). The balloon must be tethered because they do not allow the balloon to fly higher than the tips of the temples. I found this experience to be a great introduction to hot air balloons. It got to test out something I have always wanted to try while allowing me to fully enjoy the surrounding beauty without my nerves getting in the way. Alex hot air balloon ride Hot air balloon views Hot air balloon at the Chedi Club Forest trekking Not many people know that in central Bali, you will find lush forests dripping with what seems like thousands of species of trees. If your schedule allows it, I highly recommend taking the approximately 1-hour drive northeast of Ubud to the Mount Batur area. You will start your day with breakfast overlooking the lush green mountains framing the sparkling Lake Batur – a beautiful sight as the morning sun reflects off the water. Then you will be taken town to the entrance of the forest and handed a walking stick. During your mild one-hour trek through the forest, you will come across tons of remarkable tree species including the Banyan Tree with its many dripping roots. Lake Batur Alex forest trekking At the end of your trek will lead you to Lake Batur – the same lake you looked down upon during your breakfast. You’ll then easily paddle your way across the lake to be picked up and taken back to your hotel or maybe even the more commonly known, Monkey Forest. Alex boating on Lake Batur The famed Monkey Forest Astrology & Hindu priest blessing Perhaps the thing that makes Bali so charming and fascinating compared to the rest of the islands in Indonesia is that the majority of the population abides by the Hindu religion. Every native Balinese person I came across exuded politeness and always took a moment to make sure I was comfortable. Most practicing Balinese men and women start their day with a prayer either in their home temple or local village temple and can be identified by the remnants of flower petals tucked behind their ears. Each village temple has a priest who can be seen for blessings or can be asked for the best date for a prosperous marriage. What I didn’t realize, is that they can also conduct an astrological sign reading. I have been a sucker for astrology my whole life. It fascinates me to think that the day you were born could dictate your path in life. However, I also take it with a grain of salt. So, when I found out I would be meeting with a Hindu priest to have my sign read and to receive a blessing, I was both excited and skeptical. Hindu ceremony Praying at Hindu temple Balinese women When we arrived, all he took from me was my name and date of birth. The first thing he said to me upon seeing my birthdate was, “why aren’t you in the arts”. I studied theatre in college and also worked in theatre for a few years out of college, but I am also a Leo which is a sign notoriously known for craving the spotlight, so whether his instincts were specific to me or my sign in general is a tossup. However, after about 5 minutes of silence from him and watching him jot some notes down, he went into more details about my personality, family, and love life. Some were general yet accurate personality traits and others were much more specific like the reason my most serious relationship ended and uncovering that I suffer from chronic back pain which very few people know about. My time with him ended with a traditional Hindu blessing that consisted of me using coconut water and flower petals to cleanse myself while he repeated Hindu blessings in Indonesian that I unfortunately didn’t get a translation of. Whether you believe in another religion or are skeptical about astrology, this is a one of a kind experience to better understand the traditions, beliefs, and actions of the local Balinese. Alex during a Hindu ceremony Alex getting blessed by a priest Alex at the Hindu ceremony
The insider: Saving Asia’s Elephants
How did your organisation come about? I was working in the tourism industry and I saw the negative treatment of elephants for entertainment. I wanted to educate people and create a new trend of tourism, where travellers care about elephants and behave responsibly. Tell us a bit about the elephants you’re fighting to save. I’ve rescued over 100 elephants, and each one has its own story, some have been used for street begging or in the logging business, but mostly I rescue them from the tourism industry, where they have been used for riding or elephant circuses. Our sanctuary provides a permanent home for the elephants. Many have worked for humans for six or seven decades, and often when they arrive with us they have lost eyes, become lame or have no teeth to chew with. They arrive like zombies, many don’t even know they are an elephant, their spirit has been broken. Some of them are very shy and others are very aggressive. We help them return to health – we provide them with food, love and care and try to make sure they live as long as possible. Thai Elephant Herd Lek Chailert What are the big issues you face at the moment? First of all, elephant tourism generates huge amounts of money and it’s also a big part of the culture. To change something believed to be traditional culture is a big challenge. Some people have opened their mind and understand the need for change, but others are stuck in the past. Many people think I shouldn’t interfere with their business, but I hope that one day responsible tourism will prevail. Last year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand made responsible tourism their focus, and Elephant Nature Park was chosen as the winner of the Responsible Thailand Awards. This has made a positive example of our project and is something we can shout about, it shows that TAT approve of our work. Lek Chailert Elephant Nature Park What are your core aims? My core aim is to engage with the local community to put a stop to elephant camps. A lot of businesses continue to mistreat elephants because they don’t know how to stop. They feel insecure and rely on the money that elephant tourism brings them. They don’t know that there is a market for ethical experiences which appeal to a new type of tourist, and they don’t understand the deep environmental problems. My aim is to use our project as a centre of education. We want to use our model to create widespread change. We use the money from our project to help the local community, including women’s groups, libraries, public toilets and temples. Thai Elephant Lek Chailert How do you work to achieve these aims? We work in partnership with the local community, and we want our visitors to see what their money is going towards. We set up a gift shop, where people from the local community sell crafts and soft drinks, as well as offering traditional massages to earn money. Every day, people from the local community come to Elephant Nature Park and interact with our volunteers and visitors. We share our income with them. They have also opened a homestay and we allow the tourists who stay there to visit our project for free. We believe that if the community around us isn’t strong, we can’t expect our project to be strong. We must grow together and work together. Lek Chailert Thai Elephant Do you feel you’ve made progress? Yes we’ve made a lot of progress. When we arrived 10 years ago, the land was used for illegal logging and much of the forest had been cleared, but we have successfully brought it back. We employed a man who used to work in the logging industry and now we have changed his mind completely; him and his family have become protectors of the environment. We have seen the community grow stronger, we have seen women with no voice become leaders. Many children continue to higher education and the village has received a number of awards from the government. UNICEF picked us for a partnership because we use the money from our project to support the local school. We believe in education for all and have helped to integrate refugees and minorities into the community to study with the local children. How can people get involved and help? We want people to come to Thailand and experience everything we have to offer and see our elephants, but to do so in an ethical and responsible way. I don’t blame the tourists because often they don’t know the harm they are causing, but I hope they will learn to respect elephants and recognise they have feelings and emotions like us. In Thailand, it’s not just elephants that are used in the tourism industry; monkeys, tigers, crocodiles and snakes are all used in shows. It’s hard to stop this happening in Asia while there is still a market for it, so we need to educate tourists to say no to animal cruelty – they are the people that will help us spread the message around the world. It’s time for tourists to start travelling with care, without disturbing any life. You can visit www.asianelephantprojects.com to see all the elephant projects in Asia that I have overseen, past and present. You might not go to a project that I have managed, but it’s about doing research and making sure the project that you’re going to visit is ethical. Check Instagram, check Facebook, check TripAdvisor. Speak to people who have been before. Don’t always believe it’s a sanctuary just because it’s called a sanctuary – this is something which is catching a lot of people out. We also want people who visit our projects to become an ambassador for elephants. Go home and tell people not to ride elephants and not to visit projects that aren’t ethical.
The Residents Club at Daios Cove
This, and more, is what you can enjoy as part of the all-inclusive Residents Club board basis at Daios Cove. Daios Cove, Greece Daios Cove, Greece The Residents Club is by far the best and most comprehensive all-inclusive programme at any of our Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club properties. This exclusive club is only available to guests who are staying in suite or vill. Members of the Residents Club will benefit from a la carte dining in all four of the resort’s restaurants with very few menu exceptions, a bottle of wine with every meal, unlimited room service and minibar, and all non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and ice-creams consumed during the day. This club is perfect for families as it ensures that everyone is kept fed, watered and happy at no extra cost. With many fantastic dining options to choose from, what follows is just an example of how you and your family can make the most of the Residents Club during your time away. Daios Cove, Greece Daios Cove, Greece Start your holiday with a pre-dinner drink on the panoramic terrace at the Crystal Box bar, then experience delicious Greek cuisine at the Taverna restaurant. Share starters for a typical Greek mezze experience, and then choose from a wide selection of local meat, fish and vegetarian main dishes. Accompany your meal with a bottle of wine, from a list which spans several pages, or opt for soft drinks and freshly squeezed juices. Enjoy dessert, again without any restriction on choice, and coffee, before either retiring to bed, or returning to the Crystal Box to continue the evening. Wake up in your suite or villa to a beautiful view of the sparkling cove just waiting to be explored. Go for breakfast in the Ocean Restaurant – which is exclusively for Residents Club guests – where breakfast is a calm, relaxed experience with table service and an a la carte menu to choose from, as well as an extensive local buffet. The day is then yours to do with what you wish. And the possibilities are endless. Keep your little ones entertained and drop them off at the Explorers Kids Club. Head down to the beach and spend the morning relaxing in a secluded cove. Enjoy some family time playing in the pool together. Perhaps you will head to the spa for some well-deserved me-time. Or maybe you will decide to hire a boat and get out on the water for the day. Wherever you are, you can always return to the Pool Bar, Beach House or Crystal Box Bar for drinks, snacks and ice creams to keep you refreshed throughout the day. Daios Cove, Greece Daios Cove, Greece When lunch time comes around, you can dine at Taverna (which serves from the same menu for both lunch and dinner), the aptly named Beach House (offering different lunch and dinner menus), or simply go for a snack at the pool bar. As with dinner, you are free to choose any three courses (bar a select few meat and fish options), and any bottle of wine (apart from those on the premium wine list). If opting for the Beach House, try to leave room for dessert, and treat yourself to the mouth watering chocolate pie – but make sure you are hungry, or bring a friend to help you finish it off as the portion size is very generous! Leave the children with a babysitter or in our Stargazers evening club for an evening and enjoy a delicious fine-dining Greek experience at the Ocean restaurant. Here, as before, the menu is yours to choose any three courses from, and you could even have champagne with your meal if you wished. You can even stay in the privacy of your own suite or villa and dine on your private terrace or by your pool. This is where you can make the most of the unlimited 24-hour room service available to you as part of the Residents’ Club, along with your complimentary mini bar which will be restocked daily. Thanks to this, there really is no need to even venture out into the resort at all! There is also the hotel’s main restaurant, Pangea, which is open for breakfast and dinner. This buffet restaurant serves a wide selection of fresh, high quality buffet dishes, catering to a mix of Greek and international tastes. This is also the only restaurant with a separate area allocated exclusively for adults. All of the resort’s other dining options welcome and cater for children of all ages. The Residents Club is included in the nightly rate of any Suite or Villa category, and it is not possible to upgrade to this if you are staying in one of the room categories. For more information on the details of this, or to book your holiday to Daios Cove, please contact one of our Mediterranean specialists.
A Journey Through Israel
Loving Laikipia
This is a land of wide flat plains dotted with the iconic Acacia trees and a breathtaking amount of wildlife. There is no denying the Mara is exciting, unique and well worth a visit…it is always on my hit list when anyone mentions Kenya. However, my recent trip to Kenya took me to a whole new area and I am now desperate to make sure all my guests know about it… The Laikipia area can be found in the centre of Kenya: think vast landscapes and dramatic scenery as far as the eye can see. The sheer expanse of wilderness is breathtaking and often stretches as far as Mount Kenya; it is the views which will be the first thing to catch your breath. As soon as you touch down you really know you’ve landed somewhere special and what a place to begin your African adventure! A lot of the properties up in Laikipia are managed and run by the owner, giving them an intimate and homely touch, in fact, you are often welcomed into the lodges like guests in their home. The feel is relaxed and informal, small and intimate – so help yourself to a gin and tonic from the cabinet, like it was your home! All guests dine together on one large table to discuss safari tales and plans for the next day. The fact that you are hosted by family members who have lived and breathed Kenya all their lives, really allows you to delve deeper and understand so much more about the country and culture. Lioness Horse Riding PoolView Culture and conservation are two very strong concerns in all these areas as many lodges are right in the heart of the Samburu land. In many lodges, you are greeted by staff who are in full traditional attire with wonderfully colorful sarongs, beaded head displays, necklaces and wrist bangles: it is a fabulous first impression. The owners are are pros at striking the balance between conserving this pristine wilderness and the endangered animals but also protecting the local people and their strong cultural traditions. And this is no mean feat! You can also choose to visit local schools and villages and meet the local people going about their day to day life. Then you can learn about the conservation projects along side all of this and what it means to the country and its people. Kenya leads the way in terms of successful conservation and community projects world wide. As a guest at these lodges you are making a valuable contribution to their success and it is an education for us all. The Laikipia area offers guests the opportunity to get out of the safari vehicle. Yes, you can go for game drives – the elephant herds are impressive and seeing some of the northern ‘big five’ certainly makes game drives interesting and varied. However, the lodges here really do encourage you to see the area and the animals from a different prospective. For me, horse riding was the main attraction. Riding can be for all levels of experience, but it is about getting off the main tracks with no sound of the vehicles, riding up the sides of the rocky hillsides with the breathtaking views all around you. A novel way to explore the plains Guides with their camels Riding across the plains Walking, mountain biking and camel riding are also on offer. The key to these lodges is flexibility and a sense of adventure. If the river is deep enough, they will get the rubber tubes and float down the river, or get the fishing rods out. If the weather is right, they may suggest walking out and sleeping under the stars in one of their fly camps. Climb up mountains, jump down waterfalls, head up in a helicopter for a scenic flight, take a walk with a Warrior and learn about the medicinal plants or fly in Wako-by plane. What enamoured me with Laikipia is that every day can offer something different and so unique. Each lodge is distinctive and seems to offer varying activities to please anyone, of all levels of fitness and any age group! For those with a sense of fun and adventure who want to get under the skin of Kenya, I really could not recommend Laikipia more highly. A wonderfully romantic place for a honeymoon, a fun place for a family adventure, and a perfect place for a multigenerational group, an active couple or a single traveler as I was. I long to return already! Ol Malo You will always receive a warm welcome from the Francombe family here at Ol Malo where you really are guests in their very special home. It is an incredible setting with jaw dropping views and the large and spacious rooms are set on the hillsides to make the most of it. Ol Malo is all about the activities: riding, walking, biking, camels and strong community involvement each give you a different perspective of the fascinating local culture. Andrew Francombe has a helicopter based at the lodge and a scenic flight with him is a once in a lifetime experience! With children of their own at the lodge, it is certainly family friendly and always have great ideas of how to keep the children entertained! LocalDress Ol Malo Ol Malo Helicopter Ride A must is a trip on Andrew’s helicopter and explore the area by air! A real once in a lifetime experience. Sosian This really is a fab place for those into horses. The riding set up here is very impressive with horses on offer for all abilities, there is even a cross country course in front of the lodge! This lodge has a warm, welcoming feel where the rooms are simple but very comfortable, overlooking a lawn area where donkeys roam free. Riding, game drives, walks and camels are on offer here or, if you’d prefer to stay in the lodge, children have plenty of space to run and play while theadults can set up a game of croquet! There is also a nearby waterfall to visit and jump off for an especially thrilling experience! It would be an excellent place for families or couples alike. Giraffe+Horses Sosian After a long day in the saddle, have a strong gin and tonic and play snooker on their full sized billiard table! Kicheche Laikipia Set on the banks of a dam, this 6 tented spot has great views over the water. The tents are simple, but very comfortable with en-suite bathrooms and they feel private and authentic. The Ol Pejeta Reserve itself is a real conservation success and offers the rare opportunity to see both Black and White Rhinos. Ol Pejeta Reserve Lions OlPejeta_Zebras Visit Ol Pejeta Reserve and understand about this fantastic conservation success story. Borana This is one of my favourite places in the Laikipia area. It is set on the side of the iconic rock kopje, giving you the most amazing views over the valley. Borana offers fantastic game drives as the conservation area boarders Lewa Conservation area; they have recently taken all fences down between them offering an enormous conservation area for animals to freely roam. Borana offers a homely and welcoming feel with thatched cottages in a traditional Kenyan style. The most perfect place for the more adventurous guest or active family. The riding here is wonderful as they have fantastic trails for mountain bikes and camels alike, they also offer fly camping, fishing and oh so much more. A brilliant afternoon activity is walking to ‘’Pride Rock’’ – the rock used when filming The Lion King and have drinks at the top as the sunsets. Borana sundowners Walk to Pride Rock for sundowners! Lewa Wilderness Lewa, for me, is one of the most special places to visit in Kenya: it is a fantastic conservation project and offers so much for the guest to be involved in. Lewa Wilderness is a hospitable lodge whose thatched cottages are in a traditional Kenyan style with beautiful views. It is the activities here which are superb, especially a trip on the Wako By-plane which is sure to be a real once-in-a-life time experience where you can fly over this stunning terrain and feel really “Out of Africa”. The riding stables are right next door to Lewa Wilderness and are complimentary for those who are staying at Lewa Wilderness. The riding here in Lewa is truly remarkable, especially if you want to spot the Grevy zebras with the backdrop of Mount Kenya. WakoPlane Lewa House Head out on the Lewa Wake By-plane based at Lewa Wilderness for an amazing experience seeing this incredible landscape from the sky! Lewa House Lewa, for me, is one of the most special places to visit in Kenya. This is the site of a fantastic conservation project and offers so much for the guest to be involved in. Lewa House is one of the top end options in the conservancy but retains the authentic Kenyan feel and hosted by the lovely Callum and Sophie who live there with their two children. The rooms are beautifully done, with wonderful views and plenty of options for different family groups. A fantastic place for families and couples alike. Rhinos (1) Zebras Head to Lewa HQ and learn about all the conservation projects going on in particular the efforts to protect the endangered rhino in the conservancy. Saruni Samburu At Saruni Samburu it really is about the views and they will completely blow you away! The lodge is in the most extraordinary location with endless untouched wilderness in front of you. For a first stop in Africa, this is a magical place to begin. For me, it is a honeymoon or couple destination: I suggest you start the holiday here and just unwind surrounded by incredible scenery. The rooms are perched on the edge of the cliffs and the perfect spot to just stop and relax for a moment, drinking in the mesmerising views! You can head into the main Samburu Reserve for some great game viewing, I would also highly recommend the hike up the Thumbs up Mountain which only took about an hour to get to the top, and what views when you got there! You can also visit local schools and villages for a proper authentic insight into the local people and culture. However, after that, return to the pool, the beautiful massage room, or your room and enjoy the incredible remoteness of this special place. Mountain Hike View_2 View Definitely hike up Thumbs Up Mountain, it is not as long as you think and you will be rewarded with the most incredible views at the top!
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Hola España
Experience Swedish Lapland
Here, Europe experts, Milly and Claire, share their top tips for where to stay and what to do during a holiday in Swedish Lapland. Swedish Lapland is an adventure playground that comes to life during the winter months. Whilst the array of unique activities available will no doubt form an integral part of your stay there, it is important to bear in mind that they should be pre-booked. For us, a snowshoe walk through the forest and a husky ride over a frozen lake were real highlights. Snowmobiling in Lapland Skiing is only one of the activities on offer Preparing for the cold weather is crucial and we’d suggest taking woollen socks as well as plenty of layers, thermals and a pair of sturdy waterproof boots. Staying warm is especially important if you wish to dine outdoors over an open fire, or during the day whilst you’re out and about. Where to stay Unique accommodation abounds in Swedish Lapland, here are a few of our favourites for an extraordinary stay in this corner of the world: Aurora Safari Camp The Aurora Safari Camp is a real glamping experience. There you can expect to get back to nature by spending the night under canvas, surrounded by pine trees and overlooking a glittering frozen lake. Relinquishing the British idea of showering will never feel so good as you embrace the typical Swedish sauna, we can guarantee you’ll never have felt so clean. Another bonus of this camp is that it is bookable on an exclusive use basis, so your stay there can be completely tailored to you and your guests. Aurora Tented Camp exterior Inside one of the tents at Aurora Safari Camp Treehotel Get away from it all at the Treehotel for the ultimate retreat in Swedish Lapland. Situated a 5 minute walk through the wood from the main building, accommodation comes in individual tree houses equipped with toilets. Unless you stay in either the Dragonfly or 7th Room, showers are located nearby but the option to book the onsite sauna or a stint in the outdoor jacuzzi is perfect for two hours of relaxation. For the true tree house experience, opt for either the Bird’s Nest or UFO rooms, which are suspended from the trees with wires and accessible by a retractable ladder. The spectacular 7th Room at the Treehotel Mirror Cube at the Treehotel Ice Hotel The Ice Hotel is the first hotel in the world to be constructed with snow and ice. Offering both cold and warm rooms, the novel experience of staying here confirms it as one of our favourite hotels in Swedish Lapland. From the moment you arrive, the adventure begins as you are whisked from the airport by husky sleigh. If you simply can’t live without home comforts, book a Deluxe Suite in the Ice Hotel 365 which offers en suite accommodation, complete with a sauna. Whichever room you do choose, make sure you have a hot shower or spend some time in the sauna before making your way to a cold room for the night. For a unique way to spend your final night, choose the wilderness dinner, a three course gourmet experience, inspired by the season and served in a secluded wilderness camp for the ultimate off the beaten track adventure. Claire at the Ice Hotel Milly in the Art Suite, Ice Hotel
