Mount Bromo is one of 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, but what makes Bromo unique is that it’s surrounded by a proverbial ring of fire.

From the King Kong Hill viewpoint overlooking Mount Bromo, you can see it’s brothers and sisters, Mount Batok, Mount Kursi, Mount Watangan and Mount Widodaren in the same caldera as Bromo, with Mount Semeru and Jambangan in the foreground.

The reason people wake up at this early hour is to see the early morning sun cast its glow over not only Bromo, but each of these volcanoes.

But if you want to know how you can see the incredible Mount Bromo sunrise, keep reading to find out…

Why Visit Mount Bromo for Sunrise?

Mount Bromo, also known as Gunung Bromo in Bahasa (the language of East Java), should be high on every traveler’s bucket list. It’s nestled in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in the Tengger Massif region, and is one of the most visited landmarks in Java.

It’s undeniably one of the most breathtaking sunrise viewpoints in Indonesia, and offers visitors a chance to see a smokey, active volcano from a safe distance.

Mount Bromo is unique compared to other volcanoes, since its surrounded by a vast Sea of Sand, otherwise known as Laut Pasir, which extends for 10km. This caldera, has a flat, black volcanic sandy terrain which makes for some really run 4×4 jeep experiences.

Towering above it all is Mount Semeru, an active volcano that adds an extra layer of grandeur to the scene.

Visiting Mount Bromo is not just about witnessing one volcano, but several, with perfect viewing conditions at sunrise. It’s an experience that will leave you in awe of the wonders of Mother Nature.

How To Visit Mount Bromo For Sunrise

The best way to experience Mount Bromo at sunrise is on a 1-Day Mount Bromo Sunrise tour. You can find several tour companies that take you to Mount Bromo from Surabaya or Malang.

If you have more time at your disposal, we highly recommend taking a 3-day tour that includes Mount Bromo, Tumpak Sewu, and Volcano Ijen, which are three of the most iconic landmarks in East Java.

If you prefer to do it alone without a guide, here’s who you do it:

How To Get To Mount Bromo

To get to Mount Bromo, you must first reach the town of Malang. You can reach Malang using public transport from Surabaya.

Alternatively, take a bus from There is also the option to take a train from Surabaya Bus Station to Probolinggo Station and then do the minibus transfer to Cemoro Lawang where you can pick up a scooter rental.

From here, it’s possible to hire a scooter to drive yourself to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, which takes approximately 2 hours.

The iconic Mount Bromo Sunrise viewpoint is called King Kong Hill, located on Mt Pananjakan. You can find the directions to this viewpoint via Google Maps here.

You will know when you are in the right place, since the entrance to the trail up to the viewpoint is cladded with vendors selling street food, souvenirs and other items you don’t need.

Despite being 2.00am, it’s a bustling scene. If you want to find some quieter Bromo sunrise viewpoints, you can walk down the path a little from the King Kong Hill Viewpoint and find a quieter spot.

Opening Hours & Entrance Fee

There is technically no entrance fee to hike up King Kong Hill, and it’s free to visit the caldera on foot. However, it’s a long walk across the Sea of Sand to Bromo, so you will want to take your vehicle. If you drive, you do need to pay an entrance fee.

At the entrance to the Caldera, there will be an official ticket office where you pay 220,000 IDR on weekdays and 320,000 IDR on weekends for your Mount Bromo entrance fee.

The entrance to the Caldera area by vehicle is located at this point on Google Maps, just after Lava Cafe.

If you want to walk, download the app MapsMe, and look for the trail called “Way to Bromo behind the fields” then you can follow the local village paths to the caldera area after the sunrise.

The park is open 24/7.

Tips For Visiting Mount Bromo Volcano at Sunrise

Before you go, here are some tips and words of advice to make your experience more memorable.

• Wear warm clothing. It can be freezing at night, especially when you’re standing around waiting for the sun to rise.
• Bring snacks. You’ll likely have to wait at least thirty minutes, maybe longer, for the sun to rise. You might also start to feel a bit peckish at this point.
• Wear comfortable shoes. It’s not a strenuous hike and trainers will suffice, but the terrain is soft sand and volcanic ash can be slippery.
• Bring a flashlight. It’s very dark on the walk up to the viewpoint. Be sure to use a torch so you don’t accidentally walk off the side of the mountain.
• Be careful where you step. For the same reason you should carry a torch, you could easily take a wrong step in the dark and fall down a slope.
• Test your alarm. You don’t want to miss your early wake-up call.
• Pack plenty of water.

The Sunrise Experience at Mount Bromo

We were very tired when we woke up and it was freezing cold at 5°C. It never crossed our minds to pack warm clothes to bring with us to Indonesia – we had only just crossed the center of the Earth yesterday.

The last two months we had spent suffering under the extreme heat and humidity of the islands situated on the Equator, and now here we were in close to zero temperatures.

I wiped the crust from my eyes, sat up, and was instantly snapped awake by the freeze that iced my whole body.

Teeth chattering and body shaking, I now had to fumble around in the dark mountain cabin to find clothes in an effort to bring me some semblance of warmth.

Three lightweight pants, 2 singlets, 2 shirts, 2 long sleeved cheese cloth shirts, a sarong and a beanie later, the shivering subsided but not without making me looked like I had just chewed blueberry bubblegum from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

We chipped the ice off the door and scrambled outside into the dark freeze of the night, expecting to join the throngs of other people climbing up to the viewpoint.

However, when we walked outside the village was quiet and there was not a soul in sight. We shrugged the strangeness of it off thinking that we were just the early birds catching the worms.

With flashlights on, fits of giggles, and heads down Bec, Shannon, and I marched forward to the start of our mountain trail, determined to be the first to catch the sun’s rays over Mt Bromo.

A local man appeared from the base of the mountain gesturing to guide us up the treacherous path. Thinking it might be a smart move, we nodded back “Sure thing,” granting him permission to lead the way and pick us up when we continued to lose our fight with the loose stones and mud.

The fresh air, so invigorating on my skin helped to keep moving me up the steep and slippery track.

We knew how popular the sunrise over Mt Bromo was so were really surprised that we did not hear or see another person nearby.

If we didn’t have our local guide confirming to us with a nod of his head that we were walking the right path, we would have turned back fearing we had come the wrong way.

I was convinced that everyone else must have ridden donkeys or driven and that we were the only harebrained chicks to attempt this mission.

It was then that I looked up above and realized that we were the smart ones for taking the road less travelled and the rest had missed out.

Thousands upon thousands of stars lay scattered, twinkling across the night sky, each a Star of David in their own right, leading us to the Promised Land and daring us to go where no other had been before.

As I continued to walk up and up, it seemed as if I was stepping into the heavens and at any moment I could reach out and choose whatever star I wanted to guide me through the rest of my life.

We stopped to catch our breath. As our eyes sat drinking in the astral wonder, stars began raining down on us. They had waited until we had paused momentarily so they could thank us for taking an early morning walk with them. I was overcome with such an intense feeling of aliveness.

A feeling that paralyzed me from moving forward until the shower of stars finally passed.

We arrived at the top of Mt Pananjakan, the viewing point and were surprised to see hundreds of tourists and locals standing around ready to see the rising sun and the volcanic peaks it was about to light up. We asked around to find out why there was not another soul present on our 2-hour climb and discovered that they had all driven up to the top.

I couldn’t help but feel sad for the journey they missed getting to know the moon and the stars and the quiet stillness of the mountain.

As we began to cool down from our walk, the freeze of the high altitude air snapped us back to reality and we layered ourselves back. We pushed our way into the crowds of people waiting in anticipation for the sun’s arrival and huddled close together to keep warm.

Quiet conversations were had, jokes were passed around, and photos were taken as we waited in anticipation.

Eyes constantly darted from watches to the horizon to Mt Bromo and the surrounding craters, which could just be made out by the silvery light of the moon.

The designated time of arrival was 5:30 and our closest-guiding-light did not let us down. The brilliant red and orange hues of the rising sun mixed in with the pale blue of the dawning day. As night began to fade, the sun’s casting light slowly unveiled to us the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever seen.

The family of mountains and volcanoes appeared from out of the sky in front of us sitting on a shrouded bed of clouds. Mt Semera, the highest Indonesian volcano and smaller Mt Bromo both puffed out smoke from their cones as they greeted us and the craters surrounded them on either side.

The moon just as bright on the West of the Mountains was facing the sun on the East as if some great battle was to take place as to who was the strongest and more powerful.

Oohs and aahs rang out from the mountaintop as cameras began clicking in desperate attempt to capture the magical moment. The pop of a champagne bottle could be heard with cheers of congratulations as a young man chose the most romantic place and time on Earth to propose to his future bride.

I sat and I drank mesmerized and astonished with the truth that had just been revealed to me. Mother Nature is powerful and so divinely beautiful.

How could I never have known this before? How could so many people sitting in their living rooms right now watching death and destruction on the news never be aware of what really exists in this world of ours?

Other Things To Do At Mount Bromo

Catching the sunrise from Mount Penanjakan is not the only way to experience Bromo. In fact, you can walk right up to the crater and stare into the smokey depths.

Here are some other great things to do at Mount Bromo:

1. Hike Up Mount Bromo Crater

After catching the sunrise at Mount Bromo, you might be itching to get a closer look at the crater. The good news is that reaching the crater is really easy, and is only a 30 minute moderate walk.

You can take a horse to the crater, which many people do, but we urge you not to do this. Not only do the horses look kind of sad, but the walk is not strenuous and mostly flat.

The horses take you up a tiny hill that takes 5 minutes on foot, and then drops you off at the bottom of a staircase, which is arguably the hardest point of the hike.

Once you hike up the steps, you will find a short trail leading to the left and right of the crater. We don’t encourage people to go past the point of the barriers. It’s supposed to be possible to walk all the way around the crater rim, but the path looks a bit perilous in some places – so use your best judgement.

2. Four-Wheel Drive the Sea of Sand

Another fun thing to do at Mount Bromo is to drive around the Sea of Sand in a 4×4.

If you book a jeep tour, you will get this experience anyway, but if you’ve decided to hire a scooter and drive yourself, don’t worry, you can hire a jeep ride from outside the tengger caldera area just before the ticket booth.

Alternatively, you can take your scooter out onto the sand with you! But be warned, there’s a possibility you may get stuck!

3. Visit Luhur Poten

The Luhur Poten is a Hindu Temple which was built in 2000. It can be found in the middle of the caldera and is dedicated to the god Brohmo (Brahma).

The temple isn’t a huge complex, but it’s quite striking. It has three main buildings, and offers incredible views overlooking the caldera landscape.

The temple is a holy site for the local Tenggernese people, so be respectful and cover your knees and shoulders when visiting.

Best Time To Visit Mount Bromo

The best time to visit Mount Bromo is during the dry season from May until October. The wet season runs from November until April, but it shouldn’t stop you from going.

Just be sure to visit Bromo on a dry day, as it can be slippery hiking up to the crater in wet conditions.

Final Thoughts

Sunrise over Mt Bromo was the most breathtakingly beautiful act of Mother Nature that I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing.

The picture of that morning still remains so vividly clear in my mind now even 13 years later. It was a surreal experience which allowed me to realize for the first time the Earth’s magnificence and how small and insignificant we really are.

This was a true wonder of the world and I could not believe how fortunate I was to be a part of it. Sunrise over Mt Bromo was far too magical for even my big dreams. I had finally become the explorer whose eyes were the first to gaze upon untold beauty and splendour.

More Indonesia Travel Tips

Planning on visiting other parts of Indonesia? Here are some other helpful guides…

• 7 reasons to visit Raja Ampat (one of Asia’s most beautiful places)
• Visit the ancient Borobudur Temple
• Where to Stay in Bali With Kids (Adult’s love these places too!)
• Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
• My First Trip Abroad in Indonesia

But what makes Bali a must visit destination is the Balinese people. So warm and welcoming, they invite you on to their island with open arms.

The mixture of culture, delicious food and family-friendly resorts makes it a great choice for your family holiday to Bali.

Choosing where to stay in Bali with kids can be a hard decision, there are so many options that it can be hard to know where to start. But we are here to help!

If you’re planning to visit Bali with kids, we’ll point you in the right direction of where is the best area of Bali for families plus things to do with kids in Bali and the best family friendly resorts in Bali, Indonesia.

Kuta

Lets be honest, Kuta often gets a bad rap from the media. Yes it is busy and the nightlife can be a bit crazy at times, but there are so many things for families to do.

Located close to the airport, there are a great range of shopping options, both shopping malls and market shopping, to keep the whole family happy.

Kuta has a great range of accommodation options too. You will often find the most budget-friendly hotels in Kuta close to the action of this bustling area of Bali.

Things to Do in Kuta with Kids

The number one thing to do in Kuta is to spend a day at Waterbom Water Park.

It is consistently voted as the best water park in Asia and family attractions in Asia and is incredibly clean with a huge variety of water slides and kids pool for all ages.

We love to hire a gazebo for the day so we have a central point to come back to and enjoy lunch together.

Shopping in Kuta Bali is fantastic and the market stalls lining the streets have a huge range of souvenirs and clothes. Make sure you barter for the best price, it’s a lot of fun!

In Kuta you will find shopping malls like Beachwalk Mall, Lippo Mall, Discovery Mall and Mal Bali Galeria. They have well known brands plus cinemas, arcade centers and even ice skating at Mal Bali Galeria.

Where to Stay in Kuta with Kids

Hard Rock Hotel Kuta

Researching where to stay in Bali with kids in Kuta? There are so many facilities for the kids at Hard Rock Hotel. 

Think water slides, playgrounds, foam parties and even a recording studio. Located in the center of Kuta, the Hard Rock is a good choice to keep all the kids entertained.

Click here to see the current prices.

Bali Dynasty Resort

Another one of the best hotels for kids in Bali. Our kids love staying at the Bali Dynasty Resort as there is always so many things to do.

They have a huge range of kids activities, water slides and a fun kids club. If you’re researching where to stay in Bali with toddler, the family rooms are perfect for younger kids and the new lagoon pool rooms are a great choice.

Click here to see the current prices.

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna

The huge grounds at Holiday Inn Baruna make you feel like you are not staying in Kuta.

The gardens are stunning and the sunset views from the pool and restaurant Envy are spectacular.

The rooms at the Holiday Inn Baruna are very comfortable and plenty of space for the kids in the kid suite rooms as the bedrooms are interconnected.

Click here to see the current prices.

Legian

Located next to Kuta, Legian is the upmarket cousin to Kuta for your Bali family holidays.

There is still plenty of markets to get your shopping fix but the Bali family resorts are nicer and the streets not as busy as Kuta. The beach bars along Legian Beach are perfect to watch the sunset each night to enjoy cheap drinks and good times in Bali!

Things to Do in Legian with Kids

After exploring the markets, going for a surf on Legian Beach is a fun activity to do in Bali with kids. We love surfing with Santai Surf School as they are fully accredited and great with the kids.

After you have had fun in the sun the kids can have a chill out at the Coffee Club Legian kids club while parents enjoy their food in peace and quiet.

Waka Waka Playground located at FuramaXclusive Ocean Beach is fun for the kids and Mum can enjoy the spa downstairs while the kids have a play.

Where to Stay in Legian with Kids

Padma Legian Resort

Choosing where to stay in Bali with kids that parents will love too?

One of our favourite Bali family resorts, Padma Legian is a fantastic resort for the whole family. So many pools, great Bali kids club, beautiful grounds, delicious food and an adults only infinity pool!

Click here to see the latest prices.

Bali Mandira Beach Resort

Located nearby to the Padma Legian, the Mandira offers better value for money and has a beautiful pool area directly on Legian Beach. The kids club is not rated as highly by families but worth checking out.

Click here to see the latest prices.

Seminyak

Food and upmarket shopping are two of the main draw cards of Seminyak Bali.

The quality of restaurants and cafes is exceptional but don’t expect ultra cheap Bali prices. When visiting Bali with kids they can have fun in Seminyak too but at times it can be tricky to navigate the streets with a stroller.

Things to Do in Seminyak with Kids

Seminyak is famous for it’s beach clubs and most are kid-friendly during the day. Ku De Ta is a family favourite and visiting on Family Sundays is a lot of fun.

Watching the sunset from a bean bag at places like La Plancha is something everyone should do at least once on a trip to Bali.

Shooters Bali is worth visiting for a game of mini golf with the kids. Great value plus lots of food and drinks to ensure plenty of laughs and fun for the whole family.

If you have any unicorn lovers then a visit to the Unicorn Cafe is a must. It is located on Batu Belig at the northern edge of Seminyak and you can also shop at Coco and Ginger plus have a manicure at Think Pink Nails.

Afterwards indulge in high tea at Biku, the most gorgeous cafe in Bali.

Where to Stay in Seminyak with Kids

Courtyard by Marriott Resort

Looking for Seminyak family resorts? Located only a short buggy ride away from the beach, The Courtyard Seminyak is one of the fun places to stay in Bali.

The central pool is great to meet other families on a trip to Bali and the breakfast is delicious. A huge variety of rooms including larger apartments with all the modern essentials.

Click here to see the current prices.

Montigo Resort

A great location on Jl Petitenget, Montigo Resort has modern rooms and 2 bedroom apartments to sleep the whole family.

The kids will love pool hopping between the 3 pools and the huge kids club is always fun. The spa is not to be missed and has great value massages.

Click here to see the latest prices.

Trans Resort

The Trans Resort comes highly rated from families and the small water slide plus sand lagoon make it perfect for families with younger kids.

Located on Sunset Road the location isn’t perfect but it’s an easy walk with the kids to Eat Street.

Click here to see the latest prices.

Nusa Dua

If you are after a relaxing Bali holiday with kids in a luxury resort, Nusa Dua is one of the best places to stay in Bali with kids.

Nusa Dua is a gated community full of 5 star resorts. You won’t find a huge amount of culture in Nusa Dua but will be well looked after by the amazing family resorts.

Things to Do in Nusa Dua with Kids

There are a few activities to do in Nusa Dua with kids and they will love shopping at Bali Collection.

It has a huge range of shops and restaurants with a couple of small playgrounds. Set over a large area this is the spot in Nusa Dua to stock up on supplies.

Pirates Bay is located on the beach and the kids can dress up as pirates and go on a treasure hunt. The food gets mixed reviews but is fun for a couple of hours.

The beach path in Nusa Dua is easy to walk along and very pram friendly.

Where to Stay in Nusa Dua with Kids

Club Med Bali

Looking for Bali hotels with kids club? We love this all-inclusive resort in Nusa Dua and the beach front location is beautiful.

The gardens are huge and the kids clubs are fun, making it one of the best family hotels in Bali.

The kids get to try all sorts of activities including the trapeze. The food, drinks and entertainment make this a great choice in Nusa Dua.

Click here for the latest prices.

Westin Resort

Located on the beach, The Westin Resort is a good option and one of the best family friendly resorts in Bali with kids with great pools and lots of other families visiting Bali.

When choosing where to stay in Bali with kids, consider the family suites here which are very spacious and the location on the ground floor a great plus.

Click here for the current prices.

Novotel Nusa Dua

If you are after a better value option of places to stay in Nusa Dua with kids, the Novotel is a great choice.

Located a short buggy ride from the beach, the pools and gardens are spectacular. They have large apartments that are great value and suit larger families. Don’t miss the spa, the kids spa is very good!

Click here for the latest prices.

Ubud

Ubud is one of the best areas in Bali and the cultural heart surrounded by beautiful rice paddies and stunning views.

The drive from the airport can take over an hour but once you arrive you will be ready to explore the real Bali.

Things to Do in Ubud with Kids

One of our favourite things to do in Bali with kids is to go on a bike tour. A fantastic way to experience Bali and the lunch at the end was very yummy at a local warung.

Another great outdoors activity is to walk the Campuhan Ridge. It’s easy to with the kids and the views are gorgeous.

Titu Batu Club is a great place to cool off in the pool and they even have a skate park and dance classes for the kids to participate in.

Where to Stay in Ubud

Padma Ubud Retreat

Looking for Ubud family accommodation?

Located a 30-minute drive from central Ubud, Padma Ubud is a stunning resort with the biggest infinity pool looking over the jungle below. Kids are well looked after at the resort with a kids club and a cute animal garden.

Click here for the latest prices.

Canggu

There is a huge amount of things to do in Canggu and the food is amazing too!

Canggu is spread over a large area and one consideration is how you will get around. Scooters are very popular but please ensure you are licensed and covered by travel insurance before you get on a bike!

Taxis and Grab cars are easy to get plus some villas come with a private driver.

Things to Do in Canggu with Kids

Finns Recreation Club has lots of things for the kids to do.

Splash Water Park, Bounce Trampoline, Strike Bowling and Cubbyhouse Kids Club are all favourite things to do with kids in Bali. After you have had fun at Finns, head to Finns VIP Beach Club to enjoy the sunset.

Parklife Bali is a must visit with the kids. Indoor slides, ball pits, jumping pillow, toddler area, there are so many great aspects of this place. There is yummy food and drinks at the cafe plus daily activities. You will need a taxi to visit but it is worth the effort.

Tamora Gallery has a huge range of stores and cafes plus a playground for the kids to play on. Keep up to date with them on social media as they have different weekly activities.

An institution in Canggu is Milk and Madu Cafe. The best food and a playground for the kids to play on while you enjoy a latte.

Gardens Kids Club is an option if you need the kids looked after for a couple of hours. Our kids love visiting the center and a bonus is the Sprout Cafe next door if you need to catch up on some work.

Where to Stay in Canggu with Kids

Looking for Bali family villas? In Canggu you will find that the most family friendly choices are villas. There are a huge range to choose from and some even come with permanent pool fences.

Villa Joju Bali

We fell in love with this gorgeous 5 bedroom villa and it is so kid friendly! Think bouncy castle, fish spa, pool fence, kids toys and the most gorgeous kids bunk room.

Click here to book on Airbnb.

Sanur

Researching where to stay in Bali with kids away from the crowds?

Sanur is a lovely spot for a change of pace from the main tourist destinations in Bali that we have spoken about above. It is easy to get around and the beach path is perfect for bikes and prams.

There are a large amount of restaurants and cafes with something for every budget. The shopping is more limited in Sanur but Hardy’s Supermarket in central Sanur has a good range of food, souvenirs and clothes.

Things to Do in Sanur with Kids

Artotel Beach Club is located on the beach in northern Sanur and includes a pool and huge playground for the kids. The food is yummy and hiring a day bed is a great way to spend the day.

Spending a few hours at Big Garden Corner is a must if you are visiting Sanur. You will need a taxi to visit this place but it is easy to get to.

The garden is full of awesome sculptures and the kids will love the splash park. Food is well priced plus you can pay to dress up in traditional Balinese outfits and have photos taken.

Fun Wheels Bali is a new addition to Sanur and our kids loved the pedal go carts. Adults can join in on the fun too as they have family size carts to go exploring the local village.Family friendly accommodation in Sanur

Where to Stay in Sanur with Kids

Prama Sanur

Located on Sanur beachfront, Prama Sanur is a larger resort with a great kids area by the pool. Plenty of entertainment for hours and lots of other kids to meet.

Click here for the latest prices.

Hyatt Regency Bali

A luxury resort, the Hyatt Regency as the most beautiful gardens and pools directly on Sanur Beach. Kids are well looked after and adults must not miss the beautiful spa.

Click here for the latest prices.

Prime Plaza Suites Sanur

The location of Prime Plaza Suites is not great but the huge, excellent value apartments make this a great choice for budget-friendly family travel.

The kids love the water slide and the kids play area is huge. Kids are a big focus at this resort.

Click here for the latest prices.

Tanjung Benoa

Just down the beach from Nusa Dua is Tanjung Benoa.

The beach has lots of water sports and there is a good range of local shops and restaurants close by to the resorts. It’s also a great place to watch the sunrise over the beach, perfect way to start the day.

Things to Do in Tanjung Benoa with Kids

There are many different water sports operators along the beach where you can try out jet skiing, banana boats and para sailing.

For a cultural experience nearby, visit Caow Eng Bio Chinese Buddhist Temple. It’s a beautiful temple that is very colourful and interesting for the kids to see.

Bali Wakepark and Aqualand is a great spot to take the adventurous kids. They can try out wake boarding or attempt the inflatable obstacles on the water.

Where to Stay in Tanjung Benoa

Holiday Inn Resort Benoa

A family friendly resort, Holiday Inn Benoa has huge family suites that the family will love. The kids club is great for younger kids and our kids loved the pools. The spa is worth a visit and I love that the kids eat free.

Click here for the latest prices.

Grand Mirage Benoa

Spread over two wings on the Benoa Beach, The Grand Mirage is a kids paradise.

The family wing has a huge amount of activities for the kids including a splash park, water slide, climbing wall, indoor kids play ground and much more.

It is easy to walk to the main wing of the resort and there are a huge amount of eating options including all-inclusive rates.

Click here for the latest prices.

Jimbaran

Jimbaran is famous for it’s beautiful sunsets while enjoying a seafood dinner on the sand of Jimbaran Bay.

Looking for places to stay in Bali with kids close to the airport? Jimbaran has a laid back vibe with a good range of food options.

You won’t find as many shops in Jimbaran, but it’s only a short drive to Kuta.

Things to Do in Jimbaran with Kids

The beach at Jimbaran Bay is great for the kids as the waves are nice and calm. Towards the airport, Hidden Beach is fun to watch the planes come and go.

Sundara Beach Club is a nice spot to enjoy the day swimming in the pool and eating yummy food.

Samasta Lifestyle Village next to Movenpick Resort has a range of different restaurants, supermarket and often has live music to enjoy.

Where to Stay in Jimbaran

Movenpick Resort & Spa

The kids may not want to leave this family friendly resort!

Fantastic kids club, huge pool area with splash park and modern rooms. A short walk to the beach and Sunday Brunch has so much food and a dedicated kids area.

Click here for the latest prices.

Check out our review of the Movenpick Resort, Boracay Island.

Intercontinental Jimbaran

Located on Jimbaran Beach, this luxury resort has traditional Balinese charm with modern amenities. Food is amazing and the family rooms very spacious.

Click here for the latest prices.

Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu)

Researching where to stay in Bali with kids offering 5 star luxury?

The southern most area of Bali is known as the Bukit Peninsula or Uluwatu. It is home to luxury 5 star resorts in Bali on a cliff top that enjoy the most spectacular Bali sunsets.

Not as close to the airport as the other tourist places in Bali, it’s a perfect place to chill out.

Things to Do on the Bukit Peninsula

Sundays Beach Club is located at Ungasan Clifftop Resort and is a lot of fun with the whole family.

An inclinator takes you down to the gorgeous beach where you will find sun loungers, day beds, stand up paddle boards plus yummy food and drinks.

A visit to the Uluwatu Temple to watch the Kecak Dance at sunset should be high on every families to do list in Bali. Just be wary of those pesky monkeys that like to take sunglasses and hats!

Ulu Cliffhouse is a family friendly cliff top beach club with a pool, lots of days beds and great food. A great spot to spend the day then watch the sun go down.

Where to Stay on the Bukit Peninsula

Ayana Resort

A luxury cliff top resort that includes the famous Rock Bar, the family is well looked after with stunning pools and a great kids club.

Click here for the latest prices.

Other Places in Bali

There are so many other places to visit in Bali including the islands near Bali. One thing is certain, you will never run out of things to do in Bali with kids!

If you have any tips on the best place to stay in Bali for familes, share in the comments.

Book a Trip to Bali

Accommodation in Bali

For the best hotels in Bali, check out all the options through our hotel partner, Booking.com.

We find that Booking.com have the widest range of properties. You get free cancellation on most rooms, a best price guarantee, and they have verified reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the property!

Airbnb

If you fancy a home and living like a local, or have a large family or traveling with a group of friends, consider Airbnb properties in Bali. They can be a better option than booking several hotel rooms.

Tours of Bali

Our partner, the Get Your Guide tour company offers many Bali tours and attractions. They have lowest prices, guaranteed — no booking fees or hidden charges.

You can pre-book tickets and skip the line at top attractions and cancel up to 24 hours before.

Popular Tours and Activities:

Flights to Bali

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Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, your personal effects, lost, stolen or damaged luggage by an airline, and other related losses incurred while traveling.

More Indonesia Travel Tips

• 7 reasons to visit Raja Ampat (one of Asia’s most beautiful places)
• Visit the ancient Borobudur Temple
• Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
• My First Trip Abroad in Indonesia
• Jungle Trekking in Bukittinggi, Sumatra

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The area is known for its jungle covered islands, turquoise waters, hidden caves, and an unparalleled diversity of marine life. 

This is a destination made famous by stunning views and until recently, a place only visited by avid divers.

But today, Raja Ampat Indonesia is gaining more and more popularity and is becoming a bucket list destination in Asia not just for divers, but those looking for an adventure off-the-beaten-path. 

For us, the biggest reason to visit Raja Ampat was an opportunity to explore the underwater world of this biodiverse region, but we were pleasantly surprised to discover many other reasons to visit this lesser known of Indonesia destinations. 

Why Visit Raja Ampat Indonesia

Hidden Paradise

Tourism in Indonesia has grown exponentially over the last few decades.

But unlike Bali, Lombok and other popular places to visit in Idonesia, Raja Ampat has remained a hidden paradise, visited by less than 30,000 tourists per year.  

Most visitors travel to Raja Ampat for scuba diving, but more and more non-divers are starting to discover the crystal clear waters, stunning views, and jungle-covered islands that are beaming with an abundance of unique birds and other species. 

A trip to Raja Ampat offers a peaceful escape from the hectic tourist cities and popular destinations in Indonesia and an opportunity to connect with nature at its best. 

Scuba Diving in Raja Ampat

For diving enthusiasts, the biggest reason to visit Raja Ampat Indonesia is the underwater world that lies beneath the surface.

A Marine Protected Area was established in the region in 2007 and now covers around 35,000 square kilometres and 45% of Raja Ampat’s coral reefs and mangroves.

Thanks to this and other conservation efforts in the region, the marine life diversity in the area is known to be one of the highest on the planet. 

Scuba diving in Raja Ampat Indonesia is considered by many to be the best in the world.

The region boasts some 200 dive sites, particularly known for their hard and soft coral varieties, more than 1,000 types of coral reef fish, and 700 types of mollusks. 

Dive sites in Raja Ampat offer an opportunity to see everything from manta rays, turtles, and sharks to tiny creatures like pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs.

Massive schools of tuna, giant trevallies, snapper, and even barracudas frequent the waters. 

Raja Ampat diving is often considered to be more suitable for advanced divers with experience diving in strong currents and deep seas, but there are plenty of sites suitable for Open Water Divers and even those looking to discover scuba diving. 

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

The underwater world is not limited to those with a scuba diving certification. There are lots of snorkeling spots, particularly in Northern Raja Ampat that offer the same variety of marine life and corals but at much shallower depths. 

In Central and Southern Raja Ampat, the best snorkeling spots are often found on the house reefs of resorts and local home stays. 

Beautiful Scenery

The underwater world of Raja Ampat may be the main draw card of this region, but the scenery above the surface is no less spectacular.

The 1.500 Raja Ampat Islands are covered in lush jungle and surrounded by crystal clear waters, offering picture perfect views. 

The most popular spot to admire the beauty of the region is Pianemo Island, located within the Fam Islands. The hike to the lookout is short, consisting of just 300 stairs leading to the lookout platform. 

From there, you can admire the stunning views and snap beautiful photos of the landscape that made this region famous.

If you ask us, a day trip to Piaynemo is a must for anyone visiting this region. 

Birds of Paradise 

The biodiversity of the Raja Ampat Islands extends beyond the underwater world.

The islands are one of the few places in the world where you can spot Birds of Paradise, locally known as the Cendrawasih. 

There are 42 species in the Birds of Paradise family but most birders travel to Raja Ampat to see Wilson’s and Red Birds of Paradise. 

These beautiful birds are known for their vibrant colours and a unique and absolutely fascinating courting dance. Both birds can be seen on Waigeo island, as well as on Gam and Batanta Islands. 

Waterfalls & Rainforest Adventures

Those looking to get active outside the water while on a trip in Raja Ampat will be happy to know that the islands offer plenty of hiking opportunities. 

The four islands of Raja Ampat, Waigeo, Salawati, Misool, and Batanta are particularly famous for an incredible range of wildlife found in diverse habitats. 

But many of the smaller islands offer hiking opportunities, rainforest explorations, waterfall trails and some, like Misool Island, even caves. 

The rainforest is lush and thick, so wandering without a guide is not recommended, but organizing a trip with a local expert is easy and something that can be arranged through any home stay and at most dive resorts. 

Cultural Encounters

A chance to interact with the local community should not be missed while visiting Raja Ampat. 

A number of local villages, like the popular Arborek Tourism Village, offer an opportunity for travelers to visit the village and learn more about its people and their culture. 

With only 40 families, Arborek Village isn’t very big, but the residents here are friendly and very welcoming. 

Most women in the village make handicrafts which are sold on the island and a number of villagers also put on traditional performances. 

The trip to Arborek Village usually takes no more than 2-3 hours, but it offers plenty of great opportunities to interact with locals, see their traditional houses, and meet the cute kids who love to welcome visitors to their shores. 

How to Get to Raja Ampat

Getting to Raja Ampat is not an easy feat, but that’s probably what’s keeping the crowds away from this pristine hidden paradise. 

To get to the region, you’ll need to fly to Jakarta or Denpasar and take a domestic flight to Sorong, the capital of West Papua. 

Most flights layover in Makassar or Manado, although Air Asia recently added a new non-stop flight from Jakarta. 

Upon arrival in Sorong, you can take a 2-3 hour ferry from the port to one of the islands or arrange a 1-2 hours fast boat transfer directly to your dive resort. 

The city of Sorong is not a very pleasant place to be, so we recommend limiting your time there and transferring to your final destination shortly after your arrival to the city. 

Best Time to Visit Raja Ampat

If you’re asking yourself when should I go to Raja Amapat Indonesia, it can be visited year round, but the best time of the year for diving is between October and March, when the waters are calm and warm.

In our experience, visibility underwater was much better in October than in March, but that of course depends on the weather patterns, currents, and temperatures. 

Rainfall in the region is at its highest from May to September. Many operators will actually close down for the season between July and September. 

Where to Stay in Raja Ampat

Local Homestays

Despite its remote location, Raja Ampat accommodation options are plentiful, ranging from simple but comfortable home stays to luxurious resorts.

Staying at one of the local home stays will give you an opportunity to experience the local way of life and the incredible beauty of the region for a very affordable rate, while spending a few nights at a luxurious dive resort will provide all the comforts along with great food and excellent on site dive shop operations. 

Raja Ampat Dive Resorts

During our visit, we stayed in the beautiful Papua Paradise Eco Resort, located on Birdie Island in Central Raja Ampat.

Our overwater bungalow overlooked the house reef and spoilt us with amazing sunset views. The resort had an on-site restaurant with a delicious menu of international and local buffet style meals.

There was also a fully equipped 5-Star PADI Dive Centre that offered daily dive trips to local sites as well as more remote destinations like Fam or Kri Islands. 

Most of the staff at the resort were from the local villages and were very friendly and welcoming during our time at the resort. Our stay at the resort was a perfect blend of diving, activities and relaxation.

Raja Ampat Liveaboards

Those looking for a more dive focused trip and wanting to cover more ground, can also consider joining a Raja Ampat liveaboard.

There are over 50 of them available in the area, ranging from 5-14 days on board. 

The comfort levels on liveaboards vary dramatically based on the luxuries available and on the price point, with most mid-range boats offering spacious cabins, comfortable AC rooms and great food. 

No matter what accommodation option you choose, we guarantee that you’ll love your time in one of the best places to visit in Indonesia. 

Our biggest advice – don’t cut your trip too short.

Plan to spend at least 5-7 days in the region to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the underwater world and take part in some activities on land. 

Time flies by here and the worst part of any trip to Raja Ampat is the day when you have to say good-bye to this beautiful paradise!

For more information to plan your trip to #WonderfulIndonesia, visit www.Indonesia.travel.

More Indonesia Travel Tips

• Visit the ancient Borobudur Temple
• Where to Stay in Bali With Kids (Adult’s love these places too!)
• Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
• My First Trip Abroad in Indonesia
• Exploring Bukittinggi, Sumatra with a real Indonesian explorer

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When I arrived at the Borobudur Temple in Java I distinctly remember thinking what is this?

In my limited world view from a small town in Australia, places like this didn’t even appear as something tangible.

This was a seventh wonder of the world? The world’s biggest Buddhist monument? What did that even mean?

I knew little about Buddhism at the time, but I was determined to learn and find out. What better place to do that than from within the stone circular walls of a magnificent temple – the ancient Borobudur Temple in Indonesia.

Visiting the Borobudur Temple Indonesia helped ignite what has turned into a lifelong passion for discovering different beliefs and viewpoints.

The more ancient the better and merging them somehow with mine to create a better version of me and the world I occupy.

It’s easy to get caught up in the intoxicating parts of travel, like ziplining across a jungled canopy, snorkeling with colorful gigantic fish, or indulging on the finest wine paired with cheese.

Often it’s the quieter, more grounded experiences that can connect us to something deeper and grant us an insight into an ancient world our DNA has always been a part of, but one we consciously don’t understand or know.

It’s surprising how easy this guide to visiting Borobudur Temple was for me to write more than twenty years after I first visited.

That proves the long lasting effect it had on me and how timeless the experience is.

The History of Borobudur Temple

The Borobudur Temple location is in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, Indonesia.

It was once the center of Buddhist life in Indonesia until sometime around the 14th Century when it was mysteriously abandoned and remained undiscovered until 1814 buried under a pile of volcanic ash.

Somehow this massive temple was swallowed up by the trees and vines of the jungle and hidden from the eyes of humanity.

It as the first time I asked the question,

How did something like this disappear? How could the surrounding civilization just allow the vines and animals to take away such a sacred and exquisite monument to the divine?

How amazing is the earth that it just keeps growing and reclaiming no matter what we do? It’s such a force.

I asked the same question in bafflement years later while wandering around the temples of Angkor Wat.

It’s a question I now frequently ask as I ponder the demise of the human race – will the jungle take everything back again?

Why was it abandoned? What was happening at the time? How were the people feeling? What were they doing? Why did they abandon Buddhism and take up Islam?

Visiting places like Borobudur Indonesia keeps the mystery alive for us.

Borobudur Temple Design

It’s also a good time to marvel on the incredible design of Borobudur Temple.

The Borobudur Temple was built in the 9th century during the reign of the Shailendra dynasty. This enormous temple measures 123 x 123 meters and is constructed of 60,00 cubic meters of lava rock and took an army of workers to build.

It has stood the test of time even though it has suffered through abandonment, nearby volcano eruptions, terror attacks, and earthquakes.

What is most astounding is that this centuries-old temple was built without any cement or mortar, but held together by interlocking pieces. Could we say they hold the patent on LEGO?

Borobudur is said to mean “City of Buddhas high on the hill” and once you see it you believe it.

Indian influence is evident in the Gupta architecture, although it incorporates many uniquely Indonesian design elements and scenes.

The monument is decorated with 504 Buddha statues and 2,672 relief panels that depict daily Buddhist life in Java. It’s a step-style pyramid with six square bases leading up to three circular layers and a large main stupa.

Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.

The Restoration of Borobudur into a UNESCO site

In the 1970’s, a massive restoration project began to restore the ancient temple to its former glory and make it one of the world’s most valued treasures.

The restoration cost twenty-five million dollars, had the support of UNESCO and professionals from 27 countries, and took eight years of labor to finish.

Over one million stones were moved and set aside to be identified, catalogued, cleaned and treated for preservation and put back in its place. It set the standard for future preservation efforts around the world.

Restoration and preservation continues through traditional Javanese methods to repair and replace the many damaged sculptures, including more than a few headless Buddhas.

Borobudur is a protected UNESCO site.

With an abundance of human footprints, proximity to a few active volcanoes, and location in an area used to some intense shaking earth, it’s quite the effort to maintain its beauty, but conservation is intent on it.

Visiting Borobudur and its beauty

The Borobudur Temple complex is now the single most visited site in Indonesia and one of the most amazing things to do in Indonesia.

Borobudur sits on top of a hill standing guard over paddy fields, jungle canopies and distant hills.

Not only is the temple and its intricate designs something to marvel at but the surrounding jungle landscape will press upon you a presence of divinity. 

The world’s largest Buddhist temple is made up of five large square terraces, with three circular platforms on top of them, and then a magnificent stupa at the very top.

You start at the base of the temple and follow a guided path around the square terraces and circular platforms taking in thee relief panels and statues of Buddha as you pass to eventually reaching the magnificent stupa at the top.

It’s the path of the pilgrim helping you to feel closer to the Gods as you rise towards the heavens!

It’s a time to contemplate the world of form, your attachment to it, and the gradual release from that to one that embraces a life without form, or oneness with divinity.

And don’t forget to look back at those views, they will be heavenly.

I only wish I could visit again now that I am a highly spiritual person with a deeper connection to mysticism.

I can only imagine how elevated I would feel meditating at Borobudur and absorbing the ancient wisdom.

Give yourself time when you visit to walk slowly and take in the essence of this spiritual place. It’s worth it and if you move too fast with all that steep climbing, you’ll get tired pretty quick!!

Back when I visited, we were encouraged to reach inside the stupa and rub the Buddha for good luck. Now I know better.

The bottom part of the stupa has become soft and it lost its original shape due to being touched repeatedly by tourists. So please refrain and help preserve one of the wonders of the world.

Say a silent prayer to the Buddha asking for good luck instead. I’m pretty sure he will grant it to you and much prefer that than a belly rub.

After seeing this photo, I am immensely disappointed, I did not visit Borobudur for sunrise. Look how quiet, still, and spiritual it feels.

Writing this post has created a longing for me to return to this place. My travel life lately has been missing ancient wonders.

I can feel what I felt all those years ago – the recognition that my life will never be the same and this was all I wanted my life to be.

Sunrise is ultimate time to visit Borobudur and see it peeking out from behind Mt Merapi. Fees will be slightly higher though.

The temple is open to public from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s best to visit in the morning to escape the Indonesian heat! You are near the equator here and it is intense.

For more information to plan your trip to #WonderfulIndonesia, visit www.Indonesia.travel.

Guided Tours of Borobudur Temple

I think visiting the temple with a guide will be the best way to experience Borobudur so you can get a deeper insight to its significance.

Here are a couple of options:

• Best Selling: Sunrise or sunset half day private tour
• Borobudur Temple admission ticket
• Best of Yogyakarta: Private customized full day tour

How to Get to Borobudur Temple Indonesia

Borobudur sits in an area between two twin volcanoes, is Sundoro-Sumbing and Merbabu-Merapi, and two rivers, the Progo and the Elo on the island of Java.

This area has been dubbed the “Garden of Java” and is known as a sacred place.

If you enjoy contemplating the mysteries of ancient structures it was found that the three Buddhist temples in the region, Borobudur, Pawon and Mendut, are positioned along a straight line.

Borobudur is only one hour’s drive from Yogyakarta. The easiest way to get there is by joining a tour or renting a car or taxi. Once there it is easy to explore by foot.

The cheapest but least convenient way is to go by public bus. They depart from Jombor terminal in the north of Yogyakarta and take approx. 90 minutes.

Do your reearch though as the first bus may not leave earlier enough to get you there in time for sunrise. I suggest you stay near Borobudur in that case – see below!

In the tourist areas of Yogyakarta, you’ll find minivan transfers to Borobudur.

Where to Stay near Borobudur Temple Java

My recommendation is to stay near Borobudur Temple.

It is beautiful countryside and will only enhance your stay AND make a visit much easier, especially if you want to visit for sunrise.

There are plenty of rural homestays, guesthouses and hotels in the area:

• 10 Best Borobudur Homestays
• 10 best hostels in Borobudur
• Hotels in Borobudur

Yogyakarta, Java

I wont go into detail for things to do in Yogyakarta as I can’t remember too much. I do know I really loved the city and area, especially for its temples.

It felt very ancient to me and again helped me feel connected to something mysterious, which back then I had no idea how to explain or what it was. It reminds me of Ayutthaya in Thailand.

Yogyakarta a very important city of Java, what they call the cradle of civilization. It was the seat of power that produced the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in the 8th and 9th century and the new powerful Mataram kingdom of the 16th and 17th century.

So I’d recommend adding time to your trip to explore this ancient city. And I highly recommend you visit Prambanan, another exquisite ancient temple in Java.

Oh I also think it is the coolest name and still love saying it. It is pronounced Jogjakarta. Just another thing that mesmerized me at the beginning of my travels – things are never quite as they seem and languages differences are delightful.

Check out Accommodation Options in Yogyakarta.

More Tours in Indonesia

You may be interested in these tours that combine Borobodur.

After 22 years of travel that has taken me to some of the most spectacular sites and amazing experiences through 52 countries, sunrise over Mt Bromo remains in my top 5 experiences, if not my favorite experience ever.

Can you imagine experiencing that after just a month of backpacking?

No wonder I have been doing this for so long with no intention of stopping.

For more information to plan your trip to #WonderfulIndonesia, visit www.Indonesia.travel.

More Indonesia Travel Tips

• 7 reasons to visit Raja Ampat (one of Asia’s most beautiful places)
• Where to Stay in Bali With Kids (Adult’s love these places too!)
• Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
• My First Trip Abroad in Indonesia
• Jungle Trekking in Bukittinggi, Sumatra

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“A real one? I didn’t’ think they existed anymore or there was any place left to explore.”

“No. I am. I go off into the mountains of Western Sumatra, where people have not been and find what is there. I have to take my big knife,” Arlen swept his hands through the air in a machete chopping gesture, “so I can make my own path through the jungle. A real explorer.“

“What are you finding?”

“Different things. Sometimes for the government or to make new maps or just for fun.”

Arlen mesmerized me with his explorer’s tale as we sat on a grassy clearing in the middle of the West Sumatran jungle having lunch.

Bukittingi, Sumatra

Located on the Indonesian Island of Sumatera, Bukittinggi is the province of West Sumatera, 90km from the capital of the region.

Two volcanoes, Mount Marapi and Mount Singgalang are near the city and offer great opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities.

We had come to explore the nearby jungle after having a fun two day trek in Bukit Lawang with wild orangutans a few weeks before.

We arrived in Bukittingi intending to stay for a couple of nights, but stayed for 2 weeks as we were drawn into a romance with this matriarchal Muslim community.

We had met Arlen at the cafe/bar/restaurant across the road from our hostel in Bukkitingi.

The workers at our little hideaway loved serving us our favourite Indonesian tea sweetened with condensed milk during the day, and smuggled bottles of whiskey at night.

Each day we arrived for breakfast, they had a new adventured planned to encourage us to stay.

Which led us to our second Sumatran jungle trek adventure with Arlen.

Jungle Trek Bukittingi to Lake Maninjau

My two girlfriends and I had left early that morning for a two day jungle trek from Bukittingi to Lake Maninjau  where we would end up staying for close to a week.

Lake Maninjau is a large crater lake bordered by several small villages. We enjoyed our time here soaking up the slow rural life recovering from our hike with plenty of swims, delicious home cooked meals from our guesthouse and games of shithead.

Our jungle trek with Arlen was one of them and I now felt a little more secure knowing that my guide into the great wilderness was an explorer.

In fact I was downright excited.

It was stories of explorers that began in my year 4 history classes that first ignited a thirst and passion for me to have similar experiences and explore the world myself.

But, I always felt that “real” explorers no longer existed because everything was already found. Well not in Indonesia.

My adventures with Arlen and the inspiration I gained from listening to his exploration stories came at the beginning of my overseas travelling life, in 1997 during my first trip abroad in Indonesia.

It is incredible how even though it was 14 years ago, I still remember Arlen and my time with him almost as if it were yesterday.

There are some people you meet on your travels who will have that lasting impact upon you, and the passing of the years will never fade away the memories they helped you to create.

I was soon able to see some of Arlen’s jungle skills put to the test.

The trek took us through the 15km Sianok Canyon, a popular attraction just outside Bukittinggi.

Sheer 100-120m cliffs face each across the Sianok River which meanders lazily along the 15km canyon banked by lush green foliage.

The scenery was spectacular and we had it all to ourselves.

Well maybe not….

After about an hour lunch break, we packed up our supplies and started our trek again. Just around the corner from where we sat was a small river we now had to cross.

Suddenly, Arlen put up his hand to signal us to be quiet and take a step back. His urgency did not invite me to question, only to do.

He ran forward, bent down and put his hand over a spot on the sandy banks.

“Been gone for about an hour.” he stated quickly and breathed. “It is okay.”

“What has been gone?”

We moved forward to where he was standing and looked down. There clearly imprinted in the sand was the gigantic paw print of a tiger.

“A tiger.” he said “was here about an hour ago, drinking from this river.”

He nodded, confirming what we were all thinking. …. if we didn’t stop for lunch.

I swallowed. Hard. My knees went incredibly weak.

“How do you know it was an hour?”

“I can feel the heat rising off the paw print. It lets me know it was about that time. Here feel it.”

I was almost afraid to put my hand over it in case it magically conjured the tiger up out of the bushes. Sure enough, a warm heat radiated out from it.

“The only thing is I don’t know where it has gone. Hopefully that way” he said pointing off into the opposite direction to where we were headed.

I hoped so as well, but wasn’t so sure as that way went through the clearing where we sat. Surely we would have seen it.

My dream of being an explorer suddenly felt really stupid. (Even more so a few weeks later when my mum informed me that a couple of people were killed by a tiger trekking through the jungle in the same area we were in.)

I really did not enjoy the rest of the walk and I could sense some tension from Arlen. I held tightly to the St Christopher medal that hung around my neck.

That was at a time when I had not yet questioned the beliefs and traditions of my own upbringing. I wore it, not because I believed it would protect me, but more out of fear of it not.

That fear and the medal no longer circle my neck.

The walk, which had this morning been quite calm and gentle, now turned strenuous along the steep and rocky, muddy paths.

I was beyond relieved when we reached the top of the mountain and entered into farmlands and Arlen suggested we jump in the back of the passing pick up truck and catch a ride the rest of the way.

Whatever you say dear explorer friend.

That evening a vicious headache spread up from the tension of my neck. Arlen sat with me and taught me how to relieve headaches through the use of certain pressure points in my body.

I had learned my first natural remedies for sickness while travelling. He had been kind enough to pull the leeches from our skin only hours before as we raced down the slippery mountain to reach our guesthouse in time for the monkey feeding.

We sat around and laughed and joked, while Arlen and his travelling companion, Buddhi, who could not speak a word of English but wore a constant smile, strummed the guitar and sang us Indonesian songs.

The next morning, feeling slightly refreshed, we made our way mostly downhill to our guesthouse on the Lake. The panoramic view on Lake Maninjau along the way was spectacular.

Although a difficult trek, it was a memorable one, and just one of the experiences on my first trip abroad that pulled me in to constantly seek a life filled with adventure and inspirational people that touched and evolved my spirit.

Remote island getaways

Our adventures with Arlen did not end there in the Sumatran jungle. We were convinced once again to take another exploratory trip.

This time to nearby remote islands perfect for snorkelling and swimming. I had no idea where we were and could not direct you. And I do not have any photos! This was way before the internet even and photos were just quick snapshots I took on a point and shoot film camera. Those are in a box somewhere in my mother-in-laws garage!

We just followed and trusted Arlen, who once again was not wrong.

These were true deserted islands that we had all to ourselves. We went back to primitive basics: no running water, electricity or even a bed to sleep in.

But that’s okay, we had Arlen, soft sand, and pristine views.

Arlen caught fish for our dinner, while we swam around exploring the delightful and abundant underwater world. We ate with our hands and washed up with ocean water.

Our evening was spent playing charades and shithead, telling stories, and singing more songs around the campfire, where we eventually lay our heads down to sleep.

I’ve since done research to discover where these islands are. They can only be the The Mandeh Islands, in the south west of the province facing the Indian Ocean, located not too far from its capital city: Padang.

It was about a five hour journey from Bukittinggi. It was unknown, but now is becoming known as the  Raja Ampat of West Sumatra.

The Mandeh archipelago has a number of islands some of which are Tarajun, Setan Kecil, Sironjong Besar and Sironjong Kecil, Pulau Merak and the Cubadak Island.

Among these only one has a tourist resort called the Cubadak Paradiso, owned and managed by an Italian entrepreneur.

Goodbye sweet explorer friend

When, after our two day stay in the Bukittingi area turned to two weeks, we decided that we could not handle another sweet tea and dragged ourselves away to the nearest bus station.

Arlen came to bid us farewell. It was the first of many painful goodbyes I would soon have along the travelling road. I just wanted our Indonesian explorer friend to come along with us.

Where would our own explorations now go without his steady, faithful hand?

I wrapped him up in a bubble and placed him in the special memories box in my heart, knowing that way I could keep all he had taught me and all the fun we shared forever safely in there. Time then, could never destroy that which was once so great.

More Indonesia Travel Tips

• 7 reasons to visit Raja Ampat (one of Asia’s most beautiful places)
• Visit the ancient Borobudur Temple
• Where to Stay in Bali With Kids (Adult’s love these places too!)
• Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
• My First Trip Abroad in Indonesia

Have you ever met anyone as cool as Arlen on your travels? What did you learn and how did you let them go?

The year after, those same two friends and I decided to backpack Indonesia for 3 months so taken we were with the exotic lifestyle after our drink-a-thon in Bali.

One of the #TTOT questions was “Where would you recommend someone go on their first trip abroad?” While there were many places I could have recommended- some way easier to travel then others- my reply was:

“Wherever your feet may land. Find the one you gravitate towards more and go there.”

That place may be somewhere that is extremely challenging; just because you are green, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to handle it. And while some people need to stretch their comfort zones slowly, for others a giant leap into the wild jungles just might be the adventure they are looking for.

For those of you who are nervous or worried about your first trip abroad, let me share with you a few of the travel experiences I had on my first backpacking adventure around Indonesia, with only two girlfriends for company.

I’m telling you these, not to scare you, but to let you know that crazy things will happen wherever you go, and if my young and foolish 21 year old self survived to tell these tales, and would continue to search for more stories to tell for the next fourteen years travelling the world, then you shouldn’t be worried about stepping outside your comfort zone for your first trip abroad.

If you really want to go somewhere don’t worry about being inexperienced. You can do it, just believe in your ability to handle things as they arise.

Jungle Trek, Bukit Lawang – meeting wild orangutans

I was carrying extra weight and really unfit on my first trip abroad, as were my friends. We thought it would be a great idea to take a two-day jungle trek up and down 9 mountain peaks in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra. It was one of the most physically challenging walks I’d ever done and at one stage tears of exhaustion began to flow.

Thankfully at the beginning of our trek, we were greeted by orangutans, who were now living freely in the wild after rehabilitation. A mother and her child came swinging through the trees and leaned down toward us holding on with one hand as we fed her biscuits. Oh, and the second day river tube home through the jungle was pretty cool.

Fighting infections

Indonesia is a very hot, humid, and polluted place. Simple scratches can quickly turn into infections. Since I spent a lot of the time on my butt during our many hikes, or scraping my foot on coral while snorkelling, it came as no surprise that I ended up with many infected sores. I still bear one of the scars on my shoulder, that had a large swollen infected ring around it reaching halfway down my forearm. Another wound on my knee, needed to be opened up and scraped out of the junk (thank you whiskey).

But the worse, was a little scratch on my foot that oozed pussy infection and doubled the size of my foot, and had our visiting friends suffering from piggy backing me around on the streets of Kuta. After seeing many doctors, unsuccessfully, I decided to cut my journey short and go to England to get it fixed.

Lake Toba: Kidnapped by mushroom-tripping local psychopaths on motorbikes

Samasir Island is situated on Lake Toba, Sumatra and is the place of magic mushrooms and my most terrifying travel story. In short, we hired local motorbike guides to take us on a tour around the island for the day. Things soon turned really nasty when they refused to take us home after we became a bit concerned with their strange behaviour.

I can only assume that they were tripping out on magic mushrooms, otherwise I am sure they would have killed us. How else could you not think this when your driver sang his own words to one of your favourite songs as he turned off his headlights, raced along the pot filled roads and tore around bends,

“I shot the tourist, and then I stole her passport.”

“You know Caroline, we could have an accident right now, and no one would ever know what happened. They would never find your body.”

Enter maniacal laugh.

Bali belly on boat for four hours to Lombok

I don’t know what it was that I ate, but it hit me as soon as the ferry pulled out from Bali to make the four hour journey to Lombok. I spent the remainder of the journey in the closet sized Indonesian squat toilet on the boat. What made it even worse, was the seafood feast complete with lobster and cold beer that my friends ate while dining on the beach upon arrival. I sat and watched while drinking tea with salt in it, as recommended by my Indonesian waiter. (Which by the way, is a bona fide cure for Bali belly or any belly you get in any country.)

Bali belly on boat for four hours to Lombok

Feeling a little fitter by the time we reached Bukkitingi, Sumatra, we decided to hire an Indonesia explorer as a guide for some more trekking in the jungle. This one was far less strenuous. We came across a small field of grass we thought perfect for our lunch break.

As we were munching on some pineapple, around the bend at the river bank sat a tiger quenching his thirst, each of us unaware of the others close proximity.

After about an hour of rest, we continued walking and as we reached the river bank saw a massive tiger paw print in the sand. Our guide held his hand over it, and from the heat he felt rising off it, was able to determine that the paw print was about an hour old. Needless to say I did not enjoy the rest of the walk at all, not knowing what direction that hungry tiger went.

Bali belly on boat for four hours to Lombok

Returning home from a tour with some locals to a theme park, we chanced upon a political rally in the city. With tankers and militia sitting around waiting to be called in, I had no idea how we, or our guides didn’t know about this. One wrong turn and here we were in our jeep surrounded by a sea of green. As happens a lot in Asia, each opposing party was represented by a certain colour. This time I think it was the greens verse the red.

The greens began to shout out and rock our car.

“Um, excuse me? But they are rocking our car. How are we going to get out of here they have surrounded us?”

We were trying to mirror the calm the driver was pretending to have. The wheels were turning over in his mind as to do what to do. He wound down the window, spoke a few Javanese sentences and grabbed a green flag that was passed to hm by someone in the crowd. He tied the flag around the radio antenna and magically the green sea parted with great shouts, and we were allowed to drive as quickly as possible out of there.

Surfing at Nias, Sumatra

Nias is one of the world’s best known surfing breaks. We spent a couple of weeks at Nias and decided we could not just sit and watch the break all day, we needed to have an attempt at trying to surf it. We hired boogie boards and clambered over the reef to get to the break.

After dropping in on a serious local surfer on my first wave, and ruining his perfect wave, I decided that perhaps I better exit the water. His glaring face told me if I didn’t make the first move to leave, he would be assisting me.

My first trip abroad wasn’t only full of challenging obstacles. We had amazing experiences on remote surfing islands, watching the sunrise over Mt Bromo, visiting the historic Borobudur temples, chilling out for weeks in Bukkitingi and by the lake, river tubing, snorkelling, more jungle trekking, and lots of partying.

Indonesia was the perfect way for me to begin my life living and travelling around the world. Maybe if I did not have such an adventurous start to my travels, I would not have been so hooked into living this travel life forever.

More Indonesia Experiences

• 7 reasons to visit Raja Ampat (one of Asia’s most beautiful places)
• Visit the ancient Borobudur Temple
• Where to Stay in Bali With Kids (Adult’s love these places too!)
• Sunrise over Mt Bromo in Java, Indonesia
• Jungle Trekking in Bukittinggi, Sumatra

Where was your first trip abroad? Would you recommend first time travellers to go there? Why?/p>