olaf purvis

Sep122015 by olafNo Comments

Bejana

Spice

There are not that many Indonesian fine-dining restaurants on the island and Bejana has been added to this important list of those that serve the most-favoured authentic dishes from across the archipelago. This is a swanky styled restaurant that manages to deliver a comfortably relaxed atmosphere. Situated on the edge of a cliff face, Bejana has three levels overlooking the ocean and is tastefully designed with some Balinese’s accents and traditional elements of local craftsmanship. The menu focuses on a range of very popular dishes from many of Indonesians’ regions The Indonesian rijsttafel is a good way to savour a mix of regional Indonesian favourites. Each of these is served in small portions and began for me with gado-gado, Sundanese salad and Asinan Jakarta, a sweet and sour...

Sep122015 by olafNo Comments

Republik 45

Spice

Republik 45 is a spectacular new Indonesian Restaurant recently opened in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. The food concept here is purely dedicated to authentic Indonesian fair, providing the customer with a true taste of the region’s finest dishes, made with traditional ingredients, recipes and cooking methods. The restaurant offers an exquisite design with a strong lean towards an urban, semi-industrial workspace. The décor is split between natural tones of teak and rubber wood, with stone, steel and marble punctuating the structure. An immense vertical garden balances the ambience and runs the full length of the restaurant, both in-door and out. Local antique decorations are set amidst designer installations, providing a truly unique and engaging location. The food itself is a pl...

Sep112015 by olafNo Comments

Boracay

Next Island

Laying about 315 kilometers south of Manila and 2 kilometers off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Visayas region, Boracay is one of the smaller islands in Philippines vast archipelago. This thighbone-shaped island measuring 7 kilometers in length with a 1-kilometer width at its narrow stretch is a world-class holiday destination. The narrow stretch is a white sandy beach line facing both sides of the island. From Singapore, I took a 3.5-hour flight to Manila and continued to Catican where I caught a delightful ferry ride through a blue ocean, a bright sunny sky and a lovely sea breeze. I felt young and free in this enticing tropical atmosphere. This is the sort of lead up to holidays that I love as it set a mood of positive anticipation. It seems that Boracay’s reputation...

Sep102015 by olafNo Comments

Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan

Next Island

On the central gulf coast of Southern Thailand, there is a cluster of isles that have become a popular getaway destination for international tourists. In this island area, Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao are two small islands that have gained worldwide attention for their rugged natural beauty, pristine white beaches and all the charm of tropical gulf islands. Thailand is of course well known for providing some of the most endearing holiday destinations for those seeking tropical island getaways. The gulf area offers island holiday choices from the sheer splendor and luxury of 5-Star resorts to the balm of isolated islands on tranquil seas. On my last trip to Thailand’s gulf I chose to visit Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan islands. Koh Tao is a favorite destination for scuba divers. However, n...

Sep92015 by olafNo Comments

Bali West & North

Next Island

There is more to Bali than the hyped Southern side of the island. The Western and Northern coastlines of the island are also full of wonderful examples of tradition, culture and reminders of the past waiting to be explored. Examples are the Jembrana regency on the West and Northern coastline wonders of Buleleng. Both are must-visit under-the-radar areas that offer different perspectives of Bali and new experiences for an enthralling holiday. Let’s turn our attention away from the tourist glamor of South Bali, where Seminyak, Kuta, Legian and other international tourist destinations are located and move on to explore a more personal side of Bali. On the Western side of the island, Jembrana regency invites you to explore its rugged naturaal beauty and take a peek into its fascina...

Sep62015 by olafNo Comments

Langkawi

Next Island

There are several noteworthy tropical destinations throughout Malaysia, and one of these is Langkawi; a gorgeous tropical island full of engaging activities, natural landscape wonders and plush accommodation facilities. Langkawi is regarded as having a full compliment of all that’s necessary for a great holiday getaway. Despite the fact that Langkawi has been a tourist destination for decades, it has managed a balance between development and its natural assets. The government has kept the original face of the island-a rural Malaysian region where the traditional kampung (villages) have remained as they have been for generations. Langkawi is actually a collection of 104 islands just off the coast of Kedah but it is only the largest island that has become a tourist hub. Thus the is...