Pulau Umang – A Nature Themed Resort Island for All

The international global trend of going “back to nature” is a lifestyle that is fast becoming a passion to city-dwellers. Pulau Umang is proud to showcase a nature-themed resort which is uniquely designed to have each and every aspect of its architecture blend in with the beautiful nature surrounding it. This is the perfect place to rest and relax for individuals who are stressed out and bored by their daily routine.

Umang Island is located at Sumur, Pandeglang, Banten, roughly 183 km from Jakarta (approximately five hours away by car). With its mesmerizing mountains of Honje and Ujungkulon, this resort boasts an enviable location. Currently, the resort offers 60 nature-themed rooms, all located on prime beachfront property with a host of of amenities and facilities that offer traditional massage, a swimming pool, kids pool, and a jacuzzi, an event hall, table tennis, and a kids club. On top of that, there are other nature-based activities on offer, such as snorkeling, banana boat, flying fish, fishing, outbound games, barbeque and more.

Pulau Umang also boasta two unique nature-based activities – Outbound Adventure and Amazing Camp Adventure. In Outbound Adventure, guests experience various “back to nature” activities, such as trekking, river rafting, as well as traditional al-fresco meals served in the heart of the jungle. Supported by a creative and professional group of nature-lovers, Outbound Adventure is sure to be a hit with urban dwellers. The Amazing Camp Adventure is another offering designed for kids to allow them to learn more about nature as well as their own capabilities and skills.

All in all, Pulau Umang is slated to become one of the main tourist attractions for those looking to have a family gathering, company events, outbound team building and more – there is a little bit of everything here!

The urban lifestyle of Jakartans continues to evolve, and now, a mall or a shopping center is no longer just a place to buy your everyday needs. But instead, it is now a center of life and activity, a meeting point to gather and socialize, as well as for young executives in between their busy schedules and a place for family recreation.

This is also true for the business lifestyle which differed very much compared to 5 to 10 years ago where formality, monotone and strict dress-codes are the order of the day. The modern business lifestyle is practical, dynamic, semi-formal and most importantly – mobile. Business can be done from wherever you want to, be it from the office, mall, cafe, restaurant, and others. This is true as well when looking for a place to stay, the trend gravitates toward emphasizing a homey atmosphere that is located near a business center.

It is to meet these evolving demands of the modern and future generation that longs for a life that is more practical and dynamic that Agung Podomoro Land undertakes the development project of super-block Kuningan City, which integrates the needs of a worker and businessman with the recreational activities and relaxation that are available to stay true to its tagline – Work, Rest and Play.

Kuningan City was built above a 2,9 hectare landmass, with a total built-up of 384,000 m2, boasting a parking space that can accommodate up to 3,000 cars. The property is divided into six floors of retail, 39 floors of residential towers, as well as 32 floors of The Oval Premium Office Tower which will be known as the AXA Tower in future.

The super-block development boasts an unparalleled portfolio with award winning DP Architects Pte Ltd from Singapore as the main Concept Architecture Consultant. They are the same brains behind various iconic architectures such as the Esplanade, the Singapore Flyer, Paragon and Dubai Mall.

For special lighting, First Concept Technologies by Chris Tju takes over the helm, while the Bennitt Design Group from USA is in charge of the Landscaping. The Kuningan City super-block will soon be a part of the business and commercial hub of International Shopping Belt Jakarta.
Various outlets such as Lotte Mart, Best Denki, Cinema XXI, PT Mitra Adi Perkasa, Trans Mahagaya, Flame Karaoke, Lollipop Playland, Eatery, Amazing Zone, Metrox Group and various other brands have signed up to ensure that the Kuningan City shopping center will be a lifestyle and entertainment destination for modern urbanites.

The AYANA Resort and Spa Bali is proud to announce the appointment of Jusman So as Chef de Cuisine at Dava, the signature fine dining venue at AYANA Resort and Spa Bali. Jusman is founder-chef of Singapore’s much-awarded Sage restaurant, and was the winner of Singapore’s Best Rising Chef (WGS 2008). He will be introducing a new menu highlighting his signature style, which combines a blend of classic European techniques with the highest quality imports and local ingredients paired with modern presentation. The results are visually stunning dishes which will delight all the senses. Jusman’s arrival at Dava follows six years at Sage, a fine dining restaurant which he founded in 2005. The restaurant has won a slew of awards, such as Best New Restaurant at WGS 2008, one of Singapore’s Best Restaurant by Singapore Tatler, as well as being named on the prestigious Miele List.

The DAVA Restaurant at AYANA Resort and Spa Bali has welcomed a new Chef de Cuisine, Mr Jusman So. Jusman is the founder-chef of Singapore’s much-awarded Sage Restaurant, and he will bring along his signature style to DAVA. The new menu will blend classic European technique, high quality imported materials and local ingredients. All this will be paired with a modern presentation that is sure to delight. Jusman boast a long list of experience – six years at Sage, a restaurant he founded in 2005 to critical acclaim, prior to which he worked at the Hilton Hotel Singapore.

The well-traveled chef is a passionate surfer, and will be relishing the prospect of squaring up against the waves in the Island of the Gods. He also pointed to the freedom of creativity and the chance to provide a unique dining experience to guests of DAVA as his reasons for coming over. The new menu at DAVA will feature one of his all-time favorite foie gras creations, sauteed and served on raisin corn bread with a combination of beetroot capellini, dried orange and topped with black grape emulsion.

The Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, is a hotel with a colorful past. The five-star hotel boasts more than 37 years of history and experience that dates back to 1974, when it opened its doors with 439 guest rooms. Today, the hotel has blossomed into one of Jakarta’s most reputable hotels with more than 670 units consisting of several room categories including superior rooms, deluxe rooms, deluxe suites, executive suites and presidential suites.

Hotel facilities include 26 meeting rooms that can be used for small and large scale events, a swimming pool, fitness center and spa, Internet services, a business center, barbershop and beauty salon, drug store, money changer, travel agent, wedding consultant, daily laundry and dry cleaning service, 24-hour room service and round-the-clock in-house doctors.

To better meet the needs of guests, the hotel also boasts 4 different restaurants, a cake and pastries shop, as well as a bar and lounge, all of which maintains a unique sense of cuisine and service offerings to complement the luxurious turn-down service.

The Bengawan Solo Restaurant, founded in 1991, provides original flavors of Indonesian cuisine from each region of the archipelago. Andrawina Restaurant, located in the hotel lobby, is open 24 hours a day, serving a buffet of a wide variety of cuisines, from Indonesian to Chinese and Western dishes.

There is also the Sahid Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant, which offers more than 80 types of seafood imported from various countries, as well as the Bushido Japanese Restaurant. All in all, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice when staying at this prestigious hotel.

This year, Indonesia’s annual Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) will be hosted in Bandar Lampung. This premier tourism event will be held from 12 to 14 October 2011 at the Novotel Hotel in Lampung, hosting more than 120 buyers from 22 different countries. Entering its 17th year, TIME is organized by the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board and is supported by the expansive tourism elements from all over Indonesia. “TIME is the only international travel mart in Indonesia with a business to business concept. The event is a meeting place for those who sell tourism products and services in Indonesia to international market, and has been listed in the calendar of international travel mart together with ITB Berlin, WTM London, Arabian Travel Mart, PATA Travel Mart and so on,” shared Meity Robot, the Chairperson and Steering Committee of TIME 2011.

Bandar Lampung will be hosting this year’s annual travel mart Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) or Pasar Wisata Indonesia, from October 12 to 14, to promote Indonesian tourism destinations to the international market. This premier tourism event will be held at the Novotel Hotel Lampung, and will see various highlights and presentations from all tourists destinations from all over Indonesia.

During the signing of MOU between Indonesian Tourism Society and the Culture Tourism Office of Lampung, Meity Robot, the Chairwoman and Steering Committee of TIME 2011 commented that the exhibition will be the perfect place for buyers and suppliers of tourism services and products to meet and network with each other. “The preparation of the event is progressing smoothly, and we have high expectation that the event will be able to boost the development of Indonesia’s tourism industry. The delegations from 30 countries would take part at the event,” Meity enthused.

This is the 17th annual event of TIME, and boasts a prestigious status as the only international travel mart in Indonesia with a business to business concept. It has been listed in the calendar of international travel marts together with other prestigious events such as ITB Berlin, WTM London, Arabian Travel Mart, PATA Travel Mart, and so on. With the full support of the travel and tourism industry in Indonesia, the event is bound to be a huge success.

Yogyakarta, located in Central Java, is a province filled with mysticism and cultural charms. The location makes it an attractive option for tourists heading to visit the Borobudur Temple, while the charming colonial architectures of old give it a unique flavor who keeps those tourist staying for more. Eating in Yogyakarta is notoriously cheap compared to other tourist hotspots such as Bali and Jakarta, and as more and more people move to Yogya, the flavor of this small town has started to evolve.

Kavos holidays represent the party atmosphere of Corfu. There is an enormous variety of bars, discos and nightclubs to choose from. The beach at Kavos is an impressive five miles long and the water is clean and safe for children.

Malang is a city that is often called the loveliest town in South East Asia during the colonial times, surrounded by the beautiful treasures of Java and the remains of temples of the Majapahit and the Singosari kingdoms. This was where Dutch planters and civil servants used to retire to a life of ease and luxury, surrounded by serene hilly apple and tea plantations.

It is here in Malang that we have found the heart of East Java – the small, intimate Hotel Tugu Malang is bursting with atmosphere. A rare gem distinguished by its blend of Indonesian art and history, Hotel Tugu Malang is an elegant mansion that tells the stories of Indonesia’s forgotten heritage and houses priceless collection of antiques in every corner of the hotel.

Together with Hotel Tugu Blitar, the Hotel Tugu Malang is the most authentic, richly cultural accommodation in East Java which also serves as the only interesting departure point for an early morning trip to the magnificent sunrise at Mt. Bromo, as well as to explore the hidden exotic beauty of East Java.

The masterpiece suite of Hotel Tugu Malang, the Apsara Residence, portrays the romantic legend of prince Jayawarman II, who once upon a time asked for a beautiful wife to cherish. The Gods sent the most beautiful Apsara dancer from heaven to dance for the Prince over three full moons. The dancer fell in love with the prince and remained on earth. Their love inspired many through generations.

The Apsara Spa at Hotel Tugu Malang celebrates the romantic relationship between Indonesia and Cambodia hundreds of years back. The Apsara Spa is an oasis of peace, secluded from the outer world. One of Apsara Spa’s specialized body treatment packages is ‘Day Dream in Angkor’: a thorough 4-hour, romantic couple treatment that uses special recipes that contain various kinds of herbs, traditional spices and local exotic flowers.

When the sun sets behind the mountains, sit back and enjoy the 101 dining experiences available at Tugu Malang. At Tugu, every meal transports guests back to different periods of Indonesia. Every dining room features not only different food concepts, but themes, rituals of service and atmospheres which are unique from one another.

The Sugar Baron Room, for example, commemorates the memory of the most famous sugar baron of Southeast Asia who lived in Java, and features very rare and exquisite Chinese-Indonesian antiquities. The Silk Road Pavilion, for the romantics, is a feast for the brilliant thoughts of the world’s great artists from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.

If you want to escape to a tropical haven cooled by the gentle breezes of the Indian Ocean then Cheap holidays to Mauritius will be perfect for you.

Indonesia is the widest archipelago in the world, with more than 80,000 km of coastline and 3.1 million square km of marine area. With such a large marine area, it’s no wonder Indonesia is often described as a diver’s paradise. There are plenty of attractions for all kinds of marine lovers, but this time around, we will focus our attention on three small gleaming pearls – North Sulawesi’s Gangga Island, Bali’s Candidasa, and Lombok’s Gili Trawangan.

Photo credit - Ilse Reijs and Jan-Noud Hutten

The Gangga Island, North Sulawesi

The Gangga Island arises from the depth of the ocean north of Sulawesi, in the Bangka Archipelago, just off the National Marine Park of Bunaken. A volcanic island, Gangga is adorned with lush tropical trees and colorful flowers. There are several diving areas within reach from Gangga Island, suitable for beginners and experienced divers. The diving spots available in Gangga offers an astonishing kaleidoscope of life forms in more than 25 first-class dive spots in its central position between Bunaken and Lembeh Straits, which also happens to be one of the major playgrounds of paradise for macro-photographers.

Another island paradise bound to attract scuba divers is the renowned Raja Ampat, long heralded as scuba diving’s Holy Grail. Be mesmerized by the crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and pristine marine beauty in this jewel in the ocean!

Photo credit - Hagwall

Candidasa, Bali

Towards the south of the Indonesian Archipelago is Bali, the Island of Gods. At the Eastern coast of this island, far from the crowd, lies the small village of Candidasa, a key location where your choice of tours in the water, and out, begins. Bali has a superb reputation as a diving destination, and overal there is as much diversity of dive sites and marine life here than anywhere else in the region. In the eastern coast of Bali, the feature is on the Mantas, mola mola (sunfish) and tiny pigmy seahorses.

Candidasa is also home to the Bat Cave Temple (Pura Goa Lawah), an important temple to the religious locals which is home to thousands of bats hanging on the rock of cave walls. Legend has it that the cave extends all the way to Pura Besakih up at Mount Agung, more than 30 kilometres away. During various holy days, thousands of pilgrims would visit Pura Goa Lawah to join in sacred ceremonies, before heading up towards Mount Agung.

From water-sports at white sandy beaches to first-class shopping, to luxurious gourmet treats and a relaxing escapade at a hillside cafe, Bali has it all. Here are some of the must-do things in Bali, the Island of Gods.

Photo credit - Jos Dielis

Gili Trawangan, Lombok

Last but not least on our quick island hopping is Gili Trawangan, one of the three small islands off the coast of Lombok. Here, visitors can experience the serenity of a small island, the excitement of the underwater world, and the energy of island nightlife all at once. The island was renowned as a backpacker mecca in the 90s, and while it is still true to some extent, there is now a range of luxury and glamour on the island, and especially so on Gili. On one hand, you have a multitude of relaxing laid-back beach-side cafes serving home-made drinks and local delicacies, but on the other end you also seafood buffets, gourmet treats and luxurious stays.

The diving on offer is excellent, and the island is well-known as a teaching center for diving newbies. There are however, spots with strong currents and drifts better suited for the experienced, with the focus on barracudas, manta rays, sharks and hundreds of turtles.

Other than the above three gleaming pearls, the archipelago of Indonesia boasts plenty other diving attractions. Be sure to check out our list of amazing dive spots in Indonesia before you book your trip down South!

Unearthing Asia is a travel zine focusing on Lifestyle, Culture and Attractions all over Asia. Don’t miss out on the best travel ideas and inspirations in the region of Asia, such as this list of top attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.

Bali has been Indonesia’s top tourist destination for decades, with Kuta Beach establishing itself as a surfing mecca on Asia’s popular backpacking route in South East Asia. Long golden beaches, stunning coral reefs, a vibrant island culture, international cuisines, luxury shopping, and world-class surfing are just a few of the activities that visitors can enjoy here. Today, Kuta is known as much for its luxury accommodations, fancy restaurants, and posh nightclubs as it is for its wild parties and festivities. Amongst it all we managed to find a few rare gems that have injected a fresh dose of creativity to the lifestyle and glamour of this once sedate fishing village.

Eats – Local Favorites

Smack in the middle of Kuta Square, Dulang Cafe serves unpretentious local cuisine at a reasonable price. You’ll probably notice the bright greenish-blue canopy while you walk and shop around the area. Head in and you’ll find some of the best local fare in town, such as the juicy Sop Buntut (Oxtail Soup), which comes in two versions – one with fried meat, and another with stewed meat. Other local favorites include Ayam Penyet and the spicy Sambal Terasi that comes with it!

Play – Surf and Turf

Surfing is the name of the game at Kuta Beach. There are a number of options for surfers of every age and ability, so there’s no reason to miss out on the fun. Kuta Beach is famous for its sandy bottom, which not only creates a relatively safe environment for those just learning, but also allows surfers to cut loose without having to think about any coral reefs or rocks lurking below the surface of the water. Beginners can take their pick of various surfing schools in the area. Two of the most popular are Rip Curl School of Surf and Quiksilver Surf School Bali.

Photo credot - Meaduva

Drinks – Party On

Not far from the Bali bombing memorial, M-Bar-Go, a large two-story bar has recently opened and created some fierce competition with other dance bars in the area. A favorite with expats and locals alike, M-Bar-Go has great music and even holds the occasional fashion show to spice up the atmosphere. Right next to it, Sky Garden is another happening venue.

Stay – Boutique Charm

Deep inside the famed Poppies Lane, dekuta boutique hotel has just recently opened its doors. The hotel is just steps away from the Kuta beachfront, but secluded enough to keep you away from the bin and din of the local nightlife. This unpretentious hotel offers a blend of unique personality and chic interior design. Travelers can expect comfort, ambiance, and flair at an affordable price. We recommend heading to the depalm rooftop bar and lounge to enjoy a mesmerizing Kuta sunset for a fresh change from the usual crowded bars of Kuta.

Unearthing Asia is a travel zine focusing on Lifestyle, Culture and Attractions all over Asia. Don’t miss out on the best Family Holiday Deals and inspirations in the region of Asia, such as this list of divers paradise in Indonesia.