Anda Arko, Author at Travel with Anda

Hotel review: Jeeva Santai Villas (Lombok, Indonesia)

October 22, 2018

After spending 4 amazing nights in Jeeva Beloam beach camp, we were excited to visit another member of “Jeeva” family in Lombok – Jeeva Santai villas in Mangsit. To be honest, I was hesitating with my reservation until the very last moment, deciding also between Qunci villas, Puri Mas resort, Katamaran hotel or Jeeva Klui villas, but my gut told me to go with Jeeva Santai. After the terrible Lombok earthquake some of these resorts were badly damaged, however Jeeva Santai villas managed to stay intact and safe. So once again I got a confirmation that I have to listen to my inner voice more often 😊 I pre-booked the villa online and you can get 15€ off your next booking by using this link (you are welcome 😉 )

Location

Jeeva Santai villas property is located in the beginning of Mangsit town, just a short motorbike or taxi drive away from tourist center Senggigi. Taxi drive will only cost you 1$ so really no big deal even if you want to go there twice a day. Mangsit is much more quiet compared to Senggigi (this also means not a lot of shops and restarurants nearby), so if you prefer privacy this is the place to be. The ride from Lombok airport takes around 90 minutes, and the resort offers one way complimentary transport. The location itself really depends on what you want – it is close to Gilis and some beautiful beaches like Nipah and Setangi, however if you want to explore the central Lombok, you will probably want to check locations closer to the capital Mataram. But you will need a vehicle for that anyway…

The Villas

OH. MY. GOD. The villas already looked amazing in the photos but in live they were fantastic. Jeeva Santai resort hosts 14 villas with pools, hidden discretely behind the walls, offering you a complete privacy. So let’s get nakeeeeed!

The villas are very spacious, with separate bedroom, bathroom and some kind of “rest area” where you can have some dinner or observe your wife/girlfriend releasing her inner child and making handstands in the pool. Speaking of children, this is adults only property – please respect this rule, as it can be very awkward for everybody if you show up with “oh, just a small kid”. Adults only means adults only for a reason. Apart from the bathroom there is also an outdoor shower, which is very convenient if you want to rest in your private “pool bed” outside.

Restaurant – breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner

The beachfront restaurant Sunset Terrace at Pearl’s is located in 2 floors and it offers spectacular views to the islands of Bali. Breakfast is served as “all you can eat” from a la carte menue (with yummy fresh choices of juices and smoothies), and it is really energizing to start your day looking at the ocean, enjoying the eggs of your favorite style. In the afternoon they serve complimentary tea and coffee, and they also add some fresh fruits or cookies aside. Thank you, Bruno Mars (the waiter), for a lovely company!

The beach and the pool

With private pools, who needs to get wet outside, right? Well, almost. I still like to get salty in the ocean. The beach is not as fantastic as it was in Jeeva Beloam, but it is sandy and very clean. To be honest, this was my main concern when watching the pictures, but in the end it turned out to be better than I expected. The 25 m infinity pool is quite large, with enough sunbeds and natural shade to rest in. And, if you are lucky, you can get a fantastic view of Mt Agung (Bali volcano), taking a bath in orange-red colors of the Indian ocean at the sunset. Mostly the skies are cloudy in the afternoon, so I felt like I had hit the jackpot one more time.

Anda’s rate: 9,5 from 10

Bottom line: Staying in Jeeva Santai Villas is something I will never forget. The architecture is amazing, and obviously the construction is solid enough to survive several earthquakes. The staff is too kind and everything was perfect. The only thing I would change is the glass door in the toilet – come on, who wants to share his intimate moments with his or her significant other, right? 😉

5 things to see in Lombok

Asia Indonesia Trips & Tricks

October 22, 2018

Want to visit Bali but you are afraid you will end up on a crowded beach or taking a selfie in a rice field full of tourists? Then consider visiting less commercialized Lombok instead. It is just 2 hours’ ferry ride away from Bali. Or just fly in directly from Singapore, Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur. Lombok can offer you stunning beaches, very clean seas, lush green inland, lively waterfalls, friendly monkeys and an impressive Mt Rinjani – an active volcano with breathtaking views of the lake inside its crater. We visited Lombok in September, only a month after the terrible earthquakes, so a lot of places we wanted to see were closed or had limited access. Which was actually just fine because we only had 9 days to enjoy the island, and we didn’t want to spend them running around like mad, wanting to become famous on Instagram. So, if you want to combine easy going beach vacation with some short trips to make your vacation memorable, here are 5 things to see in Lombok (limited to the South and West part of the island).

South Lombok: Kuta, Pink Beach and Tanjug Ringgit

Our plan for the first few days was to rest and make a few short motorbike trips across Ekas peninsula. We rented a motorbike from Jeeva Beloam camp staff and drove to see the famous Pink beach, which is actually not so pink anymore (the locals told us that red corals, which reflect the pink color, are slowly disappearing). While the place itself is well worth visiting, especially the view from the near viewpoint is fantastic, keep in mind that the road is really rough, so be ready for quite a journey. There are also some snorkeling opportunities among the coral reefs, but not nearly as good as in Gili islands (which we didn’t visit, as they were closed). Just a few minutes’ drive away you can see the cliffs of Tanjung Ringgit – rough ocean waves hitting the cliffs in the 50 shades of blue.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time nor the strength (my bf hurt his knee badly, playing hero among the giant waves of Timor sea) to visit Kuta, which is supposed to be the pearl of the south Lombok. But from what I heard this area has become the second tourist hotspot on Lombok and we are really not interested in massive tourism (although Lombok Kuta is still NOTHING compared to the overcrowded Kuta in Bali). There are however some dream beaches around Kuta area, which are worth visiting: Mawun beach, Selong Belanak and Tajnung Aan.

West Lombok: Senggigi, Mangsit and Nipah beach

Senggigi with its long sandy beach, covered with hotels, bars, restaurants and tour operators, is the center of Lombok tourism. If you like day and night hustle and bustle, this is the place to be. For us it was actually the only way to get some decent food because in Mangsit (where we stayed at Jeeva Santai villas) nothing was open. A taxi from Mangsit to Senggigi costed only 1$, but we decided to rent a motorbike to be even more flexible. We kept returning to Senggigi every day for dining and fantastic massages for less than 5$ at Orchid day’s spa! Plus, we found awesome cappuccino and fresh bread (which is impossible to get anywhere else) at Temptations café and bakery.

North of Senggigi you will find a very nice coastal road, with viewpoints at Malimbu Hills. It offers a spectacular view over Malimbu and Nipah Beach, as well as the famous Gili islands. By following the road up north, you can actually get to the place where the public boats drive to the Gilis. The area was unfortunately badly damaged during the earthquake but it is already showing signs of recovery. Most people there depend on tourism so they have no other choice but to recover fast.

Central Lombok: Tetebatu village, waterfalls and rice plantations

If you want to feel the true green Lombok (especially in the dry season), you need to take the road from the capital Mangsit to the inner part of the island. Set amongst invigorating green rice fields and lush forests that stretch as far as your eyes can see, Tetebatu village is a nice change of pace. The village is somehow similar to Ubud in neighboring Bali – being a great place to learn more about the Sasak culture (Lombok’s first inhabitants), witness some traditional handicraft techniques and buy some souvenirs. If you want to be even more in touch with nature, you can stay at Sama Sama eco bungalows, which we discovered by accident (check them out via this link to get 15€ off your next booking). They seemed very cozy, we had some great lunch there and they even took us to see Jeruk Manis waterfall, about 20-minute walk away from the camp. Just enough to stretch your legs and get wet, wet, wet!

Pusuk Monkey Forrest

Following the road along Mt Rinjani national park to the North East Lombok for about 40 km, you will find the so called Pusuk monkey forest. It is named, obviously, after numerous friendly monkeys that wait for the tourists along the road, hoping to get some food. Hop off your motorbike and feel free to give them some banana. And don’t get scared if they start walking towards you – they just might shake your hand, which is truly a unique experience.

Capital Mataram, markets and shopping

The capital of Lombok and Nusa Tenggara Barat province is also the island’s biggest city with the population of around 420.000. Mataram is located in the Western area of Lombok, very close to Senggigi, so you will probably have the chance to visit the city and feel the touch of “urban” Lombok. But don’t expect from Mataram to be a typical capital with a city center, museums and other tourist shit. From churches and temples, you will be impressed by beautiful minarets of the Islamic Center Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Lombok (only Muslims can go inside though). Quite impressive is also Hindu temple Pura Meru – the largest temple in Mataram, built in 1720. Keep in mind that Mataram is 80% Muslims so if you do the “city tour” dress appropriately (especially women). If you want to buy stuff like clothes or souvenirs, visit Pasar Cakranegara market, while veggies will enjoy rich fruit & vegetable markets, which can be found on every corner. Those big fat mangos, coconuts and pineapples… oh my, Lombok, I am definitely coming back!

You can check my Lombok photos in my Facebook album. Are you thinking of visiting the island and have some more questions? Have you been there already? What were your favorite things to see in Lombok? Let me know in a comment below!

Indonesia is much more than just beautiful beaches

Asia Indonesia Trips & Tricks

October 21, 2018

“Oh, you’re going to Indonesia? I’d love to visit Bali, Lombok and the Gilis; they look amazing!” When people find out you’re heading deep into the Pacific, they’ll assume you’re going to one of the “holiday islands”. Sure, Bali, Lombok and the Gilis are excellent places to visit and travel – there’s nothing quite like lying on the beach all day and drinking in the nearby shacks all night. However, Indonesia is so much more and it has plenty to offer regarding exclusivity. In fact, there might not be a nation on the planet which has as many experiences that are only found in one place. So, if there is at least one shred of adventurous spirit in you, check out what you could be doing next:

Volcano Surfing

No, you won’t actually get on a board and surf down the volcanic rock; although it might be possible depending on the tour operator! What Indonesia has, particularly on the island of Java, is an array of active volcanoes. There are too many to name, but the main ones are Ijen, Batur, Bromo and Rinjani and they all have something special to offer. Ijen, for example, spits out lava which ignites with the sulphur in the air and creates a blue flame at night.

Because of this, it makes sense to see as many as possible. After all, it’s not too often you’re in the Pacific Rim on the Ring of Fire. Whether you’re deep down in the crater or on the top of a mountain watching the sunrise, it is truly a unique experience. Just don’t forget to take a gas mask because you’ll never get the taste of sulphur out of your lungs otherwise. And, it ain’t a pretty smell 😉

Komodo Dragons

“Ancient species inherited this planet long before us and they’ll be here long after.” Yes, this is one of the standout lines of the movie Kong: Skull Island, but it’s also a nod to Komodo, an island in eastern Indonesia. Here, you’ll find the remainder of a lost generation as the Komodo dragons laze around in the heat, only bursting into life to hunt. These ancient lizards live side-by-side humans in Komodo national park, and that provides “instafamous” opportunities for tourists. Just be careful to watch your back at all times. Unlike most reptiles, the dragons weigh up to 90kg and hit top speeds of 20km/h! Plus, they have razor sharp claws for pawing their prey and their teeth are capped with deadly bacteria. Still, don’t let it put you off because the reports of incidents are very rare. It’s not like you’re going into Jurassic Park or anything, even though in a way, you are 😉

Orangutan Spotting

Other special inhabitants, found only in the wilderness of Indonesia are Orangutans. Famous for being the closest things to humans on the planet, they have been studied for decades and we’re starting to get a better picture of their habits. Plus, admit that they’re cute in their orange coats! If you want to see them in their natural habitat, you need to travel to the islands of Sumatra or Borneo. Because they’re endangered you’ll need a pass to enter the parks and a guide to make sure there’s no funny business. All in all, the cost can be a little steep but a place such as Tanjung Puting is the only area you can see them in the wild. Imagine being able to say you’ve seen dragons and our human cousins in one trip 😉

Cheap Property

This one is a bit “off the beaten track” but the thought of living amongst beautiful wildlife and active volcanoes just might give you itchy feet. It crossed my mind a few times too! Well, the great news is property is very affordable even in the most “reputable” towns and cities on the islands. Take Jakarta, the capital. Some houses and apartments are as little as € 50 p/m to rent – check it out in this link: https://www.rumah.com/rumah-dijual/di-area-duta-garden-idbt06028. Indonesia is a collection of islands. From Java to Sumatra and Kalimantan, there is a wide range of choice for properties which only slashes house prices. Also, there’s a good variety in terms of location – from big, sprawling cities to jungle towns and villages.

Borobudur Temple

It sounds like a character out of the Lord of the Rings, yet it’s the biggest Buddhist temple on the earth. The chances are you’re sick of seeing temples after a stint in Southeast Asia; however, this one in Java is well worth a visit. For something same-same but different, you should head to nearby Yogyakarta City. The temples are built on top of one another and that gives them a sheer and dramatic look. Buddhism is one of the three main religions of Indonesia so when in Rome, I guess.

Out of the five above, which one gets your motor running the most? Scroll down and leave your comment!

(collaborative post)

Beyond the Kangaroos – Australian East coast

Trips & Tricks

October 1, 2018

When people think of Australia they often think of cuddly kangaroos and also of its scarier residents, like snakes and spiders that reside in the outback. On the other hand, the vibrant destinations along the vast Australian East coast are attracting more and more travellers and expats each year. Aside from the beautiful sunny weather, the East coast of Oz has plenty to offer in the way of shopping, culture, history, entertainment and a thriving food scene to satiate every belly. Therefore, if you’re thinking of heading Down Under and exploring more than just the kangaroos’ backyard (although, these are a must too), it’s worth heading to some of the top places along the coastline, and enjoying what they have to offer.

Cairns

Right near the top of the map, you’ll find the beautiful Cairns, which is usually considered to be the gateway to Australia’s magical Great Barrier Reef. If you’re planning to travel to this area of the country, it’s definitely worth checking out sites like https://www.reeffree.com.au/great-barrier-reef-tours/from/cairns/ so that you can plan a tour. Utilising a professional tour company will help to ensure that you have an adventure to remember, and it’ll be safe, fun, and full of memories to take back home. There’s also the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to enjoy; where you can learn about the indigenous people with music and dance. And, of course, you’ll benefit from everything a city has to offer in regards to restaurants. Oh, and there’s beaches to relax on too.

Brisbane

Travellers have described the city in Queensland as a clean and tidy haven, and they’re not wrong; the modern architecture glistens and shines next to the water’s edge, and there is a contemporary feel throughout the popular location. It’s not just the architecture that oozes modernity; there is a growing contemporary art scene, and some notable interactive exhibitions in its Museum and Sciencentre aren’t to be missed as well. The Queensland Modern Art Gallery also resides in the sunny city, ensuring that culture vultures are satisfied and will leave full of knowledge and new experiences to tick off their list.

Sydney

Sydney is a tourist destination with a reputation for its beautiful beaches, opera house, bridge, and harbour all around the world. And, while you’ll probably want to check some of those landmarks off your list (three of which you can do pretty much at the same time); there’s more to the sunny city than iconic locations. You’ll find a contrasting scene of the modern, designer shopping centres, with smaller, creative suburbs nearby. Head to the city centre and CBD if you’re after the latest in designer fashion or tech; you can also head up the Sydney tower and eat in the revolving restaurant to catch that litearlly unparalleled view.

Melbourne

The coastal capital of Victoria is a vibrant mix of modern development, original Victorian buildings, and a thriving, creative arts and cafe culture. This established city attracts travellers each year, and many choose to stay in the city to soak up the lifestyle, find work, and embrace all that Melbourne has to offer. More than just the place where Neighbours is filmed, Melbourne celebrates Australian talent, and actors, singers, and artist alike head to the city to make the most of the performing arts culture, auditions, and opportunities.

Have you visited any of these cities in Australian East coast? Got something to add? Scroll down and write it in a comment!

(collaborative post)

Lombok after the earthquake

Asia Indonesia Trips & Tricks

September 30, 2018

Many of you are still asking whether it is safe to travel to Lombok after the series of earthquakes which hit the island in August 2018. The first main shock with 6.9 magnitude, flattening the whole villages, happened on August 5^th, just 3 days after I had booked our Lombok vacation. The other big one struck just a few days later – there were reports of even bigger damage and over 500 people killed, with thousands injured. The grounds had been shaking every day, there were also some landslides around Mt. Rinjani, some hotels had been completely destroyed and forums were flooded with travelers asking for new updates about the safety on the island. The answers were different: from “please come, Lombok needs tourists to recover”, to “the grounds are still shaking and everything is very unpredictable”. All the reports said that the south of Lombok hadn’t been affected and after getting the response from our hotel that they were operating normally, we decided to put our lives in the hands of destiny and proceed with our travel plans. Luckily the big earthquakes stopped and aftershocks were very mild (even though very frequent).

We landed in Lombok on September 12^th and drove to Jeeva Beloam beach camp first. We stayed there for 4 nights and it was the best decision in my travel life. We had the whole camp and the beach practically to ourselves during the whole vacation. All the other guests cancelled their stay (besides, September is not a peak season), so we were treated like royals, with unlimited opportunities to enjoy the beach and everything else. Surrounded by monkeys and the nicest staff you can imagine, this was a vacation I will always remember. More importantly, there was no damage from the earthquakes in the south, the camp was intact and also the wider south area seemed fine.

The situation in the west and especially north of Lombok was however completely different. We spent the remaining 5 nights just a few miles north of Senggigi (Jeeva Santai Villas in Mangsit beach) and the drive to the west coast already revealed the images of broken houses along the road. It all started around the capital Mataram, but the real nightmare for the people began north from Senggigi. Our resort and some of Senggigi hotels were fine (some with minor damage but safe to stay in), while others, especially big ones like Sheraton and Katamaran, had to close for renovation. Again, we were very lucky because Jeeva resorts seem to be built in high quality.

We rented a motorbike in Senggigi because we wanted to explore the west coast and see Mt Rinjani at least from a distance. While driving up north the images of destroyed houses, hotels, cars, even mosques, just broke my heart. Entire villages have been flattened, it seemed as they never even existed. People are sleeping in tents, and slowly rebuilding their homes during the day. A lot of bigger buildings are still standing but they are severely damaged, which means they will collapse eventually. We could also see people standing along the road waiting for the trucks from charity and government organizations to deliver food and aid. But in some strange way it all seemed quite calm and organized – almost as if people were used to this kind of disasters, fighting their way through lives, living one day after another.

The biggest challenge and also hope for the people of Lombok remains tourism. We have spoken to many residents and hotel staff, and they all said that after more than one month from the disaster cancellations are still happening every day, tourists are still afraid to come. During our entire stay we only saw a few couples wandering around, Lombok gorgeous beaches were practically deserted, restaurants were lonely and grocery stores were empty. We tried our best to spend as much money as possible by buying things and souvenirs we don’t need, leaving tips and giving away food to homeless dogs.

I can’t say it strong enough: apart from seeing the devastating images in the north, we enjoyed every moment of our Lombok vacation. You can check the photos in my Facebook album. The beaches are fantastic, the nature is wonderful, food is absolutely delicious, most bars and groceries are normally stocked and operating, rental booths and tourist agencies are there for you, so please don’t be afraid to come. As long as you stay in safe areas with quality buildings, you have nothing to be afraid of. Lombok needs you and it still has plenty to offer.

Hotel review: Jeeva Beloam beach camp (Lombok, Indonesia)

Asia Hotel reviews Indonesia

September 30, 2018

Lombok is quite big and if you want to feel its pulse you need to move around the island. Due to relatively bad roads and heavy traffic it is quite tiresome to be on the road daily, so we decided to stay a few days in the South first and spend the rest of our Lombok vacation on the West coast. While I was searching for hotels in Kuta beach, I ran into this small spot in Sunut peninsula, which seemed to be quite isolated. The photos and the reviews of Jeeva Beloam beach camp were very promising – I am a sucker for beaches and the fact that the camp owns an entire bay was the first green light for me. Furthermore, the idea of living in a private luxury wooden lodge sounded very attractive and the location seemed convenient for exploring some of Lombok’s famous sights like Pink beach and Tanjug Ringgit cliffs (you can check my photos from Lombok here). After exchanging a few emails with their staff (especially after the earthquakes in Lombok in August 2018), I booked Jeeva Beloam beach camp via booking.com – (click here to get 15€ off with your next booking 😉 )

Location

I knew that Jeeva Beloam beach camp was very dislocated and that the drive from the airport would take around an hour and a half. But I didn’t realize that the road would be SO bumpy for so many miles. The resort’s driver picked us up at the airport (one way transport is included in the price of your stay) and after leaving the main road, we had about half an hour drive of REALLY slow drive ahead. So bumpy, that even I – heavy sleeper – couldn’t keep my eyes closed 🙂 But once we reached the camp, we immediately knew it was all worth it. Because the resort not only owns the entire bay but also a large portion of the property, which means no intruders (at least human ones) at all.

The beach

Oh my, THIS BEACH. Words can hardly describe this fantastic piece of heaven. Soft white sand, turquoise and crystal clear water, surrounded by hills from the east and west for the ultimate privacy, with a view of Sumbawa Island’s hills far away across the Timur Sea. You can watch the beach directly from your lodge and I was up every morning for the gorgeous sunrise. Images of the sunlight turning from pink to yellow were something I will never forget. There is a BUT though. During the dry season (we were there in September) the wind is quite heavy, which means a lot of high waves. While you can swim rather normally in the morning, afternoons can be quite a struggle, even for fitness freaks like us. So instead of fighting the waves we rather chose to do handstands on the beach and enjoyed the serenity of our terrace – reading books, taking massage and other stuff that couples do 😉

Accommodation

Jeeva Beloam beach camp has 11 “berugas” – 60 m2 wooden lodges, all with covered terraces, mosquito-netted king size beds and bathrooms with luxury showers and amenities of at least 4 star hotels. No TV though – you are in heaven, remember 😉 The electricity is available during most of the day (with some small periods when they save the energy, around 3-times daily), Wi-Fi is quite strong at the reception and in the dining area, but we could also get signal at our lodge from time to time. What a nightmare indeed 😉 We stayed in Beruga 11, at the very end of the bay and we couldn’t have chosen better if we wanted.

Food

Jeeva Beloam offers “full-board” service, which means you get breakfast, lunch and dinner, with complimentary drinking water 24/7. For other drinks you have to pay extra. The food is absolutely fantastic. Every day you can chose between 2 different dishes – fish or meat. If you are vegan, they can indulge you as well, you just have to mention that at the check in. There is also complimentary tea and coffee from 4 to 5 pm, which comes together with some cookies. The fact is that there is no convenience store or restaurant miles away, so you basically have no other choice but to trust your hosts to do their best. And they will, I promise!

Facilities

Besides the reception and already mentioned dining lodge, which is located in the middle of the camp, again with direct views of the ocean, Jeeva Beloam also has a small wellness room for massages and relaxation. The prices are higher than in Lombok “urban” area, but still much cheaper than in the “West world” (around 30€ for 60 minutes). You can also ask the staff to borrow a motorbike from one of them (for that you will pay around 5€ per day), and drive around the peninsula. You won’t get far though, because the roads are really rough and it takes forever to reach anything J The famous Pink beach is quite near though, and Jeeva Beloam offers free trips there every day – they even rent you snorkeling gear.

The unexpected visitors

If you are afraid of wild animals, don’t come to Jeeva Beloam beach camp. First of all, monkeys are there all the time. Sometimes they come to your terrace and if you don’t chase them away, they can even steal something from you. They are not hostile or dangerous though. I found them very cute, made bunch of photos. The darker side of visitors are rats and mice. First rule to keep them away is: don’t bring food to your lodge. And I mean NO food at all. I had some bars with me and the bastards chew their way to them, leaving a big hole in my brand new Adidas bag. They even destroyed my joint gel – apparently they thought it was sweet. And yes, it is disturbing when you hear them at night. But this is wilderness. You are out there in the middle of nothing, in wooden tents. And if you are not terrified of animals, you will be fine, don’t worry.

Anda’s rate: 9,5 of 10

Bottom line: Jeeva Beloam beach camp is the perfect getaway for couples who want privacy and to get away from every day hustle and bustle. I loved absolutely everything and I enjoyed every moment of it. The only thing which bothered me a little (that’s why I’m not giving it a perfect 10) were the mice, but I am partly blaming myself because I should have listened the advice about not taking any food with me. I would come back any time indeed!

Why Australia has to be your next travel destination!

Trips & Tricks

September 15, 2018

If you are a true wanderlust, your traveling choices are endless, so you have to make sure you focus on improving your experiences. There are a lot of different places in the world to visit, and your choice largely depends on the sort of adventure you would like to have. Some people love city breaks, others enjoy beach holidays, while many more like to have as many adventures as possible. Fortunately there are a few places in the world where you can enjoy all these things in abundance, making it one of the best travel experiences ever. One of them is called Australia. There are some amazing reasons why you need to visit Australia as soon as possible, and these are some of the best ones.

The Sightseeing

There are so many tourist hotspots and excellent sights to see when you check out Australia. One of the best things about Australia is the fact that it offers a uniquely diverse holiday experience. It offers amazing coastal beach holidays, wonderful bush trail treks, delightful tours from Hervey Bay, and trendy city breaks. Whether it’s architectural beauties like Sydney Opera House, their cute capital Canberra, incredible natural Wonders of the World, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the island of Tasmania… yep, there are a bunch of amazing sightseeing options down under!

Friendly Locals

We all know that the Aussies have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, and that rep is well warranted. The friendly nature of Australians is one of the things that has led to “Oz” being such a popular tourist destination. If you are looking to have a good time, and enjoy a warm welcome from locals, this is most definitely a place where you can have a good time. Oh, and their cute accent (“crush” emoji here).

Cultural Significance

The culture and history of “Down Under” is so important and gives a window into why it is a country that matters. Consider the aboriginals who first inhabited the island, and how much their culture permeates throughout. While the Horseshoe Bend slot canyon is the best kept secret in Arizona, one could argue Uluru is one of the best in Australia. This is one of the best places to learn about aboriginal culture, and you should make sure you do a tour of the site.

There are a lot of great reasons to visit Australia, don’t you agree? Have you been down under and have some great places to share with us? Scroll down and write them in a comment!

(collaborative post)

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Author: Anda Arko