Indonesia Holidays

If you are looking for a fun filled holiday, Borneo will not disappoint.

Ziplining is pretty exhilarating at the best of times, but if you’re looking for the ultimate adrenalin rush try the Coral Flyer which whizzes you over the ocean between the beautiful Gaya Island and the nearby Sapi Island. There is also a zipline within the forests if you’re not quite brave enough to zip over the water – either way you won’t be disappointed. Book early though as it can get busy during peak months of travel!

Now this could potentially apply to nearly all of the destinations in southeast Asia, however, if you’re going to take the plunge, spend the time, money and effort taking a Padi dive course, then you must do it in a spectacular place – and it doesn’t get much better than off the west coast of Borneo at Kota Kinabalu’s Marine Park ‘Tunku Abdul Rahman Park’. Diving enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either as there are an abundance of dive sites close to Kota Kinabalu teaming with coral and marine life as well as a wreck to explore.

Borneo is home to some of the worlds most sensational wildlife and natural wonders, which need to be seen to be believed.

Peaking at 13,000ft, the magnificent Mount Kinabalu is located in the famous National Park with the same name and is a sacred mountain towering over the city of Kota Kinabalu.  Climbing this mountain is often quite high on most visitors ‘to do’ lists when visiting Borneo, but please remember that whilst there are many routes and treks up to the summit, you will need to overnight on the mountain.  You will, however, be rewarded with glorious views on your decent the following morning!

Whether it’s visiting the intriguing orangutans at an orphanage or a sanctuary or experiencing them in the wild, this is one of the experiences that you simply cannot miss during your stay in Borneo. One of the best places to experience these magnificent creatures is at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Established in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans and to prepare them for a voluntary life in the wild, this is one of THE best places to see these gentle and fun creatures without venturing too far into the rainforest.

Recharge those batteries with a relaxing Bali escape.

Bali is possibly one of the best places in the world to experience the serenity of a Spa.  Almost every hotel on the island will claim to have its own spa facilities, which will range from a couple of treatment rooms and a massage sala by the beach to a whole spa complex with an endless number of pools, beauty areas, sauna and steam rooms and of course an extensive menu of massage options.  The therapists here are some of the best in the world, the smells are truly amazing and the relaxed feeling you have once you leave will stay with you for hours, if not days.  If you’re going to treat yourself to anything whilst on holiday in Bali, it should be a massage.

There really are so many fabulous restaurants in Bali, whether it’s the small, local and more intimate options that tempt you or the larger international-style restaurants. But something you really must try if you’re heading out to Bali is the seafood beach restaurants which stretch along the gorgeous Jimbaran Bay. Each of the restaurants, which are located on the sand and sometimes made up simply of a small shack, a few tables and a BBQ, offer mouth-watering and extremely fresh seafood banquets and of course that all-important amazing view of the sun setting over the ocean in the distance.

Away from the beaches you’ll discover sensational scenery and culture that can be explored on foot or by bike.

One thing that Bali has got plenty of is Temples. Over 20,000 to be precise; and a visit to Bali would not really be complete without having visited at least one of them. Take a trip to the UNESCO site at Taman Ayun with its thatched multi-roofed shrines that signifies Bali Temples, or the Hindu temple of Ulun.

Although Bali is quite mountainous in the middle, there are many cycle routes in the south and also within the cultural centre which offer a superb opportunity to experience this fabulous island on two wheels instead of four.  Whether you choose to be part of a guided tour or you’d prefer to hire a bike and do your own thing, cycling through local villages, the lush green landscape really hits you and it is hard to believe that what you are seeing is real!