Wonderful Indonesia – VAGABOND IMAGES

An old fashioned ride on Yogyakarta streets

Upendra SwamiJanuary 2, 2019389 Views4

On all long drives, when I am not behind the steering wheel, I will normally sit on the seat adjacent to driver. I have two reasons, one I will like to have full view of the road ahead, secondly and most importantly, I will like to keep a close eye on the driving to keep it safe. I will like to ensure, driver is comfortable, not sleepy, attentive and careful. Well, Becak ride in Yogyakarta didn’t give me the option for the second one. A Becak on the streets of Yogyakarta Actually, Becak ride was one of the most unusual one in a sense. The passenger is right in front and the one who controls the ride is behind. You have no idea at all about what the person is upto. So, as a passenger I was sitting in upfront with full uninterrupted view of the road ahead—without any intention...

InternationalPhotogallery

Wonderful journeys: Bandung to Yogyakarta on train

Upendra SwamiDecember 16, 2018757 Views5

I had always believed that whenever you visit a place, once must experience the local public transport. It gets you connected with the people and also lets you feel the pulse of the place, its culture and growth. But, it is also true that whenever you get to have such experiences, there is no way that you can escape from having the comparisons on the back of your mind. Outside Bandung railway station in Indonesia However contrary you might try to do, you will always be reminded of the experience back home of the same public services. You will even remember it when you are back and using the same services in routine at your home town, trying to recall that how better or worse it was abroad. Although it is not always fair because the traffic, the volume of passengers, frequenc...

InternationalPhotogallery

Creating young artists at Bali Art Centre

Upendra SwamiApril 21, 2018456 Views2

Taman Budaya or Bali Art Centre is a prime example of how traditional art forms should to be preserved. Built in traditional Balinese architecture this is a centre of learning and also a centre of excellent performances. It motivates young Balinese people to learn all the forms of traditional Balinese performing arts. Bali Art Center grooms young ones in traditional Balinese arts- dance, theatre, music, painting and lot more. A beautiful complex run by public money is a very sincere attempt to preserve the traditional forms of art. Interestingly, all these classes are completely free of cost for the children. Such art centres encourage them to learn and perform and thus keep the traditional art forms alive by transferring them to the next generation... A way to learn for all suc...

AdventureInternationalPhotogallery

Finding Nemo while walking underwater in Bali Sea

Upendra SwamiAugust 30, 2017614 Views3

It is indeed one of the most adorable and loved fishes of silver screen and also of aquariums thereafter. Orange Clownfish Nemo has been craze of kids world over after that landmark film - Finding Nemo. Hence watching Nemo in its natural habitat in the sea is indeed filled with a lot of excitement. But of course, this is not about Nemo, it is about walking under the sea and feeling the nature's bounty around you. Sea Walking is a gem of an adventure for all those who don't want to go in nitty-gritty of diving. And there can be perhaps no better place for sea walking than beautiful waters of Bali in Indonesia. Sea walkers are the latest craze for the under water adventure seekers and what a place can be better than Bali to do this. Tanjung Benoa in South Kuta district of Badung Rege

InternationalReviews

Getting pulse of Bali’s buzz!

Upendra SwamiApril 27, 2017445 Views2

Well, Mercure Legian Bali hotel is located in the area, where heart of Bali beats. When we were in Nusa Dua area, we were in a sort of exclusive zone with all sort of luxury and privacy. But this hotel lies in an area, where as soon as you step out of the hotel, you find yourself in the hustle & bustle of a busy tourist destination like Bali. Hotel is just a five minutes walk from the beach. Hotel is close to Legian, Seminyak and Kuta areas. Mercure has two hotels in the area. There another property Mercure Kuta Bali is located right on the Kuta beach and is slightly away from the, what few people may call as, chaos of Legian area. Hotel is located on a busy intersection on Legian street. Running parallel to a long coastline this street is just a five minutes walk from famous Legian

InternationalPhotogalleryReviews

A slice of Balinese paradise

Upendra SwamiApril 12, 2017517 Views2

Bali itself is a dream destination and staying in Melia Bali adds zing to this dream! Its an ultimate Balinese hospitality and captures all the aura & beauty that can be associated with this beautiful island. It is a big beach resort and actually staying here is itself a complete holiday with there being a private beach and all sort of activities. Also read: Bali is the top destination in the world Hotel is in Nusa Dua area, which itself is a calm and secluded area reserved for top class hotels, quite far from tourist frenzy at Kuta or what is like in Ubud. That might not be of liking to all, but certainly favourite for those who love to be in calm and serene place. Also read: Bali from the sky - few captures Once you enter the hotel, you will feel how it is like to be in a high end

InternationalReviews

A bit of old world charm at Yogyakarta

Upendra SwamiApril 9, 2017553 Views6

Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java is often called locally as Jogja or Jogjakarta. It is known for its traditional arts and cultural heritage. Hence it was quite apt for us to have stayed in a hotel known for its heritage itself. The Phoenix was such a hotel. The original building was built in 1918 as a private residence of a trading company owner. At a time of recession in 1930s this building was auctioned. The new owner rented it out to a Dutchman who converted it into a pensioner's hotel by the name of "Splendid". From their the journey of almost a century has brought the hotel to its present day avatar. This hotel has got a very distinct charm. It is certainly not of those big hotel types, but it has got a unique appeal that takes slightly back into history. ...

InternationalPhotogallery

Bali from the sky – few captures!

Upendra SwamiNovember 26, 2016288 Views1

Its fun to be on window seat of a plane, provided you are interested in capturing images. And if images are from a beautiful beach resort like Bali, then you just can’t stop clicking. How different it is to see a place from the top, then being there! A lot perhaps. Lot changes with the change of the angle and perspective. Eye angle is more wide than ever. The view and the perspective, both become more holistic. Hence the idea of beauty also changes! So here starts the fun- Plane looks like walking right into the sea! ... or along it! Is it quite close for comfort or just thrilling!! It looks more normal now- Quite different to see a beach resort from up in the sky! ... but it still looks amazing with all those boats and yachts lined up! The three s...

InternationalPhotogallery

Amazing Ramayana Ballet of Java

Upendra SwamiOctober 4, 2016500 Views2

These are days of Ramlila around the country and perfect time to see Ramayana as performed in different parts of world. Prominent among them is Indonesia. The islands of Java, Bali and Sumatra still have the historical hindu influence and they still follow the hindu culture and traditions. Java is also famous for its theatrical rendering of Hindu epic Ramayana. Although the story is more or less the same, but the presentation in traditional Java style is very fascinating. It is one of the high points for tourists visiting Java, specially Yogyakarta. Ramayana Ballet is performed at Purawisata, located just one kilometre from Jalan Malioboro at Yogyakarta in Indonesia. Purawisata is a place where legendary Ramayana Ballets are performed. This particular Purawisata is very close to Yog...

InternationalPhotogallery

From the Bali album : Royal attires for pre-wedding shoot!

Upendra SwamiAugust 10, 2016474 Views6

There were many revelations for us in Bali - an island of Hindu culture in Islamic Indonesia. And many of them came to us in the Bali Art Centre. I will be talking about the Bali Art Centre in a later post, but this is about something we witnessed there. Pre-wedding photo-shoots are not uncommon world over. Even Bali is famous globally as a wedding and honeymoon destination. But here I am talking about pre-wedding photo-shoots of local Hindu Balinese couples. Its grown into a tradition now and is extremely popular. Its quite unlike hindu traditions in India where to be bride and groom are not supposed to meet openly before the marriage and a planned, open and detailed photo-shoot is out of question. But here, to be couples get the photo-shoot at all type of exotic, traditional, hist...