The post Foodie Tour of Southeast Asia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Thailand is home to some of the most famous dishes in the world. From the ubiquitous Pad Thai to the fiery Tom Yum soup, Thailand’s cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors. One must-try dish is the green papaya salad, known as Som Tam, which combines spicy chilies, tart lime juice, and sweet palm sugar with crunchy strips of green papaya. Another popular dish is the massaman curry, a rich and complex dish made with a blend of spices, coconut milk, and tender chunks of beef or chicken.
Vietnam’s cuisine is influenced by both Chinese and French traditions. One must-try dish is pho, a hearty noodle soup that combines tender slices of beef or chicken with aromatic herbs and spices. Another popular dish is the banh mi, a French-inspired sandwich that features a crusty baguette filled with savory meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.
In Malaysia, the cuisine is a blend of Indian, Chinese, and Malay flavors. One must-try dish is the nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish that is cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves. It is typically served with fried chicken or fish, sambal chili paste, and a variety of side dishes like boiled egg, cucumber, and peanuts.
Indonesia is another must-visit destination for food lovers. The cuisine is known for its rich and complex flavors, which are often derived from a blend of spices and herbs. One must-try dish is the nasi goreng, a fried rice dish that is typically made with shrimp, chicken, or vegetables, and flavored with a blend of spices like ginger, turmeric, and coriander.
Finally, we come to the Philippines, where the cuisine is a blend of Spanish, Chinese, and Malay influences. One must-try dish is the adobo, a savory and tangy stew that is typically made with chicken or pork, and flavored with soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. Another popular dish is the pancit, a stir-fried noodle dish that can be made with a variety of meats and vegetables.
The post Foodie Tour of Southeast Asia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Kid-Friendly Attractions To Visit With Your Family in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>If a visit to a zoo happens to be your family’s idea of fun, Ragunan Zoo is the place to be. Located in a lush rainforest near Jakarta, this zoo is home to endangered and threatened species from all parts of Indonesia, and it houses over 2,000 animals on its grounds.
Animal lovers exploring Jakarta should also take some time to check out this amazing aquarium. It houses mammals, reptiles, insects, and various types of fish from all around Indonesia, and visitors of all ages will enjoy it in equal measure.
One of Jakarta’s most popular theme parks brings Indonesia’s culture and nature to life through show-stopping replicas of the country’s most iconic sights.
Located in the heart of Jakarta’s most popular beachfront resort, Ancol Dreamland is its most impressive amusement park. In addition to a wide variety of rides, it’s also home to Sea World Ancol, a golf course, and a wide range of recreational facilities.
The post Kid-Friendly Attractions To Visit With Your Family in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Amazing Amusement Parks You Shouldn’t Miss in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>If you’re looking for a theme park that’s fun and educational at the same time, it doesn’t get much better than Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Its main goal is to celebrate Indonesian culture through a series of themed spaces, from gardens and bird parks to theatres and fun rides.
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, aka Ancol Dreamland I, is one of the must-see family-friendly attractions in Jakarta. This family beachfront resort offers a theme park Dunia Fantasi with a wide range of thrill rides and water-based rides, but you can also find hotels and a golf course on its grounds.
Kidzania is a popular chain of family entertainment centers, which originally hails from Mexico, but did you know it also has a location in Jakarta? It’s one of the first Kidzania locations on the Asian continent, and it offers a wide range of educational and entertaining activities for kids of different age groups.
The post 3 Amazing Amusement Parks You Shouldn’t Miss in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Beautiful Temples That Will Make You Fall in Love with Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The first Buddhist temple that comes to mind when someone mentions Indonesia, Borobudur has been around since the 7th century, and it looks just as amazing today. It’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple, with nine stacked platforms, an imposing central dome, and over 500 Buddha statues on its grounds.
Uluwatu looks pretty tiny and ordinary when compared to some other amazing temples in Indonesia, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Perched on a dramatic high cliff, this temple is worth a visit for its breathtaking surroundings alone and it comes with amazing ocean views.
The largest Hindu temple site in all of Indonesia, Prambanan is dedicated to the deity of Trimūrti and it’s truly a sight to behold. This 8th-century temple is one of the best examples of Hindu architecture in the entire world, and it consists of a towering central building and hundreds of smaller temples with stone spires and sculptures.
The post 3 Beautiful Temples That Will Make You Fall in Love with Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Unique Starbucks Drinks in Different Countries appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Japan has quite a lot of interesting and showy local coffee drinks, and Starbucks is no exception. One option is a tiramisu frappuccino. With coffee, sponge cake, and creamy mascarpone, it’s a truly unique dessert of a drink.
Frappuccinos are where Starbucks does its greatest experimentation, perhaps because it is a coffee drink category that is somewhat unique to the chain. Most local coffee shops do not serve any kind of blended coffee drink, let alone such a wide variety. The orange honeycomb crunch is a great option for you if you don’t like coffee but you want to enjoy a Starbucks drink—this is a “cream-based” drink with no coffee to speak of. It uses orange cream syrup and honeycomb candy for crunch.
Served hot or iced, this comforting drink uses a base of honey- and vanilla-infused milk. It’s topped up with a shot of espresso, milk foam, and christened with a honey drizzle.
The post Unique Starbucks Drinks in Different Countries appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Explore the Many Flavors of Indonesia with Lara Lee appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>According to Prianto Soemantri, cookbook author Lara Lee might just be the nation’s ambassador when it comes to Indonesian food. A half-Indonesian, half-Australian foodie, Lee published last year a celebrated cookbook titled Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen. “This book is a dream for our culture,” said Prianto Soemantri. “A cookbook like Lara’s gives us representation.”
With more than 80 traditional and vibrant recipes that have been passed down through the generations, Lee’s cookbook offers insights into authentic Indonesian cookery. Recipes include tried and true dishes such as Nasi goreng, Beef rendang, Chilli prawn satay, and Pandan cake, alongside a variety of recipes for sambals: fragrant, spicy relishes that are undoubtedly the heart and soul of every meal.
“This cookbook is also the story of my grandmother and her dishes and our family, and me discovering my heritage,” relayed Lee in an interview with The Star. While Lee herself didn’t actually grow up in Indonesia, her book forms a bridge between East and West. Writing the book included much research in advance, as well as trips around the country.
“I think what I find so interesting about Indonesia is that wherever you travel, the flavour profile completely changes, whether it’s Bali, Timur, Sulawesi or Padang,” she notes. “So to capture it all in a cookbook, I travelled as much as I could in the time I had. I also met a well-known Indonesian chef called William Wongso, who took me under his wing and introduced me to some of the best home cooks in Indonesia, so I was really lucky to have incredible experts support me.”
Her favourite savory dish? Beef Rendang. The rendang begins in a large pot filled with coconut milk, chunks of stewing beef, and a fragrant spice paste that includes chillies, galangal, garlic, shallots, and turmeric, along with aromats like lime leaf and lemongrass. It simmers on a low heat until the beef has softened, the sauce is thickened, and the oil from the coconut milk has split and risen to the top. The heat is turned up and the coconut oil browns and caramelizes the beef until all that’s left is a darkened and powerfully flavorful sauce.
“Basically, because Indonesian food is not mainstream, I wanted it to feel accessible—something that people could make in their home kitchens, ” says Lee. Her recipes might just inspire you to visit Indonesia. In the meanwhile, you can at least experience it through your tastebuds.
The post Explore the Many Flavors of Indonesia with Lara Lee appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Want to See Orangutans? Run to These Two Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Sumatra is the home to around 14,000 wild orangutans, most of which are located in the northern part of the island. If you want to see them in their natural habitat, the best place to head to is Gunung Leuser National Park, just next to the town of Bukit Lawang. Orangutan tours set up by locals are your best shot to see these animals in the wild.
The Malaysian state of Sabah is the best place to see orangutans on the island of Borneo, as the majority of the island’s population of the animal resides here. Your best shot is on a three or four-day tour of the Kinabatangan River, where orangutans like to hang out on the banks. You can also try the Danum Valley and the Deramakot Forest Reserve, accessible by tours.
The post Want to See Orangutans? Run to These Two Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Ranked: Top 5 Poker Countries in the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The United Kingdom has been growing its poker scene quite a lot over the last couple of decades. London, Edinburgh, and Dublin all have major hotspots where you can play poker from dusk until dawn.
Canada might be categorized as a country with “nice people”, but that won’t stop them from taking all your money in a friendly game of poker. Given that it’s legal to play poker there both online and at the casino, they’ve gotten a fair bit of practice.
Brazil is filled with countless casinos, and poker is incredibly popular there. According to a study, over 60% of their population enjoys poker in some way. Although online gambling there is illegal, it generates up to $4 billion of revenue per year.
Even though Indonesia is a relatively small country, its population absolutely loves poker. Gambling there is illegal, and therefore there are no legal casinos there—but their online poker culture is one of the most thriving in the world.
Americans love poker, and they’re legally allowed to play it. With 460 casinos in the United States, it stands to reason that there’s plenty of opportunity for Americans to get their game on. Whether it’s in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or Reno, America is by far the biggest poker hotspot in the world.
The post Ranked: Top 5 Poker Countries in the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Use These Tips to Get Fairy Tale Photos from Bali Swing appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Bali is home to many beautiful swings, but a visit to the official Bali Swing in Ubud will cost you the most. To get the full experience that includes rides on several different swings and nests, get ready to pay the entrance fee of $35. Make sure you have a travel companion, or you’ll have to pay extra for pictures taken by in-house photographers.
The clothes you’re wearing in your Bali Swing photos can completely change the frame. You should consider packing a long, flowy dress, preferably in a lighter color. If you don’t own one, don’t despair—you can always rent beautiful gowns on the spot.
It’s pretty much impossible to avoid the crowds during your visit to the official Bali Swing, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Waking up early and being there for the opening hour can take a lot of pressure off your shoulders and give you just enough time to explore.
The post Use These Tips to Get Fairy Tale Photos from Bali Swing appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Amazing Street Food Stalls in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Try the famous gulai dish at Gulai Tikungan, a place that’s always busy, especially in the evenings. It’s located in Mahakam street and offers a generous portion of gulai for less than $1. We guarantee you’ll come back for more after you try it once! If you’re wondering what gulai is, it’s a spicy savory dish made with beef slices, rice, and spices.
If you want to try the chicken congee dish known as Bubur Ayam, visit Bubur Ayam Barito, a street food corner that’s getting more and more popular and for a good reason. It’s the perfect place to start your day as Bubur Ayam is typically served for breakfast.
Don’t miss trying some delicious seafood while in Jakarta! You can taste it at Seafood Ayu, the place that offers big portions of fish, crabs, prawns, and clams at very reasonable prices.
The post 3 Amazing Street Food Stalls in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Foodie Tour of Southeast Asia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Thailand is home to some of the most famous dishes in the world. From the ubiquitous Pad Thai to the fiery Tom Yum soup, Thailand’s cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors. One must-try dish is the green papaya salad, known as Som Tam, which combines spicy chilies, tart lime juice, and sweet palm sugar with crunchy strips of green papaya. Another popular dish is the massaman curry, a rich and complex dish made with a blend of spices, coconut milk, and tender chunks of beef or chicken.
Vietnam’s cuisine is influenced by both Chinese and French traditions. One must-try dish is pho, a hearty noodle soup that combines tender slices of beef or chicken with aromatic herbs and spices. Another popular dish is the banh mi, a French-inspired sandwich that features a crusty baguette filled with savory meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.
In Malaysia, the cuisine is a blend of Indian, Chinese, and Malay flavors. One must-try dish is the nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish that is cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves. It is typically served with fried chicken or fish, sambal chili paste, and a variety of side dishes like boiled egg, cucumber, and peanuts.
Indonesia is another must-visit destination for food lovers. The cuisine is known for its rich and complex flavors, which are often derived from a blend of spices and herbs. One must-try dish is the nasi goreng, a fried rice dish that is typically made with shrimp, chicken, or vegetables, and flavored with a blend of spices like ginger, turmeric, and coriander.
Finally, we come to the Philippines, where the cuisine is a blend of Spanish, Chinese, and Malay influences. One must-try dish is the adobo, a savory and tangy stew that is typically made with chicken or pork, and flavored with soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. Another popular dish is the pancit, a stir-fried noodle dish that can be made with a variety of meats and vegetables.
The post Foodie Tour of Southeast Asia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Kid-Friendly Attractions To Visit With Your Family in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>If a visit to a zoo happens to be your family’s idea of fun, Ragunan Zoo is the place to be. Located in a lush rainforest near Jakarta, this zoo is home to endangered and threatened species from all parts of Indonesia, and it houses over 2,000 animals on its grounds.
Animal lovers exploring Jakarta should also take some time to check out this amazing aquarium. It houses mammals, reptiles, insects, and various types of fish from all around Indonesia, and visitors of all ages will enjoy it in equal measure.
One of Jakarta’s most popular theme parks brings Indonesia’s culture and nature to life through show-stopping replicas of the country’s most iconic sights.
Located in the heart of Jakarta’s most popular beachfront resort, Ancol Dreamland is its most impressive amusement park. In addition to a wide variety of rides, it’s also home to Sea World Ancol, a golf course, and a wide range of recreational facilities.
The post Kid-Friendly Attractions To Visit With Your Family in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Amazing Amusement Parks You Shouldn’t Miss in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>If you’re looking for a theme park that’s fun and educational at the same time, it doesn’t get much better than Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Its main goal is to celebrate Indonesian culture through a series of themed spaces, from gardens and bird parks to theatres and fun rides.
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, aka Ancol Dreamland I, is one of the must-see family-friendly attractions in Jakarta. This family beachfront resort offers a theme park Dunia Fantasi with a wide range of thrill rides and water-based rides, but you can also find hotels and a golf course on its grounds.
Kidzania is a popular chain of family entertainment centers, which originally hails from Mexico, but did you know it also has a location in Jakarta? It’s one of the first Kidzania locations on the Asian continent, and it offers a wide range of educational and entertaining activities for kids of different age groups.
The post 3 Amazing Amusement Parks You Shouldn’t Miss in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Beautiful Temples That Will Make You Fall in Love with Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The first Buddhist temple that comes to mind when someone mentions Indonesia, Borobudur has been around since the 7th century, and it looks just as amazing today. It’s the world’s largest Buddhist temple, with nine stacked platforms, an imposing central dome, and over 500 Buddha statues on its grounds.
Uluwatu looks pretty tiny and ordinary when compared to some other amazing temples in Indonesia, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Perched on a dramatic high cliff, this temple is worth a visit for its breathtaking surroundings alone and it comes with amazing ocean views.
The largest Hindu temple site in all of Indonesia, Prambanan is dedicated to the deity of Trimūrti and it’s truly a sight to behold. This 8th-century temple is one of the best examples of Hindu architecture in the entire world, and it consists of a towering central building and hundreds of smaller temples with stone spires and sculptures.
The post 3 Beautiful Temples That Will Make You Fall in Love with Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Unique Starbucks Drinks in Different Countries appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Japan has quite a lot of interesting and showy local coffee drinks, and Starbucks is no exception. One option is a tiramisu frappuccino. With coffee, sponge cake, and creamy mascarpone, it’s a truly unique dessert of a drink.
Frappuccinos are where Starbucks does its greatest experimentation, perhaps because it is a coffee drink category that is somewhat unique to the chain. Most local coffee shops do not serve any kind of blended coffee drink, let alone such a wide variety. The orange honeycomb crunch is a great option for you if you don’t like coffee but you want to enjoy a Starbucks drink—this is a “cream-based” drink with no coffee to speak of. It uses orange cream syrup and honeycomb candy for crunch.
Served hot or iced, this comforting drink uses a base of honey- and vanilla-infused milk. It’s topped up with a shot of espresso, milk foam, and christened with a honey drizzle.
The post Unique Starbucks Drinks in Different Countries appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Explore the Many Flavors of Indonesia with Lara Lee appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>According to Prianto Soemantri, cookbook author Lara Lee might just be the nation’s ambassador when it comes to Indonesian food. A half-Indonesian, half-Australian foodie, Lee published last year a celebrated cookbook titled Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen. “This book is a dream for our culture,” said Prianto Soemantri. “A cookbook like Lara’s gives us representation.”
With more than 80 traditional and vibrant recipes that have been passed down through the generations, Lee’s cookbook offers insights into authentic Indonesian cookery. Recipes include tried and true dishes such as Nasi goreng, Beef rendang, Chilli prawn satay, and Pandan cake, alongside a variety of recipes for sambals: fragrant, spicy relishes that are undoubtedly the heart and soul of every meal.
“This cookbook is also the story of my grandmother and her dishes and our family, and me discovering my heritage,” relayed Lee in an interview with The Star. While Lee herself didn’t actually grow up in Indonesia, her book forms a bridge between East and West. Writing the book included much research in advance, as well as trips around the country.
“I think what I find so interesting about Indonesia is that wherever you travel, the flavour profile completely changes, whether it’s Bali, Timur, Sulawesi or Padang,” she notes. “So to capture it all in a cookbook, I travelled as much as I could in the time I had. I also met a well-known Indonesian chef called William Wongso, who took me under his wing and introduced me to some of the best home cooks in Indonesia, so I was really lucky to have incredible experts support me.”
Her favourite savory dish? Beef Rendang. The rendang begins in a large pot filled with coconut milk, chunks of stewing beef, and a fragrant spice paste that includes chillies, galangal, garlic, shallots, and turmeric, along with aromats like lime leaf and lemongrass. It simmers on a low heat until the beef has softened, the sauce is thickened, and the oil from the coconut milk has split and risen to the top. The heat is turned up and the coconut oil browns and caramelizes the beef until all that’s left is a darkened and powerfully flavorful sauce.
“Basically, because Indonesian food is not mainstream, I wanted it to feel accessible—something that people could make in their home kitchens, ” says Lee. Her recipes might just inspire you to visit Indonesia. In the meanwhile, you can at least experience it through your tastebuds.
The post Explore the Many Flavors of Indonesia with Lara Lee appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Want to See Orangutans? Run to These Two Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Sumatra is the home to around 14,000 wild orangutans, most of which are located in the northern part of the island. If you want to see them in their natural habitat, the best place to head to is Gunung Leuser National Park, just next to the town of Bukit Lawang. Orangutan tours set up by locals are your best shot to see these animals in the wild.
The Malaysian state of Sabah is the best place to see orangutans on the island of Borneo, as the majority of the island’s population of the animal resides here. Your best shot is on a three or four-day tour of the Kinabatangan River, where orangutans like to hang out on the banks. You can also try the Danum Valley and the Deramakot Forest Reserve, accessible by tours.
The post Want to See Orangutans? Run to These Two Islands appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Ranked: Top 5 Poker Countries in the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The United Kingdom has been growing its poker scene quite a lot over the last couple of decades. London, Edinburgh, and Dublin all have major hotspots where you can play poker from dusk until dawn.
Canada might be categorized as a country with “nice people”, but that won’t stop them from taking all your money in a friendly game of poker. Given that it’s legal to play poker there both online and at the casino, they’ve gotten a fair bit of practice.
Brazil is filled with countless casinos, and poker is incredibly popular there. According to a study, over 60% of their population enjoys poker in some way. Although online gambling there is illegal, it generates up to $4 billion of revenue per year.
Even though Indonesia is a relatively small country, its population absolutely loves poker. Gambling there is illegal, and therefore there are no legal casinos there—but their online poker culture is one of the most thriving in the world.
Americans love poker, and they’re legally allowed to play it. With 460 casinos in the United States, it stands to reason that there’s plenty of opportunity for Americans to get their game on. Whether it’s in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or Reno, America is by far the biggest poker hotspot in the world.
The post Ranked: Top 5 Poker Countries in the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Use These Tips to Get Fairy Tale Photos from Bali Swing appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Bali is home to many beautiful swings, but a visit to the official Bali Swing in Ubud will cost you the most. To get the full experience that includes rides on several different swings and nests, get ready to pay the entrance fee of $35. Make sure you have a travel companion, or you’ll have to pay extra for pictures taken by in-house photographers.
The clothes you’re wearing in your Bali Swing photos can completely change the frame. You should consider packing a long, flowy dress, preferably in a lighter color. If you don’t own one, don’t despair—you can always rent beautiful gowns on the spot.
It’s pretty much impossible to avoid the crowds during your visit to the official Bali Swing, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Waking up early and being there for the opening hour can take a lot of pressure off your shoulders and give you just enough time to explore.
The post Use These Tips to Get Fairy Tale Photos from Bali Swing appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Amazing Street Food Stalls in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Try the famous gulai dish at Gulai Tikungan, a place that’s always busy, especially in the evenings. It’s located in Mahakam street and offers a generous portion of gulai for less than $1. We guarantee you’ll come back for more after you try it once! If you’re wondering what gulai is, it’s a spicy savory dish made with beef slices, rice, and spices.
If you want to try the chicken congee dish known as Bubur Ayam, visit Bubur Ayam Barito, a street food corner that’s getting more and more popular and for a good reason. It’s the perfect place to start your day as Bubur Ayam is typically served for breakfast.
Don’t miss trying some delicious seafood while in Jakarta! You can taste it at Seafood Ayu, the place that offers big portions of fish, crabs, prawns, and clams at very reasonable prices.
The post 3 Amazing Street Food Stalls in Jakarta, Indonesia appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>