Ever considered going to Indonesia? If you haven’t, you should. It is a fantastic country that welcomes you with open arms. Whether looking for cultural immersion, party or simply to rest in an exotic spot, this place has it all. I just visited Indonesia and had an amazing experience on a pirate ship then spent another fantastic week in Bali, but my only regret was that I didn’t get to see any Indonesian Buddhist temples.
Luckily, my friend Georgiana Nicoara was there as well just a few weeks before me, and she offered to write this guest blog post about traveling around Indonesia and visiting the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur. Plus many other breathtaking sites (see all the pictures below).
She was there to study the Borobudur Temple Compounds, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Java. Here is Georgiana, introducing you to the best places to visit in Indonesia, her day-by-day itinerary, and a couple of must-know tips if you’re traveling to this beautiful country:
Borobudur Temple Compounds: An Indonesian Tour
I gotta start by saying that an ideal visit to Indonesia should be about a month. For anything beyond that, their government requires you to obtain a different visa that you must pay for. For the one month stay, you do not need to get any visa, though you should check with the airport officials upon arrival.
The exit fee is also usually included in the ticket price, but you should ensure to have the equivalent of $10 with you, just in case (currency info below). Whenever you depart from an Indonesian airport (Jakarta, Denpasar, etc.), you must have your printed ticket or flight schedule with you on hand to show security for them to allow you to enter the airport (I was there with my mom, for the first part of the trip).
Carrying on, you go through a quick bag screening upon entry in the airport then continue as per usual. The check-in booths for your flight open only two hours before departure. The check-in areas lack chairs depending on the airport. Do not arrive excessively ahead of time or you will be standing for a long time.
Taxis in Indonesia
If you consider taking a cab from the airport to your hotel make sure that the taxi is called Blue Bird. It has a black band above the windshield. The ones without the band are fake taxis.
Before starting the trip, ask the driver if his taxi is metered, by saying “Argo?”. Also, show the driver the address, as pronunciation is difficult in Bahasa Indonesia and you may end up at a completely different hotel. Classic taxi trick.
Ask the driver to lock the doors when you are driving, as some people have had issues with random people jumping in the taxi, or trying to rob them.
Cars drive on the left side of the road in Indonesia.
Indonesian Currency
The country of Indonesia uses Rupees (IDR). The conversion is about $7US for 100 IDR. Everything is relatively cheap, and a lot of places do not accept large sums, so carry smaller bills with you, such as 100s and 50s.
Religious Visits and Customs
As in many other places, to visit a temple, you must be decently dressed. Most temples and sacred sites give out sarongs (shawls) for free. Do not be scammed by the people selling them in parking lots. You may be required to wear a sarong tied around your waist even if you have long pants on, depending on the place. Your best bet is to carry around your own just in case they don’t provide them.
In Indonesia, there is quite the mix of religions. Java is mainly Muslim, and you will hear their call to prayer five times a day at 4 AM, noon, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM.
Bali is mainly Hindu, and they observe prayers three times a day, 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM. At this time, they place their offerings in the temples.
The temples in Java are mainly Buddhist, as the land used to be a Buddhist Dynasty several hundred years ago, and the temples in Bali are mostly Hindu. The Buddhist temples usually require a small entry fee unless you go to a more massive temple such as Borobudur, where the entry fee is more significant.
The Buddhist temples you can walk through freely, and into the offering rooms, and take photos, though stay away from taking pictures of the offerings themselves.
In Hindu temples, you have to pay as well, and you can usually walk around the temple grounds but not inside the temple area itself, as it is only open to the people who are praying. This situation became very frustrating after having made long trips to visit famous temples in Bali, and we were not allowed close to them. This was the case at Tanah Lot and the Uluwatu Temple.
Borobudur Housing
For our stay in Borobudur, we chose a homestay at the Nurudin House. He is a travel guide who has contacts for drivers and guides around Indonesia, along with his own home being open to guests.
He asked us a few questions and made our itinerary for us based on our preferences. As I was there for research on the Borobudur Temple, he arranged for us to meet with the Director of Conservation and was able to get us Special Guest passes which let us into various sights for free, with extended access to the temples.
Any tours you would like to partake in, I recommend booking them through Nurudin, as you will be paying significantly less, and you will have a familiar guide, whether it be Nurudin or his drivers. Our favorite was Saiful Ecko. He speaks English and has a very friendly and funny personality. He even had us over at his home for dinner.
Nurudin’s driver picked us up from the airport and took us to his house, which was about an hour and a half away. His wife provided us with dinner and lunch daily for 3 IDR per person, per meal. The breakfast was included in the homestay price.
Gili Trawangan, An Island Without Police Or Cars
This is one of the three little sister islands off of Lombok, along with Gili Air and Gili Meno. It is so tiny that it does not have any police on the island, or street lights when it gets dark. The island circumference is usually lit in the core entertainment area, but beyond that, it is pitch black.
There is also no motorized transportation, so bike and horse carriage are the primary modes of transportation.
The traditional alcohol of the area is called Arak. This drink is usually supplemented with methanol to make it stronger and has caused several deaths. Avoid.
I found a lot of other drinks are a lot stronger than usual, to the point where you feel drunk off half a drink. Follow the crowds and stick to bottled drinks only such as beer.
Indonesia Itinerary: Overview
Each of the tours was done with Saiful, our driver, and guide. The cost per day included the fee for the car rental, gas, and his driving services, which usually came out to 450 IDR ($35US) per day – this was for two people.
The cost per day also sometimes had to include the entry into the specific sites which we were visiting. There were days we spent about $100US/person.
NOTE: Marked with ( *** ) are the most recommended places to visit.
Java, Indonesia
Day 1: *** Borobudur Temple Sunrise Tour
Day 2: Chicken Church, Karang Rego, Karang Anyar, Jawa Moah Sakeng Ndene, Punto Kendil, Wanu Rego
Day 3: *** Rice Fields
Day 4: Borobudur, Mendut, Pawon
Day 5: Waisak Festival
Day 6: Bicycle Tour
Day 7: Kotagede, Imogiri, Dafam Hotel
Day 8: *** Jomblang Cave
Day 9: Malioboro Mall
Day 10: *** Merapi Volcano
Day 11: *** Prambanan Temple, Sewu Temple, Plaosan Temples
Day 12-13: Malioboro Markets
Bali, Indonesia
Day 14: In transit to Bali
Day 15: *** Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot, GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana)
Day 16: *** Nungnung Waterfall, Barong Dance, Mengwi Temple
Day 17: Transit to Gili Trawangan
Day 18: *** Snorkeling, Reggae Bar
Day 19: Transfer to Ubud, Monkey Forest Markets
Day 20: *** Batur Volcano, Hiking Trip, Ubud Shopping
Day 21: *** Pura Tirtha Empul, Elephant Cave, Candi Tebing Gunung Kawi, Pengumuman
Day 22: Ubud Shops
Day 23: Flight Home.
Indonesia: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Borobudur Temple Sunrise Tour***
We did an amazing Borobudur Temple Sunrise tour at 4 AM, accompanied by Nurudin. It was followed by a small breakfast included in the price, plus Nurudin packs an extra little breakfast for his guests.
After a break and breakfast, we went back to the Borobudur Temple to take a closer look during daylight at the galleries and the platforms of the temple.
We started the day at 4 AM, and we finished visiting the temple at 6 PM. As this was my research site, we tried to make the most of our time there.
It usually costs about 450IDR ($35US) for one visit per person.
Borobudur is a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java. According to Wikipedia, it is the world’s largest temple, consisting of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome.
The monument is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa (see image below), which is a hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation.
Borobudur is Indonesia’s single most visited tourist attraction.
Day 2: Chicken Church, Karang Rego, Karang Anyar, Jawa Moah Sakeng Ndene, Punto Kendil, Wanu Rego
We took a quick visit to the Chicken Church, which had a small snack included with it. It’s quite a steep walk uphill to get to it from the parking lot.
There isn’t too much to see besides a church shaped like a chicken with a beautiful love story behind it, and the view of the Borobudur Valley from the top of it.
We continued to Karang Rego, which is a covered outdoor cafe, lounging area. The Indonesian government requires each little town to have one of these along with a series of homestays to improve their economy. We visited a series of these throughout our trips.
We went on to the village of Karang Anyar, which is a town known for its pottery. We stopped by a house and partook in some pottery making.
Next, we went to Jawa Moah Sakeng Ndene, a family who opens up their home to teach foreigners about Javanese music. They have a large room of instruments, which they show you how to play and sing with you. They are very open and pleasant, offering us tea and treats, and a beautiful view of the rice fields.
*** Punto Kendil was our next stop. This is the highest point from which you can see the entire valley. They have a series of treehouse like structures which you can climb on and take photos or just relax. This was a personal favorite stop.
We continued to Wanu Rego, another outdoor cafe, where we watched the sunset over the rice fields.
Day 3: Rice Fields***
What an experience. We visited the rice fields and climbed all the way up to the top of the mountain, to find Candi Selogriyo, a Buddhist temple overlooking the grounds.
We walked through the rice fields for about two hours on our way us and took the bike path on the way down. This was a beautiful sight, and one of my personal favorites.
Day 4: Borobudur, Mendut, Pawon
This was another research day at the Borobudur Temple. It was also the day where we received the Special Guest Passes. After a private tour with the Director of Conservation, we went to the Mendut Temple, which is one of a series of three temples usually experienced together (Mendut, Pawon, and Borobudur).
As this was the day before the big Waisak Festival, we participated in the preparation ceremony including the circumambulation around the temple and chanting inside the offering room.
We then went on to visit the Pawon temple in the middle of a little village.
Day 5: Waisak Festival
We arrived at Mendut at 1 PM to join the festival. It began with a series of chants and rituals. We then lined up with the monks to start the 3km procession from Mendut to Borobudur.
Once we arrived at Borobudur, we were picked up by Saiful, and taken to the Nurudin house for dinner then dropped off again at the temple for the lantern release for the ending of the Waisak Festival.
Day 6: Bicycle Tour
We went on a bicycle tour of the surrounding villages around Borobudur. This included a plantation, some pottery villages, and the bamboo forest.
Day 7: Kotagede, Imogiri, Dafam Hotel
This day we visited Kotagede, the Muslim compounds, saw the prayers, visited the bathing pools, and just experienced a usual day in the compound. We went on to visit Imogiri, the Javanese King’s burial grounds. To be able to enter, you must let them dress you in the traditional Javanese wear.
We also took part in a Javanese chant and meditation around the King’s grave and were able to enter in the intimate room where a lot of Javanese come to feel the spirit of the King and make wishes.
We left Borobudur and went on to the Hotel Yogyakarta Dafam. Saiful drove us here.
Day 8: Jomblang Cave***
Another one of my favorites. We took a day trip to the Jomblang Cave. They give you rubber boots and rappel you down into the cave in groups of two. Their mechanisms for rappelling are very makeshift but seem to last through the years.
Once you get down, you go with a group of people underground towards another cave where you explore for about an hour. I recommend bringing an ash light as it is pitch black there and it becomes a hassle to rely on other for light. It is very muddy there so don’t wear any clothes that you can’t get dirty.
In the end, you walk back to the first cave, and then they bring you back up two by two. The wait is a bit long but worth it to get out.
Day 9:Malioboro Mall
Yay, shopping!! This was a day to relax, we walked to the mall and shopped around for a bit.
Day 10: Merapi Volcano
At the Merapi Volcano, we rented a Jeep and a driver to take us around the base of the volcano, and to the town which was overtaken by lava several years before.
We had stopped at a few sights along the way. It gets very windy, and dusty along the way and it is an extremely bumpy ride. Be warned! Very fun!
Day 11: Prambanan Temple, Sewu Temple, Plaosan Temples***
The Prambanan Temple is one of the only Hindu temples in Java, and it’s very well known. There are a series of different temples to be visited, and each has interior rooms for different gods.
After the main grounds, we visited the Sewu Temple (see image below) in the Prambanan Grounds, the only Buddhist temple there. This was a very beautiful experience, and has a good energy about it.
We drove a bit further towards the Plaosan Twin Temples and continued to a restaurant overlooking a river, hidden away in a tourist village. Didn’t catch the name but all the guides bring their guests here after the Prambanan Tours.
Day 12-13 Malioboro Markets
These were two relaxing days checking out the Malioboro Markets, which is a great place to practice haggling.
Day 14: In Transit to Bali
This day, I departed with my mom as she went on her flight back home to Canada. I continued my journey towards Bali.
Day 15: *** Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot, GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana)
We took a trip to the temple on the water, Tanah Lot. Here you can walk around the temple grounds, which is a rocky beach. And you can receive a blessing with holy water and rice under the temple, though you cannot enter it.
We continued to GWK (see image below), which is a park with oversized Balinese character sculptures. The entry fee is a lot higher than other places, 110 IDR ($7US) and doesn’t seem worth it to see 3 sculptures. But it is kinda cool to see.
The last stop of the day was the Uluwatu Temple, which was another one of my favorites. This is also a temple on the cliff overlooking the water. Though you cannot access the temple, the views are spectacular.
The monkeys in this area tend to be aggressive so make sure to hide all small objects such as sunglasses and food.
Day 16: *** Nungnung Waterfall, Barong Dance, Mengwi Temple
We arrived to see the Barong Dance; it is a long dance narrative of the traditional Balinese story. We continued to the Mengwi Royal Family Temple, which I loved.
After driving quite a bit, we arrived at the Nungnung Waterfall. To arrive at the waterfall from the parking lot, there are several hundred steps down, but it is worth it.
You can bathe in the waterfall, with a beautiful view. The walk back up is exhausting.
Day 17: Transit To Gili Trawangan***
It was the time we transferred to Gili Trawangan, to the Eden Cottages. The transfer is by speedboat and costs 800IDR ($60US) per person for a return trip if booked through Nurudin.
It also includes transport from the hotel to the boat, and from the return boat to the hotel.
Day 18: Snorkeling, Reggae Bar***
We had a beautiful day snorkeling around the 3 Gili islands with our guide Jas Wadi (He can be contacted through Facebook for tours, though I do not remember where we booked this trip).
We started at Gili Trawangan, then Gili Meno, and finally Gili Air. These are three sister islands. We stopped on Gili Air for lunch overlooking the black sands.
In the evening, we decided to explore the nightlife and it seemed like everyone was at the Sama-Sama Reggae Bar. Pleasant atmosphere and one of the most excellent and most entertaining reggae bands I’ve ever heard.
Day 19: Transfer To Ubud, Monkey Forest Markets
We transferred to our new hotel in Ubud, the Warji House 1. Then we took off an explored the markets of the Monkey Forest Road.
Though we did not explore the Monkey Forest itself, it is a recommended visit.
Day 20: Batur Volcano Hiking Trip, Ubid Shopping***
We had booked the Batur Volcano Hike ahead of time and highly recommend it. Our guide was Gede Ngarti and he made the hike doable and enjoyable.
Hiking up 6km of the volcano at 2 AM to watch the sunrise was one of the most dif cult things I’ve done, but it was worth it to feel on top of the world.
This tour is called the Bali Morning Trekking Tour and can be found here: http://balimorn- ingtrekkingtour.com/ There’s also quite a few monkeys you can play around with once you arrive at the top, and several areas of hot springs you can visit.
Included in the Batur trip, is a trip to a coffee plantation, where you can sample many types of coffee including the “poop coffee” called Luwak Coffee.
Day 21: *** Pura Tirtha Empul, Elephant Cave, Candi Tebing Gunung Kawi, Pengumuman
Here we began at the elephant cave, which was a cave with elephant sculptures and prayer rooms inside, and a series of small temple grounds surrounding it.
The next stop was at Candi Tebing Gungung Kawi which has a series of temples sculpted into gigantic walls of stone.
***We went on to Pura Tirtha Empul, the Water Temple. This was a personal favorite. Along with elaborate temple grounds, the main attraction is a long pool with spouts where people pray and bathe themselves in the holy water. They must start at one end, and pray towards each of the sculpted spouts. For this, they provide traditional Balinese outfits.
***Next, we stopped at a beautiful and relaxing restaurant overlooking the rice fields, called Boni Bali Restaurant. Highly recommended. We made a quick stop at the community temple called Pengumuman and walked around the temple grounds.
Day 22: Ubud Shops Visit
We took it easy this day, walked around and visited the shops in Ubud. Also went to Ibu Rai Restaurant for dinner. Highly recommended.
Day 23: Flight Back Home
Flew back to Edmonton, Alberta.
Overall Impressions
Java and Bali are very different places. Java feels more culturally appropriate to Indonesia; it is an excellent place to be to engage with the people and the traditions.
Meanwhile, Bali is a good place to go on vacation if you want to visit beautiful sites and sit on the beach, though they do seem more commercially focused. Ubud especially has very high-end shops and several streets that look more developed that the majority of the country.
For the vacation feel, I would recommend staying in Kuta or one of the Gili Islands.
The people are incredibly friendly, and you will feel the human connection here more than anywhere else. Though many people do not speak English, they try as best they can to communicate and make you feel welcome.
If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, don’t hesitate to contact me via Facebook or at [email protected].
The Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia, Seen from A Different Perspective – Watch the Episode Below
Have you ever been on a pirate ship? If you haven’t, there is an upscale one in Indonesia you should want to be on. I would even call it a “luxury” pirate ship, but hey, if it was too luxurious, it wouldn’t be a pirate ship anymore. Let me show you one of the coolest things to do in Indonesia.
I threw another dart at the world map while I was celebrating my birthday in Panama and the new randomly chosen destination was Indonesia. It ended up being one of the best trips I ever took. I am happy to share with you the tips, tricks, and adventures you can embark on if you visit that side of the world.
Watch the webisode above revealing the full “pirate ship experience” (I also throw a dart at the world map at the end of it) or you can keep reading for the amazing story:
As some of you know, I turned throwing darts at the world map into my lifestyle. While I was in Panama City, I decided to throw another dart. I hit the Indonesian waters, and the search began! From visiting temples in Lombok to the best things to do in Bali, I was all over the Internet.
Meanwhile, my friend Matt – who I am doing the Travel by Dart TV show with – just confessed that for his upcoming birthday he wants to wake up on a boat, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I said the middle of nowhere is exactly where my dart hit, so we should experience it together.
Like the good friend I am, I contacted a bunch of sailing companies in Indonesia and asked if they could accommodate us. We were invited to spend four fabulous days on Al Iikai, which means “Queen of the Sea” in the local language.
And off we went. Only this time around, we decided to invite our good friends and business partners from India, Arindam, and Satinath to join us. They had never traveled outside their country, so this was interesting already.
Walking on Al Iikai: “I Felt My Legs Melting and Becoming Part of The Wood”
Al Iikai is like no ship you’ve ever been on before. Walking on it, you feel like you are in a movie, only to enjoy real-life moments that come your way at the right time.
Owner Amanda Zsebik, originally from Australia, bought Al Iikai four years ago when it was in a pretty bad shape. Why did she do that?
“My life was a bit of a mess. I went on a cruise in Vietnam and realized I really loved being at sea. I loved being in this part of the world, especially Indonesia. I went to Southern Sulawesi, then it happened. I started to have this dream three times a night. I heard voices saying the name of the boat: Al Iikai. I soon went to Bali and found it. It was love at first sight.”
“I am very intuitive. I like to feel what’s right. When I found Al Iikai, I was walking around, and I intuitively felt if it was right to buy it. I went to the back of the boat where the hydraulics steering cables were. I felt my legs melting and becoming part of the wood on the deck. I knew I was part of the boat and we were meant to be together. I bought it right there.”
Working with 5-star Hotels Housekeeping Executives
“I wanted Al Iikai to be like a floating hotel, not like a boat,” says Amanda, who spends more than nine months a year on the ship. “It is my home now.”
“When I bought it, Al Iikai had very small, very cheaply constructed bedrooms. I changed that. When I was renovating it, I worked with the head of housekeeping from a 5-star hotel in Bali. I did the linen, the pillows, and the mattresses with him. Then I used quality bathroom features for the best experience.”
“On the other hand, I kept a lot of its initial design just to stay true to its originality.”
Gourmet Chef, Quality Food
The chef working on Al Iikay, Suchi, is also a former employee of a 5-star hotel in Bali. Zsebik recruited her not only for her cooking skills. “Suchi is amazing. She is also very caring. She makes sure everyone on board is happy and healthy. She even takes care of the clients who are seasick.”
The rest of the people working on the boat have varied backgrounds. “The original crew is from Southwest Sulawesi. They were part of a group called The Boogers which was Sea Fearers. They were very feared as seamen, which is where we get the name Boogie Men from. I’ve had to mix that up with crews from different islands from Indonesia, so I don’t have one sub-ethnic group represented, but many,” says Zsebik.
Experiencing the Secret Islands of Indonesia and the Real Culture of Lombok
Are you going to Indonesia soon? I don’t know about you, but I love to immerse myself in local cultures.
Amanda promised to show us “the secret islands of Indonesia”, rather than going to the touristy Gili Trawangan.
We landed in Denpasar and walked on the boat in the evening. We sailed away and spent the night just off Gili Asahan, a small island close to Labuhanpon, Lombok.
In the morning, we took one of the speedboats we had on board and went to the “mainland” (improper saying, since Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands). By mainland, I meant the bigger island of Lombok.
Amanda and her team took us to a village with no tourist soul on it. We went to the local street market in the back of a pick-up truck, for a couple of reasons: to experience the real culture of Lombok, as well as to buy local non-GMO ingredients for Suchi to use for making our lunches.
The street market was full of over 500 merchants selling everything and anything. We got what we needed, looked around, connected with some locals, and moved on.
Yoga Retreat: Lombok Has It All
Since we were close to Gili Asahan (“Gili” means island) Amanda took us there as well, so we could dive in the crystal-clear water of the ocean.
The island has a couple of fantastic resorts and establishments such as Nautilus, but also a yoga retreat located on top of the mountain. Magical, inspiring, empowering. Close to the clouds. Just like you see in advertisements and commercials. It is called Yoga Shala and is located right by a resort named Nautilus.
We got on the island around noon, so it was boiling. Unfortunately, nobody would do yoga at that time, when there is a million degrees outside (despite the “hot yoga” reference). The instructors come in the evenings and get tourists to do it while watching the sunset.
However, if you go to the Indonesian islands, especially to Bali, you will find yoga retreats everywhere, so don’t bother searching the Internet before your visit.
We went back to Al Iikay, did a bunch of jumps in the ocean from the top of the boat and got ready for something special arranged by Amanda.
Massage with Traditional Sasak Healer in Lombok
Next stop of the day was on Gili Gede, another tiny island just off Lombok. That’s where we enjoyed a fantastic massage from two local Sasak healers. Mine was called Futiana. Sasak people are the inhabitants of Lombok.
Then we visited a close-by resort called Ko-ko-mo, where we had some drinks while Alex (Amanda’s daughter) and Brad (Amanda’s best friend) enjoyed a nearby pool.
We went back at night and slept on Al Iikai’s deck. It was a phenomenal feeling, while the boat was sailing away in the middle of the Indonesian oceans.
Best Snorkeling in Indonesia and Swimming with Turtles
The second morning was dedicated to snorkeling. It was also Matt’s birthday, so the day was fully packed with things to do. Not to mention that he had his wish fulfilled, waking up on his birthday on a boat in the middle of nowhere aka Gili Rengit, in this case.
Snorkeling. What an experience. We woke up very early, around 7AM. That’s early to me. Amanda came on the deck and became the human alarm. “Let’s go see some giant turtles, lazy as-es,” she said. You can tell we had a bond already established.
We did two snorkeling sessions that morning, one by Gili Rengit and the other one by Gili Layar. We saw three turtles and a bunch of amazing other creatures in a very short time.
In the afternoon, we went to one of the most amazing snorkeling locations in the world: Gili Nanggu. The video in the beginning of this article tells more about the experience you can have if you ever go there.
We also took Satinath and Arin with us, who missed the morning session. While we were busy capturing videos with GoPros and waterproof pouches for our smartphones, Sat lost his mobile. This made all of us stayed an extra hour at the bottom of the ocean hunting for the pouch holding his iPhone. However, that was without success.
In the evening, we celebrated Matt’s birthday with the whole crew singing “Happy birthday” in both English and the local dialect, which was great to hear. They came out “playing” kitchen utensils while singing, from aluminum pans to empty water kegs. Sounds were dissipating in the sky with a slight echo effect, which was kind of weird since we were in the middle of the ocean. The mystery of the Indonesian islands.
Crazy Storm at Midnight
As we all went to bed, Captain Soke was supposed to take us to Gili Bidil overnight. In Gili Bidil, we had planned a bunch of amazing things, like surfing and kayaking.
However, just a bit after midnight, a crazy storm caught us by surprise, after more than four days of sailing. Amanda woke up and ordered Soke to turn Al Iikai back, for safety.
We had to reshuffle our arrangements for the next day since we woke up in a different location, but that’s what a memorable experience is all about. I loved every second of it.
One of the Best Things to Do in Lombok: Escape to The Lady Diana’s Waterfall
One other thing – the weather changed our plans to visit Gili Moyo, for a famous natural beauty existing there. Moyo is located to the East of Lombok and is the home of “Lady Diana’s waterfall”. The late British Princess used to come here in the early 90’s to hide from paparazzi and meditate.
The waterfall is a well-protected wonder as it’s part of a natural park, a reserve. I wished we’d had more time to spend on Al Iikai.
Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air – The Most Visited Islands in Indonesia
After the all-night storm, we anchored by Gili Air, which we had the chance to see the next day.
We hit up the island in a wolf pack: Matt, Sat, Arin, Brad, and myself. Boys night out. No, not really. It was more like boys’ day out. We went around the village, had some drinks with the locals and other tourists and watched a boxing fight.
Gili Air is one of the three ‘Gilis’ that are the most visited islands in Indonesia, along with Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. If you’ve been to Bali, you probably ended up on one of them. If you didn’t, and you’re about to go there, here is what you should know:
Motorized traffic doesn’t exist on any of the three. The methods of transportation available are the cidomos (horse carts, which are awesome to experience) or bicycles, up for rent.
Gili Air: Excellent Scuba Diving
Gili Air is the second smallest of the three islands and the closest to Lombok, making it popular with honeymoon couples and travelers seeking a quiet retreat.
It has a population of about 1,800. The island offers amazing snorkeling and scuba diving off its east coast, and turtles can be seen along the coral reef.
Gili Meno: Turtle Sanctuary Host
Gili Meno is the middle one of the three islands. Gili Meno has a population of about 500, mainly concentrated on the centre of the island. The main income comes from tourism, coconut plantation, and fishing.
According to Wikipedia, on the west side of the island, there is a small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season. Until a few years ago there was also a small production of seaweed on the reef at the north end of the island. Gili Meno has swimming beaches all around the island, and a turtle sanctuary.
The island is the quietest and smallest of the islands. However, honeymooners are also often drawn to the crystal-clear water and idyllic, secluded white beaches.
Gili Trawangan: The Party Island
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three islands and the only one to rise significantly (30 meters) above sea level. It measures 3 km long and 2 km wide, with a population of 1500.
The name Trawangan originates from the Indonesian word Terowongan (“tunnel”) due to the presence of a cave tunnel built there during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
Of the Gilis, Trawangan is the most developed and geared towards tourism. A local pub, Tîr na Nôg claims Trawangan is the smallest island in the world with an Irish pub.
After we left Al Iikai, we stayed another week on Gili Trawangan. (Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the article about that!) Now let’s get back to the Queen of the Sea.
Golfing in Lombok
The fourth and last day on Al Iikai I spent with Amanda, playing golf. Me, someone who has played golf five times in my life. For some reason, this time around was great and I really enjoyed it.
Amanda took me on the mainland Lombok, to a golf course called Sire Beach Golf Club, formerly known as Kosaido. We played 9 holes, and she kicked my ass, but for some reason, I felt like a rockstar. Weird, I know.
I loved the fact that the staff was very friendly, managers came over to say hi, and some of the people working there even asked to take pictures with us.
The prices are somehow similar – or not! – to the ones at North American golf courses. As a tourist, you pay 1.5 million IDR Indonesian Rupiahs (about $110US) for the fee, while the club’s rental costs 300,000 IDR ($22US). The golf shoes cost you about $10US.
I Threw Another Dart at The World Map
From the golf course, we returned to the ship and prepared to say our farewells to the amazing crew we spent four days with.
Matt and I were moving to Gili Trawangan while Sat and Arin were returning to India.
However, as I usually throw a dart at the map in every new location I visit, I decided to do it on Al Iikai, too. The crew was excited to see me choosing a new destination so randomly. I brought out my rotating map and the dart, and I did it on the rocking boat!
You’ll be surprised to see what happened.
If you haven’t watched the whole video yet (at the beginning of this article) well… you should.
On the other hand, if you want to connect with Amanda and her team at Al Iikai, feel free to send an email to: [email protected] or call: +62 812 4610 4019.
Travel With Me and Check Off Your Bucket List Items
That was it, folks. Meanwhile, you can travel with me to my next adventures. I am going to the following destinations within the next 12 months, so why don’t you join me while we’re being followed by a camera – click on the links if you’re interested:
To every single country of the ones mentioned above, I will go with an exclusive group of only 10 people (selected applicants only). I call it The Spark Experience. It’s for those people who work hard enough and rarely treat themselves, is for those who don’t want to have regrets, is for those who want to do something they’ve never done before. Is that you?
Feel free to let me know if you want to join at the bottom of every page listed above. Cheers!
I just threw a new dart at the world map and I am happy to travel to my new destination in just a few days! Watch the video below to see the dart throw (there is a little contest in there too)!
Just finished the Indonesia trip and episode!!! This country is truly amazing.
You can read the article and watch the episode HERE.
I was born in Romania, where you can discover some of the best castles in the world. However, while I grew up there, I thought fortresses, castles and monasteries were something extremely common, which you could find anywhere in the world. After traveling to more than 50 countries up to date, I was proven wrong. Not only I didn’t find many – except in Wales, Scotland, Germany, Spain and a few other regions – but I discovered that Romania, if traveled from East to West and North to South, offers phenomenal sceneries rarely seen in the world. It should be on your Top 5 countries to see before you die (make sure you do it with the Spark Experience, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure consisting of 10 selected applicants – you could enter your name HERE).
I decided to put together a list with the most beautiful castles, fortresses and monasteries around Romania. Without a doubt, I am sure I am also missing a lot of them, so feel free to suggest for addition to this article. Without further do, here is a list with amazing locations:
1. Bran Castle aka Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania (Castelul Bran)
See more pictures like this by following me on Instagram HERE.
Bran Castle (Romanian: Castelul Bran) is one of the most famous castles in the world. It is situated near Bran, a town located in Brasov County, right at the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. It is commonly known as Count Dracula’s castle. The first documented mentioning of Bran Castle is the act issued by Louis I of Hungary on 19 November 1377. A few months ago, a Canadian brother and sister spent a night at Dracula’s Castle, sleeping in coffins as beds, after winning a competition. Siblings became the first people to pass the night there in 70 years. Watch the video below to see the two siblings spending the night in coffins at Bran Castle:
One of the cool things is that you could join a fabulous tour of Dracula’s Castle by being part of the Spark Experience, which I mentioned above. It will take you to Transylvania for something that’s more than a vacation. Enter your name for the amazing trip HERE.
2. Peles Castle, Inaugurated in 1883 (Castelul Peles)
Peles Castle (Romanian: Castelul Peleș) was built between 1873 and 1914 and is located near Sinaia, a town in Prahova County. It was constructed for King Carol I and had its inauguration in 1883. More details here. Below there is an image from the interior.
3. Corvin, One Of the Best Castles To Visit in Europe (Castelul Corvinilor)
This Gothic-Renaissance castle (pronounced Castelul Corvinilor in Romanian) is one of the largest castles in Europe. It was built in 1446 as a fortress, but also contained jail cells. More details here. The main image of this article also features the Corvin Castle and was taken by Florin Ihora. Watch the video below to see a complete tour of the Corvin Castle: Corvin Castle Complete Video Tour
4. Voronet Monastery, The Sixtine Chapel Of The East (Manastirea Voronet)
The Voroneț Monastery (Romanian: Manastirea Voronet) is a medieval monastery in the village of Voroneț, now a part of the town Gura Humorului. It is one of the famous painted monasteries from southern Bukovina (more below), in Suceava County. The monastery was constructed by Stefan Cel Mare (Stephen the Great) in 1488. It is also known as the Sixtine Chapel of the East.
5. Putna Monastery, Where Stephen the Great Is Buried (Manastirea Putna)
Putna Monastery (Romanian: Manastirea Putna) houses the tombs of Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great, one of the most important voivodes in the Romanian history) and several of his family members. It is a place of pilgrimage very popular these days. Located also in Suceava County.
6. Cantacuzino Castle, finished in 1911 (Castelul Cantacuzino)
The construction of the castle started at the request of Prince George Grigore Cantacuzino and was finalized in 1911. It is built in Neo-Romanian style. The total surface of the estate is over 3,000 square meters. Nowadays is a museum, just like all the other castles. Located in Prahova County and it is one of the other best castles to visit in Europe.
7. Crisan, aka the Cow Monastery (Manastirea Crisan)
This monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Romania, built in 1450. It is located in the village of Crisan, Ribita town, in the Hundeoara County. The Crisan Monastery is also known as Manastirea Vaca (Cow), after the name of an adjacent village called Vaca. Photo by Irinel Carlanaru.
8. Rasnov Citadel, A Medieval Fortress (Cetatea Rasnov)
The citadel was built between 1211-1225 as part of a defence system for the Transylvanian villages exposed to outside invasions. It is located in the city of Rasnov, Brasov County.
9. Sucevita, One Of The Most Famous Painted Monasteries in Bukovina (Manastirea Sucevita)
Located in the village of Radauti, Suceava County, this church contains both Byzantine and Gothic elements, and some elements typical to other painted monasteries of northern Moldavia. Both interior and exterior walls are covered by mural paintings and depict biblical episodes from the Old and New Testament. Built in 1585.
10. Viscri Fortified Church (Biserica Viscri)
This fortified church in located in the Viscri village, Brasov County, Transylvania. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a Lutheran church built by the German Transylvanian Saxon community. One of the oldest of its kind, built between 1141 and 1162.
11. Sturdza Castle, The Gothic Beauty (Castelul Sturza)
Located in Miclauseni, Iasi County. It is a Gothic-style palace built between 1880-1904 by George Sturdza. The castle had many valuable collections of books (over 60,000 pieces) and documents of the time, paintings, jewelry, medieval costumes, weapons, etc. Most of them were burnt by Russian soldiers.
12. Karolyi Castle, A 15th Century Piece That Looks As New (Castelul Karolyi)
Located in Carei, Satu Mare County. The castle is named after an old noble family, the Károlyi family. Their first known residence here dates back to the end of the 15th century. It survived over the medieval era to several attacks from the Ottomans and other barbarians. It is considered as one of the best castles to visit in Europe as well.
13. Fagaras Fortress, House Of Princes (Cetatea Fagaras)
Built in 1310 on the site of a former wooden fortress, Fagaras (Brasov County) was enlarged between the 15th-17th centuries. It was considered one of the strongest fortifications in Transylvania. It also functioned as a residence for various princes and their families, such as Gabriel Bethlen (1613-1629) and Georg Rákóczi (1630-1649).
14. The Black Church, Heart Of Brasov (Biserica Neagra)
The famous Black Church (Romanian: Biserica Neagra) rests in downtown Brasov, one of the largest Romanian cities (also a very touristy spot). It was built by the German community and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the country. The structure was partially destroyed during a fire set by invading Habsburg forces on April 21, 1689. Afterwards, it became known as the Black Church. Here is a great quick video about the Black Church in Brasov:
15. Rupea Citadel, Another Medieval Fortress (Cetatea Rupea)
Rupea Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Rupea) is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania, the first signs of human settlements dating from the Paleolithic and early Neolithic. The first documentary attestation dates from 1324 when the Saxons revolted against King Charles I of Hungary took refuge inside the citadel. Located also in Brasov County.
16. Curtea de Arges Monastery: The Legend Of A Human Body Paved In The Walls (Manastirea Curtea de Arges)
The legend says that this church was ordered by Radu Negru to be built by Architect Manole. With Manole being unable to finish the walls, the prince threatened him and his helpers with death. At last Manole suggested that they should follow the ancient custom of placing a living woman into the foundations; and that she who first appeared on the following morning should be the victim. The other workers warned their families, and Manole was forced to sacrifice his own wife, called Ana. Thus the cathedral was built. When Manole and his assistants told Negru that they could always build an even greater monastery, he had them stranded on the roof so that they could not build something to match it. They fashioned wooden wings and tried to fly off the roof, but, one by one, they all fell to the ground and died. A spring of clear water, named after Manole, is said to mark the spot where he fell.
17. Iulia Hasdeu Castle, Honouring A 19-Year-Old Deceased Daughter (Castelul Iulia Hasdeu)
The Iulia Hasdeu Castle is a house built in the form of castle by historian and politician Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu in the city of Câmpina, Prahova County. Work on it began in 1893, after Hasdeu’s daughter, Iulia, died at the age of 19. The construction was finished in 1896.
Timisoara Orthodox Cathedral (Romanian: Catedrala Metropolitana Timisoara) was raised between 1936 and 1941.The building’s style is Neo-Moldavian style, late Renaissance, Ottoman, and Byzantine architecture elements. Photo by Adrian Benea.
20. Alba Carolina Fortress, The Largest Citadel In Romania (Cetatea Alba)
The Alba Carolina Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Alba) encloses between its walls several centuries old attractions laden with history, including Saint Michael’s Cathedral. Cetatea Alba is located in the city of Alba Iulia, Alba County, and is the largest citadel in Romania.
Barsana is one of the wooden churches in Maramures County, a beautiful synthesis of Eastern and Western European architecture, with Gothic and Byzantine elements. It was built in 1720. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
22. Neamt Citadel, A Medieval Fortress Built in the 14th Century (Cetatea Neamtului)
Neamt Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Neamtului) is a medieval fortress located in north-eastern part of Romania, near Târgu Neamț, Neamț County. It was built in 14th century Moldavia during Petru I of Moldavia’s reign and expanded in the 15th century. The citadel played a key role in Stephen III of Moldavia’s defense system.
23. Ramet Monastery, Erected in 1214 (Manastirea Ramet)
One of the oldest monasteries in Transylvania, Ramet stands out through its shape and boldness. It was built in 1214 and is located in Alba County.
24. Ghika Palace, Baroque Style (Palatul Ghica)
Ghika Palace is situated in Comanesti, Bacau County,was built in the last decade of the nineteenth century by Dimitrie N. Ghica, under the guidance of architect Albert Galleron, in baroque style.
24. Cetatea Greavilor, An Abandoned Fortress
Cetatea Greavilor is located in Garbova, Alba County. It was built under Hungarian and German influence in the second half of the 13th century. In English, “greav” means earl, so the translation would be the Earls’ Fortress.
25. Mraconia Monastery, A Place Well Hidden (Manastirea Mraconia)
The church is located on the Danube River’s shore, in the Mededinti County, close to the border with Serbia. The place is called Cazanele Dunarii (“Danube’s Boilers”). The monastery was constructed in the late 1400’s, the exact date differing from one historian to another. “Mraconia” apparently means a place being hidden. The church is also known that during the Russian – Austro – Turkish battle (1787-1792) when it was almost destroyed.
26. Bethlen Haller: Once Castle, Now A Wine Symbol
The Bethlen – Haller Castle is situated in Cetatea de Balta, Alba County. Built between 1570 and 1580, the castle was completely redone between 1615 and 1624 by count Stefan Bethlen who based his construction on the example of Chambord castle in France. It was built in the French Gothic style, on four levels, and its purpose was recreational. It is now owned by Necşulescu family, owners of Jidvei, one of the largest Romanian winemakers. Needless to say, nowadays it is the host of many wine tastings and events related to the industry.
27. Dragomirna, Between Monastery and Fortress (Manastirea Dragomirna)
The Dragomirna Monastery was built during the first three decades of the 17th century, 15 km from Suceava, in Mitocu Dragomirnei village. It is the tallest medieval monastery in northern Moldavia.
28. Pestera Ialomitei Monastery, The Most Visited Church in Bucegi Mountains
This church is located in Moroeni, Dambovita County. It is situated in a unique place, right into the Bucegi Mountains, which makes it the most visited monastery in the area. The legend says that at times the walls of the cave turn into mysterious girls that are holding hands and dance like the wind around the church.
29. Deva Fortress, Overlooking The City (Cetatea Deva)
The fortress is located atop a volcano in the Poiana Ruscă Mountain Range within the Western Carpathian Mountains of Romania. From the foot of the hill, the city of Deva, Hunedoara County, spreads out. Deva Fortress was built in the 13th century.
30. Carta Monastery aka the Cistercian Church (Manastirea Carta)
Located in Carta, Sibiu County, this church is a former Cistercian (Benedictine) monastery in the Ţara Făgăraşului region in southern Transylvania. It is currently a Lutheran Evangelical church belonging to the local Saxon community.
31. Kendeffy Castle, Now A Hotel (Castelul Kendeffy)
Kendeffy Castle is located in Sântămăria Orlea, Hunedoara County. It was built in 1782 by the Kendeffy Family, a noble family at the time. The castle was nationalized by the Communist Party in 1982, and in 1982 went to the Hunedoara County Administration, which turned it into a hotel.
32. Chindia Tower, House Of Vlad The Impaler (Turnul Chindiei)
Chindia Tower (Romanian: Turnul Chindiei) is located in Targoviste, Dambovita County. It is the palace where Vlad Tepes (Vlad The Impaler) used to live. Built in the 15th century.
33. The Calendar Castle, aka the Ugron Palace (Castelul Ugron)
This castle is located in Zau de Campie town, Mures County, in 1911 by a baron called Istvan Ugron who was in love with a Russian princess. It was supposed to be an engagement gift, but the princess never came. The Castle is also known as the ‘Calendar Castle’ as was built based on the principles of a calendar. It has 365 windows as many days a year has, four towers as the number of the seasons, and 52 rooms as are weeks, 7 terraces as there are days in a week and 12 suites as are the months of the year.
34. Corbii de Piatra Monastery
Corbii de Piatra is a unique monastic rupestral cave, located in Arges County, close to Corbi village, 33 kilometers away from Curtea de Arges. The first official attestation was on June 23, 1512. The settlement, carved into a massive yellow sandstone wall that used to be a hermits’ shelter, still keeps on its limestone walls one of the oldest paintings in Romania. Experts say the mural paintings are executed in the purest Byzantine tradition.
Prejmer Peasant Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Taraneasca Prejmer) protects the fortified monastery inside. It’s been one of the best kept fortresses in the world, being in perfect shape. It was built in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights in a Gothic style.
36. Red Castle From Heiemus (Castelul Rosu)
Built between 1864-1866 in vicinity of Bacau, the Red Castle (Romanian: Castelul Rosu) is not in use.
37. Moldovita Monastery From Bukovina (Manastirea Moldovita)
Another beauty from Bukovina, one of the painted monasteries. It is situated inVatra Moldoviței, Suceava County. The Monastery of Moldovița was built in 1532 by Petru Rareș, who was Stephen III of Moldavia’s illegitimate son.
The Prislop Monastery is a place of pilgrimage for the Christian Orthodox believers from all over Romania. Most of them wish to pay respects to the grave of priest Arsenie Boca. It is said that arguably after visiting Boca’s grave miracles happen for the pilgrims.
39. Ponor Monastery, The Athos Mountain of Romania (Manastirea Ponor)
Situated at 1,300 meters above the sea level, in Alba County, the Ponor Monastery (Romanian: Manastirea Ponor) is considered the Athos Mountain of Romania. Only men are allowed to visit.
40. Bucea Church, Green Fairy (Biserica Bucea)
The Bucea wood church is located on Gorban Hill, Cluj County, and was built in 1791 by the first seven Orthodox families in the village (now with 705 inhabitants). The event is also engraved on a beam from the entrance to the church. The church, composed of the narthex, nave and altar, is made of oak wood.
41. Cozia Monastery, Hosting Mircea The Elder’s Grave (Manastirea Cozia)
Cozia Monastery, built close to Călimănești – Valcea County today – by Mircea Cel Batran (Mircea the Elder) in 1388 and housing his tomb, is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania.
42. Feldioara Citadel, A Fortress Built By Teutonic Knights (Cetatea Feldioara)
Feldioara Citadel, located 21 km North of Brasov, it is also known as the Teutonic fortress and is the oldest fortification in Barsa Land. It was officially attested in 1225. It was founded by the Teutonic knights between 1211 and 1225 and transformed into a peasant citadel later on in 1457.
43. Lainici Monastery
The Lainici Monastery (Romanian: Biserica Lainici) is located 32 km away from targu Jiu, Gorj County. First mention of this monastery was in 14th century. The monastery was constructed during the reign of John Voivode between 1812 and 1817.
44. Namaiesti Monastery, Host Of A Miracle Virgin Mary Icon (Manastirea Namaiesti)
Some people claim Nămăeştii Church is the oldest convent in Romania. It is located in Campulung, Arges County. The monastery is a cave that houses an icon of the Virgin Mary that allegedly makes miracles (attributed to Luke tradition, framed in silver in 1798 and lithographed in 1871 by Major Papazogeu).
45. Saint Nicholas Church in Tulcea (Biserica Sf. Nicolae)
It was built in 1862 in Byzantine style. The Cathedral has countless valuable items inside, many of them covered in silver. This is it folks, thank you for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to drop a comment or subscribe to my newsletter here to be the first to get future articles. I am on my way to Indonesia – my last dart throw took me there, watch it here – so rest assured I will share some good information from that amazing as well.
I have visited over 50 countries and flown with probably 200+ airplanes. Over the years, I have learned some travel tricks and tips that saved me a lot of grief, money and time. I am not talking about “Pack light” cliché kind of advice, but rather cool, useful, and practical ideas.
I am happy to share these with you as I discovered, tried, and even researched for this material. You may have heard of some of them, but I can guarantee that you do not know about most. Without further do, let’s dive right into it – the order is aleatory:
1. Put Your Carry-On Into The First Few Overhead Bins
If you are amongst the last passengers to board on a plane you may have the unpleasant surprise to be left with no room for your carry-on in your overhead bin.
For that reason, a lot of people hustle to get on the plane right away so that they have a spot guaranteed above their heads. Otherwise, the flight attendants may place their luggage somewhere else.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to stand in that line up for 10-15 minutes. I continue to sit and read – or whatever else – and I wait until most of the passengers are on.
As I am walking into the plane, I put my carry-on in one of the first overhead bins that have an empty spot. This way, I don’t have to carry it until the end of the plane (or wherever I am seated) since I am coming back the same way anyway.
Also, most of the passengers are already seated at that point and I am not taking anyone’s spot. Trust me; there is always room available or you can easily make some.
2. Turn Your Glasses Into A Phone Support – One Of My Favourite Travel Hacks
Instead of just holding your phone in your hands and read or watch something, turn your glasses into an awesome support while flying or waiting in an airport. This way, you can sip on your drink with one hand and munch on something with the other! 🙂
3. Overbooked Flight? Don’t Take The First Compensation Offer
There will be a time when you will be waiting to board the plane and hearing the airline’s employee on the PA announcing that the flight was overbooked. Which means, someone will have to miss the flight. It happens ALL the time.
In that case, the airline offers to pay volunteers to give their seat away for a later flight.
The amounts of these compensations vary, but they always start low (depending on the distance and destination, it could start at $200). If you can afford to stay in the airport a little longer, that’s great, but don’t jump and take the first offer. It will eventually raise A LOT more. Here is one example:
I was in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport coming back to Edmonton not too long ago. My Delta flight was overbooked. As they announced they’ll give $300US plus meal vouchers to those who can wait for the next flight, I got excited. However, my delay meant I had to cancel a date that evening, which I didn’t want to cancel. I decided to take the plane.
Fifteen minutes later, the offer increased to $500US. Tempting again but…
The only problem was that my next flight home would be the next day, at the same time. Not only I had to spend an extra night on the road, but next morning I had to go to work, too. A bit complicated, so I went ahead with my decision to embark.
As time got closer to the boarding and they couldn’t find volunteers, Delta had to raise the stake: $1,000US.
That’s when I took it. I also got meals and hotel vouchers. Which, in perspective, it meant a free accommodation day in a different city, plus a “call-in-sick” the next day at work! Oh, plus a thousand dollars. That’s my parents’ pension for four months in Romania. Or, a 7-day all-inclusive trip to Puerto Vallarta for a person.
I waited to see how far they can go and it was perfect. The $300 they initially offered versus a thousand. Winner.
Do the same thing, but make sure to notice if anyone else around seems excited and interested. It’s a two-edge sword, as someone else may grab the low stake. They may steal the deal right under your nose.
4. No Wi-Fi On The Plane? Do This
Let’s say you have to do a lot of online research on a flight. Or maybe you want to read the latest article published on your favorite blog. As you know, there is no internet on the plane so what do you do? Check this out:
I like to read posts from a marketer called Neil Patel. He writes super long articles that take about 30 minutes to read, but during a regular day, I don’t have enough time to immerse myself in that. So I save them for a flight. How do I do that? And what should you also do with long articles that you want to read on the plane?
Open the article before departure (or at home when preparing for the trip) and simply save the page. Go to File->Save Page As->Format.
Save as Webpage (in Chrome) or Web Archive (Safari) on your desktop. While flying, you can access the article just like if you would read the Internet. Save as many articles as you want, and you can read during the entire flight. Just note that videos don’t play when using this trick, since they still need Internet to start.
5. Wonder When Is The Best Day To Book A Flight? Tuesdays And Weekends
The perfect day of the week to book your flight varies from company to company, but according to a study made by Expedia last year, it seems like Tuesdays and weekends are the best.
However, keep looking for deals all the time. The same report also says that if you fly overseas (Europe) the lowest prices could be found, in average, around 160 days before desired your departure – or 176 days if you’re traveling to the Asia/Pacific region.
On the other hand, if you are interested in finding best flights within North America, the magic number of days before booking is 57.
6. The Best Booking Websites? Use These Ones
Are you the type of person that schedules his/her holidays months in advance? Are you a last-minute deal junkie? Do you prefer only hotels or would you experiment with something else?
I have three places I check out all the time:
Momondo.com – one of the best cheap flights aggregators out there. It never disappointed me. My trip to Colombia (details below) for $335 was through them. Access Momondo using the link below:
Google Flights – on the same level with Momondo. Sometimes the prices extracted from the websites are not available anymore once you get to the carrier’s website, but nonetheless a diamond finder.
Bootsnall – this is the best website if you are looking for an ‘around the world ticket’ type of experience.
What is on your bucket list? Say you want to fly to Bali. You would probably pay close to $2,000.
What if you want to visit 7 different fantastic locations in one year instead of one? Say the Caribbean, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, and Bali. It would probably cost you a fortune to buy 7 different round flights. Two thousand dollars times seven destinations will sure send you over $10,000.
With the Bootsnall aggregator, all seven could be done with only $4,160 (see below).
7. Where To Find The Cheapest Flights? Subscribe to Scott’s
If you don’t want to spend time online looking for deals on a regular basis, I have the best alternative for you. I discovered it earlier this year, and I am notified DAILY with PHENOMENAL deals.
If you don’t know what destination to pick for your next vacation, Scott’s Cheap Flights is the best you can get. Scott Keyes is a seasoned traveler who searches for you, daily, the best flights in the upcoming months. If you subscribe to his membership, you will receive a discounted deal anywhere in the world. Did I say daily yet (starting most likely later on today)? Here is how an email from Scott looks like:
Chances are, within a month after signing up, you have at least 4-5 destinations that are hard to ignore. Deals like $500 for Hong Kong, $300 for Costa Rica, or $400 for Portugal are always popping up. Plus, the rest of the world, whatever country you can think of.
Scott’s membership fee is just a bit over $30 per year. Rest assured you will save that ten times on your next flight. The best thing is, when you set up your account, you get to insert your departure city, so you will always get the best deals and flights leaving from your town!
Last week I got my car towed. It was because, well, I parked illegally. When I found out that I had to pay a $300 fine to retrieve my car, the first thing I thought was wondering about which country I could have visited through Scott’s Cheap Flights, with that money. Weird, I know.
8. Best Travel Apps? Use These Ones
We talked about travel hacks and tips, but how about mobile applications that do that? There are some great apps out there that will help you through every part of your trip. From planning, to help at the airport, and even assistance when you are at your destination. Here are 13 must-have apps when traveling:
Dayuse – Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to rent a hotel room only for a few hours, in case you want to take a shower and a quick nap? Well, now you can, with Dayuse. The app lists hotel rooms for up to 75 percent off regular nightly rates, at 3,000 hotels around the world.
Airmule – If you have extra room in your luggage, you can sell it to someone who needs it! The app verifies the sender and the cargo so they make sure it’s all legal. Why not get some money back from that expensive ticket?
iFly Pro – This app provides in-depth information on more than 700 airports worldwide. This includes in-terminal navigation, flight statuses, parking rates, layover ideas and tips on services and amenities near you. It costs $4.99 (iOS) and $6.99 (Android).
GateGuru – It pulls out information on shops, restaurants and other amenities in both domestic and international airports. It’s a free app.
Turo – It is the Airbnb of cars, meaning you can rent a vehicle directly from the owner. It is available to users in the US and Canada. Turo lets you search for the exact type of vehicle you want at a fraction of what the rental car companies offer. Very cool, here is a video:
LoungeBuddy – It gives travelers the ability to discover, book, and access airport lounges around the world. It has over 230 lounges! It’s also free.
Seatguru.com – It lets you look at what seat is preferred on a plane, based on reviews from other passengers. Cool!
SkyGuru – This is interesting. If you find yourself getting stressed by the movement of the airplane and the bumps of a flight, SkyGuru will explain it all to you in real time, making you feel more secure about the flight.
Entrain – You beat your jet lag with this app. You can monitor your body’s circadian clock by adjusting faster to new time zones and schedules. Free app, see below how it works:
HappyCow – Are you a vegan? This app provides vegan and vegetarian restaurants in over 10,000 cities from around the world. Each restaurant listing comes with a short description of the menu and reviews. It costs $3.99.
One:Night – How about a price-reduced luxury room booked on the same day, helping both you (get instant accommodation) and the hotel (book a non-reserved room)? One:Night offers stays at luxury hotels in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Austin. Every day at 3 PM, the app unveils discounts for that evening. Discounts may vary, but it is known to feature $600 rooms for only $190.
Google Translate – People often forget about this one as they struggle to figure out communication in a foreign country. Download before the trip to get help with any language issues.
Lola – It is a brand new mobile app that serves as your concierge. It instantly connects people from all over the world to its travel agents who find and book flights, hotels, and cars for the customers. The app also provides support while the clients are on their trips.
9. Visit New Countries For $40
I’ll show you how to turn “OMG, f–k that,” into “OMG, I would love that.”
Let’s say you consider visiting Colombia for your seven-day vacation. A flight is $600. What would you choose from the following three options:
A. Fly to Colombia for $600 on a direct flight, get there in a few hours and enjoy your full 7 days.
B. Fly to Colombia for $335 but arrive 30 hours later (a day and a half later).
C. Screw it, fly to Mexico for $400, get there in a few hours and experience Aztec civilization.
How about I will get you get BOTH Colombia and Mexico for $375?
Most people want direct flights to their desired destination, to save many hours and days. Nothing wrong with that.
How about you get points B and C in the same package? I just had it a few months ago, for $375. How can you do it?
It’s a problem of mentality. Every time people book their flights online, they freak out when they see a total time of, say, 52 hours to their final destination. “OMG, 52 hours?! F–k that!”
I look for the longest. Why? Because the longest total time means there is a long layover in a different country. Which means, you have a free day or night to experience a different culture and country. Get out of the airport, spend the night, make some friends, AND rest in a bed.
People have the misconception that they have to spend their layover time in the airports all the time.
Think about it: your big luggage is on the plane, so it’s taken care of – it will make it to the final destination. You don’t have any other worries or things to drag around. All you have is your carry-on with whatever you need for the night.
That’s what I did when I booked my flight to Medellin, Colombia. It was $335, with a 21-hour layover in Ciudad de Mexico, from 9 PM to next day at 6 PM.
Typically, the wrong mentality of a tourist is: “No way, I rather pay more to get there faster as I don’t want to sleep on the airport chairs.”
I booked the $335 flight to Medellin. Then I went to Airbnb and booked a $30 room in an apartment located in downtown Ciudad de Mexico.
I specifically looked for a property that had young owners so that I could get along with. I contacted them, I introduced myself, and after we had trusted each other, I offered to pay for some gas if they pick me up from the airport. How much?
I paid another $10, they picked me up from the airport, and then we partied all night in the fabulous Mexico City. Then I slept for a few hours. The next day, Roberto and Tabata (my hosts, below) took me through Mexico’s capital, showed me around, went to a soccer game, and had a great time.
Needless to say, I am now very good friends with them, and we are constantly keeping in touch. Roberto is a lawyer and may consider moving to North America.
In retrospect, instead of saying “OMG, f–k the 30-hour total travel time, I will pay $600” I got to:
– Visit two countries instead of one (Colombia and Mexico), in the same week
– Paid only $375 for flights and accommodation in between
– Made friends for life
– Rested in between flights
It’s a matter of looking at the total flight time with different eyes.
10. Know All The Travel Scams You Could Be Victim Of
Scam Detector is a website that exposes over 1,000 scams you could fall for, of which 140+ when traveling. Browse it, educate yourself, and don’t become a victim.
This free service has been featured on ABC, BBC, CNET, FOX Business, CBS, and many other major media channels. You can visit the Scam Detector HERE, just go to Scams and hit the Travel category.
Type in the Search box the name of the country or city you are visiting and it will tell you what scams you could fall for in those locations. Be smart.
Scam Detector started as a mobile app but turned into a responsive web-platform for easy access all over the world. You can subscribe to their newsletter to also get the Top 5 scams of the week.
Have you ever been scheduled on a flight that was canceled or delayed by a few hours, while you were in the airport? Did you see all those hundreds of passengers hustling to the one counter trying to get first dibs on rescheduling?
It happened to me last week while flying to Romania to see my parents.
It is not uncommon. In case this happens in the future, don’t get into the crowded line to see the gate agent (along with the other 200 people).
Instead, call the airline’s toll-free number and talk to their customer service representative. You’ll be helped within minutes. Then you can enjoy a coffee while the others are stepping on each other’s toes at the gate, struggling to rebook a new flight.
The person on the phone can take care of things for you the same way the gate agent can. If you want, you can get in line while calling the airline. If the customer service reschedules you before you get to the counter, you can simply step out of line.
12. How To Get Upgraded to First Class
One of the regrets I have during all these years of traveling is that I didn’t sign up for the loyalty programs of EVERY airline I ever have flown with, at the VERY FIRST flight. What does that mean?
Time goes on anyway. Chances are, you will fly at some point with the same company again. Many times.
Do what I didn’t do initially: use every airline’s loyalty program and allow the points accrued in time to move you up to more comfort. Sure, not for your first flight with them, but later. That time will come.
Don’t be lazy today. Use a minute to sign up, that’s what I mean. Not only that, but nowadays when competition is so high, airlines throw in other amazing rewards that you wouldn’t know about or take advantage of, otherwise.
13. Make Your Phone Work Abroad Like It Does At Home
When it comes to your mobile data, there are a few other tricks you can use. What kind of telephone do you have: an Android or iPhone?
If you have an Android phone – Nexus or Pixel – you can make it work abroad (135 countries) exactly like home. All you have to do is to use Google’s Project Fi, which is your next-gen cellular carrier. Click the link below to access it:
If you have an iPhone, you can set it up to work on Project Fi using this hack.
On the other hand, if in doubt you could purchase a portable Wi-Fi hotspot like Skyroam. All it takes is $8 for unlimited data in over 100 countries.
14. Breeze Through The Airport Gates Without Taking Your Shoes Off: Get A Global Entry
You know that at every airport you will be going through the tedious TSA procedure. The good news is that now it is possible to make things easier by using TSA PreCheck for an annual membership fee of $85.
This will help you get through without the hassle of issues with shoes, your items being gone through, and increased ease at getting through the process.
However, what’s even better is to sign up for the Global Entry Program. For $100 (only $15 more), you will get the TSA PreCheck benefits plus a faster access through the US border, along with a better “treatment,” so to speak. Well worth it. You can sign up for a Global Entry application using the link below:
Besides the United States, other countries that qualify for the Global Entry Program are Canada, the UK, Germany, Panama, Colombia, Netherlands, Mexico, Singapore, India, Switzerland, Argentina and South Korea. No Australia just yet.
In Canada, you can also sign up for a Nexus membership, as long as you don’t have a criminal record.
15. Avoid The “Randomly Selected” Customs Scan: Batteries Out!
How many times have you been stopped at the gates for a routine “random” check of your luggage or your clothes that you’re wearing? It’s annoying and uncomfortable as hell.
Batteries represent a huge issue when it comes to going through the airport scanners.
Be sure you have taken all the batteries out of your travel appliances before you pack. There is nothing like a vibrating device to set off security concerns and delay your flight as the crew makes sure everything is safe. Put the batteries in the big suitcase that you check in.
The security people don’t even tell you why they look through your luggage. I’ve heard from someone working at the airport that a lot of times is because they want to make sure the batteries in your carry-on (which they can see when scanning the bag) may be the cause.
16. Put The Little Things In One Place: Jacket Pocket
How annoying is when you go through the security gates to take everything off your pants’ pockets? Those quarters you got at the coffee shop, your keys, your wallet? Plus the glasses and the bracelet? And the watch or the necklace?
When going through the x-ray machines, speed up the process by putting all these small objects into your jacket pockets minutes before getting in line. This way you can use fewer bins, and it moves the conveyor belt process along faster.
I know it seems obvious now, but a lot of times I forget this myself, only to throw everything in the bin and pick them up one by one on the other side.
Did you forget your phone charger at home? Most of us do.
Don’t panic. You’d be surprised, but it is very likely that the airport has many that have been left behind by other passengers. MANY. Here is the trick:
If they have been unclaimed for 90 days, the airport staff is allowed to give them away, so most likely will give you one. To keep the place clean and tidy is what they want, also.
18. Liquids Through The Gates? Yes, You Can
Once you get past security, you may have a decent wait time before your flight. You are a captive audience for all those pricey little stores and vendors.
You can avoid spending extra money on water if you pack an empty bottle in your carry-on bag. When you are past the security checkpoint, just fill it up.
Also, frozen water or juice is not judged in the same way as liquids when you go through security. Frozen liquids are let through with you, so you could simply bring a bottle that you that contains frozen liquids.
19. Send Yourself An Email With A Copy Of Your Passport
Did you ever lose your passport in a different country? It’s the worst experience ever. The thing is, you always think you are careful until… you’re not 🙂
It happened to me while in was in Los Angeles. As a Canadian, I was lucky enough to find a consulate in LA, but the procedures of proving who you are, well, are not that easy. I had to spend two extra days in Los Angeles (until I was verified), meaning I also had to pay for a couple of nights at a hotel, for which – of course – I needed my passport!
Imagine you lose your passport in China.
Here is what to do before holidays: send a copy of your passport to your email. If bad news happens while you’re away, you always have handy proof of your identity, which will help speed up the process.
Not only that, you only have to do this once, and you will always have it accessible.
Just make sure that when you send yourself the email to write a different subject line than “My Passport Details,” just in case your email ever gets hacked.
20. Look For Two One-Way Flights
A lot of times, booking two one-way flight tickets, with two different airlines, might be cheaper and more convenient than round trip tickets. If you have some reward points to take advantage of as well, you could get a hell of a deal.
In my case, a flight two-ways to Romania costs about $1,300US during the hot season. I flew to Romania last week with a one-way flight that cost me $283US (I used some Aeroplan points, too).
The other one-way ticket (return) cost $478US. A total of $751US.
21. Pretend You Live In A Different Country When You Book Flights
Many locations have different prices according to the “Point of sale,” meaning where the ticket was purchased. That happens because the transaction is subject to regional pricing.
The cost of the tickets is lower in an underdeveloped country or when travel companies are trying to set up shop in a new region. There are basically different costs for tickets for the same flight, and one can find this out from sites, for example, such as Expedia.com and Expedia.co.kr (which is a Korean version).
While checking the flights you need to be aware that the prices will be given in the local currency, so have a currency converter handy.
22. Search Incognito AND Clear Cookies
This is one of the most critical things to be aware of when it comes to travel hacks and tips. Did it ever happen to you to find a great deal online, save it for a few hours or days, only to find a higher price when you return to it? It happens all the time, and it’s nerve wracking.
That is because the cookies stored on your computer tell the booking website you already visited it and you are interested. When you go back to it, their software detects the same interested visitor and increases the price automatically.
I am sure you probably know how to avoid the problem, but just in case you don’t – here it is.
When you are ready to start looking for deals on flights, open a new incognito window in your browser, not a regular one. The incognito window doesn’t store cookies, and the prices won’t increase because you’re always be considered a new visitor.
However, if you’re going back to a great deal found a few hours or days ago, make sure you clear the cache in your history panel as well.
23. Pack The Heavy Items At The Base Of Your Suitcase
I always get a smile on my face when I am in an airport and see suitcases falling over randomly.
Maintain the balance of your suitcase by packing shoes, books, full bottles or other heavy items at the base, near the wheels. This helps keep the suitcase straight and it would not keep falling over.
24. You Have a 24-Hour Window For A Refund
Typically, flights have a 24-hour window where you can cancel the booking without paying any fees – even for most of the “nonrefundable” flights! This provides you with the opportunity to book a flight and then keep searching for a day to get a lower price.
Meanwhile, there are services such as FareLock, which provides the chance to wait up to a week before booking with a minimum charge beginning at $6.99.
Another great service is Options Away, which can hold flights for up to three weeks at a rate starting from $4 to $45.
25. Your Credit Card May Do Wonders
A lot of people don’t know what their credit cards offer when they are away. And I am not even talking about the travel-oriented credit cards.
Numerous credit cards come with complimentary benefits, such as entry to airline lounges, insurance coverage, renting cars and hotel room upgrades. Check with your credit card company to see if you have such bonuses which you probably didn’t know about.
When it comes to travel credit cards, many are great according to your lifestyle and location.
If you live in the US, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the premium travel credit cards. For every $1 spent you get 1 point, and for every $1 spent on traveling you earn 2 Ultimate Rewards Points. With a yearly charge of $95, it renders various offers such as waiving foreign transaction fees.
Also, if in the first three months of joining Chase you have spent $4,000 on goods, then you get a signup bonus of 40,000 points. Last but not least, while redeeming points for car rentals, cruises, hotels and airfares you can boast 20% off travel.
If you are on the road a lot, click the link below to see four travel reward credit cards that you need in your pocket:
On the other hand, with the American Express Platinum Card, you can get a Boingo membership, which offers in-flight Internet. Which takes me to the next point:
26. Stay Connected To The Internet Everywhere
Roaming and in-flight Internet are extremely expensive. Get a subscription to Boingo, which provides Wi-Fi hotspots and costs only $4.98 per month for access in America and $59 per month to get access all over the world.
27. Make Free Calls Everywhere
This may sound like common sense now, but a lot of people don’t think of it when the time comes.
Most of us call our relatives (moms, spouses, etc.) every time we are in holidays. While a lot of travelers purchase mobile data plans that offer a tempting number of minutes for calls, there are still many people out there who ignore/forget the fact what you can now make FREE phone calls with mobile apps such as Facebook Messenger, Viber, Google Voice, or Skype. It’s 2017, people!
28. Get An International Student Card For Cheaper Deals
A student ID card gives discounts in your country, but can also be valid in others. This can translate into cut price travel, accommodation, attractions and events – even food and alcohol.
An International Student Identity Card gives the holder access to more savings and extra discounts across 45 countries. How to get one?
29. Save Accommodation Fees By Taking The Night Train
If you travel within bigger countries (such as Japan, US, etc) and visit multiple cities, schedule your transportation strategically. The best is the night train.
Not only do you save the price of a night’s accommodation, but less travelers choose night or inconveniently timed flights and travel options, meaning better prices for you.
A night bus or train can be a great choice, especially as comfort levels are improving and many have reclining seating. You may have to wait an extra half hour for the destination train station to open, but it could save you money for the inconvenience.
30. Live Like A King On That Small Budget
If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas or any other major city, you know that if you play any game in a casino you get free drinks. Well, in a lot of other places in the world, you can also have similar benefits.
While some hostels might not have the amenities of 5-star resorts, a smart traveler can live in the dorms and still party like a millionaire.
For example, in South East Asia, you can lounge by the pool in 5-star locations simply by buying a drink at the bar inside the hotel. Other places might require a spa booking, or even just a room enquiry. Just don’t act guilty.
Many high-end resorts allow guests and members of the public into their social areas, even though it helps to know (or make friends with) someone already staying there.
Inspiration: Travel With Me and Check Off Your Bucket List Items
That was it, folks. Meanwhile, you can travel with me to my next adventures. I am going to the 6 exotic destinations below within the next 12 months, so why don’t you join me while we’re being followed by a camera? To every single country, I will go with an exclusive group of only 10 people (selected applicants only). I call it The Spark Experience. It’s for those people who work hard and rarely treat themselves, is for those who don’t want to have regrets, is for those who want to do something they’ve never done before. Is that you?
What to do in Medellin? Certainly, you can’t plan what just happened to me, but you might get close. Watch the video below to see the story, or read on:
I grew up in Romania thinking that Medellin, Colombia, was the worst city in the world. It was because I heard daily news about the hundreds of gruesome murders, from politicians to journalists.
Stories of Pablo Escobar, Popeye (Escobar’s hitman, responsible for the deaths of over 3,000 people), blood baths, and car bombings were fascinating, yet frightening. Yet, I was intrigued – because I was a huge soccer fan – how the Medellin Cartel sponsored the local soccer team and the Colombian national team (despite the criminal activities, both teams did extremely well – Nacional Medellin winning Copa Libertadores in 1999) and gave support to schools, hospitals, and other public institutions.
The Medellin Cartel’s blood full stories made me scared, at 13, to ever end up in Colombia. Although deep down or secretly, I wanted to. It must have been that “going there will be like going to a movie set” kind of mindset.
Life beats the art, though.
I ended up in Medellin two and half decades later. And as faith would have it, I ended up face-to-face with Popeye, aka Jhon Jaime Velasquez. But I will get to that in a minute.
The city is phenomenal. I have seen 50 countries so far, and Colombia is my second favorite. The first one was Bermuda (check out my article/video on the truth about the Bermuda Triangle mystery, as I am also giving away a free hotel room and a car to drive while there).
See more pictures like this by following me on Instagram HERE.
In Colombia, people are extremely friendly. Thousands of joggers are seen running through the neighborhoods; public gyms are populated at night, Zumba sessions are in plain sight in a mall (Unicentro), and – my favorite – not once, was I the victim of an attempted scam.
Not to mention that Medellin probably has some of the best nightlife out there – I had a blast.
The Attack of the Teenage Prostitutes
People warned me about the scammy ‘mujeres’ and how they would try to lure one into all kinds of scenarios. I never had a problem in dealing with the ladies, so Medellin was an easy breeze. Except for the night, when I couldn’t run fast enough from Maria Luisa, a 19-year old prostitute. It happened in Parque Lleras, which is the best neighborhood to party in Medellin.
After she had said hi to my friend Nathan and I, she took her iPhone out to use Google Translate – just to let me know her name, her age, and the fact that I won’t be ‘escaping’ too easy that night. Needless to say, ‘gringos’ are a high target.
As Nathan and I moved to a different corner of the bar, she followed us along with another teenage prostitute. They must have had some guys around them too because they were always looking for and signalling random people.
We left the bar, and so they did. When we saw that, we literally started to jog. I felt like I was running away from a cobra with a lethal bite.
Of course, every city has its prostitutes. Medellin didn’t differ. And sure, there are also robberies and scams everywhere, but in my 10-day trip, I didn’t get to experience any of that nor did I hear of any such happenings around me.
Both my Airbnb hosts were amazing. I totally recommend using the platform. I always did and I always will. Locals are your best tool if you want to have the best experience.
“One who goes to travel comes back a different person” – Chinese proverb
It always amazed me how a lot of people are reluctant to immerse themselves in other cultures. Traveling teaches you about life in a way that school never does. The more you learn and immerse yourself into other cultures, the more powerful you become, whether that’s speaking Spanish or mastering Salsa.
There will be moments in your life where the knowledge you accumulated on a previous trip will save you in difficult situations. Guaranteed.
The Private Pablo Escobar Tour
One of the coolest people I met was Diego, an Uber driver who picks people up at the Jose Maria Cordova Airport, exclusively for Airbnb hosts that hire him. Diego doesn’t speak English, but he knows a lot and can get you a lot.
As I was telling him about my childhood soccer days when the Nacional Medellin and the Colombian national team identified themselves with Pablo Escobar and the Cartel, he offered to drive me around town to all the ‘historical’ places related to the drug lord, and give me a private tour of some of the exclusive local spots.
However, as a note, if you ever go to Medellin, never tell a local that you are going on a Pablo Escobar tour.
Escobar: Death Location
The first location Diego took me to was the house where the infamous drug dealer was killed. Or, as his brothers would say, where he killed himself. If you’ve ever seen documentaries or a Netflix show like Narcos, you know what I am talking about.
After 16 months of intense searching for Escobar after his escape from La Cathedral prison, Pablo was finally located via phone satellite capturing his phone signal. He was in one of the medium-class neighborhoods of Medellin, called Los Olivos.
As the Search Squad found him and a shoot-off was going on, Escobar and his bodyguard, El Limon tried to escape through the back window on the roof, only to be surrounded and killed.
However, Pablo’s brothers – Roberto and Fernando – claim that he shot himself with the final bullet: “He was always saying that if he ever gets cornered without a chance to escape, he would shoot himself in the ear.” Escobar was found dead with a gunshot in his pelvis, and one in his ear.
For those who don’t know, Escobar was on the run after he escaped from La Cathedral (see pic below), a prison which he designed himself after reaching an agreement with the Colombian Government.
According to the deal, Pablo asked not to be extradited to the United States, in exchange for reduced sentence in a local jail, plus ceasing any violent conduct and crimes against authorities. However, that didn’t last long.
Escobar agreed to spend five years in prison, but with the condition of picking and choosing his jail. This led to the construction of the La Cathedral, on one of the beautiful hills overseeing Medellin.
La Cathedral was more like a mansion, with entertainment rooms, soccer fields, and many more facilities. I visited La Cathedral as well, see below.
“Bienvenidos Al Barrio Pablo Escobar”
The next place Diego took me was the neighborhood that Pablo Escobar funded and built for the poor people of Medellin. Located in the Caldas area of the city, ‘el barrio’ (neighborhood, in English) overlooks the town and has very abrupt and narrow streets.
Paraphernalia is sold all over, from mugs with Pablo’s mug (no pun intended) to matchsticks and T-shirts with his face on.
The atmosphere is friendly with children playing, and hundreds of motorbikes buzzing. Not a day passes (even now, 25 years later) without the locals seeing Pablo’s face on the walls.
Monaco Building, Bombing Trap
While Escobar was imprisoned in La Cathedral, his wife Maria and two kids lived in a building called Monaco, in downtown Medellin. Even though it was 50 kilometers away, Escobar had a tower built at his jail on the top of the hill.
From that tower, he used a powerful telescope that could zoom in all the way to the Monaco building (photo below) in the middle of the city. This way, he would call his family and talk to them on the phone while watching them through the telescope.
The Monaco building was the object of a car bombing that killed two of the guards and made $7 million in damages (6 feet crater was created on the street and several adjacent buildings destroyed).
The Escobar family was not hurt, and the buildings and the neighborhood have been restored. Unfortunately, the Government of Colombia decided to demolish the building in March 2019, so if you visit Medellin there is no way you can see it anymore.
Visiting La Cathedral
This place is still majestic although partially ruined. A small part of it was turned into an asylum for older people, but most of it is presented as a historical landmark.
“The country that doesn’t know its history is doomed to repeat it,” is printed on a small sign as you walk in. The original statement belonged to Italian philosopher George Santayana and was more like: “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Relevant in all sorts of ways. See this pic below taken at La Cathedral
See more images like this by following me on Instagram HERE.
Escobar designed his own prison, ordering everything a mansion has, and more: playing rooms, soccer pitches, a helicopter landing platform, etc. He would regularly entertain guests, including victims that were brought there to be killed.
The jail even had a sexually fantasy room with a rotating bed, where Escobar would have young girls for his pleasure. At the time, the part of the building was destroyed by an earthquake and all that was left is the round rock below that the bed was installed on.
Escobar escaped La Cathedral when he got word that the government was about to break the deal and move him into a conventional prison, with the possibility of extraditing him to the United States.
The drug lord escaped through a back gate, running into the mountains.
Visiting Escobar’s Grave
The biggest surprise I had was the last stop that Diego and I had.
As we visited Pablo’s grave, we found another person there. It was Jhon Jaime Velasquez, aka Popeye. The one I was terrified of as a kid. The one responsible for the deaths of over 3,000 people. The man who would kill daily with only ice running through his veins. The one who kidnapped tonnes of powerful individuals and bombed several places. The one I saw in movies such as The Two Escobars. The man who killed his own girlfriend.
Popeye was there, in front of me, holding his hand up for me to shake it.
After 22 years of jail he is now free, but still walking around with guards, guns, and walkie-talkies. In an interview for Daily Mirror HERE (which calls his the world’s most dangerous man), Popeye confessed that: “I am a repented and reformed man. If possible, I am looking for reintegration back into society. I am still capable of killing, but unless I am cornered, I hope I will never have to do it again.”
In my encounter with him, he was affable and sociable and even shared a bunch of stories over Escobar’s grave.
He spent about 15 minutes telling us how close he was with Pablo, and about the people that buried around him (Escobar’s father, El Limon, other family members).
A photo op came, naturally. His tattoos on his arms say it all. Twenty-four years since Escobar’s death and Popeye still comes to his grave on a regular basis.
I posted this picture on Instagram, and I was immediately followed by the CNC Medellin, a local TV channel. And maybe by others too, not just on social media. Plus, it was inevitable not to have some judgemental friends sharing their thoughts on my image. Truth be said, I don’t give a f*&k. I wanted to capture the moment.
The Escobar tour that Diego gave me was priceless. If you are ever in Medellin, hit him up. Send me an email at sorin at travel by dart dot com, and I will give you his contact.
Just a reminder not to tell the locals you are doing an Escobar tour. You are just another gringo.
What To Do In Medellin
This beautiful region has a lot of attractions to visit. I want to share with you a few of them:
La Piedra in Guatape
One of the amazing places you should visit if you go to Medellin is La Piedra, located in Guatape, two hours away east from the city. It is a massive 700-feet rock that stands out, overlooking a wonderful ‘pueblo’ (village).
It has 700 steps to climb but the breathtaking (literally) scenery at the top is worth it.
At the top of the rock, there are a couple of patios where you can have a bite to eat and a couple of ‘cervezas frias’ (cold beers).
When you come down from La Piedra, you can visit Guatape, which is a town sitting by a lake, featuring a bunch of great little attractions, including a zip line ride along the water.
Pueblito Paisa
If going to the countryside is not your thing, visit Pueblito Paisa. It is a miniature cultural city located at the top of a Medellin hill. You can take a taxi or Uber. It features traditional Colombian shops with artifacts, souvenirs, restaurants, and…a church.
“Paisa” refers to whatever is Medellin-specific; whether is its people or things. “Pueblito” means ‘little town.’ See pic below.
Parque Lleras, the best place to party in Medellin
If you are a night owl, you cannot go to Medellin and not visit Parque Lleras. It is the neighborhood party. Tonnes of restaurants open late at night, every day of the week. It’s the place where anything can happen.
Uber cars are readily available. And be especially watchful here for the taxi tricks.
Although I didn’t have enough time to do it, in Medellin, there is also a cool cable ride that takes you in a gondola above the city. Consider taking it. Ask locals for Metrocable and directions.
As for the food, if you are ever in Medellin make sure you try a Bandeja Paisa, see below.
The Atanasio Girardot Stadium Is A Giant Park
As a big soccer fan, I was lucky enough to stay in Medellin just three minutes away from the Atanasio Girardot Stadium, where local teams Nacional and Independiente host their home games.
I went for a run every morning around the stadium, along with many other people. On Sundays, the streets are closed and hundreds of locals are jogging or walking their dogs.
It is like a huge park, with many food shops around – so you can even take your family and dog for a walk and good times.
Of course, I had to visit the stadium inside, and I asked for a tour guide. A young girl working there took me through the tunnel, locker rooms, and VIP boxes. We ended up on the freshly cut grass pitch.
Tons of history here as well, if you like soccer.
My Favorite Nightlife Spot In Medellin
If you want a real Colombian experience on a Saturday night, go to Dulce Jesus Mio. It is an amazing bar/nightclub with only Latino music; people dressed up in characters, patrons singing along all the songs, dancing like you’ve never seen before.
Overall, an unforgettable experience. And man, it was the first time in my life when I finished a bottle of tequila! I had help from friends, of course, and the next morning I felt great.
By the way, the picture above shows the sinks in the washrooms at Dulce Jesus Mio. :))
If you decide to go, visit the one located in the Las Palmas neighbourhood, as there are a few Dulce Jesus Mios across the city.
Conclusion
I visited many countries – usually with friends or a TV crew – but I never travelled alone. This was the first time I did it, and I was skeptical in the beginning.
But what an experience it was!
Going by yourself somewhere far away enhances your perceptions and feelings. You have no one else to influence your thoughts or dilute your perceived values. Do it.
Colombia is worth every single penny. Visit soon. Or leave me a comment below. While you’re doing that, I am going to throw a dart at the world map and travel wherever it lands.
Feel free to also read my posts about the Bermuda Triangle mystery (I am giving away a hotel room and a car to drive while there), Panama, Russia, Svalbard, India and Brazil. Many more to come, subscribe to my blog using the form provided on this page.
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![45 Castles, Fortresses and Monasteries That Will Take Your Breath Away In Romania [WITH PICS]](https://dev.sorin.tv/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Castelul-Corvinilor-Hunedoara-Romania-iancu-castle-900x675.jpg)
The Voroneț Monastery (Romanian: 
Putna Monastery (Romanian: Manastirea Putna) houses the tombs of Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great, one of the most important 
The construction of the castle started at the request of Prince George Grigore Cantacuzino and was finalized in 1911. It is built in Neo-Romanian style. The total surface of the estate is over 3,000 square meters. Nowadays is a museum, just like all the other castles. Located in Prahova County and it is one of the other best castles to visit in Europe.
This monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Romania, built in 1450. It is located in the village of Crisan, Ribita town, in the Hundeoara County. The Crisan Monastery is also known as Manastirea Vaca (Cow), after the name of an adjacent village called Vaca. Photo by Irinel Carlanaru.
The citadel was built between 1211-1225 as part of a defence system for the Transylvanian villages exposed to outside invasions. It is located in the city of Rasnov, Brasov County. 
Located in the village of Radauti, Suceava County, this church contains both Byzantine and Gothic elements, and some elements typical to other painted monasteries of northern Moldavia. Both interior and exterior walls are covered by mural paintings and depict biblical episodes from the Old and New Testament. Built in 1585.
This fortified church in located in the Viscri village, Brasov County, Transylvania. It is a 
Located in Miclauseni, Iasi County. It is a Gothic-style palace built between 1880-1904 by George Sturdza. The castle had many valuable collections of books (over 60,000 pieces) and documents of the time, paintings, jewelry, medieval costumes, weapons, etc. Most of them were burnt by Russian soldiers.
Located in Carei, Satu Mare County. The castle is named after an old noble family, the Károlyi family. Their first known residence here dates back to the end of the 15th century. It survived over the medieval era to several attacks from the Ottomans and other barbarians. It is considered as one of the best castles to visit in Europe as well. 
Built in 1310 on the site of a former wooden fortress, Fagaras (Brasov County) was enlarged between the 15th-17th centuries. It was considered one of the strongest fortifications in Transylvania. It also functioned as a residence for various princes and their families, such as Gabriel Bethlen (1613-1629) and Georg Rákóczi (1630-1649).
The famous Black Church (Romanian: Biserica Neagra) rests in downtown Brasov, one of the largest Romanian cities (also a very touristy spot). It was built by the German community and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the country. The structure was partially destroyed during a fire set by invading Habsburg forces on April 21, 1689
Rupea Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Rupea) is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania, the first signs of human settlements dating from the Paleolithic and early Neolithic. The first documentary attestation dates from 1324 when the Saxons revolted against King Charles I of Hungary took refuge inside the citadel. Located also in Brasov County.
The legend says that this church was ordered by Radu Negru to be built by Architect Manole. With Manole being unable to finish the walls, the prince threatened him and his helpers with death. At last Manole suggested that they should follow the ancient custom of 
The Iulia Hasdeu Castle is a house built in the form of castle by historian and politician Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu in the city of Câmpina, Prahova County. Work on it began in 1893, after Hasdeu’s daughter, Iulia, died at the age of 19. The construction was finished in 1896.
Located in Camarazani village, Suceava County, this monastery adds a drop of beauty to Bukovina. It was built in 1863 by Boier Emanoil Mortun.
Timisoara Orthodox Cathedral (Romanian: Catedrala Metropolitana Timisoara) was raised between 1936 and 1941.The building’s style is Neo-Moldavian style, late Renaissance, Ottoman, and Byzantine architecture elements. Photo by Adrian Benea. 
The Alba Carolina Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Alba) encloses between its walls several centuries old attractions laden with history, including Saint Michael’s Cathedral. Cetatea Alba is located in the city of Alba Iulia, Alba County, and is the largest citadel in Romania.
Barsana is one of the wooden churches in Maramures County, a beautiful synthesis of Eastern and Western European architecture, with Gothic and Byzantine elements. It was built in 1720. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Neamt Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Neamtului) is a medieval fortress located in north-eastern part of Romania, near Târgu Neamț, Neamț County. It was built in 14th century Moldavia during Petru I of Moldavia’s reign and expanded in the 15th century. The citadel played a key role in Stephen III of Moldavia’s defense system. 
One of the oldest monasteries in Transylvania, Ramet stands out through its shape and boldness. It was built in 1214 and is located in Alba County.
Ghika Palace is situated in Comanesti, Bacau County, was built in the last decade of the nineteenth century by Dimitrie N. Ghica, under the guidance of architect Albert Galleron, in baroque style. 
Cetatea Greavilor is located in Garbova, Alba County. It was built under Hungarian and German influence in the second half of the 13th century. In English, “greav” means earl, so the translation would be the Earls’ Fortress.
The church is located on the Danube River’s shore, in the Mededinti County, close to the border with Serbia. The place is called Cazanele Dunarii (“Danube’s Boilers”). The monastery was constructed in the late 1400’s, the exact date differing from one historian to another. “Mraconia” apparently means a place being hidden. The church is also known that during the Russian – Austro – Turkish battle (1787-1792) when it was almost destroyed.
The Bethlen – Haller Castle is situated in Cetatea de Balta, Alba County. Built between 1570 and 1580, the castle was completely redone between 1615 and 1624 by count Stefan Bethlen who based his construction on the example of Chambord castle in France. It was built in the French Gothic style, on four levels, and its purpose was recreational. It is now owned by Necşulescu family, owners of 
The Dragomirna Monastery was built during the first three decades of the 17th century, 15 km from Suceava, in Mitocu Dragomirnei village. It is the tallest medieval monastery in northern 
This church is located in Moroeni, Dambovita County. It is situated in a unique place, right into the Bucegi Mountains, which makes it the most visited monastery in the area. The legend says that at times the walls of the cave turn into mysterious girls that are holding hands and dance like the wind around the church.
The fortress is located atop a volcano in the Poiana Ruscă Mountain Range within the Western Carpathian Mountains of Romania. From the foot of the hill, the city of Deva, Hunedoara County, spreads out. Deva Fortress was built in the 13th century.
Located in Carta, Sibiu County, this church is a former Cistercian (Benedictine) monastery in the Ţara Făgăraşului region in southern Transylvania. It is currently a Lutheran Evangelical church belonging to the local Saxon community. 
Kendeffy Castle is located in Sântămăria Orlea, Hunedoara County. It was built in 1782 by the Kendeffy Family, a noble family at the time. The castle was nationalized by the Communist Party in 1982, and in 1982 went to the Hunedoara County Administration, which turned it into a hotel.
Chindia Tower (Romanian: Turnul Chindiei) is located in Targoviste, Dambovita County. It is the palace where Vlad Tepes (Vlad The Impaler) used to live. Built in the 15th century.
This castle is located in Zau de Campie town, Mures County, in 1911 by a baron called Istvan Ugron who was in love with a Russian princess. It was supposed to be an engagement gift, but the princess never came. The Castle is also known as the ‘Calendar Castle’ as was built based on the principles of a calendar. It has 365 windows as many days a year has, four towers as the number of the seasons, and 52 rooms as are weeks, 7 terraces as there are days in a week and 12 suites as are the months of the year.
Corbii de Piatra is a unique monastic rupestral cave, located in Arges County, close to Corbi village, 33 kilometers away from Curtea de Arges. The first official attestation was on June 23, 1512. The settlement, carved into a massive yellow sandstone wall that used to be a hermits’ shelter, still keeps on its limestone walls one of the oldest paintings in Romania. Experts say the mural paintings are executed in the purest Byzantine tradition. 
Prejmer Peasant Fortress (Romanian: Cetatea Taraneasca Prejmer) protects the fortified monastery inside. It’s been one of the best kept fortresses in the world, being in perfect shape. It was built in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights in a Gothic style.
Built between 1864-1866 in vicinity of Bacau, the Red Castle (Romanian: Castelul Rosu) is not in use.
Another beauty from Bukovina, one of the painted monasteries. It is situated inVatra Moldoviței, Suceava County. The Monastery of Moldovița was built in 1532 by Petru Rareș, who was Stephen III of Moldavia’s illegitimate son.
The Prislop Monastery is a place of pilgrimage for the Christian Orthodox believers from all over Romania. Most of them wish to pay respects to the grave of priest Arsenie Boca. It is said that arguably after visiting Boca’s grave miracles happen for the pilgrims. 
Situated at 1,300 meters above the sea level, in Alba County, the Ponor Monastery (Romanian: Manastirea Ponor) is considered the 
The Bucea wood church is located on Gorban Hill, Cluj County, and was built in 1791 by the first seven Orthodox families in the village (now with 705 inhabitants). The event is also engraved on a beam from the entrance to the church. The church, composed of the narthex, nave and altar, is made of oak wood.
Cozia Monastery, built close to Călimănești – Valcea County today – by Mircea Cel Batran (Mircea the Elder) in 1388 and housing his tomb, is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania.
Feldioara Citadel, located 21 km North of Brasov, it is also known as the Teutonic fortress and is the oldest fortification in Barsa Land. It was officially attested in 1225. It was founded by the Teutonic knights between 1211 and 1225 and transformed into a peasant citadel later on in 1457. 
The Lainici Monastery (Romanian: Biserica Lainici) is located 32 km away from targu Jiu, Gorj County. First mention of this monastery was in 14th century. The monastery was constructed during the reign of John Voivode between 1812 and 1817.
Some people claim Nămăeştii Church is the oldest convent in Romania. It is located in Campulung, Arges County. The monastery is a cave that houses an icon of the Virgin Mary that allegedly makes miracles (attributed to Luke tradition, framed in silver in 1798 and lithographed in 1871 by Major Papazogeu).
It was built in 1862 in Byzantine style. The Cathedral has countless valuable items inside, many of them covered in silver. This is it folks, thank you for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to drop a comment or subscribe to my newsletter here to be the first to get future articles. I am on my way to Indonesia – 
