Taking the Afrosiyob High-Speed Train from Tashkent to Samarkand
Indonesia has only recently become familiar with high-speed trains. The Jakarta-Bandung route officially began testing in September 2023, but was still free for a limited number of passengers. Back home, high-speed trains feel like a leap forward. But in Uzbekistan, high-speed trains are no longer a novelty. Since 2011, they’ve had the Afrosiyob, a Spanish-made […]
Trapped in a Dead-End Chinese-Built Tunnel in Tajikistan
The journey from Khorog to Kalaikhum, two important cities in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) of Tajikistan, is a colorful experience. The route offers stunning natural scenery, such as the Panj River that separates Tajikistan from Afghanistan, and a winding route that offers surprises at every turn. However, challenges such as road repairs, permit checks, […]
Mezquita As-Salam: A Light in the Village of Love, Santiago de Chile
“Every step in a foreign land is a prayer seeking a home, and every mosque found is a small answer to that prayer.” That day, the Santiago sun was shining brightly, ushering in a warm afternoon in the Chilean capital. The clock struck one in the afternoon when my walking tour ended in front of […]
Prayer, Incense, and Raminten’s Traces at Hamzah Batik
My steps that morning began on the south side of Malioboro. The Yogyakarta air was warm, sunlight reflecting off the old buildings along the street, even though the clock was only a few seconds before 10 a.m. I accidentally entered Beringharjo Market and took a moment to soak in the atmosphere. It was crowded, but […]
The 2025 Pacu Jalur Festival Successfully Promotes Indonesian Tourism Globally
Kuantan Singingi, Riau, August 26, 2025 – The “2025 Traditional Pacu Jalur Festival,” one of the flagship events of the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), was successfully held in Teluk Kuantan, Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau, and is considered a success in promoting Indonesian tourism globally. Held from August 20-24, 2025, this event is […]
A Pilgrimage to Nishizaka Hill: Commemorating the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Nagasaki
The sun was shining brightly that afternoon when I got off at the Nagasaki Eki Mae stop, one of the busiest on the Nagasaki Electric Tramway Line 1. From there, I began a leisurely stroll, along the busy city sidewalk, crossed the zebra crossing, and then turned right as the road began to climb up […]
Viewing the Lunar Eclipse from Songgo Langit, the Roof of a Beautiful Museum in Kaliurang
The Kaliurang sky that afternoon looked like a canvas painted with thin streaks of cloud. The uphill road we were on wound through the trees. We had been driving for about an hour and a half from downtown Yogyakarta, bringing us to a building whose name had been circulating in many conversations: the Anaia & […]
Meeting Lenin in Khorog
It had been over a week since we began our journey from Tashkent, traveling the legendary road known as the Pamir Highway. Now, we continued our journey from Ishkashim, a small town nestled in the quiet and beautiful Wakhan Valley, the border region separating Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The day began with a stop at a […]
Exploring Pakualaman Temple: Between Historical Traces and the Promise of Saturday Kliwon
That afternoon, the Yogyakarta sun was shining directly overhead as our car stopped in front of a large, tightly closed gate. Pakualaman Temple, a small palace that stood serenely in the heart of the city, seemed to distance itself from the bustle of the streets. From behind the gate, several servants stood guard quietly, as […]
Wonderful Indonesia Awards, a Recognition for Tourism Professionals from the Ministry of Tourism
Jakarta, August 29, 2025 Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana kicked off the “Wonderful Indonesia Awards” as a form of appreciation for actors, managers, and stakeholders who have made significant contributions to advancing Indonesia’s tourism sector. In her remarks at the “Virtual Kick-Off of the Wonderful Indonesia Awards” in Jakarta on Friday (August 29, 2025), the […]
