Visiting Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral
During our stay in Jakarta, we took Caesar and Milan to Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral. We had visited both places before, but this time we went on a Friday. Here’s our experience visiting these two historic landmarks, their interesting stories, and what you should know if you’re planning to visit them too.
Autumn in Denmark: What Should You Pack?
Denmark is one of those European countries that is worth visiting more than once. There are beautiful cities, plenty of places to shop, and of course all the food and pastries. For families, Legoland and Lego House in Billund are also two places that are hard to leave off the itinerary. This time, we were going to visit both. We drove from the Netherlands and took the ferry to Denmark, which took around 45 minutes. The entire journey took us about nine hours. This was the route we took: Enschede → Hamburg → Lübeck → Puttgarden → ferry to Rødby → Copenhagen We did not drive straight to Billund because…
Our Morning at Batu Caves
On our last morning in Kuala Lumpur, we visited Batu Caves before flying to Jakarta. We explored Ramayana Cave, saw the Lord Murugan statue and climbed the 272 steps to Temple Cave.
Kuala Lumpur in 1.5 Days with Kids: Our Family Itinerary Around KLCC
What can I see in Kuala Lumpur in one and a half days? Is KLCC walkable? Can I walk from Pavilion to the PETRONAS Twin Towers? Is Aquaria KLCC close to Suria KLCC? Which language can tourists use in Kuala Lumpur?
We Couldn’t Fly to Dubai Because of a Visa: An Expensive Lesson from Our Trip
Our Dubai stopover fell apart when we discovered at Düsseldorf Airport that my Indonesian passport required a UAE visa. This expensive mistake changed our entire journey and taught us why every family member’s passport must be checked separately.
A Day in Fuzhou: Tea Culture, the Minjiang Night Cruise, and Our First Hotpot in China
Quick Answer If you want to experience a different side of Fuzhou beyond its historic streets, spend a day with a local family, take a Minjiang Night Cruise, and end the evening with a hotpot. Our third day in the city turned out to be one of the most memorable of our trip because it combined local hospitality, traditional culture, and everyday life. Visiting a Local Family in Fuzhou By our third day in Fuzhou, we were getting used to the weather. The temperature was around 31°C to 33°C, but with the humidity, it felt much hotter. After exploring Shangxiahang the day before and walking along the Min River at…
Exploring Shangxiahang, Fuzhou: Walking Through 800 Years of Trading History
Quick Answer If you’re wondering whether Shangxiahang is worth visiting, my answer is yes, especially if you enjoy history, architecture, and exploring a city on foot. Unlike many historic districts that feel like open air museums, Shangxiahang is still part of everyday life in Fuzhou. During one full day here, we crossed a 200 year old stone bridge, visited centuries old temples, drank jasmine tea in a restored merchant’s courtyard, and finished the evening watching Fuzhou’s modern skyline light up along the Min River. It became one of the highlights of our first trip to China. Before visiting Shangxiahang, we had already spent an evening exploring Fuzhou’s most famous historic…
Visiting Fuzhou for the First Time: A Complete Visitor Guide
Quick Answer If you’re visiting Fuzhou for the first time, expect hot and humid weather, limited English outside major hotels, and a highly digital way of life where WeChat and Alipay are used daily. As the capital of Fujian Province, Fuzhou combines historic neighbourhoods, traditional culture, modern city life, and a slower pace than many of China’s larger tourist cities. For our family from the Netherlands, it was an approachable and rewarding introduction to China. Visiting Fuzhou for the First Time After a long journey from Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, we finally arrived in Fuzhou, China, for our family’s first visit to the country. Like many travellers arriving in a completely…
Labuan Bajo to China travel with family
Quick Answer: Traveling from Labuan Bajo to China requires at least one transit stop in Jakarta. From Labuan Bajo, domestic flights to Jakarta take approximately 2 hours. From Jakarta, international flights to cities like Fuzhou take around 5 to 6 hours. Allow at least one night in Jakarta between flights, especially when traveling with children. Book accommodation near Soekarno-Hatta Airport to make an early morning departure manageable. Leaving Labuan Bajo for China This morning felt a little heavier than usual. After a long and exciting day out at sea yesterday, we all woke up still feeling sleepy and slightly tired. Even so, we knew we had to get up and…
Snorkeling in Labuan Bajo with Kids: Taka Makassar, Manta Point, and Siaba Bay
Quick Answer: Snorkeling in Labuan Bajo takes you to three very different spots in a single day. Taka Makassar is a temporary sandbank visible only at low tide, surrounded by turquoise water. Manta Point is deep open sea where manta rays are commonly spotted, currents are strong and conditions change quickly. Siaba Bay (also called Turtle City) is calm and shallow, ideal for beginners and children. Always wear a life vest, even if you consider yourself a strong swimmer. Open sea snorkeling is very different from pool or beach swimming. Snorkeling in Labuan Bajo often looks easy in photos. In reality, it takes more effort than it seems, and that…
