Top 50 Things to Do in Bermuda and the Truth About the Bermuda Triangle Mystery

by sorin | Feb 22, 2019 | Uncategorized

The Bermuda Triangle mystery. Pink beaches. Spooky luxury caves. Craziest car ever. Authentic Bermuda shorts talk. Cannons and onions. You’re in for a treat, as I am also giving away a hotel room and a car for you to drive if you go this beautiful island. Let’s see.

Watch the Travel by Dart: Bermuda episode below and read about the Top 50 things to do on the island after – click on this video for now:

My most recent dart throw at the world map hit Bermuda! The dart actually hit the Atlantic Ocean, but Bermuda was the closest land mass to the dart. As an aside, I’m coming to terms with the fact that my travel-by-dart lifestyle is going to take me to a lot of islands and archipelagos. Given the land to water ratio on the planet is about 30:70, I only have a 30% chance of hitting land directly, leaving me often heading to the closest island in whatever ocean or sea I hit. Evidence? My last 3 trips have been: Easter Island, Indonesia, and now Bermuda. It’s a good thing I know my way around a hammock and whatever local tropical drink is on offer. But let’s see what I have for you today – and if you want to join me while filming my next destination check out the end of this article.

I am thrilled to share with you my latest escapade, with the hope that you’ll visit the island yourself one day and use this article as your Bermuda travel guide. Many thanks to the ever-helpful Grotto Bay and the Bermuda Tourism Authority, both of whom are ‘guilty’ for some of my adventures while there.

Here are the top 50 things to do in Bermuda if you decide to run away and escape your everyday routine:

1. Get a Luxury Spa Treatment in a Cave, Have Your Own Pink Beach, Snorkel For Shipwrecks – All at Grotto Bay

While in Bermuda, I stayed at Grotto Bay, a fantastic resort, located only 5 minutes from the airport, managed by a gentleman named JP Martens. Martens and his staff made sure we had a great visit, making this one of those once in a lifetime trips. There are a couple of shipwrecks in the water right by the hotel’s beach!! Look at the pic below and you can see one in the crystal-clear water, on the left:

There’s everything to love about Grotto Bay, but the cherry on top is that the resort sits on a lush tropical estate featuring caves and acres of woodland preserves along the water’s edge in Bermuda’s Bailey’s Bay.

As you can see in the image above, scattered over 21 acres and sloping down toward three private beaches are 11 colorful cottages in traditional Bermuda Architecture overlooking the turquoise waters dotted with small islands.

Grotto Bay has a private pink sand beach and an outdoor jacuzzi located in a beautiful garden setting above the beach.

You can sail, snorkel, windsurf, dive ancient wrecks or explore the delicate and beautiful coral reefs. Check out Dive Bermuda‘s schedule, a company located right at Grotto Bay.

You can also take a boat cruise on a sunny afternoon or during a glorious sunset. Play tennis night or day, or work out in their new gym. Or, ask the amazing concierge to help you with everything you need, she’ll do it in a heart bit.

The caves were my favorites. One is called Cathedral Cave and is open to every client of the hotel. You can visit it during business hours, and you can even swim in it, which I highly recommend. Look it:

The other cave, Nature Spa, is a place where you can get pampered any way you want. You need to have a reservation, while services vary, as follows: massage, facials, nail care, spa treatments (body wrap, body glow, ear candling, etc.), ‘blissy missy’ (exfoliation, etc.), and enhancers (hot stone treatment, reflexology, reiki, etc.). Prices for treatments vary from $90 to $320, depending on treatment and number of people (the couples massage is a beauty).

Another cool thing about this ‘luxury cave’ is that it used to be a nightclub back in the 1980s! I suspect that all the safety measures being imposed in the last two decades are the reason that the club had to be converted into something else.

As for myself, I liked the caves so much that at the end of my trip, I set up my map in there and threw my dart to determine my next destination! If you haven’t watched the episode do it (top of this article), or subscribe to my newsletter, to see where it landed.

You will enjoy your stay at Grotto Bay Resort, whether you’re looking for something out of the ordinary or 40th birthday travel ideas.

2. Visit the Bermuda Triangle and the Vixen Shipwreck

Everyone’s heard of the Bermuda Triangle and its enigmatic way of swallowing up planes, ships, and humans, like some geological magician performing vanishing tricks. The Triangle consists of three geographical points: Bermuda (the tip), Miami (Florida), and San Juan (Puerto Rico). An average of 4 planes and 20 boats (around 200 ships have sank within the Triangle since 1800 alone!) have been reported lost each year, leaving no trace of debris, and up to 1,000 people have disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. Obviously my mom was thrilled when I told her I was heading there to check it out myself.

So what’s the truth behind the Bermuda Triangle mystery? While some have attributed the various disappearances to the paranormal or extraterrestrials beings (fun fact: Christopher Columbus, according to an entry in his log on October 11, 1492, allegedly saw a UFO in the waters near Bermuda while on the brink of discovering the Americas), the reality is less colourful.

The Bermuda Triangle mystery is primarily a result of ‘navigation’ issues: the ships and planes were sinking and disappearing because of compass variations, human error, violent weather, and the Gulf Stream sweeping away any wreck debris.

It’s also said that one of the main reasons there are so many shipwrecks around Bermuda, in particular (as compared to Florida and Puerto Rico) is the high reef and—enjoy this irony–the Gibbs Lighthouse, one of Bermuda’s landmarks: “Believe it or not, our lighthouse is one of the other main causes so many ships sank around here,” says Aaron Lindsay, travel guide with K.S. Watersports.

How is that possible? “After being at sea for so many weeks, vessel captains would see the lighthouse from afar and think they finally found land, which they did. However, little did they know that heading with no worries towards the islands would trap them into the solid high coral reefs and break their ships… From that perspective, the reefs have been a blessing and a curse at the same time”, says Aaron.

Legend has it that back in the day the locals would even flash the lights of the lighthouse intentionally at night in order to lure ships into ‘the trap’ and take advantage of the accidents while the boats were stuck in the reefs. The ploy worked successfully until one of the ships ‘trapped’ turned out to be a UK Army vessel.

It should also be mentioned that some of the Bermuda Triangle mysteries can be solved by the fact that documented evidence indicates that a significant percentage of these incidents are bogus, inaccurately reported, or embellished.

K.S. Watersports provides tours around the island and to the tip of the Triangle, where a 120-year old shipwreck called Vixen (pics of the tip of the boat and underwater wreck above) rests as a landmark of Bermuda. You can explore it and even do some snorkling. See below.

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3. Jet Ski Tours Around The Island

Before heading out to the Vixen shipwreck and the Bermuda Triangle, enjoy the rush of jet skiing around the island at about 60mph (100km/h). Your tour will include getting a history lesson from Aaron or one of his colleagues, seeing $1-million+ luxury houses, feeding hundreds of fish that are swarming under your jet (you can feel it!), and going under Somerset, the world’s smallest drawbridge.

Fees vary: 75 min: 1 person = $145; 2 people= $155. Early booking is $20 cheaper.

If you want to add a snorkeling stop to your water safari the cost is $215 (1 person) or $235 (2 people). This version of the tour lasts 2 hours..

4. Visit the World’s Smallest Drawbridge: Somerset

Connecting Somerset Island to Bermuda’s mainland is Somerset, the world’s smallest operating drawbridge. It used to be operational all the time, but kids started to pull pranks, causing traffic accidents, so that put an end to that. Now the authorities only open it once a year, primarily just to keep their world record of having the world’s smallest drawbridge valid.

Somerset is opened by hand, via a 32 inch bisected plank, allowing the passage of a sailboat’s mast. The drawbridge is depicted on a Bermudian banknote-look for it!

You can get to the bridge by car, taxi, Twizy (see below), or – the best option – to do a jet ski tour.

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5. Rent a Twizy For a Day

If you didn’t watch my episode at the beginning of this article (then obviously you’ve made a foolish choice-forgive yourself, and go do it now), Twizys are small rental cars manufactured by Renault. They’re 2-seater (the 2nd is behind the driver’s seat) electric cars. You can rent them for $99 per day, from Current Vehicles, in the Hamilton Princess Hotel parking lot. Ask for Jerome or Piers. They’re awesome and will set you up.

Twizys go up to 60km/h, but don’t get too excited unless you want to meet some Bermudian police – the speed limit in Bermuda is only 35km/h. The only downside of these ‘bermudaful’ cars is that they take about three hours to fully charge, but a full power ‘tank’ will last you for 60-80 km.

The island is about 40 km long from one end to the other and there are several charging points around it. “We’re working on improvements to power and charging. Hopefully by next year will have many of them done”, says Piers Carr, the founder and CEO of Current Vehicles. Jerome Overbey, General Manager of Current Vehicles, points out another great feature of the Swizy: “Being green and as environmentally friendly as possible is important no matter where you go”.

Thanks to the generosity of BTA (Bermuda Tourism Authority), I got the chance to have a Twizy for a few days and fell in love with it!

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6. Enjoy a Pink Sand Beach in Bermuda: Horseshoe Bay

No trip to Bermuda is complete without a walk on one of their infamous beautiful pink sand beaches. Find your way to the Horseshoe Bay Beach, Tobacco Bay Beach, Elbow Beach, or Warwick Long Bay Beach.

Why is the Bermuda sand pink? There are two explanations:

One is that the pink sand is created by red organisms and algae that grow on top of the coral reef. After they die, they land on the ocean floor and mix with bits of coral and crushed shell. Then they wash onto the beach, making the sand look pink.

However, here’s the second and more popular explanation of the pink sand from Aaron of K.S. Watersports: “There is a particular fish species called the Parrotfish. What they do is eat the pink algae that grow on top of the coral. This way, they keep the coral clean and have something to eat at the same time, so it’s like a win-win situation. However, they can’t digest it all and pass it out. Then it gets washed off onto the shore. What does that mean? Well, the pink sand is not really sand, is fish poop and coral particles – but I am sure you won’t find that in the travel brochures”.

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7. Whale Watching: Bermuda Must-Do

It’s an amazing feeling when you’re on a small boat and a whale the size of a building pops out of the water unexpectedly. Most of the whales around Bermuda are humpbacks, measuring between 40-50 feet and weighing up to 50 tonnes. If you’re lucky, you may see a few of them on your tour, and some might even play for you.

The best time to see some whales is in the spring, between April and May. This is when the humpbacks migrate from the Caribbean water zone to the north Atlantic feeding zone. You might be able to catch some during the first three months of the year too, but the chances are smaller.

There are several companies in Bermuda offering whale watching tours. The typical cost is around $75 for about five hours. Contact Island Tour Center, Blue Water Divers, or Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, to book a tour or for more information.

8. Try the Authentic Bermuda Shorts: A Short Lesson on Why They Are Called Like That

Everyone’s heard of ‘Bermuda shorts,’ but do you know why they are called like that? Well, back in the World War I, Nathanial Coxon, a local tea house owner, had an issue with overheated staff due to the intense heat in his shop from all the constantly boiling teapots. So he cut the staff’s uniform pants above the knee, and voila: Bermuda shorts were born!

Their popularity grew because Bermuda was the strategic headquarters of the British military during the war, and Coxon’s tea shop was visited daily by officers. One of the admirals thought the shorts would look great as an Army uniform for tropical locations, and the rest is history.

Nowadays, Bermuda shorts are business attire. The story behind this evolution is that during the World War II, there was a clothing shortage in Bermuda. A couple of bank managers were concerned that their male employees wouldn’t have suitable clothing to wear, so they arranged for a local tailor to make two pairs of shorts – following a similar design to the shorts for the British military – for their male employees. This was the beginning of Bermuda shorts as business attire on the island.

However, today there is only ONE company that designs and manufactures authentic Bermuda shorts: TABS, which stands for The Authentic Bermuda Shorts. I had a great visit with the founder Rebecca Singleton, who helped to ‘kit me out’ in Bermudian-style.

Rebecca explains what constitutes an authentic pair of Bermuda shorts: “There are a lot of misconceptions about it. Before I started the business, I saw an Old Navy ad on TV. They advertised shorts with the cut below the knee and pockets on the side! Those were not Bermuda shorts! Those were cargo shorts or capris, or whatever you want to call them. I decided that moment that I should do my own product and do it right. After a lot of research and education I started TABS”, says Rebecca.

“A perfect Bermuda attire consists of: Bermuda shorts – it doesn’t matter the color, but the brighter, the better. You can pair that with your Navy socks, which should come right below the knee. You should have a Navy blazer as well, which complements the socks. The tie should also bring out the color of your shorts. You can put in a pocket square, and you’re ready to go!”, explains Rebecca, who has gotten TABS to be the official partner of America’s Cup Yacht Race last year.

Now in Canada, where I’m from, a man wearing navy knee-highs with his shorts would be openly mocked, clearly sending a sign that he has no girlfriend or wife or, at the very least, struggles profoundly with fashion issues. But in Bermuda, it’s perfection.

9. Dunk a Woman in the Ocean – Yup, You’ve Read Right!

Twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturday at 12PM, there’s an incredible historical re-enactment in the city of St. George, where tourists don’t just watch-they participate!

A woman and a man re-enact an old colonial punishment from the 1600s in front of City Hall. The woman is accused of many inane things, like gossiping and nagging her husband, and the narrative is that she needs to be punished by being dunked in the water.

The re-enactment sheds light on 15th century practices, where public humiliation and punishment for ridiculous things was common. Male audience members are recruited to help with the re-enactment (they help lift a heavy bar, which is part of delivering the “dunking punishment” to the woman, and are sometimes even given lines!).

10. Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda: Visit the Commissioner’s House

This was probably my favorite part of the trip. I didn’t expect much from my visit to the Commissioner’s House, but it was spectacular.

As a direct result of the independence of the English American colonies in 1783, Bermuda was identified as a strategic location for a naval base. Dockyard construction began in 1809 and continued into the early 20th century. It involved significant land reclamations and quarrying by slave labour, and the efforts of thousands of British convicts.

In its heyday, Dockyard provided facilities for the Royal Navy fleet of ships, supported a thriving naval and civilian community and provided training in skilled trades for Bermudians.

The piece of resistance is the Commissioner’s House, the highest point in the Dockyard. Once home to the civilian commissioner of Dockyard, Commissioner’s House was built in the 1920s and is the world’s first prefabricated cast-iron residential building. Left derelict in the 1950s, the house went through a 20-year award-winning restoration.

Visit these three floors of exhibits with spectacular views. The whole history of Bermuda is packed in there.

Besides Commissioner’s House, this part of the Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda (called The Keep) also hosts the Queen’s Exhibition Hall, Ramparts, cannons, as well as the Dolphin Quest. The enclosed waterway served to transport ordnance stores from ships to storage houses within the Keep; it now houses the dolphins and the staff of Dolphin Quest Bermuda.

11. Visit the Crystal Cave and the Fantasy Cave

If you are not staying at Grotto Bay to see their fantastic caves, you can also do it at Crystal Cave. The place is approximately 500 m long, and 62 m deep. The lower 19-20 m of the cave are below water level. The Crystal cave was discovered in 1907 when two young boys were attempting to retrieve a lost ball. They saw the ball dropping into a large hole.

The Fantasy Cave is located in the same complex and is just as breathtaking.

The admission is $22 for each cave for adults, $10 for children between 5-12, under 5 free. Combination ticket to both Crystal and Fantasy Caves is $30 for adults, and $12 for children between 5-12. Credit cards are accepted.

12. Take a Bermuda Aerial Tour in a Cessna Plane

If you are a big fan of aerial shots and your budget permits, take a ride with this awesome Cessna plane from Blue Sky Flights. They’ll take you around Bermuda and show you every single landmark. Feel like a boss.

They have two different tours: a short one (30-min) and a longer one (50-min). The Discovery Flight (30-min) is the perfect way to see the island and fly over the main points of interest (down along South Shore beaches, then over Paradise Lakes and Hamilton and Flatt’s Inlet). Cost is $250 for two people.

The full-length sightseeing tour is about 50 minutes and gives you time to explore and fly over the whole island. You’ll not only see everything listed above in the short tour, but also some spectacular cliffs, stunning turquoise reefs off the west end of the island, shipwrecks, Dockyard, and will also circle over any points of interest you’d like (beaches, forts, your house/hotel, etc.).

In the longer tour, the Cessna flies slightly slower than the Discovery Tour to allow you to take photos, and even try your hand at the controls! It’s their more popular option. Cost is $450 for two people (September 1 – May 31) or $500 (June 1 – August 31).

Contact Heather at Blue Sky Flights: [email protected] and schedule a tour.

13. Dance with the Gombeys

Another popular activity on the island is dancing with the Gombeys every Tuesday night! The Gombey is an iconic symbol of Bermuda, and this folklife tradition reflects the island’s blend of African, Caribbean, and British cultures, incorporating them over time into a unique performance art full of colorful and intricate masquerade, dance and drumming.

Dancers are usually male and perform in groups of 10-30, though in modern times female groups have emerged. The traditions have been passed down orally from one generation to the next, and the Captains of each troupe determine the direction of the troupe and style that is taught.

You can dance with them on Tuesdays at 4:30PM, at Pier 6 on Front Street. Go there and immerse yourself in the Bermudian culture (photo by Gavin Howarth).

14. Get Smarter: Educate Yourself About Bermuda’s Uniqueness

Every country has its own unique things, whether it’s their culture, traditions, sports, cuisine, etc., but Bermuda seems to have more than others. Make sure you discover them in time-preferably while or before you are there, so you can avoid awkwardness or misunderstandings. Read a local newspaper such as the Royal Gazette, Bermuda’s 190 year old(!) daily publication.

Here are seven interesting things about Bermuda to get you started:

A. The locals of Bermuda are called ‘Onions.’ No, seriously. The first settlers who came to Bermuda introduced onions around 1616. Gradually onions became Bermuda’s major export item, and hundreds of farmers turned to onion harvesting, realizing the market potential in the US and all over the world. With the onions growing popularity, by mid 19th century, Bermudians became known as Onions and Bermuda was called the Onion Patch.

B. You are only allowed to own one car per family in Bermuda.

C. By the same token, you are only allowed to own one house per family in Bermuda. You can’t buy a property or a piece of land in Bermuda just to rent either. However, you’re allowed to rent out your house while you are away.

D. The jobs of a garbageman and a carpenter are ONLY available to Bermudian residents. They are very well-paid positions and are restricted only to locals to make sure higher salaries go to locals. You also need to have a higher education to become a bartender.

E. Cars are driven on the left side of the road, just like in the UK.

F. Bermuda is the most expensive country in the world.

G. They coined the term “Bermudaful” and use it in their marketing campaigns. It works like a charm.

Don’t forget to teach Bermuda something about yourself. They want to know about the uniqueness of their tourists, too. If you have a special story, you may get featured in the Royal Gazette, just as I did with Travel by Dart – see story HERE.

15. Scuba Dive at Shipwrecks

To scuba dive, you need a license. If you do have one, the shipwrecks of the Bermuda Triangle are a sight to see. You can take a tour with one of these diving companies around the island: Dive Bermuda at Grotto Bay (opens on May 1), Dive Bermuda at Fairmont Southampton (opens in March), Fantasea Diving & Watersports, Blue Water Divers, etc.

Prices vary, but to give you an idea, a 2-tank dive costs around $130-150, a 1-tank dive is about $90, and to rent full gear is about $50.

Visit the websites of the companies mentioned above for price specifics and availability.

16. Snorkel at Shipwrecks

Fortunately, you don’t need a license for snorkeling. The same companies above offer great snorkel services, but so does K.S. Watersports, which has a unique snorkel & Shipwrecks Boat Adventure Package, suitable for up to 10 people.

For eight people, the cost is $875 all inclusive (equipment, gear); additional people can be added for only $50 per person.

17. Have Bermuda’s Most Popular Dish: Fish Chowder at Wahoo’s

Many dishes are popular in Bermuda, but the fish chowder seems to be the prom queen. Have one at Wahoo’s in St. George and enjoy the fantastic view. Ask to be seated on the deck outside.

When you order the fish chowder make sure you get the two mandatory condiments: Black Bermudian rum and Sherry Pepper vinegar. Add some in your soup; you’ll be in heaven. I was. But that’s probably because I added a little bit more rum than I needed.

18. Have Bermuda’s Most Popular Drink: Dark & Stormy

Since we’re talking about rum, be sure to try the national drink of Bermuda: Dark & Stormy. You can get it anywhere.

Dark & Stormy is a cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer, served over ice and garnished with a slice of lime. The Gosling Brothers company claims that the drink was invented in Bermuda just after World War I.

19. Visit Bermuda’s First Licensed Bar: Hog Penny

Hog Penny is a pub located just off First Street (24 Burnaby Street), the busiest road of Hamilton. Its claim to fame is that it’s the first licensed pub in Bermuda. It also makes an amazing chicken pot pie. Order one and ask for Lucian (the manager). Tell him I sent you. 🙂

20. Night Owl? Go Out to the Dog House

A 3 minute walk from Hog Penny, you’ll find Dog House (93 Front Street), the hottest place in town for Bermudian nightlife. Have dinner at Lucian’s, enjoy the live band, head to Dog House for some trouble.

21. Climb to the Top of Gibbs Lighthouse

Gibbs Lighthouse, partly to blame for all of the Bermuda Triangle disappearances and shipwrecks, was built in 1844 by the Royal Engineers. The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is the taller of two lighthouses on Bermuda, and one of the first lighthouses in the world to be made of cast-iron.

Gibbs has 185 steps to the top in eight flights. Until 1964, most of the light was run by hand, but in June of that year, the whole system was automated and now it runs on electricity. Sixty-thousand people ascended the lighthouse in 1985, and it continues to be a favorite tourist attraction.

If you’re planning your day, and Gibbs Lighthouse is part of it, try the Lighthouse Tea Room, a restaurant at the base of it, converted from the lighthouse keeper’s former living quarters. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

22. Attend a Beach Bonfire Party at Tobacco Bay

Tobacco Bay, located in St. George, is one of the most visited beaches in Bermuda not only for its beautiful pink sand but also for a famous weekly beach bonfire party.

Unfortunately, it is not organized year-round (it starts in the spring), but if you happen to be there at the right time make sure you ask your hotel concierge to call the organizers and let you know if the party is on.

23. Cliff Dive and Take a Selfie

This is part of the K.S. Watersports tour packages, and it comes with a jet ski adventure! The cliff diving safari is a 2-hour experience and costs $225/person (or $245 for two).

24. Visit the Unfinished Church

The Unfinished Church is a Gothic structure whose construction began in 1874, but was unfortunately left unfinished due to disagreements within the church’s congregation.

This Protestant church was designed to seat 650 and intended to replace St. Peter’s Church, an Anglican place of worship established after the 1612 English settlement of St. George’s, that got severely damaged. However, when the congregation split, and one group left to build their own church, the Unfinished Church was left behind. Although it has no ceiling, no windows, and no floor, the Unfinished Church has become a popular place for weddings. Its doors are closed due to security concerns.

25. Swizzle In. Swagger Out.

One of the oldest and most famous bars in Bermuda is Swizzle Inn. It is located right by Grotto Bay, so it was easy for me to walk down to it. Yet I didn’t. I drove the Twizy. Don’t judge me. It’s environmental.

They told me it takes longer to get back to the hotel than to get to the bar. I didn’t understand why at first, but as soon as I walked in, I saw the signs: Swizzle in. Swagger out. Got it.

Swizzle Inn is part bar, part museum, part art gallery (kidding). The walls are covered with the graffiti of former patrons all leaving their mark–adding their name and thoughts, immortalizing themselves on these historical walls. Go there and leave o note on the wall! That’s if you find any room left…

26. Board on the Famous Deliverance Ship

Go to Ordnance Island in St. George and visit Deliverance – a replica of the historic ship. Hear the exciting story of the first castaways who built this boat and went on to save the starving settlers in Jamestown, Virginia.

Visitors can go on board and imagine what it was like to be a 17th century passenger, crammed in the narrow decks with cargo below and the main deck above. The tours are free and are available every Wednesday and Saturday between 10AM-4PM.

27. Check out the Art Tour at Hamilton Princess

Are you into art? The new Hamilton Princess Hotel has a beautiful exhibition that is worth checking out. The art actually belongs to the owner, who generously shares it with the public.

Guests can enjoy works by Jeff Koons, Banksy, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Julian Opie, Kate Brinkworth, Invader, Bridget Riley, etc. The guided tours are organized every Saturday at 10AM.

28. Go For a Round of Golf

Are you a passionate golfer? Since Bermuda is the most expensive country in the world, there is no surprise to find a plethora of golf courses around the island. Head over any one of the many courses available. Here are the top 5 golf courses in Bermuda, according to hive-mind of the internet:

Mid Ocean Golf Club: This course is regularly ranked among experts as one of the best links in the world. A championship 18-hole course with plenty of undulating greens and dangerous sand traps, Mid Ocean emphasizes the long game with six par 4s over 400 yards.

Turtle Hill Golf Club: Winner of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play Golf,” this course offers 18 challenging holes, not to mention impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean all along the fairways. Ranked one of the top five par three courses in the world by Golf Magazine, Turtle Hill is the perfect course for golfers of all skill levels and is the home of the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championships.

Tucker’s Point Golf Club: This course is one of Bermuda’s oldest. Travel + Leisure Golf tagged it as “the best golf resort.” A recent renovation brought a new hybrid grass on the greens, called Tif Eagle, which apparently is a faster and more accurate putting surface.

Port Royal Golf Course: Ranked among the world’s best public golf courses by Golf Digest and named Bermuda’s finest course by the New York Times, this course features 18 championship holes over 6,842 manicured yards. It is the longest and most picturesque course in all of Bermuda.

Bermuda Fun Golf: This course hasn’t won award, nor does it rank high in any pro’s favorites, but it is the perfect getaway for a family golf experience.

29. Take a Date to the Loren at Pink Beach

Whether you come to Bermuda with your significant other, or you meet someone special there, you can go to the newly built Loren Hotel, offering breathtaking views of the ocean. Have a tasty lunch/supper or drinks at their Maree bar/restaurant. I had the crabcake appetizer and Chimichurri Rubbed Skirt Steak as the main course. Incredible.

Loren also has one of the most expensive penthouses in Bermuda. It has four rooms and a private entrance with an elevator. You won’t be able to check it out since it is probably booked, but I managed to get a peek, and it is IMMENSE. The penthouse is undoubtedly THE place to stay if you go to Bermuda with a bunch of friends.

30. Surf on the South Shore

Although surf professionals wouldn’t choose Bermuda as their dream location due to the lack of good waves to catch thanks to the protective reef, there’s still a little surfing to be had on the South Shore. However, we’re talking small body surfing only (10-20 feet on the South shore).

Since Bermuda is a water-born nation, let’s dive (see what I did there?) into some H20-based activities. The activities recommended below can be done through specialty companies around the island, but I suggest using K.S. Watersports, which was an amazing host for me while in Bermuda.

31. Get Some Fun Parasailing Done

The price for this fun activity is $99/person. You can book it through K.S. Watersports’ website.

32. Paddleboard Around the Island

A paddleboarding session is $25/hour. If you want to do some snorkling while you’re out, expect to pay an extra $5-$25 for the gear, or just bring your own gear.

33. Kitesurf/Kiteboard Your Heart Out

This is one of my favorites activities. The best time for kitesurfing in Bermuda is between December and May. The best beaches for it are Elbow Beach and Somerset Long Bay. The only provider of kitesurf activities in Bermuda is Island Winds. You can send them an email at [email protected].

It can be a little crowded during the holiday season, as most holiday spots tend to be. But if you are already trained in this sport, you would definitely be getting all the fun. Someone new to this sport, however, could get a few private lessons in their area similar to what kitesurfing Porto offers.

34. Rent a Boat (Self-Drive)

Maybe you are going to Bermuda with a bunch of friends and want to celebrate a birthday, marriage, or some other life-event in style. Why not rent a small boat that you can drive yourself?

Prices vary, depending on the type of the boat you want, and time allocated for the rental. Here’s the approximate cost:

Boat for up to 4 people: $185 (for 4-hour, plus $25-$45 in fuel) / $340 (for 8-hour, plus $35-$55 in fuel).

Boat for up to 6 people: $195 (4-hour, plus $25-$45 fuel) / $350 (8-hour, plus $35-$55 fuel).

Boat for up to 12 people: $355 (4-hour, plus $35-$55 fuel) / $650 (8-hour, plus $40-$60 fuel).

Contact K.S. Watersports if you are interested.

35. Rent a Boat with a Licensed Captain

“But Sorin, I don’t know how to drive a boat!”. Don’t worry, there are options for you and your friends. You can rent a boat with a licensed captain. Prices? $200 per hour, with a maximum of 10 passengers. There are tours for one hour, 4 hours, and 8 hours. Also, you should really learn how to drive a boat. I’m tired of your excuses .

36. Kayak All Day

If you love tranquility and just wanna get away with your thoughts for a bit of peace, rent a kayak. The rental costs $25/hour as a single or $30/hour if you do it with your partner. Add an extra $5 for a glass bottom kayak.

37. Sail Baby, Sail

Most of the following companies offer sailing services on the island: Blue Hole Water Sports, H2O Sports, Sail Bermuda, Charter Bermuda, AJ’s Wings from Bermuda Charter, Fantasea Charters, and Wind Sail Charters.

Check their websites for various prices.

38. Get Into a Wildcat

K.S. Watersports has a great tour that’s family-friendly: Wildcat Coastline Sightseeing Adventure. The Wildcat is a big ship that goes very fast and seats over 20 people. Fun and splashy.

Prices are $89/adult and $79/child.

39. HydroBike and Enjoy the Ride

This is another gentle activity for those who aren’t adrenaline junkies, and just want a bit of peace. You can rent one of these beauties from HydroBike Bermuda.

They don’t have a website, but you can check them out on their Facebook page or email them at [email protected].

40. Flyboard: Rise Above the Rest

I was so excited in anticipation of going flyboarding in Bermuda. But when I got to Bermuda, I discovered that the only company that’s been providing flyboarding services is going through some significant changes (new ownership, rebranding, etc.), and so flyboarding is not available on the island anymore. They say it might start up again soon, so keep checking.

41. Explore The Railway Trail

If you like to walk, you can explore Bermuda on foot via its 18-mile long Railway Trail. Following the path of the train which served the island from 1931 to 1948, this well-known path attracts bikers, joggers, and walkers. You might make some friends! Great place for selfies, as well.

42. Attend a Pirate Fire Show

Are you a big fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean? Head over to the Heritage Wharf at Royal Naval Dockyard to see a great pirate show. In the Calico Jack’s fire show, you can see tricorn-hat wearing rascals sword fights, hear jokes and witness a spectacular fire-dance display. The show is 30-minutes, free, from Monday to Thursday at 9PM.

43. Ride the Ferry for $5

You can also cross Bermuda via the SeaExpress ferry service. Spacious double-decker boats with air conditioning and breezy decks move from place to place on four different routes. They stop in Hamilton and St. George’s and offer a different vantage point of the island. See the schedule HERE.

44. Sit Down, Relax, and Enjoy the Show

Maybe you are the type of person who prefers to go out and watch a comedy show or an excellent performance. Head out on Saturday night to the Grand, located on Church Street in Hamilton. Top live performers will delight you with their acts. Free. You can also enjoy live jazz and reggae on Friday and Sunday nights.

45. Partake in a Hamilton Tour With This Fine Gentleman

Want someone to tell you everything about Hamilton? Join Town Crier, Ed Christopher, and experience Hamilton on foot while discovering unique facts about various places in Bermuda’s capital. The tours take place Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 10:30AM, for free. Dressed to impress, Ed leads you through Hamilton’s vibrant streets as you learn about the history and culture of this fantastic city. Funny, too.

46. Visit BAMZ (the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo)

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo is located in Flatts Village and is one of the oldest aquariums in the world! It was founded in 1926. It features hundreds of fish species, rescued sea turtles, harbour seals and a 145,000-gallon coral reef exhibit with sharks and black grouper.

It is open every day of the week from 9AM-5PM. Admission is $10, but seniors and children up to 12 years-old pay $5. No charge for children under 5.

47. Immerse in Local History at Fort St. Catherine in St. George’s

Fort St. Catherine was built in 1614 and is the most massive fort on the island. It underwent numerous upgrades during the 19th century. Visit this amazing place to see its impressive ramparts, keeps and a museum showcasing life in Bermuda in the 17th century. It also showcases an impressive collection of antique weaponry, including pistols, muskets, and swords.

The admission is free. The fort is open Monday through Friday from 10AM-4PM.

48. See the Sunrise at Gates Bay

It goes without saying that the best sunrise in Bermuda could be witnessed on the east side of the island. One of the best places to see it if you are an early bird is Gates Bay, in St. George’s. Grab your coffee and go!

49. Watch the Sunset at Daniel’s Head

I understand if you are not a morning person. Neither am I. Then the sunset is for you. Go to the West side of the island, all the way to Daniel’s Head. Enjoy!

50. Check Out the Checkerboard at Spittal Pond

This place is a little paradise. Spittal Pond has 64 acres of wetlands along the South Shore. Go there and see the Checkerboard, an unusual limestone formation with a distinct pattern of cracks where whalers used to haul out their catch. You can also go to the Portuguese Rock, where an inscription (now replaced with a bronze casting) is thought to be the oldest evidence of humans in Bermuda.

Travel With Me & 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?

Click on the links if you’re interested:

Tour of Greek Island: Greece on a Catamaran

Brazil Vacation Packages (Rio de Janeiro & Amazon Jungle)

Visit Transylvania (Meet Dracula theme)

Trips to Argentina (Wine & Tango theme)

Uruguay Vacation Packages

Italy: Tuscany Vacation Packages

Mysterious Cartagena: Colombia Vacation Packages

Feel free to let me know if you want to join at the bottom of every page listed above. Cheers!

Official Trailer: Travel by Dart Season 1

by sorin | Apr 25, 2018 | Uncategorized

Here is the official trailer of the new Travel by Dart series – Season 1. The show will air on Canadian and US markets at a date we will announce soon. Until then, I am also producing a bunch of Travel by Dart episodes for online distribution, so the whole world can see it.

However, for the Canadian network distribution we decided to go to India and organize a 12-dart throw event, to determine destinations for a full season. We ended up having the dart throwing ceremony in a 400-year-old temple in Berhampore. The first dart throw hit the middle of the Pacific Ocean and the closest land-mass was the mysterious Easter Island!

Until the episode is ready, enjoy the article I wrote about the Easter Island heads.

Enjoy the 2-minute clip below featuring the official trailer and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter using the form under the video!

Dart Throw #6: In Fabulous Singapore

by sorin | Jan 2, 2018 | Uncategorized

Oops, I did it again. I threw a new dart at the world map while visiting Singapore, one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen!

Watch the video below to see what happened.

Traveling Around Indonesia: From World’s Largest Buddhist Temple To 4 AM Sunrise Tours

by sorin | Dec 22, 2017 | Uncategorized

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].

Travel by Dart: Indonesia – Here’s an Upscale Pirate Ship You Want to Be On [EP. 4]

by sorin | Dec 20, 2017 | Uncategorized

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:

Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Amazon Jungle)

Argentina (Wine & Tango theme)

Transylvania (Romania, Meet Dracula theme)

Italy (Tuscany & Venice Affair)

Colombia (Mysterious Cartagena)

Curacao (an unusual escape).

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!

Meanwhile, feel free to read about the other crazy experiences I had, from meeting the world’s most dangerous man in Colombia to discovering the mystery of the Easter Island heads. You can also read about my almost being arrested in Russia, and dogsledding at the North Pole.