Yogyakarta may not be at the top of a lot of lists as a Digital Nomads haven, but it really does have a lot to offer the extended traveler who enjoys the freedom of working from anywhere. Here are a few good reasons to make Yogyakarta your Digital Nomad base camp.

Food

For those who love to eat and try new flavors, this is the place for you. The eclectic smorgasbord of ingredients, flavors, and cultural influences make dinning in this lovely city a sheer delight, especially since the prices can’t be beat. Whether you choose to dine from one of the local street vendor carts, prepare your own from ingredients picked up at one of the local street markets, or have a sit down dinner in one of the many local restaurants, you will find deliciously fresh meals at reasonably cheap and affordable prices.

Cultural Ambiance

The history of this city is all around providing a cultural atmosphere that transports you to another time. From the architecture, to the rickshaws, you will be submersed into a much simpler time and way of life. Add to that, that the beach is approximately an hour away, and you will find you have access to many different communities, ecosystems, and culturally different lifestyles to keep you active, entertained, and inspired.

Rent and Transportation

The cheap rent and conveniently easy transportation make this city an affordable base camp for any nomad looking for a temporary headquarters to work from as they travel and explore the world’s wonders. Although there does tend to be a bit of traffic, the local public transportation at reasonable rates makes it possible to get around without having to own your own vehicle. Most of the time you will find what you need within walking distance though. Abundant affordable housing is a huge plus for this nomad’s paradise. With cheap rent you can extend your stay and enjoy the climate as well as the friendly people and majestic views.

If you are not really interested in signing a rental agreement there are always plenty of upscale reasonably priced hotels that accommodate extended stay guests to choose from. One way to find hotels here is online where you can book your stay at any of the local hotels including the refurbished Ameera Boutique Hotel. By booking your stay at a hotel instead of renting a home or apartment, you automatically have services that you would not normally have or would have to pay extra for at home, such as WiFi, maid service, room service, access to pools, concierge services, and more; doubling your bang for your buck.

So, for any nomad looking for a convenient, hospitable, and culturally diverse haven to take a break from the road and relax while still being productive check out the beautiful city of Yogyakarta and all it has to offer.

Welcome to Chiang Mai, one of the largest and most important cities in Thailand. Home to around 1.5million people, this glorious mini metropolis lies in the fertile Mae Ping River Basin, overlooked by the Himalayan mountains. Founded in 1296, Chiang Mai, meaning ‘new city’, was the capital of the first independent ‘Kingdom of One Million Rice Fields’. With a wide range of Chiang Mai Hotels available the city is a must-visit destination, attracting visitors from around the world with its ethnic charm, ancient history and stunning surroundings.

Language

Chiang Mai is a city of diverse dialect. Although Kam Muang is the main language of northern Thailand, you can expect to hear many differing accents, tones and speeds. There is a huge community of around 25,000 foreign residents, all speaking in their native tongue, so you’re bound to find someone to talk to! The locals are extremely friendly, so don’t be afraid to approach people.

Currency

The currency in Chiang Mai is the Baht, which comprises of six coins and six notes. If you’re visiting from Europe, the exchange rate is in your favour, with one baht equating to around 20 English pence, or 0.03 Euro (April 2013). Cash payment is recommended here, especially for street food and transport.

Climate

The city has a typically mild climate and experiences three separate seasons. Expect dry, warm weather of up to 25 degrees between November and March, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees from March onwards and wet weather from May to October.

Food

Chiang Mai is a food lover’s haven, offering an exciting mix of ethnic and international infusions in a variety of dishes. There are many entertainment, ambience and traditional restaurants, but for the best tastes of the city, you must try the street food. Popular for spicy soups, fried noodles, meat and fish, the food markets of Chiang Mai are a 24 hour utopia of choice. As you walk through the markets, watch and smell authentic local cuisine steaming on hot pans and choose your own mix of flavours from your favourite stall. Look out for the stalls most popular with locals, as they will be the best and most trusted. Favoured markets include the Night Bazaar, Worarot Market and Sompet Market.

Transportation

Chiang Mai is easily accessible from surrounding countries by air, road or rail, making it an ideal holiday location. Taxis are fairly cheap in the centre, but the most common mode of transport is the bus, or ‘Song-Thaew’. Each vehicle is painted a different colour, depending on its destination and usually costs about 20 baht per journey. Simply flag a bus down, tell the driver where you want to go and chat to the locals on board. For a more leisurely ride, rent out a bicycle from one of the city’s many hire stores. You can reach most places in the centre in about 10 minutes and even venture up the valley. For 30 baht a day, it’s a fun and inexpensive way to explore the surroundings.

Things to see

Home to ancient temples, undisturbed nature and tribal culture, Chiang Mai is a city for all tourists. There’s no need to travel far to discover its history. The original square layout of the city, built 700 years ago, has been preserved to display its exotic past of trade, culture and religion. Cross the moat and explore Buddhist temples and prized monuments, telling the tale of its prosperity. Immerse yourself in hilltribe life with a mountain trek and experience breathtaking views from the summit of Doi Inthanon. Visit one of the many local markets, selling fresh food, traditional crafts and beautiful clothing, and take a piece of Chiang Mai home to remember your adventure.

Oman, located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is a stunning coastal plain, stretching 1000 miles between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The Sultanate country boasts breathtaking mountain heights, steep gorges and unexplored caves amidst detailed ancient landmarks and prominent culture. A famous location for Red Bull Cliff Diving and Extreme Sailing, Oman is an ideal setting and bucket list destination for any extreme sports fanatic.

Go wild on Wahiba Sands

The rolling dunes of Wahiba Sands are a welcoming terrain for speed seeking tourists. Described as a ‘sand sea’, the expanse of dunes reach heights of up to 200 metres and offer a wealth of thrilling activities. Surf the desert waves on a sand board, feel the speed on a quad bike, or hire a 4×4 to quench your thirst for adrenaline. Prolong your adventure, stay the night and feast your eyes on the shifting midnight landscape.

Take a terrifying trek

Trekking through the gorges of Oman is not an activity for the faint hearted. Famed for their death defying heights, tight, dark caves and unexpected terrain, most gorges have been named to reflect their character. Snake Gorge, or Wadi Bimah, is one of the most popular and unpredictable routes visited by adrenaline junkies. Located in rugged Al Rostaq, and enveloped by myths of impossible leaps and absurd lengths of underwater caves, this fissure is an exciting adventure of both mental and physical challenges. Swim, scramble, crawl and claw through three kilometres of craggy boulders, pitch black caves and natural waterslides to reach Al-Zamman.

Dare to dive

Cliff diving is amongst one of the most popular adrenaline seeking activities in the Sultanate of Oman. In 2012, Wadi Shab, 40km southeast of Dibab in the Al Sharqiyah Region, was broadcast across the globe as the final destination of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. This glorious haven of fresh water pools and waterfalls mixes dizzy heights with colourful nature and secluded caves to accommodate even the most daring jumpers. A stones throw away in the Hawiyat Najm Park is the must see Bimmah Sinkhole. Dare to dive over 100 metres underwater, leading through the 500 metre tunnel to the sea. Extreme caution is advised due to the tidal conditions and should not be attempted by amateurs.

Explore underground

Oman’s underground world is an adrenaline seeker’s fantasy, with limestone deposits creating a maze of unexplored tunnels, unlit waterfalls and awe inspiring ancient stalactites over millions of years. Deep underground 100km southeast of the capital, lies the second largest underground chamber known in the world, Majlis al Jinn. Climb over 1000 metres to The First Drop, one of three natural entrances, and abseil down into a pitch black chamber, over 15 acres wide. This cave is notoriously difficult to navigate through, and is a mecca of landscape history and wildlife including bats, beetles and hunter spiders. Majlis al Jinn is also a hugely popular base jumping destination, only accessible by use of a permit

Ubud, an idyllic town on the Indonesian island of Bali, is a nature lover’s paradise. A landscape of layered rice paddies, dramatic hilltop views, and magical forests, this location offers a plethora of attractions and Ubud villas giving access to its ancient and cultural roots. Travel on foot, by boat, bike or car and discover the wonders of the Ubud countryside with our bucket list.

Meet the monkeys

Located in the heart of Padangtegal village is the beautiful Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Characterised by its hidden temples and abundance of wildlife, this nature reserve is the perfect destination to immerse yourself in one of Ubud’s many ecosystems. Wander through 27 acres of dense forest and discover this sacred retreat’s harmony between man and nature. Explore the holy Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple, also known as the Hindu Great Temple of Death, and learn the religious cremation traditions of the Balinese. This tranquil sanctuary is home to over 600 long-tailed macaques, along with an abundance of native birds and butterflies and 115 species of tropical trees.

Cycle in the country

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of Ubud’s picturesque countryside is on two wheels. Bali Bintang Bike Tours offer a three hour adventure through the layered landscape of suburban Ubud, featuring dramatic volcano views from the 1,700 metre high peak of Mount Batur, ancient temple ceremonies and an interactive insight into life with rural villagers. The day trip is led by multilingual tour guides, well versed in the natural environment, ensuring an educational and entertaining experience for all.

Farmers for the day

Ubud’s rolling hills and lush rice paddies serve as the perfect setting to experience the secrets behind its natural beauty. More culture driven travellers may appreciate an opportunity to become a rice farmer for a day in the popular northern village of Tegallalang. Accompanied by skilled Balinese locals, you’ll discover the secrets of farmer’s rice-growing traditions. Try your hand at rice planting, terrace building and bullock ploughing, with a mouth watering organic lunch included. Ubud’s rice paddies are sectioned by different farming communities called ‘subaks’, where each group have specific irrigation systems and work together to make important production decisions. Look out for each of the subak’s temples, where the goddess of the rice, Dewi Sri is worshipped. Rice is considered sacred in the Balinese religion, and is often spotted on the foreheads or necks of the locals. The farmers here believe their worship and offerings bring good rice yields year on year.

Glorious gardens

Ubud’s flourishing collection of plant life is a wonder for the eyes, and its Botanic garden is no exception. Located in Kutuh Kaja village, just over a kilometre from Ubud’s centre, this continually expanding eden boasts over five hectares of unique micro-climates, ranging from natural forest and mesmerising meadows to gentle waterfalls and panoramic lakes. Founded by German writer Stefan Reisner, this tropical haven was created to protect the country’s diverse plant life, and has since become a popular wind down location for locals and travellers alike. Adventure through winding pathways to discover over 20 themed gardens, embellished with exotic trees, home grown vanilla, butterfly showered lotus ponds comforting medicinal plants. Themed areas include The Chocolate Grove, The Fragrant Flowers, The Herbal Garden and The Great Fountain, all designed to emphasise the beauty and medley of Ubud’s conserved flora.

Author Bio

This article was provided by The Chedi Tanah Gajah an Ubud Hotel in Bali.

The idyllic island of Bali, one of 33 provinces nestled between Java and Lombok, is an Indonesian mecca for travellers and the most popular holiday hotspot in the country. With accommodation offerings ranging from luxury Bali Villas to budget backpacker hostels, Balli can accommodate everyone. The welcoming locals are an asset to the utopian landscape, boasting intricate ancient temple designs, panoramic sandy beaches, powerful mountain views and a stunning array of wildlife; a perfect medley of material to capture on your photographic journey.

Magnetising mountain views

Bali’s diverse terrain of layered paddy fields and steep mountains make it the opportune location to create some breathtaking photography. Climb to dizzy heights on the Mt Batur volcano sunrise trek and discover a dramatic birdseye view of the province as the sun creeps above the hilltops. As you climb Gunung Batur, keep your eyes peeled for groups of resident monkeys living in the huge crater, inspect the winding movement of lava flows and feel the heat of lively steam fissures. Capture the lifeless peak coming to life as morning breaks and the grey curtain of mist slowly sweeps from view, making way for the orange glow of sunrise.

Move with music

A photographer’s adventure to Bali would not be complete without experiencing one of its famous cultural dances. Telling elaborate, compelling stories through performance and music, these shows are a bucket list must for event photography. The Bali Agung Show, performed in Gianyar’s Safari Park, is a classic example of theatrical art, combining Indonesian legend with intricate movement, local music and vibrant costumes. Arrive early to snag a good spot, then let your camera adjust to flashes of light and dark as 150 dancers, shadow puppets and park animals bring the stage to life.

Ubud’s Wonderful wildlife

To achieve vibrant, sharp nature and architectural photography, visit the tranquil countryside of Ubud, central Bali, home to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. A diverse abundance of rare wildlife, including hundreds of long-tailed macaques, native birds and butterflies, reside here amongst Hindu spiritual temples and thick plant life. Like most Balinese sanctuaries, it was built with purpose, to demonstrate the harmony between humans and nature. Find depth in your photography in this peaceful forest to symbolise this unity. While you’re in the area, journey north to the village of Tegallalang to capture farming life and incredible lush green layered rice paddies.

Sample the sands

When in search of the perfect wide angle shot to complete your Bali photographic portfolio, the sparkling lengths of Balinese coastal sand are your first port of call. Known as the sunset beach, the five kilometre stretch of golden Kuta beach is an explosion for the senses and a perfect setting for a plethora of different shots. Capture the circular movements of wind-blown sand, accentuate the dominance of incoming waves and spend the evening perfecting a panoramic sunset image. Kuta beach is also a hugely popular surfing spot, so adjust your shutter speed, head to the shore and capture the sport in action.

Author Bio

This article was provided by The Club at the Legian a collection of Bali villa accommodations from GHM Hotels.

New Delhi has thousands of shops and shopping opportunities. Shopping is a fun attraction, but it can be a really hard experience if you are not sure of what you want and where you want to go. Browsing stores in New Delhi can take forever and it’s not recommended. It has been a problem for most travellers, because of the huge variety of shops and opportunities.

However, some brilliant people have come up with a great idea and the shopping assistant services have been created. Individuals or companies offer services providing exciting shopping tours. You start at a given time when a shopping assistant comes to your hotel to take you the numerous shops New Delhi has to offer. Depending on what you fancy, you can choose between the Bazzar, huge shopping malls or local traders.

Items such as silk fabrics, locally made carpets and unique jewellery, are all magnificent symbols of this colourful city. Not to mention the incredible traditional clothes, featuring lively colours and soft fabrics so typical of India.
New Delhi is famous for its jewellery shops. During Indians festival period last year, over 60 tons of gold were sold. The local production of gold is way cheaper than the imported one, but you have to watch for scams. Don’t get blinded by the affordable prices and make sure what you are buying is of a high quality, if all else fails you can try your hand at golden bingo and have some more shopping money to lay with!

Other than that, shopping in New Delhi can be a really exciting and fun experience. Shopping assistants will help you avoid false goods and will take you to the best markets. Once satisfied, you will be brought back to your hotel.

The most famous shopping Mall in New Delhi is known to be the Metro Walk Mall. Filled with locals and tourists alike, this place boasts numerous international brands, as well as traditionally Indian merchandise. After a long shopping session, you can have an Indian dinner at one of the restaurants here or, if you miss the old junk food, burgers and soda are just around the corner!

Shopping is fun for most us! But we have to admit it has its drawbacks. If you want to do some quality shopping without wasting your time and energy on endless shopping sessions, you can always use your Myntra coupons and get all your goods delivered at your hotel. You can even find great discounts and save some money for other pleasures and attractions.