Posts by Marifb

Isn’t this a bit rushed? Yeah, but I’ve already said that 😉😉😉

For the food, you're in for a treat—Indonesia is a total gastronomic frenzy.

Wow, that sentence really stopped me in my tracks. Apart from Java and Bali, which have diversified their food scene, the rest of Indonesia isn’t exactly a foodie paradise, honestly. I’m not saying it’s bad, just that you pretty much eat the same things over and over. I don’t doubt you can find some great dishes, but overall, it’s not that exciting. Where have you eaten in Indonesia?

I’d love for Indonesia to have the same level of food as Thailand. I already can’t bring myself to go anywhere else except Indonesia (and one island way up north on our planet), but if the food were as good as in Thailand, I’d have to move there 😉

Bali really isn’t a snorkeling or diving destination. The best spots are in Komodo, Bunaken, Wakatobi, Raja Ampat, Banda, Alor, etc. But if you don’t have much diving experience, Bali and the islands of Lombok can still satisfy you with turtles and other colorful fish. Don’t expect a coral festival, though.

Get a 2-month visa—you’ll be all set. We always travel in July and August and do it this way to stay stress-free. Just make sure you have income over $2000, as they ask for bank statements. It’s a bit pricier than the 1-month renewable visa, but at least you’ve got peace of mind. No blocked websites for renewals, no hunting for connections if you’re in the middle of nowhere, for example.

Four months for Polynesia and Indonesia is actually a pretty solid amount of time. I wouldn’t add any other countries. On the contrary, especially for Indonesia, you’ll be able to explore several islands and get beyond the classic Java-Bali route.

Just do Sumatra and that's it! Enjoy your trip instead of trying to do too much. We're going back to Indonesia. Trying to visit multiple islands in such a short time doesn't make much sense unless you want to skip a lot of things and spend time in transit... Unless you're just trying to rack up Instagram photos, but you don’t seem like that type. If you have regrets about skipping Bali, then do Bali—but honestly, at the time you’ve chosen, you’ll be in the crowds. If, however, you want to dedicate all 20 days to it, you’ll manage to find spots that are less packed (I said "less," not "not"). Anyway, 20 days is enough for one island, and not even a huge one at that. Let’s just say Sumatra is pushing it. You’ll still have plenty to keep you busy.

I know a place where you could share that, Solène40... and we’d be *really* interested...

Yes, it's still a wonderful destination. You’ll need at least 4 weeks—barely enough for Sulawesi—so don’t pair it with anything else. The classic route is more touristy than before, but it’s still largely manageable, and many places still have that adventurous feel.

Given your experience in Indonesia’s tourist hotspots, you’re finally going to discover the joy of traveling in this country.

If you’re only going for 3 weeks, stick to just one part—north or south.

Alternatively, for 3-4 weeks, you could also head to Flores. It’s a bit more crowded but still really nice.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more info!

How much time do you plan to spend there? Another thing that’ll affect transport costs is whether you can share with other travelers. For example, we were closer to Pyanemo from Batanta, but it ended up being cheaper from Kri.

Svalbard is tempting, but polar bears are a real problem there. The risk of encountering one is statistically quite high. So, it’s a real deterrent for us. If we’re going to take risks, I’d rather go to Ittoqqortoormiit. But unfortunately, I think we’re also getting too old for those kinds of more challenging places. That’s why we’ll be paddling south toward Narsarsuaq next summer instead. We considered Uummannaq, but transportation is more expensive, and there’s a major landslide risk in the area. So, it’ll be the south. As for Antarctica, we’re not tempted at all—there’s no way to be self-sufficient there, and what we particularly love about the Arctic, besides the landscapes, is the sense of freedom.

Yikes, be careful—the Arctic virus is really dangerous. We never managed to get rid of it...

Never seen it either. When were you in Tasiilaq?

Where are you going in Greenland? It’s usually between 15 °C and 0 °C.

So, were you able to leave?

Yeah, it's planned, but more on FV. We leave in 2 days—same old mix of excitement and stress as usual. This time, we're bringing two of our older kids along with our youngest's partner. We'll be a big enough group to take night watches, which is definitely safer than last time when we relied only on motion detectors. We're thrilled to show them this amazing country, but we also feel responsible for safety. Anyway, D-2...

Don’t be too discouraged, Evajules4yne. I was just chatting yesterday about my upcoming kayaking expedition to Sermilik this summer with my favorite peach and apricot producer when another customer chimed in to say they’d traveled with this cruise line to Greenland and loved it. So don’t worry too much, Evajules—your trip might turn out great. (Even if I still think a sailboat is a much better way to explore this stunning island.)

The last very short climb is done via stairs, and you do indeed have to go up onto the road before the museum-cultural center, the Icefjord Center, but this part can be done by taxi.