where to adventure travel in indonesia

When it comes to retirement locations in the Philippines, one has many options - major urban cities, larger rural cities, beach resorts, mountain retreats. Each has its own unique and attractive features. The major advantage of retirement in a major urban Philippines city are (i) international airport accessibility, (ii) excellent healthcare accessibility, (iii) all major sports activities, and (iv) secure, upscale shopping, night life and entertainment. In this category of major urban cities are the Manila metropolitan area, Cebu City in the Visayas area of the country, and Davao City in Mindanao.

MANILA

Manila is the capital of the country, and the primary port of entry for every foreigner flying to the Philippines. It is the gateway to the Philippines. For a foreigner seeking quick access in and out of the country, Manila is the place to be. Travel to Manila from California is 15 hours, from Hawaii is 10 hours, from Tokyo it it is a little over 4 hours, from Hong Kong it is less than 2 hours, from Singapore it is 3 hours, and from Europe it is basically 20 hours. Once you are in Asia, sitting in the China Sea, Manila is at the center. Trips to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia and are quick and easy from Manila.

Manila is actually part of a major metropolitan area with an overall population of over 11 million people. So yes, it is crowded overall, yet, like all major cities in the world, there are areas within the metropolitan area which are quite diverse from one another.

Depending on one's retirement income, retiring foreigners tend to favor either the upscale, highly westernized Makati, Ortigas/Mandaluyong, Alabang or areas. These areas have all the amenities westerners are accustomed to, including all the biggest and most upscale shopping malls in the country. Makati is the financial hub of the Philippines, and it is full of western style upscale condominiums with all the latest amenities.

For those wanting an upscale, big city living, with access to the best entertainment, sporting events, unlimited shopping options, and most westernized lifestyle, within easy reach of foreign destinations, Manila is your best choice. The downside is that it is the most expensive than Cebu City and Davao City.

CEBU CITY

Cebu City is located on the island of Cebu in the chain of islands known as the Visayas. It is more centrally located in the country and is a domestic trading and transportation hub. It is much smaller than Manila, with a population less than 1 million, yet its people have a higher per capita income level. It is very pro business, and to more efficiently run city than Manila. It is very progressive and has become a large center of commerce. It has aggressively expanded its airport, which does receive certain direct international flights, though few in number.

Cebu has a large population of foreign retire in relation to its population. Foreigners are drawn to its abundance of beaches and resorts. It is a beautiful city, surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Like Manila, it too has its upscale, modern shopping malls, casinos, and a great night life. Being a smaller city, getting around the city is much easier. It is now only beginning to see construction of high rise condominiums, which are abundant in Manila, and a favorite of western retire.

Cebu has great medical facilities and it has just recently launched an effort in conjunction with the national government to further develop Cebu as a major medical tourism and retirement center for foreigners.

All in all, it has most of the westernized benefits of Manila, yet a lower cost of living, combined with the presence of many, many beautiful white sand beach resorts. Those who love living near the seaside, have interests in diving and other water sports, yet like the efficiency and amenities of to smaller modern city, then Cebu City would be your choice.

DAVAO CITY

Davao City is THE city of Mindanao, and by square miles it is the second largest city in the world. Its population is approximately 1.4 million. Located on the southern of Mindanao, it is the most rural of the three major urban cities, and it has the lowest cost of living. So, if you enjoy the lifestyle of a large city, but have limitations on your cost of living, Davao is the place for you.

Davao City does not get large numbers of foreign travelers, yet for those seeking outdoor adventures, the options are plentiful. Living in Davao is a bit like living in both an urban and a rural city, as the city has modern shopping centers, upscale gated communities and hotels, yet living there you become deeply rooted to the land outside the city. Just outside the city is Mt Apo with forested slopes and abundance of hiking opportunities, and located on a gulf, it is only a short boat ride to white sand beaches. Most of the land outside the city has been turned over to massive plantations growing bananas, pineapples, and other citrus. The city has a new, great world class golf course, and low rise condominiums are being built newly. It has committed itself to the development of a world class medical center, and is aggressively pursuing medical tourism.

In conclusion, it has been my experience that for a person who wants to remove in a major urban city in the Philippines, the choice between Manila, Cebu and Davao usually comes down to one's pension and/or other monthly retirement income. Manila is the most expensive, Cebu is next, and Davao has the lowest cost of living. Manila is the most cosmopolitan, and the Davao the most rural. All three are attractive spots for a foreigner seeking retirement in the Philippines in an urban environment.

Do do you want more in depth information about retirement living available to foreigners in the Philippines? I have just completed my new book on "Retirement Living in the Philippines", which provides a comprehensive study of opportunities for fun, adventure, love and great friendships living in the Philippines.

Download it at http://www.retirementlivinginthephilippines.com

Or it can be downloaded at: http://www.howtobeahappyhusband.com

Will Irwin is a powerful entrepreneur and business and life coach. I've started many online and offline businesses both in the USA and in the Philippines, residing in both Hawaii and the Philippines.

Okay, so I had attempted to find a suitable article about living and/or teaching in Asia for my book. After an exhausting, several-day search, I have concluded that I am probably the best resource for this task. Don't get me wrong. There are countless sites and blogs related to living in Asia. Unfortunately, the content is so widely dispersed, you'd have to spend hours combing over the material just to get an idea of what to expect in Asia.

There are definitely some places expats should not live in Asia, albeit these places comprise a minority on the adventure scale. Needless to say, they exist. When one travels overseas, he needs to identify those places. Having lived and traveled in Asia for several years, I believe I'm qualified to discuss an overall perspective of Asia. Admittedly, I'm slightly biased, as I have spent the majority of my overseas life here. Moreover, most of my experiences have been positive. Given that caveat, I'll attempt to place my opinions on the shelf and present an unadulterated perspective.

Basic Advice

There are definitely various approaches to handling your first few days in Asia, regardless of your location. Prior to going to South Korea, which consequently I had not chosen to do (military tour), I was told that I should enter the country with an open mind, and that's just what I did. Because of this, I was able to navigate the stark, cultural contrast of an often mysterious and profoundly unique country.

Although adventure is exciting, and the non-existent plan sometimes equals an escapade, one should definitely have, at the very least, a mediocre plan once the feet hit the ground. From taxis to dining, newly arrived expats should have some idea of what to pay, who to trust, and what to eat. Doing so will lead to a more favorable trip. From my experience, people who enter a country blindly, normally find their way to some expat forum with misconstrued complaints about how they were mistreated, abused, or otherwise clapperclawed.

Here are some down-to-earth bullet points that will assist in navigating Asia.

• Expect the unexpected and smile

• Everything is negotiable

• Smiles are universal in every situation, good or bad

• Most people want to help

• Adventure is everywhere, sometimes even unwanted

• Safety measures sometimes are rare

• Your clean is not everyone's clean

• It's okay to say no with a smile

• Some places have toilet paper, some don't

• Some places have toilets, some don't

• Most everything is for sale

• When in doubt, turn that sad-clown frown upside down; it'll make all the difference

I could go on, but the fact of the matter is, you're entering Asia. Things are much different when compared to the Western world. Like anywhere, there are positives and negatives. Personally, I have experienced far more positives than I have experienced negatives. Let's talk briefly about food in Asia.

Food

It goes without saying that Asia offers a diverse menu. If it's edible, you'll find it in Asia. From chickens' feet in Jakarta, to dog in Seoul, the adventurous traveler is bound to find any taste to suit his desires. When it comes to food, my theory is that I'll try anything once. One of my most memorable overseas experiences occurred on the beaches of Jeju Island, South Korea. Eating freshly harvested clams purchased from the 70-year-old haenyo (traditional female diver) is something my son and I will forever cherish. Munching on 10 varieties of kimchi at the North Korean restaurant, Pyongyang, in Jakarta is a brilliant conversation starter. Arguably, food defines culture. Many of our nostalgically-driven memories often come from different seasons, gatherings with friends, family, and most notably, food.

People

I hesitate to even discuss people, as people are people wherever you go. On average, most people I have encountered in Asia are very friendly and more than willing to help in any way possible. My good friend Steven talks about a family with whom he spent the day while on adventure in Japan. He had just met the family and they offered to show him around for the entire day! This is common occurrence in Asia. There are some downsides to these good intentions.

In Indonesia, you might find five people offering directions to one location and receive five different instructions leading in opposition directions! This culturally-rooted desire to help often prevents people from saying, "I don't know". Whatever the situation, remember, a smile goes a long way in Asia.

Lifestyle and Cost of living

Interestingly, an expats lifestyle in Asia is often similar or better than in his home country. That said, it is likely that your lifestyle in Asia will probably rank is the upper twenty-five percent when compared to the rest of the population. Employers know that westerners require a familiar lifestyle, some anyways. So yes, you can find toilet paper, Starbucks, and a Gold's Gym just about anywhere in Asia. Your cost of living varies on your needs and wants. Overall, the cost of living in Asia is less expensive than many Western countries. With the tide of a changing, global economy, this is beginning to shift.

Teaching

It is easier to find an English teaching position in Asia when compared to anywhere else in the world. Moreover, your wildest adventures will likely take place somewhere in Asia. This is not to say that adventures don't abound in other places throughout the world. It's just that many places in Asia are less restrictive, warmer, and more willing to accept expat oddities as normal behavior, a glorious benefit for all the socially awkward. Teaching in Asia is flexible in terms of knowledge and experience; a welcome comment for many readers, as this article is likely geared towards someone considering an overseas trip. Of course, this doesn't suggest that you receive "adventure money" for nothing; it simply suggests that your native English ability, coupled with a basic bachelor's degree or English certification, is often the foundation for employment in Asia.

Whether you plan to stay overseas for a year, or plan a lifelong adventure, Asia is a must visit location for fun, adventure, and a uniqueness not available anywhere else in the world.

James is the author of the book, Travel the World on Someone Else's Dime: A Beginner's Guide to Living and Teaching Overseas.

Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of thousands of islands, is known throughout the world for its biological diversity and Balinese beach getaways. As culturally diverse as it is biologically, the capital city of Jakarta is a melting pot of roughly 10 million people. Home to numerous expatriates from all corners of the earth, Jakarta has everything any cosmopolitan city has to offer - but you might just have to dig a little deeper to find it. While your first impression might leave you choking on fumes from the ubiquitous Metro Mini public buses that leave a trail of grey exhaust along the main thoroughfares, Jakarta quickly compensates with its high end shopping malls, excellent cuisine, and smiling faces. Known as the "Big Durian" after the notoriously stinky Southeast Asian thorny fruit, Jakarta certainly makes an impression on all who have counted themselves among Indonesia's bule gila (crazy foreigners).

If you are relocating to Jakarta, the first challenge you might find yourself up against is the hunt for accommodation. While short term needs are easily met by any of the international or national hotel chains in the city, longer term accommodation can be trickier. The decision usually boils down to a villa or an apartment. For those of more modest means, there are also communal living arrangements called kost that include a private bedroom and bathroom with shared living area and kitchen. The area in which you choose to live is usually decided by your particular needs. Families often opt to live in Jakarta's southern neighborhoods in order to have a larger house with a yard and easy access to Jakarta's international schools. Kemang is an area of town most known for its expat population and as such has numerous boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. Singles and couples often live in Kemang or opt for the more centrally located apartments that can be found in and around the central business district. Centrally located apartments are often on the higher end of rental spectrum as they offer a host of luxury amenities such as on site gym, security, and pool.

Jakarta has much entertainment to offer both young and old throughout the year. The up and coming local and international artists have made great effort to broaden Jakarta's cultural horizon and sponsor annual events such as the Jakarta International Film Festival and the Jazz Festival. Embassies and Consulates also bring in talent every month which include pianists, operatic performances, and chamber music. For athletic types, whether children or adults, there are numerous intramural teams who are very welcoming to newcomers, such as the football teams and Ultimate Frisbee leagues. If your idea of athleticism is lifting a Starbucks while you contemplate whether or not to buy that cute Kate Spade bag - Jakarta will not disappoint. With new shopping malls springing up every year, Jakarta is quickly becoming a shopping haven to rival the nearby retail center of Singapore. With numerous high end stores such as Bulgari, Valentino, and Gucci as well as moderately priced chains like the U.K.'s TopShop, there is something for everyone.

If you find yourself missing home while in Jakarta, you don't have to go far to find a taste of comfort food, whatever it might be. Be sure to check out Scusa at the Intercontinental for Italian, C's for steaks and seafood at the Grand Hyatt, and of course the place to see and be seen for Sunday brunch, Seasons Café at the Four Seasons. If hotels aren't your thing - don't worry - there are more than enough International restaurants tucked away in a neighborhood near you. Try the persistent favorite, Koi with mouth watering desserts or line up for freshly flown in mussels at Cassis every Tuesday. For consistently good Indian, try Kinara in Kemang. The newly renovated Blowfish is the trendiest place for sushi these days, and the attached club gets going by 11pm making a late dinner transition into drinks a step away. If you have a hankering for dim sum, you will not be disappointed in the consistently high quality of Din Tai Fung in Plaza Senayan Arcadia. And if you stay long enough - there are bound to many new restaurants popping up as the city's economy continues to recover.

Alex Smith has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, has lived in Bangkok, Thailand for the last four years where he maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com