Get on your bike to explore old Jakarta

Bikes for rent in Batavia Square

What grabs my attention in Jakarta’s Batavia Square are the candy-colored bicycles for rent, some of them complete with sunhats and sorbet-tinted helmets.This South-East Asian capital is full of surprises.

Crying over East Javanese chilli chicken

The fiery chicken dish which almost blew me away

My lips are numb and tears are running down my burning cheeks. I can’t help it. I’ve belatedly discovered I’m a chilli wimp.

Travel Deals: $1 cruises, bus through Italy

MSC_Opera

September’s deals include $A1 cruises, a coach tour through Italy and a 44-day mega sail from Barcelona to Sydney.

Wish List: Cycling Vietnam, gardening in Jordan

Cycling in Vietnam

September’s Wish List: Cycle the rural back roads of Vietnam through picturesque villages and rice fields, or how about a garden tour through Jordan?