Important Tips to Make the Most of Your layover of the Long-Haul Flights To Bali

My family and I have a lot of experienced long layover times in Asia. Wherever you go, if you find yourself in Asia airport, please check with the desk for more information. Most airports in Asia offer great deals to kill time while your layover. If you have 5-6 hour layover, so many things you can do in the airport like, enjoy the local culture, sleep (rent a hotel), also authentic food, get a massage, meet new people, learn to make local crafts, and my favorite is having a city tour. Before you decide to leave the airport for a city tour, please keep these tips:

If possible, when you are checking in for your flight, check your bags straight through to your final destination.  If your layover is too long, however, and you’re not planning on booking a hotel, most large airports will have lockers for your luggage.

Pack your carry-on with just what you will need during your layover. Don’t forget a change of clothes if you’re staying overnight, or seasonal clothing depending on the location of your layover.  Also, don’t forget important identification, money, and any other needs.

Check with your airline to see if your ticket permits you to leave the transit area. Some tickets may not permit you to leave the airport.

If your layover is overnight, ask your airline if they provide a hotel room. Some airlines offer accommodation, and sometimes food.

When you fly to Bali, some possibilities airports you will have layover with different length of times. Several ideas you can do in each airport on your way to Bali:

Singapore Changi Airport

Changi airport is in Singapore. This airport is my favorite one, is famous to have it all. Enjoy the open-air gardens, the two-story butterfly grotto featuring a 27-foot waterfall, indigenous plants, and a thousand free-flying native butterflies (T3); the 40-species cacti garden (T1); or the rare orchid and sunflower gardens (T2). Added crowd-pleasers include T1’s Balinese rooftop pool ($13 nets you shower access, plus a free drink); the world’s tallest airport slide (T3); the Entertainment Deck (T2) with complimentary XBox and PlayStation consoles; and a trio of free movie theaters screening Hollywood flicks 24/7.

There are recharging kiosks and free Wi-Fi hotspots. Didn’t bring your laptop? You can use one of the 550 free Internet kiosks.

Visit Food Center:

Sample Singaporean specialties like laksa (a piquant noodle soup) and spicy pork rib soup at Prima Taste, or try Imperial Treasure for Cantonese roast goose and fresh fish. 

Sleep Inn Ambassador Transit Hotels are located in each terminal.

City Tour

Minimum layover: 5 hours

Travel Time to City Center: 20 to 25 minutes

How to do it: Changi offers a free Singapore bus tour (five times a day) that leaves right from the airport; register in Terminal 2 or 3.

What to do: The excursion covers major sights, including the Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel, the futuristic Marina Bay Sands resort, and the 250-acre Gardens by the Bay park. There’s a stopover in Merlion Park to see

the iconic half-lion, half-fish statue.

Hong Kong International Airport

The airport is located roughly 25 miles from downtown Hong Kong, which makes the city accessible only for those with long layovers.

If you don’t have enough time to leave the Hong Kong airport during your layover, fortunately you are in the airport that was currently ranked #1 in the world's top airports.  There are many choices of restaurants and shops, you can get a foot reflexology massage, see the 4D extreme screen in Terminal 2. A full-motion plane-cabin ride simulator and much more. Please check with the desk information for more info.

For those of you have enough time for a city tour:

Minimum layover: 6 hours

Travel Time to City Center: 24 minutes

How to do it: Airport Express Line to Central ($23.50 round-trip; trains every 10 minutes)

What to do: From Central, it’s two MTR stops to Wan Chai, home to chef Alvin Leung Jr.’s renowned Bo Innovation. After sampling experimental Chinese cuisine, visit the nearby Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, with items dating back to the 11th century B.C.

Taipei (Taiwan Taoyuan Airport)

This airport is the busiest in Taiwan and the hub for China Airlines and EVA Air, and is located roughly 25 miles (50 minutes by car or bus) from downtown Taipei which makes the city accessible to those on a long layover.

If you don’t have enough time to leave the airport during your Taipei layover, The airport offers a number of restaurants and shopping (both regular and duty free), ATMs and currency exchanges, prayer rooms, there are also a couple beauty salons in the airport that cater to both men and women, and shower facilities.

For those of you to have 5-6 hours layover time:

You can choose Tour A or Tour B below

Tour A

Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Sanshia & Zushih Temple - Yingge - Return to Airport

Sansia & Zushih Temple

Sansia is about 22km southwest to Taipei, a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and historical brick buildings. The main attraction is Zushih Temple, popular known as the Sanshia Bird Temple, built in honor of Song Dynasty (960-1279) loyalist Cheng Chao-Ying. Cheng was a famous General knitted as "Protector of the Country" for his achievements and value. This temple was in ruins at the end of World War II, and a meticulous restoration project had been underway for some forty years. The temple is known for its intricately carved stone and bronze columns and statues, especially the temple's unique bird art. There are also carved stone lions, camphor wood carvings, and exquisite bronze bast-reliefs.

Yingge Pottery /Yingge: Pottery Heaven

A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Ching (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate

Tour B

Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Taipei 101 Mall - Longshan Temple - Presidential Office Building - Chiang Kay Shek Memorial Hall - Martyrs' Shrine - Return to Airport

Taipei 101 Building

It stands 508 meters tall with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It has been certified as the world's tallest building and was opened to the public on 31 December 2004.

Longshan Temple

Taipei is home to many old temples. Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture.

Presidential Office Building

The building which houses the Office of the President of Taiwan was

Yingge Pottery /Yingge: Pottery Heaven

A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Ching (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate

Tour B

Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Taipei 101 Mall - Longshan Temple - Presidential Office Building - Chiang Kay Shek Memorial Hall - Martyrs' Shrine - Return to Airport

Taipei 101 Building

It stands 508 meters tall with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It has been certified as the world's tallest building and was opened to the public on 31 December 2004.

Longshan Temple

Taipei is home to many old temples. Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture.

Presidential Office Building

The building which houses the Office of the President of Taiwan was inaugurated in March 1919, about seven years after construction began. Its architectural design features an elegant and majestic symmetry. Inside the building there are tall pillars, refined ornaments, long corridors and exquisite arches, all Baroque characteristics which prevail in the Renaissance period. Since the central government was relocated to Taipei in 1949, this building has been used as the Office of the President.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

An impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. The elegant Ming Dynasty styled arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classic buildings: The National Theater and The National Concert Hall. The square between the two buildings is a popular gathering place during festival occasions.

Martyrs' Shrine

This is an excellent example of classic Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China's wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony Time before the entrance, which many people

4 South Korea (Incheon Airport)

 Incheon is a good 30 miles from Seoul’s city center, nine miles from downtown Seoul. There are many things to do at Incheon, so no matter the length of your layover, you may not even want to leave.

If you find yourself with a layover in Seoul that is over five hours, you might as well go and explore the real deal. Plenty of historical, cultural, commercial and entertainment destinations are sure to keep you occupied as you explore this fascinating and rapidly developing Asian

Yingge Pottery /Yingge: Pottery Heaven

A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Ching (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate

Tour B

Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l Airport - Taipei 101 Mall - Longshan Temple - Presidential Office Building - Chiang Kay Shek Memorial Hall - Martyrs' Shrine - Return to Airport

Taipei 101 Building

It stands 508 meters tall with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It has been certified as the world's tallest building and was opened to the public on 31 December 2004.

Longshan Temple

Taipei is home to many old temples. Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture.

Presidential Office Building

The building which houses the Office of the President of Taiwan was inaugurated in March 1919, about seven years after construction began. Its architectural design features an elegant and majestic symmetry. Inside the building there are tall pillars, refined ornaments, long corridors and exquisite arches, all Baroque characteristics which prevail in the Renaissance period. Since the central government was relocated to Taipei in 1949, this building has been used as the Office of the President.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

An impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. The elegant Ming Dynasty styled arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classic buildings: The National Theater and The National Concert Hall. The square between the two buildings is a popular gathering place during festival occasions.

Martyrs' Shrine

This is an excellent example of classic Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China's wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony Time before the entrance, which many people

4 South Korea (Incheon Airport)

 Incheon is a good 30 miles from Seoul’s city center, nine miles from downtown Seoul. There are many things to do at Incheon, so no matter the length of your layover, you may not even want to leave.

If you find yourself with a layover in Seoul that is over five hours, you might as well go and explore the real deal. Plenty of historical, cultural, commercial and entertainment destinations are sure to keep you occupied as you explore this fascinating and rapidly developing Asian city. 

 Seoul Incheon airport cleverly packages all the city’s best sights together in a series of free tours geared towards transit passengers.

Incheon International Airport provides a wide range of free transit tours. Choices include the Incheon City Tour, Seoul City Tour, Temple Tour, and many more. Travelers can choose among the different tours available: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 5-hour tour courses. Each transit tour is accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide, so even those who do not speak Korean can enjoy the tours without any difficulties. Moreover, all tours are provided for free. However, tourist site admission fees and meals are excluded and must be paid individually.

You need to stop at the desk to arrange your tour.

If you don’t have enough time to leave the airport, the Incheon airport offers plenty of cultural activities (Walk through the Korean Culture Street (Public Area, 4F), which features traditional buildings and architecture, or visit the Traditional Craft Gallery (4F Transfer Lounge).

And available shopping, restaurants, and the best possible amenity are free Wi-Fi.

Free Transit Tour

2F: in front of gates 25 and 29
- 1F: desks 41 and 42 ‘Hana Tour’ in front of gate 8

“Incheon International Airport provides a wide range of free transit tours. Choices include the Incheon City Tour, Seoul City Tour, Temple Tour, and many more. Travelers can choose among the different tours available: 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 5-hour tour courses. Each transit tour is accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide, so even

those who do not speak Korean can enjoy the tours without any difficulties. Moreover, all tours are provided for free. However, tourist site admission fees and meals are excluded and must be paid individually.” Incheon airport

Gyeongbok Palace

“Constructed in 1395, Gyeongbok (or Gyeongbokgung) Palace was for many years the most powerful place in South Korea. Today, it is used for entirely touristic purposes – and has been voted to be one of the most stunning locations in the city. Within it, you can visit the National Palace Museum of Korea and a series of traditional folk Korean gardens. Wander through the classic architecture, checking out ancient artifacts, cultural depictions and educational information. The president’s Blue House, the National Folk Museum, and the impressive US Embassy are also within walking distance from here.” Incheon airport

Time Required: The Palace can take anywhere from one – five hours to explore, depending on the time you wish to spend in the various exhibits. Note that this does not include travel time to and from the airport.

Happy Travels!

Cremation Ceremony in Bali September, 2017

“Bali is a living postcard, an Indonesian paradise that feels like a fantasy.” Travelers

Soak up the sun on a stretch of fine white sand and black sand, or go deep into the tropical ocean and feel the creatures as you dive along coral ridges or the colorful fish. The “artistic capital” of Ubud, Batubulan, Batuan, and Denpasar are the perfect place to see a cultural dance performance, take a batik or silver-smith workshop in Celuk, or nourish your mind and body in a yoga class. So many things you can do in Bali, but you don’t want to miss Balinese ceremonies that you only see and experience in Bali.

This month of September I attended my uncle's cremation ceremony, and this is the time to pay respects to him and gather with family and community. For those of you have never been in Bali. Here is a brief article about cremation ceremony in Bali:

Visitors to Bali will usually come to the conclusion early on in their trip that the local people are deeply spiritual. It is the land of 10,000 temples, and this gives some indication of the importance that spirituality has played in the island’s history, and how it continues to play a key role today. Religious festivals occur regularly throughout the year, and there are ceremonies connected with almost every facet of life here. The majority of the Balinese, 95% of the population, would be described as followers of Hinduism, but their traditions are also deeply influenced by earlier indigenous beliefs. The ceremonies surrounding death are particularly significant to the local people, and they have their own unique way of dealing with the end of life- which they view as a transition.

Pelebon is for Palace family

Those individuals who die and belong to the upper classes in Bali or royalty will usually have a Pelebon (Royal cremation) rather than a Ngaben cremation. This ceremony will be more even elaborate than standard cremation ceremony, and it will involve a number of different stages. The cremation tower for the Pelebon needs to have nine floors, and it can require as many as 100 people to make it.

More info about Bali: Bali Travel Info

Ngaben for ordinary people

The Balinese people view the cremation of a loved one as a time of celebration, and this is one reason why the Ngaben ceremony is so remarkable to outsiders. The local people are usually willing to allow respectful foreign guests to experience this unique way of sending off the deceased to the next life. One of the surprising things is that the person who is being cremated may have already been dead for years, but it is only now that the family can afford the cremation ceremony.

The Balinese people view death as being part of a continuous cycle that involves birth, life, and death. This cycle continues until the person’s soul is purified. When this point of complete purification is reached, the individual can then be united with God. The local people believe that the person who has just died, will soon be reborn as somebody else, and all newborn children are thus seen as reincarnated souls. In order for the dead person to be able to reincarnate they must first be released, and the Balinese Cremation Ceremony is what makes this happen. If the dead person lived a particularly good life, they may even skip reincarnation altogether to enter a state known as Moksha where they will finally be free of the cycle of life and death.

 Ngaben is the Balinese word that local people, use when referring to their cremation ceremony – it can be translated as meaning, “turning into ash”. This is the ritual they follow when ushering the person into their next life or sending them on to Moksha. Unlike funeral services in other parts of the world, in Bali it is a time to celebrate. Tourists should not be surprised to hear local people talk about how much fun they had at one of these occasions, and if foreign visitors are lucky enough to attend one they will see for themselves that it is far from a normal occasion. The goal of those attending the ceremony is to help the dying person cut any ties they have to their old life, so that they will feel happy to move on. If the occasion was sad, the deceased might worry and use this as an excuse to hang around.

The day for the Ngaben to take place is always selected by a priest, and it will be based on the Balinese calendar. As part of the preparations the family will be expected to arrange for two important items that will be used in the ceremony:

The waddhu/bade is a tower like construction that has multiple levels – the more levels the construction has, the important the person was in their life. It is usually made from bamboo, paper, and wood.

The Lembu is coffin where the deceased’s body will stay for the ceremony. Lembu means ox, and the coffin is usually designed to look like this animal – it is also possible to have the coffin look like other animals.

As well as these two important items, the family will also be expected to pay for:

Special offerings that will be given on behalf of the deceased.

A Gamelan musical procession / special music that will accompany the deceased to the cremation pyre.

The family will usually sponsor a traditional puppet.

Food and drink for guests.

The cremation day begins with a procession, and during this time the cremation tower will be twirled around – this is to confuse the deceased, so they will not be tempted to return home. For most of the ceremony there will be a real festival atmosphere, and it is only when the body is being burnt that family members will become a bit solemn. The fire will be lit by a priest, and the source of the flame will be a special holy fire. After the body has been turned to ashes it will then be sprinkled with holy water. These ashes will later be delivered into the sea.

During the 12 days following the Ngaben, there will be a final cleansing where family member will build effigies of the deceased and burn them. These ashes will also need to be disposed of in the sea. If the family suspects that any part of the ceremony was not performed correctly, and they will need to contact a spirit medium to find out how things can be put it right.

In order to get the Ngaben ceremony right, the family will need to spend a good deal of money. It is so expensive that most families just can’t afford it, so they will choose to join with other families and have a group Ngaben where the financial burden is spread among all of those involved. A family may have to wait months, or even years, before they have the money even for a shared Ngaben. Those families who can afford to pay for their own ceremony will be able to arrange things more quickly, but they will still have to wait to be given an auspicious date by a Hindu priest. If the family needs to wait a long time before the cremation, they will usually bury the body first of all.

Enjoy your holiday in Bali!

Thanks to Books On Bali