Do you have the travel-bug? Want to adventure somewhere dreamy and unique? Then Bali is the destination to experience! Here’s some brief info so you can start packing and enjoy your trip:

Where?

Bali is an island in the midst of Indonesia. With beautiful glassy waters and emerald trees, you may think you’ve stepped into some world from a dream, but Bali really is a gem in the ocean, offering adventure and unforgettable experiences to those who seek out the island. Those who have been to Bali are not afraid to boast of the island’s atmosphere, even calling it the “Island of the Gods.”[1] With a nickname like that, who wouldn’t want to check out this special place?

Who?

Typically people, not just sights and attractions, leave the greatest impact in your heart. One article on the Lonely Planet website describes the Balinese as “a generous, genuinely warm people.”[2] The overall vibe certainly reflects this friendliness. It is this very characteristic of the people that sets Bali apart from other tourist destinations.

Bali’s history plays into its modern culture. For years, Balinese have tended to practice Hinduism, which is unique from most of Indonesia.[3] Bali holds many traditions and beliefs.[4] You may see some of these if you visit during a holiday or see some of the sacred sites. One article says the island was found to be useful during the years of trading, and because of this, it felt the influence of many cultures throughout its past, including the early influence of Java, as well as later Netherlands and Japan.[5] Now, the Balinese have opened their doors so they can share the beauty of their unique culture. After you return from Bali, it will be hard to decide which you miss the most – the scenery or the people!

What?

So, what should you do while you’re in Bali? Ditch the resorts and explore the island because there are countless things to see and do! Temples and sacred areas dot the lush island. See the Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the “Sacred Monkey Forest,” a beautiful area dedicated to the many monkeys that make their home there.[6] Then, grab the sunscreen and head to the gorgeous beaches for surfing and relaxing by the waves. Bali has several, so take your pick! You can go to Balangan Beach, Jimbaran Beach, Seminyak Beach, and, well, you get the point. Later, go deeper into Bali to experience the rich culture. The Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali offers a unique taste of Balinese culture and history.[7] Or if you’re more into art, don’t miss the incredible collections in Ubud, like the Neka Art Museum.[8] For the explorers at heart, Goa Gajah, an interesting cave with religious and historical background, is the place to go if you don’t mind walking.[9] And with the vast amount of waterfalls, mountains, volcanos, and views, you may want to spend your whole trip hiking. At last, before you leave Bali, make sure you check out some of the shopping in the local markets. No matter what you choose, you’re going to make some pretty cool memories!

When?

Now you’re ready to book tickets to Bali! So, when is the best time to go? Think spring, early summer, and fall.[10] Not only will these times have decent weather, but it will also be much cheaper than the busy season and holidays.

How?

Any special requirements to go to Bali? The island makes it pretty easy for travelers. Trip Advisor explains that you can visit with a “Free Tourist Visa.”[11] In other words, the areas that travelers visit and explore the most are typically “Tourist Visa Free Facilities,” meaning that, within a certain length of trip, you can visit Bali with this free visa.[12] You’ll probably want to check ahead of time, however, just to make sure that you’ll be able to see all of the areas you planned on exploring.  In addition, you’ll need a passport, so don’t forget it![13]

Why?

So why should you travel to Bali? Well, the island’s beauty and adventures alone are enough to convince anyone to go. Plus, the people are generally open and friendly, with a generous hospitality. And if you budget well, it doesn’t even have to break your wallet to visit this tropical gem. So if you have wanderlust and want to experience culture, adventure, and beautiful landscapes, travel to Bali and discover an island that goes much deeper than vacation brochures.

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Contributed by Addie Davis

Sources:

[1] “Bali Indonesia Guide,” Bali.com, accessed December 29, 2016, https://www.bali.com/.

[2] “Introducing Bali,” Lonely Planet, accessed December 29, 2016, http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/bali/introduction.

[3] “Bali History and Culture,” Baliclick.com, accessed December 30, 2016, http://baliclick.com/about-bali-history-culture.asp.

[4] “Balinese,” Countries and their Cultures, forum, accessed December 30, 2016, http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Germany-to-Jamaica/Balinese.html.

[5] “Bali History and Culture.”

[6] “Ubud Monkey Forest, the Natural and Sacred Site,” Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, accessed December 30, 2016, http://indonesia.travel/en/destination/point-of-interest/ubud-monkey-forest.

[7] “Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali,” Lonely Planet, accessed December 31, 2016, https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/denpasar/attractions/museum-negeri-propinsi-bali/a/poi-sig/441888/356551.

[8] Ibid., “Neka Art Museum,” https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/ubud/attractions/neka-art-museum/a/poi-sig/1189801/356560.

[9] Ibid., “Goa Gajah,” https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/bedulu/attractions/goa-gajah/a/poi-sig/1189892/1318644.

[10] Ibid., “When to Go and Weather,” http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/bali/weather.

[11] “You Should Know: PASSPORTS AND VISAS,” TripAdvisor, accessed December 31, 2016, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Destinations-g294226-q38659-Bali.html.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the term the Rainbow Nation to refer to his country of South Africa, a term that was brought about due to the vast cultural diversity one can experience in this small nation with huge culture. It may surprise a first-time visitor to experience such cultural diversity, perhaps not expecting a small country in Africa to have so much to offer. Here are five things you should know before you pack your bags for South Africa.

1.  There is vast cultural diversity among the South African people

While over 80% of South Africans are black, there is a vast cultural diversity just among that group. Just to name a couple, there are the Nguni, San, Sotho Sana, Tsonga, and the Venda peoples. Each of these groups brings its own unique cultural flavor to the melting pot that is South Africa.

Of course, in addition to the native African population, there are people of European descent making up most of the remaining 20% of people. These people hail from a variety of European cultures, and over the years, some Asian ancestry has been interwoven as well.

2. Their food is also a melting pot

South African food is a blend of the cuisines of many different world cultures, some you might not even expect. Indian curry, for example, is a major favorite among locals. A bobotie is a local favorite minced meat dish that is Malay in origin. Perhaps one of the most must-try foods is braai, a regional type of barbecue that will make any meat lover’s mouth water. Maize porridge is also a local staple and is hugely recommended for those that want to eat how the locals do.

3. Their music scene is really worth checking out

The South African music scene, influenced by the Rainbow Nation’s cultural diversity, is a beautiful mix of modern and traditional. For example, one of the most popular types of import music, jazz, has a local flavor and has been infused with tribal sounds and instruments. Kwela is a popular offset of jazz played with a penny whistle. In addition, mbube (Zulu music) and kwaito (house music) are quite popular. You can hear interesting renditions of gospel and rock music as well. Even a portion of their national anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, is an excellent example of their diversity, as it is sung in a mix of languages. In fact, you probably know a ridiculously popular mbube song, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which was used in Disney’s “The Lion King”.

4. There is a huge diversity of languages

South Africa has 11 official languages, which have been officially recognized since 1997. These are English, Ndebele, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Zulu, Venda, and Xhosa. Xhosa and Afrikaans are the most popular languages spoken regularly in the household. Due to the country’s colonial history, European languages like Portuguese, German, Greek, and French are also spoken by certain groups. English is the official language used in corporations and politics, but most South Africans actually don’t speak it regularly.

5. There are some amazing Cultural Heritage sites to check out

South Africa is certainly also famous for natural beauty, and there are some great places to check out. Of course, Table Mountain is probably the most famous, offering a majestic view of Cape Town and Table Bay. It’s also very easily accessible for tourists via cable car.

The Cradle of Human Kind, also called Maropeng, is perhaps the most important fossil site in the world, and may be worth checking out if you’re into archaeology. You can actually tour some parts of the area, including the Sterkfontein Caves. It is considered to be the birthplace of humanity, so it may be awesome to return to your roots.

Finally, consider checking out Robben Island, home of a famous prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years. The island now houses multiple tourist destinations, including the prison, which can be toured by a combination of ferry and bus.

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Contributed by Nick Bartholomew

China, or maybe you follow that one Instagram famous person from China – but there is a lot more to know before you visit the country for yourself.

We’ve gathered a few facts about China’s culture and history that are worth the read before you hop on that plane.

Meeting People

If someone bows to you offer to shake their hand but do not go in for a hug because many Chinese citizens do not like to be touched by strangers.

Be sure to introduce people with their name and their title. For example, John Lee, CEO of Galaxy Incorporated or Sarah Smith, student at Cambridge University.

And that old saying, “respect your elders,” most definitely applies in China. It’s important to show the most respect to anyone who is older than you.

It’s also nice to bring a small gift when you meet someone for the first time. Expect them to refuse it several times, and be sure to do the same if anyone offers a gift to you.

Body Language

When gesturing always use an open hand, never use your index finger. The Chinese consider this rude.

Do not put your feet up on a chair or cushion no matter how comfortable it may be. While it may be okay at home, it’s definitely not here.

But don’t worry, starring and burping are accepted. So hey, go ahead and guzzle that soda.

Clothing

It is safe to dress modestly and in simple clothes. That means those sport jerseys or that crop top you love are probably best left at home.

Food

Panda Express isn’t what you’ll be eating when you’re in China. They tend to eat more vegetables and meats.

There are no serving spoons for shared dishes. Instead you use the other end of your chopsticks to take your food.

China’s History

There’s not just the Chinese language. There are actually several dialects that make it up like Mandarin and Cantonese.

China is almost the same size as the continental USA. The difference is that China one official time zone while the continental USA has four.

China’s history is marked by dynasties. Each one started when a new emperor ruled. The first was the Qin Dynasty that started in 221 B.C.

Every year is represented by one of China’s 12 animals. 2017 is the year of the Rooster!

It took roughly 37 years to create the Terracotta Army made of 8,000 clay soldiers who guard an emperor’s tomb – talk about a long project!

Fun Facts

The Chinese rarely say “No.” Instead they’ll use other words like “maybe” or “we’ll see.”

It’s better not to give a compliment. Yes, you were probably taught to say something nice but the Chinese do not accept compliments. Instead, they’ll be humble and come back with the truth.

You know those squats you’ve been doing, well they’ll finally come in handy because you’ll most likely have to squat to reach the toilet. And BYTP (bring your own toilet paper).

Some cool places to look at, Snap to friends, or post about while you’re there include The Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall, and the Stone Forest.

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Contributed by Samantha Watkins