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Ana Bicanic

Hi there! My name is Ana, I am 26 years old and I come from Belgrade, Serbia. Growing up I would travel a lot with my parents who love to dive. I knew from very early on that I want to be in travel business.

I was introduced to the Japanese culture in my teens- through Studio Ghibli movies- and immediately fell in love with it! That made me love and explore the whole Asian continent. I travelled extensively through Asia but Japan and Indonesia stole my heart.

I love learning about local life, food and culture of these two, very different island countries and I feel so blessed to have been able to live here and share the knowledge I have to help others experience all the amazing things these wonderful countries have to offer.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Indonesia. I spend a lot of time engaging with locals and learning about their culture, trying all the foods available and going to all the known as well as hidden gems Indonesia has to offer. I also know all the best spots for surfing."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I choose tourism major in High school and due to it I've done a lot of practices at hotels, travel agencies and even the Belgrade Tourism Fair, which made me fall in love with the industry."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"The most amazing experience for me so far was seeing a Dugong come up to say hi to me while surfing at the amazing Padang Padang beach in Uluwatu, Bali."

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Ana

Overall, we had a fantastic trip to 4 differe...
Indonesia | Jul 4 - Jul 19, 2024

Sandy
Sandy P.
Cheshire, CT | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024
Overall, we had a fantastic trip to 4 different islands in Indonesia. We visited Flores, Bali, Java, and Sumatra. Our activities were diverse and our drivers, especially Bagus in Bali, Faisal in Java (Bromo), and Anwar in Sumatra were amazing and knowledgeable and courteous. Our trip had relatively few problems but the one real problem we had, when they wouldn’t let us on a ferry, Ana jumped in immediately and fixed the problem. She was very attentive and checked in with us frequently on the... Read more

Overall, we had a fantastic trip to 4 different islands in Indonesia. We visited Flores, Bali, Java, and Sumatra. Our activities were diverse and our drivers, especially Bagus in Bali, Faisal in Java (Bromo), and Anwar in Sumatra were amazing and knowledgeable and courteous. Our trip had relatively few problems but the one real problem we had, when they wouldn’t let us on a ferry, Ana jumped in immediately and fixed the problem. She was very attentive and checked in with us frequently on the trip. I will say that 3 of our hotels changed after our trip was already booked, making me think our hotels weren’t actually booked. The main one we were disappointed in was the Heritage Hotel in Sumatra. We were booked to the Ecolodge which was a lot nicer but when we arrived we were told the Ecolodge was full and we had to stay at the Heritage. My point with this story is that I would advise asking for confirmation numbers for your hotels to avoid confusion while you are there. We fell in love with Indonesia and would definitely go back!!

Hotel Reviews
Wae Rebo Lodge

This was our first night in Indonesia. It was very basic but absolutely fine. Bring earplugs though-the night sounds of frogs, geckos, cats, and birds are very loud all night long!

Family Friendliness
Local's Cone-Shaped House
Waerebo

A fantastic experience but so crowded with tourists. There were at least 40 other tourists with only 3 basic toilets to share. You sleep on mattresses on the floor with no mosquito nets side by side with 25 other people. The meals are very basic-one egg and rice and some watery greens. I advise taking some snacks along. It was a great experience, but just be aware that it’s an experience, not a relaxing vacation!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bayview Gardens Hotel

Great hotel with gorgeous views! And they bring breakfast to your room!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Private cruise trip in Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

The highlights of the Komodo trip for me were seeing the fruit bats fly out of the mangroves at night, seeing the Komodo dragons and other wildlife on the island, and snorkeling. Our boat, the Mutiara Flores, was average. There were comfortable accommodations and a place to sit at a table out of the sun. The cook made so much food that we felt guilty we had so much left over. Overall a good experience, despite me getting sick with diarrhea on the trip.

Artini 2 cottage

The Artini 2 was well located and comfortable. The breakfast was not great but it was a very interesting hotel. The rooms, however, are SO dark. Where there should we windows, there are intricate wooden carvings!

Dusun Jogja Village Inn
Yogyakarta

Fantastic little oasis in crowded Yogyakarta! Loved the pool, the room, the hotel staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lava View Lodge Hotel

The views from the Lava Lodge are great, but the rooms are dank and the bathroom was very stinky with a sewage smell permeating the room. The cleanliness of the restaurant is atrocious as well with stains all over the tablecloth and the dinner gave my daughter food poisoning so that she was vomiting all night and had to miss the Bromo hike the next morning. The staff was friendly and the beds were comfortable though and we survived the night. If you go, just be prepared with a good jacket (the nights are very cold) and keep the bathroom door closed!

Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali

This was a blast! It was fun to see the countryside and my daughter and I stood up in the back of the car for a long time holding on to the roll bar. Very fun and perhaps not so safe to stand up but the driver was careful.

Ebike cycling in Ubud
Ebike cycling in Ubud
Ubud, Bali

This was one of my favorite activities of the trip. We rode through rice paddies and villages and our guides were so knowledgeable and informative. I learned so much about Bali culture on this trip!

Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Ubud, Bali

So amazing! We made 6 different dishes and ate them all! I can’t wait to try out my new cookbook when I get home! Truly a stellar experience.

Travel from Denge to Wae Rebo
Travel from Denge to Wae Rebo
Indonesia

They say the hike takes about 4 hours but anyone with any athleticism at all can get there in 1 1/2-2 hrs even with stopping for photos. It’s a beautiful hike and quite muddy so wear some sturdy shoes. I also recommend not starting out too early. We got there by 11am and really had nothing to do all day except wander around and talk to the other tourists. Some of the young people played soccer with the local kids, which looked fun. So start your journey later in the day-and bring snacks because every meal is the same-one egg, rice, shrimp crackers, and a watery vegetable. It’s fine for a day, but we were rather hungry for nearly 24 hours and wished we had some snacks.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic

Ana's insight into Indonesia was the key to a memorable Indonesian adventure!
Indonesia | Jul 4 - Jul 9, 2024

C
Carole F.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2024
Our trip to Indonesia was fantastic, thanks to Ana! We visited Mt. Bromo, Borobudur, and Prambanan in quick succession. The trip required careful consideration for transportation between these locations, and all transfers were made easily. Our guides spoke enough English so that we could communicate most of the time. Our hotel in Borobudur had the best customer service we have ever experienced, anywhere around the globe. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, but overall the trip... Read more

Our trip to Indonesia was fantastic, thanks to Ana! We visited Mt. Bromo, Borobudur, and Prambanan in quick succession. The trip required careful consideration for transportation between these locations, and all transfers were made easily. Our guides spoke enough English so that we could communicate most of the time. Our hotel in Borobudur had the best customer service we have ever experienced, anywhere around the globe. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, but overall the trip was excellent. Thank you, Ana, for your insights and hard work!

Hotel Reviews
Dusun Jogja Village Inn
Yogyakarta

Great location, loved the decor, comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Loved the South American/Mexican decor.
Location
Walk to ATMs and eateries.
Staff
Restaurant staff especially helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was spacious and comfortable.
Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa
Borobudur

The staff at Plataran were nothing short of exceptional! I cannot overstate how superlative the customer service was. Every person, every day, went out of their way to make sure we had an unforgettable experience. I wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
The staff makes this hotel exceptional.
Location
Views of Borobudur!
Staff
Polite, friendly, helpful and always respectful and courteous. They went out of their way to help us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was spacious and well appointed. The A/C worked very well, thank goodness!
Lava View Lodge Hotel

Very basic but can't beat the location!

Authenticity & Character
Bare bones but it worked.
Location
Great views of Mt. Bromo. Visit late afternoon and go to lookout point (short walk).
Staff
Restaurant waitstaff especially pleasant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness.
FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta
Tangerang, Banten

Basic and gets the job done. Closer to the airport would be better.

Location
Closer to airport would be better.
Staff
Very basic. Good enough.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo
Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo, East Java

Get up early and go go go to sunrise! You'll see the light change on Mt Bromo, exposing the layered look of the ridges, etc. Gorgeous!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was adequate but not exceptional.
Transport
Good jeep driver. Not an easy task.
Kota Gede District, Plaosan and Sewon Temples, Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Show
Kota Gede District, Plaosan and Sewon Temples, Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Show
Yogyakarta

Do not miss Prambanan! Rent bikes or walk to all the other smaller temples as well. Worth it! Reminiscent of Angkor WAt.

Quality of Experience
No crowds at the temples on the perimeter--very special.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Borobudur Temple, Pawon Temple, Mendut Temple, and Yogyakarta Market
Borobudur Temple, Pawon Temple, Mendut Temple, and Yogyakarta Market
Indonesia

Must experience. But be sure to visit Prambanan.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 17, 2024

Hello dear Carole,

Thank you so much for your review! I am so happy to hear you've had a wonderful time visiting Java!

Wish you all the best and hope to welcome you again to this part of the world!

Best,
Ana

Ana did a great job of creating a trip for us...
Indonesia | Jun 14 - Jun 22, 2024

G
George N.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2024
Ana did a great job of creating a trip for us that fit our needs. We went through several iterations to get it right and it was worth it. Komodo Island and the snorkeling in that area were world class. The Bali beaches are probably best for younger groups (20 somethings), but our guide, Eka, quickly figured out an alternative, the GWK statue, which was fantastic. The best part was that we were the only clients; we weren't part of some larger group that had to complete a pre-programmed... Read more

Ana did a great job of creating a trip for us that fit our needs. We went through several iterations to get it right and it was worth it. Komodo Island and the snorkeling in that area were world class. The Bali beaches are probably best for younger groups (20 somethings), but our guide, Eka, quickly figured out an alternative, the GWK statue, which was fantastic. The best part was that we were the only clients; we weren't part of some larger group that had to complete a pre-programmed itinerary. The flexibility made a huge difference. I strongly recommend Ana and our driver Eka for your Indonesian trip.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 08, 2024

Hello dear George,

Thank you so much for your feedback and your trust to plan the trip!

I hope to welcome you again in this part of the world!

All the best,
Ana

Bane the main driver was wonderfully helpful;...
Indonesia | Jun 18 - Jun 27, 2024

M
May H.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2024
Bane the main driver was wonderfully helpful; we appreciated his smiles and cultural insights. He taught us a few Balinese phrases. Sunrise at Mt Batur was great- really helpful and frendly guide for the hike. The coral off Nusa Penida was great, as well as turtles at Gilli Meno. The home was so beautiful as were the cultural insights that came with cooking class. Read more

Bane the main driver was wonderfully helpful; we appreciated his smiles and cultural insights. He taught us a few Balinese phrases. Sunrise at Mt Batur was great- really helpful and frendly guide for the hike. The coral off Nusa Penida was great, as well as turtles at Gilli Meno. The home was so beautiful as were the cultural insights that came with cooking class.

Hotel Reviews
Tebesaya Cottages
Ubud

Convenient quiet beautiful friendly place with nice amenities

Authenticity & Character
Location
can walk to ubud central. good bbq place across the street that is open late
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Liked the electric teapot for boiling drinking water, aswell as the balcony overlooking the pool/ gardens
Manta Dive

Private and quiet with pool and very good breakfast. Lovely stone outdoor shower. And private deck. Across from ocean and convenient walking to pier, sunset, restaurants. Snorkel boat and guide came to us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Large clean bathroom. Nice bed and A/C. Shaded deck seating.
La Joya Balangan Resort
Jimbaran

Great view from hilltop over beach. Nicely shaded and quiet. Nice pool. Beautiful architecturally interesting private villas. Nice beds and A/C. Doors in the room are somewhat awkward. Nice upscale restaurant with good service and good food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Slightly difficult to get to. Slightly difficult to get down to beach
Staff
prompt and professional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride around Ubud with an e-bike
Ride around Ubud with an e-bike
Ubud, Bali

Friendly guide/ staff were very helpful in getting newbie ebikers started and in guiding the group thru traffic. Path in the rice patties is somewhat narrow and bumpy. They helped explain Hinduism/ Village Temples/ process to cremation while stopping by a local ceremony.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Ubud, Bali

Beautiful home/ courtyard/ gardens with insights into Balinese family life. Well- appointed outdoor kitchen with friendly private instructor that uses some traditional Balinese technique/ tools. Wonderful traditional feast. Provided copy of recipes.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Indonesia

Great smiling guide who was helpful in setting our pace. Saw the nearly full moon en route. Appreciated his hand up when it was steep at the end. Could see the next mountain and Beautiful working farms near base.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gili Islands Snorkeling
Gili Islands Snorkeling
Indonesia

Appreciated the private boat and friendly guide. Saw several large turtles. Did run into some sea nettles and some motionsckness personally

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pura Luhur Uluwatu and Ketcak Show
Pura Luhur Uluwatu and Ketcak Show
Indonesia

Nice views. Very crowded and hot, and hard to get tickets for show at sunset. Somewhat aggressive monkeys compared to the Ubud Monkey Forest.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Indonesia

Very private snorkeling with spectacular live coral and multitude of fish; guide was great. Not crowded. Nusa Penida people at first glance didnt seem quite as friendly or interested in tourists. We didnt do mangrove trees, and they let us flex this portion to get lunch and return to Bali sooner. Driver -slight language barrier and not very friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 01, 2024

Hello dear May,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feeback! I’ll make sure to pass it to the driver as well!

Hoping to welcome you again to this part of the world and wishing you all the best!
Ana

A great trip to Indonesia
Indonesia | May 14 - May 21, 2024

M
Michelle D.
Canada | Reviewed on May 29, 2024
This was my first time using Kim Kim, I have used similar services in the past. The trip included my best friend and myself. Overall, the experience was smooth in terms of selecting what we wanted to do and finalizing the booking. Ana was very patient with my delayed responses as well the many changes we had to our itinerary. The trip was memorable and I will definitely want to visit again. I would recommend that you ask as many questions as you need to gain clarity on your activities. I had... Read more

This was my first time using Kim Kim, I have used similar services in the past. The trip included my best friend and myself. Overall, the experience was smooth in terms of selecting what we wanted to do and finalizing the booking. Ana was very patient with my delayed responses as well the many changes we had to our itinerary. The trip was memorable and I will definitely want to visit again. I would recommend that you ask as many questions as you need to gain clarity on your activities. I had made some assumptions based on previous experiences with agencies but of course they are not all the same and some tours may have additional costs associated that may not be listed in the description.

Our driver (Eka) went above and beyond for us and would definitely love to have him as our driver again. The cooking class was my favorite activity. The other tours were mostly other drivers taking us from place to place which was nice but would have preferred some additional commentary or explanation of things. The nature of tours can always vary but regardless we had a great time. Would likely use Kim Kim again or recommend to a friend.

Hotel Reviews
Artini 2 cottage

Service was great, loved the staff, they were so kind, helpful and wonderful to talk to. The rooms were clean and met our needs. The food was great - I loved the breakfasts but also the dinner items were great. We did the Indonesian breakfasts. The entire place is quite serene and tranquil and the best part is it's central and close to everything. Would likely stay again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Joya Balangan Resort
Jimbaran

Resort is a nice size and looks beautiful but the food and service at the restaurant was not the greatest. Food is pricey for the flavor - it was either cold or bland but want to note we did not eat any Indonesian food. The rooms are also awkwardly shaped and not well thought out in terms of where one would put their items. Location like most resorts is not super convenient.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali

Overall really enjoyed this tour - saw lots of things in our first day in Bali and weather was great too. The only thing I was caught off guard with is the fact that none of the waterfall or temple entrance fees are included in the total cost. I didn't see mention of this caveat in the activity details and did not bring as much cash so this was not ideal for me personally. The driver/guide also does not come with you into some of the temples so at times we did not know what we were looking at or what was special about it. It is a car tour after all but I had made the assumption since he was our guide. He did go out of his way to make sure we got all the photos and let us take as much time as we need at places and so that was truly appreciated as we did not feel rushed. Overall, he (Wayan) helped make the tour and our first day at Bali a great experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Balinese Cooking Class- Shared
Experience Balinese Cooking Class- Shared
Ubud, Bali

This was my favorite part of our trip. I loved the experience beginning to end - from visiting the market to meeting other travelers and of course, the chef, who helped us make all the delicious dishes. She was funny, engaging, patient and made everything seem super easy to make. I would 1000% percent recommend people take this class. She also told us so much about her life and Balinese culture. Definitely would come back just for the conversation!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
East & West tour of Nusa Penida
East & West tour of Nusa Penida
Indonesia

The boat ride there was fun but the time spent at each place is too short. We had about 15-20 mins per place and that's also due to the fact that the island is massive and it takes a while to get around. Perhaps a shorter itinerary might work best - for example, we didn't need to go all the way to the tree house as there were a lot of steps and this took a lot of time. Plus the tree house is actually additional money to go into. Our driver was great when on the road maneuvering next to cars in a tight space, however, he was on his phone on a couple occasions watching videos, and this was concerning while driving. He also did not speak to us the entire time outside of telling us the time we had at places so this made for an awkward and transactional experience compared to our other drivers and guides. The island was beautiful and we were glad to have the opportunity to see it and take wonderful pics even though rushed to do so.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Bali's Most Beautiful Beaches & Explore Uluwatu Temple
Visit Bali's Most Beautiful Beaches & Explore Uluwatu Temple
Jimbaran, Bali

We picked two beaches and spent most of our time at one and a little at the other. Again entrance was not covered for this activity. The beaches were beautiful and Eka was our driver (who was our driver the whole trip) so of course that experience was great. We also got to see the kechak dance at the temple (this cost is covered) which was really fun and interesting. We didn't get a chance to explore the temple but caught the sunset.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jun 03, 2024

Hello dear Michelle,

Thank you so much for your review! I am very happy to hear that you've had good time in Indonesia! I will pass the praise to our driver Eka as well!

I hope to welcome you again in this part of the world!

All the best!

Eastern Java with drivers The five of us travelled through eastern Java...
Indonesia | Apr 13 - Apr 25, 2024

L
Louise D.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024
The five of us travelled through eastern Java with two different drivers, and one train trip. Everything went smoothly, and we saw everything we wanted to. The cooking lesson, jamu making class and batik lesson were all very worthwhile - great to interact with local people. Any small problems or required rescheduling was handled swiftly by Ana at KimKim, and there was not one sour note in the whole trip. Read more

The five of us travelled through eastern Java with two different drivers, and one train trip. Everything went smoothly, and we saw everything we wanted to. The cooking lesson, jamu making class and batik lesson were all very worthwhile - great to interact with local people. Any small problems or required rescheduling was handled swiftly by Ana at KimKim, and there was not one sour note in the whole trip.

Activity Review
Cooking class in Yogyakarta
Cooking class in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta

Run by a sustainable tourism organisation with lots of different activities supporting local artists and providing great experiences for visitors. The cooking class was a wonderful opportunity to meet a local who could answer a thousand questions we had about food culture and daily life in central Java.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Apr 30, 2024

Hello dear Louise,

Thank you so much for your feedback! It really means a lot!

I am so happy to hear that you've had amazing time in Java and I hope to welcome you again somewhere in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore or Japan!

I will pass your kind words to all of my suppliers!

Thank you again and all the best!
Ana

Our driver Nyoman was fantastic, always on ti...
Indonesia | Mar 6 - Mar 13, 2024

T
Tara M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024
Our driver Nyoman was fantastic, always on time and always had a smile on his face. Ana was very accommodating and the places and experiences she helped us book were all fantastic. Some more insight into what happens during Nyepi and the lead up to it would have been useful so to be able to plan more effectively around it Read more

Our driver Nyoman was fantastic, always on time and always had a smile on his face. Ana was very accommodating and the places and experiences she helped us book were all fantastic. Some more insight into what happens during Nyepi and the lead up to it would have been useful so to be able to plan more effectively around it

Activity Reviews
Experience Cau Chocolate Factory
Experience Cau Chocolate Factory
Ubud, Bali

Fabulous experience with heaps of detail included and lots of things to see, try and do. The rice planting was an unexpected bonus!

Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Ubud, Bali

Lovely activity, which included learning about Indonesian culture and not just food. So many dishes were made which was excellent to be able to try and look out for on the rest of our trip

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Mar 19, 2024

Hello dear Tara,

Thank you for your review! I am happy to hear that you had wonderful time!
I will pass along your kind words to the driver.

Hope to welcome you again in this part of the world!
Best,
Ana

This was such an amazing trip! It was exactly...
Indonesia | Feb 23 - Mar 7, 2024

K
Kate C.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024

This was such an amazing trip! It was exactly what I wanted, and Ana arranged everything perfectly - the pace, accommodations, and activities were all stellar. I had one driver for the entire trip, Wayan, who was also amazing. My specialist, Ana, even met me for a coffee one day and showed me around a bit. Couldn't recommend highly enough!

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Mar 12, 2024

Hello dear Kate,

Thank you so much for your review! I am happy to hear you had a wonderful trip and hope to welcome you again in Indonesia!

It was also lovely to meet you!
Keep in touch!
Ana

This part of our trip was simply a return fro...
Indonesia | Feb 5 - Feb 6, 2024

B
Bobbe W.
Japan | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2024
This part of our trip was simply a return from Denpasar to Jakarta and went without a hitch. Ana is great and I would happily reccommend her. Read more

This part of our trip was simply a return from Denpasar to Jakarta and went without a hitch. Ana is great and I would happily reccommend her.

Hotel Review
FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta
Tangerang, Banten

a very weird location and getting there is strange but it is super close to the airport, clean, great pool and spa. Restaurant is fine. Transfers to and from the airport great!I would recommend this hotel as an overnight transit through Jakarta.

Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Feb 23, 2024

Hello dear Bobbe,

Happy to hear that at least one flight went without the changes as that was the most challenging part of your trip!

Thank you again for the review!

All the best,
Ana

A month in Indonesia.
Indonesia | Jan 10 - Jan 28, 2024

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Bobbe W.
Japan | Reviewed on Feb 12, 2024
This was a return trip to Indonesia after a 10 year hiatus. We have been to Indondesia many, many times. I had not used or heard of KimKim before and so was a bit suspect and cautious, as it turns out, for no reason. I would recommend KimKim and Ana (at Shanti travel). Ana was extremely helpful in the planning of the trip. She was available for telephone consultations and created 4 different versions before we finalized the itinerary in order to accommodate each and all of our wishes. ... Read more

This was a return trip to Indonesia after a 10 year hiatus. We have been to Indondesia many, many times. I had not used or heard of KimKim before and so was a bit suspect and cautious, as it turns out, for no reason. I would recommend KimKim and Ana (at Shanti travel). Ana was extremely helpful in the planning of the trip. She was available for telephone consultations and created 4 different versions before we finalized the itinerary in order to accommodate each and all of our wishes. When I discovered errors in the plan she corrected them, and was available to us when we were on route. This does not mean that you as the traveller can abdicate responsibility for your travel details. There were changes in flights and times that I had to chase to ensure that we had the correct time. Ana was helpful throughout. We actually met with her in person when we were in Bali.
I was thrilled that each and all of our transfers worked. At each airport/train station/hotel (and there were lots of them) when a driver was supposed to pick us up they were there on time with a sign and /or my correct name and an appropriate vehicle. Drivers were careful and pleasant. Agung in Bali was particularly good.
With regard to the trip itself, the Kalimantan leg up the river to be with the Orangutans was wonderful. The Klotok was uber posh in an "out of Africa' glamorous way with a skilled knowledgeable naturalist guide, excellent cook, Captain and crew. We were happy to be a bit off the beaten path with our particular guide and while Camp leaky is not what it was 15 years ago i am glad to have made the trek again.
Other highlights: Paddling and hiking in the jungle with the naturalist in Munduk. Biking the rice paddies in Ubud. Making lunch the traditional way - starting by grinding the rice, and cooking over an open fire in the rice paddies. Temples on Java are well controlled now for good reason (too many people) but still fascinating as is Bromo. Lovina is beautiful and quiet and the drive over the mountains is spectacular.
Disappointments: 1.Not being able to get out to the Komodo islands as they closed the park because of weather. Ana was great in the rerouting. 2.In the rainy season in Indo the beaches are FULL of garbage as it flows down the rivers and into the ocean and onto the beaches. They have to be cleaned everyday or it is like walking through a landfill. When they are cleaned they are lovely. 3.We would give a hard pass on Jimbaran. Beach filthy, even in front of restaurants and beach clubs no one was cleaning the beach. The seafood dinner on the beach was pathetic. Did it 10 years ago and it was good - now it was really not edible and was stupidly expensive.
Overall: Indonesia has a LOT of people and a LOT of tourists and LOTs of traffic in populated areas. It is a fascinating country both culturally, historically and geographically. We love it. Go if you can and be confident getting Ana and KimKim to help you plan.

Hotel Reviews
FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta
Tangerang, Banten

In a very strange place - small roads under construction - you may think you are not on your way to a 4.5 * hotel as you drive the 10 minutes from the airport but being hijacked. Never fear, the hotel, once you get there is just fine. Nice breakfast, very helpful staff, excellent reasonably priced massage and spa, good gym and swimming pools. Excellent shuttle to and from the airport. If you are just in transit for one night don't hesitate to stay there.

Authenticity & Character
In my view is just a hotel for transit so not looking for character.
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Lava View Lodge Hotel

Great location if you are going to Mount Bromo. Clean and comfortable. The restaurant is not good but the food is edible.

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Dusun Jogja Village Inn
Yogyakarta

Satisfactory hotel with lots of character. Rooms were comfortable and staff in the restaurant was terrific, friendly, helpful and fun!

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Arkamara Dijiwa Ubud
Bali

Stay here if you can. Absolutely lovely boutique hotel. Rooms are glamorous, best breakfasts I have every had in a hotel. Sky bar was very swishy and the staff everywhere was friendly, super helpful, fun and interested in you as a guest. Food in the sky bar and restaurant was very good. Great shuttle in and out of Ubud.

Authenticity & Character
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Nadira Bali Resort & Villa

Tiny little up market boutique hotel on the side of a beautiful ravine near Munduk. Family owned and operated. Super clean. Staff was wonderful. Restaurant food was just fine.

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Jimbaran Bay Beach Resort & Spa - CHSE Certified
Kedonganan

This hotel is clean and the pool is nice. The service in the restaurant is terrible to the point where some of our party left the restaurant because we waited over 30 minutes to get a simple soft drink. The location is across from the beach restaurants. We went to the one recommended and it was terrible - the worst food of the entire month long trip. The beach was filthy, like walking in a land fill. I would recommend giving Jimbaran a miss but if you do have to go there try somewhere else.

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Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Feb 13, 2024

Hello dear Bobbe,

Thank you so much for time you've put in writing this review! It really means a lot to both me and future travellers! As well as all the reviews you and your group gave me when we met in Jimbaran. That will be extremely helpful for me in the future!

I also have to thank you for being understanding for all the issues that arose making it so much easier for me to focus on fixing them!

I wish you all the best and I hope to welcome you again in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore or Japan!
Ana