aJourney was born from 15 years of travel, curiosity, and a desire to experience places beyond the surface. We are based in Bali under the official company name PT Awakening Journey Bali.

I’m Emre Konuralp, an experienced traveller, entrepreneur, professional photographer, and travel enthusiast. Over the past 15 years, I’ve travelled to 35 countries, discovering destinations not simply as a visitor, but through the experience and perspective I’ve gained from years of working across different industries.

My approach to travel has been shaped by much more than travelling itself.

For four years, I owned and operated hotels and restaurants. Before that, I spent two years working in the coffee industry, learning firsthand about hospitality, food, service, and the details that turn an ordinary experience into a memorable one.

I’m also a professional photographer and photography instructor, which has taught me to look at destinations differently — to notice the atmosphere, the details, the light, the character of a place, and the moments that are often easy to miss.

Through my own travel agency, I have also designed and organized numerous boutique tours, gaining first-hand experience in creating meaningful travel experiences and understanding what travellers actually need when exploring a destination.

My experience extends beyond travel and hospitality. I spent three years working in ecological agriculture, and I have founded and managed several non-governmental organizations, experiences that have given me a deeper understanding of sustainability, local communities, culture, and the people behind the places we visit.

All of these experiences have shaped the way I travel today.

When I arrive somewhere new, I don’t look at it simply as a tourist.

My background in hospitality helps me understand accommodation, restaurants, food, service, and what makes an experience genuinely worthwhile.

My experience in photography makes me pay attention to places visually and emotionally.

My work in tourism helps me understand how to design a journey rather than simply recommend a destination.

My experience with local communities, sustainability, and ecological agriculture gives me another perspective on the relationship between people, culture, nature, and tourism.

And fifteen years of travelling has taught me perhaps the most important lesson of all:

Not everything that is popular is worth experiencing — and some of the best experiences are the ones you won’t find on the usual lists.

This is what makes aJourney different.

The guides you find here are not simply collections of information gathered from the internet. They are built around real experiences, personal discoveries, professional knowledge, and genuine local insights.

When I recommend a restaurant, I look at it not only as a traveller, but also through the eyes of someone who has operated restaurants.

When I talk about a hotel, I bring the perspective of someone who has worked in hospitality.

When I show you a destination, I see it through the eyes of a photographer.

When I create an itinerary, I draw on my experience as a tour operator.

And when I explore a place, I bring with me 15 years of travelling and learning from different cultures, communities, and environments.

aJourney brings all of these perspectives together.

Over the years, sharing these experiences has grown into something much bigger.

Across my two Instagram accounts, I have built a community of more than 1.23 million followers, sharing the destinations, experiences, places, and discoveries that have inspired me throughout my travels.

That community has reinforced something I have always believed:

People don’t simply want to know where to go.

They want to know what is actually worth their time.

They want honest recommendations, authentic experiences, practical insights, hidden gems, beautiful places, great food, and a better understanding of the destinations they are about to explore.

That is what aJourney is here to provide.