The Living DeadJason HueOctober 23, 2017October 23, 2017 by Jason HueOctober 23, 2017October 23, 201706381Benjamin Franklin once said, “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.’’ While one occurs...
Preserving Indonesian Fabric: Sumbanese TenunCaranissa DjatmikoOctober 23, 2017October 23, 2017 by Caranissa DjatmikoOctober 23, 2017October 23, 201702321The government, private associations and other local initiatives are now beginning to use tenun ikat Sumba–traditional, handwoven textiles from Sumba–to...
What the Temples of Indonesia Tell UsIndonesia ExpatOctober 9, 2017November 10, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatOctober 9, 2017November 10, 202101947We live in a vast archipelago nation alongside 129 active volcanoes. Traditional wooden houses in this region have withstood the...
Get Ready To Wave The Red And WhiteIndonesia ExpatAugust 2, 2017November 11, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatAugust 2, 2017November 11, 202101431With the Independence Day holiday fast approaching and the country already painting itself red and white, August is always a...
All Aboard Transjakarta To See Jakarta’s SightsIndonesia ExpatJuly 3, 2017November 11, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatJuly 3, 2017November 11, 202101671The TransJakarta Jakarta Explorer tourist bus routes proved a success over the holiday break with visitors flocking to the Istiqlal...
Indonesia’s old manuscripts are waiting to be decipheredIndonesia ExpatMay 10, 2017November 11, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatMay 10, 2017November 11, 202103682Mehamat Boru Karo Sekalu, a lady working in North Sumatra Museum reads an ancient book written in Batak letters, eloquently....
Borobudur Reliefs Tell Wise TalesIndonesia ExpatApril 26, 2017November 11, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatApril 26, 2017November 11, 202104701Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century and has more than 2,670 reliefs. Each set of reliefs tells a...
Lakoat Kujawas: Comfort Food and Literature from the Heart of TimorGrace SusetyoApril 11, 2017April 11, 2017 by Grace SusetyoApril 11, 2017April 11, 201702166Munching on shrimp dumplings fried in lard (babi oangke) at lively garden weddings, dipped in a tangy chili sauce bursting...
Alfred Raquez’ Trip to BataviaIndonesia ExpatMarch 9, 2017November 11, 2021 by Indonesia ExpatMarch 9, 2017November 11, 202102323“Alfred Raquez” is the pseudonym of Joseph Gervais, a bankrupt French lawyer who fled to the Far East in the...
British Bengkulu: A Forgotten Imperial OutpostMikee SadlerJuly 26, 2016July 27, 2016 by Mikee SadlerJuly 26, 2016July 27, 201603020Bengkulu, October 1685: The fort stood atop a small hillock on the banks of a coffee-coloured creek. To the west...
Tana Olen, the Forbidden ForestDavid MetcalfJune 29, 2016 by David MetcalfJune 29, 201602036“We call this place Tana Olen,” Philius, the Dayak elder explained. “In Kenyah Dayak language this means forbidden forest –...
Menteng Pulo: Field of HonourHans RooseboomJune 14, 2016June 14, 2016 by Hans RooseboomJune 14, 2016June 14, 201602417The most astonishing experience when entering the Netherlands Field of Honour Menteng Pulo (Menteng Pulo Ereveld) is the silence. Just...
Life Back ThenMaarja PehmeMay 31, 2016June 4, 2020 by Maarja PehmeMay 31, 2016June 4, 202001959Author of Olivia & Sophie, Rosie Milne, explores what expat life was like 200 years ago. My novel Olivia &...
The Influence of Javanese Music on Early JazzTerry CollinsMay 31, 2016March 8, 2021 by Terry CollinsMay 31, 2016March 8, 202102226“Jazz has borrowed from other genres of music and also has lent itself to other genres of music.” – Herbie...
Rebuilding Ruins: PT Pembangunan Kota TuaAngela JelitaMay 31, 2016 by Angela JelitaMay 31, 201601855Most of Jakarta is made of new developments and expanding suburbs, however look to the North and you’ll find Kota...
Tugu Kunstkring Paleis: A Culturally Rich Dining Experience in the Heart of MentengMay TienMay 31, 2016June 8, 2016 by May TienMay 31, 2016June 8, 201603710On a quiet, leafy-tree street corner set amongst stately white mansions and European luxury cars parked roadside is a structural...
The Mapping of JavaJason HueMay 31, 2016September 4, 2023 by Jason HueMay 31, 2016September 4, 202303101The islands of Java and Bali located 8 degrees south of the Equator in the Indian Ocean are two of...
Settlers, Saints, Kings and Conversions: The Dawn of Indonesian IslamMikee SadlerMay 31, 2016June 1, 2016 by Mikee SadlerMay 31, 2016June 1, 201602183Author of A Brief History of Indonesia, Tim Hannigan, travels back in time to explore the history of Islam in...
Kamasan: An Ancient Living TraditionDivya PridhnaniMay 31, 2016October 4, 2021 by Divya PridhnaniMay 31, 2016October 4, 202104395Imagine you are a master Balinese painter, and your King has recently commissioned you to do a piece of work....
The Kids Went Wild in BataviaTerry CollinsFebruary 9, 2016 by Terry CollinsFebruary 9, 201602953“The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician.” – Louis Armstrong Joey Alexander’s nomination for two Grammy...
Preserving the Balinese Language for Generations to ComeDivya PridhnaniJanuary 25, 2016 by Divya PridhnaniJanuary 25, 201602041Language represents culture. In culturally-rich Indonesia this is especially true; being an archipelago of over 17,000 islands with around 300...