Indonesia About Indonesia
August 17th, Hari Proklamasi Indonesia - Indonesian Independence Day
Indonesians celebrate the proclamation of independence from 350 years of Dutch colonial rule. Festivities abound in cities and villages alike, organized by the government, neighbourhood community associations and organizations.
To all my friends across the archipelago I would like to express:
‘Selemat Hari Raya Kemerdekaan’
Date: August 16th, 2008 |
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National Parks in Sulawesi
Across Indonesia there are several national parks that are not only beautiful and surreal to a certain aspect some are also a great attraction for divers and lovers of the oceans. The parks themselves are a hive of activity with an immense array of flora and fauna unlike any other in the world on display for the enthusiast. The island of Sulawesi is a nature-lovers delight in every facet. Its wildlife is found nowhere else in the world and it’s no wonder Alfred Wallace declared this island so fascinating. The combination of lush tropical rainforests caressing the golden sands of its beaches and the high mountainous areas make the national parks of Sulawesi a definite part of your visit there. In Indonesian national parks are threatened by the economics of the country. The biggest threat to parks is the encroachment of mankind in the pursuit of land to grow palm oil or to reap the forests of their wood. Fortunately there are conservation ‘watchdog’ groups like WAHLI and WWF to maintain the status quo.
Date: August 14th, 2008 |
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News Weekending 10/08/08
A great way to start off the week is with politics. Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) would sweep to victory in both the legislative and the first-round presidential elections if they were held today, according to a new survey. Maybe second time around Mega will do a good job if elected and left alone to the run the country without all the interference she suffered last time. Other good news is the Dutch tourists who pitched in to help rebuild the damaged school buildings in Baturraden district, Banyumas regency, Central Java. Through the Tileng Foundation, the tourists have contributed a total of Rp 600 million (US$66,600) to renovate state elementary school Kemutug Lor I’s buildings, give extra allowances to teachers and provide scholarships for needy students. But it’s not all good news. We are learning that the number of the Sumatran orangutans is now in such serious decline that it is going to take extraordinary efforts to save the species from total annihilation. A new study published in a leading international conservation journal called Oryx, which analyses the loss of natural forest, shows that only about 6,500 orangutans now remain on the island. It also cites similar problems facing the species in neighbouring Borneo. Even more disturbing is the Indonesian villagers who threatened on Tuesday to poison rare wild elephants that are destroying their palm oil plantations in search of food. Stuff the plantations. The environment and its wildlife are far more important. Apparently, the residents are so angry they have said they will put poison around the plantation areas to kill the elephants unless officials take quick action.
Date: August 9th, 2008 |
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The Cuisine of the Sasaks: Lombok
When you travel around the archipelago, each island, or in some cases towns, have their own renowned speciality, that special dish that sets them aside from the others. Lombok, located to the east of Bali and often called the sister-island to it has some beautiful and tasty cuisine. Some of it is transient from Bali and the regular fare you will find in most warungs or restaurants. However, it is the Sasak people whose cuisine I find the most inviting of the two islands. Being Muslims, the Sasak don’t eat pork and so you won’t find any of the Balinese dishes on the island such as babi guling. They do, however, eat meat and goat as well as chicken. Each of these ‘fleshes’ are combined with vegetables and spices producing some mouth-watering dishes.
Date: August 8th, 2008 |
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The Gangs of Indonesia
Guaranteed you thought I was going to write about bunches of hoodlums that are, occasionally, found in some of the streets in the big cities of Indonesia. Sorry to disappoint you. Rather, I was referring to the small laneways, alleys and narrow streets in Indonesia that are referred to as gangs in Bahasa Indonesia. In whatever city or town you are visiting, and, if you are the adventurous and explorer type, then these gangs often yield some delightful surprises and give you an insight into the normal daily life of the Indonesian people. It’s amazing how often I have struck up a conversation with one of the locals only to find out about a place that isn’t listed in any guidebooks. These include restaurants, warungs and even artisans that ply their trade in their own backyard producing high quality pieces of merchandise far better than you would buy in the main streets or shops. I can recall one very hot day in the Chinese quarter of Semarang when I came across a tailor (penjahit) sitting at his old Singer sewing machine on the front porch of his house. He noticed the beads of perspiration on my brow and beckoned me to sit in the shade with him, rest and talk. His wife even brought out food and water for me.
Date: August 4th, 2008 |
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Preparations for Independence Day
Across the archipelago of Indonesia preparations are well underway in cities, towns and villages for Independence Day this Sunday. The Indonesian Declaration of Independence was officially proclaimed at 10.00 a.m. sharp on Friday, August 17, 1945. The declaration marked the start of the five year diplomatic and armed-resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands until the latter officially acknowledged Indonesia’s independence in 1949. Wherever you are in Indonesia, this is a great day with heaps of celebrations.
Date: August 15th, 2008 |
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Classic Car Show: Jakarta, West Java
When we think of classic cars, the likes of MG’s and MGB’s come to mind, those built in the 40’s and 50’s of the last century. I suppose you could call my old car a classic. It’s a wonder it’s still running! However, it is not only the British-made motor vehicles that are considered classics. There are many others like the German Volkswagen or the old Mercedes Benz. The classics I like are the Chevrolet’s from the 50’s and the old motor bikes such as Triumph’s and Harley Davidson’s. If you …
Date: August 12th, 2008 |
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Komodo Dragon on the Verge of Extinction: East Nusa Tenggara
If you travel to East Nusa Tenggara then a visit to Komodo island is a must even if only to experience the other fauna and flora in the Komodo National Park. The residents of Komodo island are naturally the Komodo Dragon, the largest of all known lizards, and of course the park rangers live there too. These magnificent creatures (the dragons, not the rangers!) are also found in the nearby island of Rinca. The island of Komodo was declared a world heritage site in 1986 by UNESCO and at that …
Date: August 9th, 2008 |
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Helarfest: Bandung, West Java
Currently underway in Bandung, the capital of West Java, is the Helarfest, a month-long series of events showcasing more than 30 events at different venues around the city. Organized by the Bandung Creative City Forum, it aims to “awaken” the city’s residents and its visitors to what can be found in the city. It is geared as an alternative to shopping and dining, both of which are a delight in their own right. However, some 1,000 communities working in the music, film, photography, architecture, fashion and handicraft industries, as well as those involved in traditional rituals and performances will make …
Date: August 8th, 2008 |
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News Weekending 03/08/08
It always pays to have the correct vaccinations and carry with you medicine for the prevention of illnesses when you travel in the archipelago of Indonesia. Here’s a good reason why. A diarrhoea outbreak in a remote area of Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua has killed at least 156 people and sickened hundreds of others according to media reports. And, at least 172 villagers have died in a cholera outbreak that has triggered unrest in Indonesia’s remote eastern Papua. Whether the two are related is anybody’s guess. Other bad news is that the testimony at a Corruption Court session on Monday that 52 legislators had received Rp100 billion in bribes from Bank Indonesia (BI) for the revision of a BI bill was big news by any standard. Yet, to many people the disclosure was not surprising at all because it only confirmed the publics long-standing perception that their parliament is one of the country`s corrupt institutions.
Date: August 2nd, 2008 |
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