In just under a week’s time the holy fasting month of Ramadhan begins in Indonesia. This month precedes the Idul Fitri celebration that marks the end of the fasting month and is an exciting time to be in Indonesia for the culinary delights available on the streets and the gaiety of it all. But first, Muslims must participate in the fast and this includes children albeit allowances are made by some families. During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day and in addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur’an. The Islamic religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is believed to be the month in which the Qur’an began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. For Muslims this is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God and self-control. In the Islamic month of fasting Muslims don’t eat or drink anything from sunrise ’till sunset. This also includes abstaining from sexual activity, smoking, partying and any other form of entertainment.
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Most fruits in Indonesia are seasonal and one of my favourites is Dragon Fruit. It is easily recognised with its round shape, often red coloured with prominent scales. The thin rind encloses the large mass of sweetly flavoured white or red pulp and small black seeds. Some varieties are pinkish or yellow. The good news is that this fruit is good for your body as it is rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin C. The flesh is eaten raw and is mildly sweet and low in calories. Some people have likened it to the Kiwi Fruit mainly because of the prevalence of sesame seed-sized black crunchy seeds found in the flesh. Just don’t eat the skin or the seeds as they are both indigestible. Interestingly, this fruit can be converted into a juice or wine and it flowers make great tea once steeped.
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Everywhere I travel in the archipelago of Indonesia there is one thing that stands out in the workplace – the women. It seems to be the norm in most Asian countries that the women do all the hard work. They work the hardest in the padi fields, look after most of the farm animals in villages, and in the cities labour the hardest on building sites and any other place of construction. It is a well known fact that women do what is referred to as the dirty tasks in daily life. And yet, it is the female of our gender that deserves the most praise for their resilience, zeal and fortitude in any endeavour they undertake.
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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.
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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 …
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Sumatra is having its fair share of woes lately. The train crash last week has certainly been a sad one. The incident occurred after the Limex Sriwijaya passenger train, traveling from Kertapati station in Palembang, South Sumatra, to Lampung’s Tanjung Karang station, moved onto the wrong tracks, crashing into a Babaranjang coal train waiting for the passenger train to pass. Let us hope that those who were severely injured heal quickly. Add to this the suspension bridge that collapsed in West Sumatra killing three people and injuring 11 others happening on Sunday afternoon in Pakandangan village, it will no doubt have the people of Sumatra wondering what’s going to happen next. Nothing I hope. Here’s an odd one. A foodstuff consortium from Middle-East countries planning to investment some Rp14 trillion through Bin Laden Group in South-East Sulawesi province according to a senior adviser. No, it’s not the dude that is No.1 on Bush’s hit-list.
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There are some stunning and interesting places in Sumatra and none more so than Pekanbaru in the Riau Islands. It is the capital city of the Riau province and has an estimated population of around 800,000 people. Pekanbaru was once a small city port located on the Siak River and now, it is a bustling trade centre with its proximity to Singapore and Malaysia. The city is divided into two by this magnificent river with the shops, hotels and banks located on the north side and on the south, most of the government buildings and offices. It is here you will also find the main bus terminal. Because Pekanbaru is a major gateway into Indonesia from Singapore, the city has become a favourite stop for travellers go further inland in Sumatra and of course the rest of Indonesia. Pekanbaru is one of the cleanest big cities in Indonesia and noted for its wide streets, which are in the city’s main centre. The city is connected by road to an oil refining and exporting port at Dumai and there are numerous facilities including an airport, three stadiums and a swimming pool.
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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’
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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.
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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.
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