Diversity in Celebrating New Year: Java, Indonesia

January 6th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

When I lived in Yogyakarta, one of my favourite times of the year was New Year’s Eve and the resulting noisy pandemonium. Trumpets blaring, people hugging people they didn’t even know, crowded streets and, a lot of joyous activity.

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Jusuf Kalla Launches Forest Rehabilitation Program: West Lombok, Indonesia

December 31st, 2006 | By Barrie | No Comments »

It certainly is most refreshing to know that there are some politicians that care for the environment of Indonesia, an archipelago that is suffering hectares of losses monthly in forests. The latest report is that Jusuf Kalla will launch a Forest Rehabilitation Program.

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Ancient Cave Found: Timor Leste

December 23rd, 2006 | By Barrie | No Comments »

An Australian archaeologist has discovered the oldest evidence of occupation by modern humans on the islands that were the stepping stones from South-East Asia to Australia.

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Dialects Under Threat of Disappearing: Indonesia

December 23rd, 2006 | By Barrie | No Comments »

As the world progresses at an even faster rate, and the English language becoming more prevalent throughout the world, local dialects apparently are disappearing at an alarming rate.

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Komodo Island: Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

December 19th, 2006 | By Barrie | 1 Comment »

It has been a long time since I set foot on Komodo Island and really must get back there soon as it is a fantastic experience. For those people exploring East Nusa Tenggara, the island of Komodo and its carnivorous residents is a definite ‘must visit’ place.

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An Ever-Growing Island: Bungin Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

December 17th, 2006 | By Barrie | No Comments »

I have been through Sumbawa many times in the past and yet, I cannot recall the island of Bungin. With so many islands stretched out across the archipelago, there was bound to be a few I have missed [and, yet to see].

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Perang Topat Festival: Lingsar, West Lombok, Indonesia

December 16th, 2006 | By Barrie | No Comments »

The quiet island of Lombok, is separated from Bali by the Lombok Straits. The indigenous Sasak people make up roughly 90% of the island’s population and their language and culture are unique to the island, their religion, Islam.

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Women’s Crisis Centers in Crisis: Indonesia

December 15th, 2006 | By Barrie | No Comments »

When I was a student at University, I was fortunate to work in the welfare sector on a part-time basis. From time to time, I came into contact with those who run crisis centres for women.

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Earthquake Hits Sumbawa: Bima, Sumbawa, Indonesia

December 4th, 2006 | By Wombat | No Comments »

Earthquakes occur frequently in Indonesia, which lies along the “Pacific Ring of Fire”. An earthquake on Sumbawa island in eastern Indonesia overnight has damaged houses and injured 14 people.
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Dealing with Dengue Fever: Indonesia

September 6th, 2006 | By Wombat | 1 Comment »

You have heard about dengue fever — demam berdarah (bleeding fever) or “break bone” fever. You probably know people who have had it. You know it is in Jakarta and it is a little dangerous. But you may do not know what you can do about it.
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