Is ‘Comfort Food’ a Healthy Solace or an Unhealthy Sanctuary? A Personal Reflection
Our editor examines his relationship with his ‘comfort food’ — and how the food mercilessly reflects his suppressed views about...
Observations
Between Sambal and Sourdough: What I Actually Eat in Indonesia
Contributing writer and expatriate Dewi Aroha reflects on how she navigates her immersion into the local cuisine and her cravings for...
Is Free Food the Best Education Investment?
Kenneth Yeung ponders whether big spending on free meals is the solution to Indonesia’s education challenges. “The state must declare...
The Myth of the Foreign Lovers
I used to believe that I was cursed. Not in a dramatic way, God forbid, just a neat, three-month one:...
The Intercultural Love Route
Intercultural love in Indonesia did not appear suddenly but emerged gradually through centuries of trade, migration and cultural exchange. For...
What are We Going to Leave to Our Grandkids?
Dutch-born Professor Geert Arend, also known as Gerry van Klinken, is a late-arrival greenie—a person who campaigns for protection of...
This January, Time to Come Up with Your Own Definition of ‘New Beginnings’
Our editor ponders how one should start realistically defining the phrase “new beginnings” and why we should no longer put...
Nusantara Mindfulness: New Beginnings Through Indonesia’s Art of Slowing Down
As modern life rushes us from one moment to the next, Java and Bali offer timeless wisdom on the art...
Top 10 Stories From Indonesia in 2025
Kenneth Yeung looks back at some of the year’s top stories, another year older but no wiser. August Riots Mass...
New Year’s Eve at Yogyakarta’s ‘Alun-Alun’: A Joy to Remember
Contributing writer and expatriate Pramod Kanakath reminisces about his experience celebrating New Year’s Eve in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, for the first...
From London Winters to Tropical Christmas
Contributing writer, as well as United Kingdom native, David Nesbit reminisces about how he has embraced the ‘tropical Christmas’ in...
Sustainability Swindling
Contributing writer Kenneth Yeung politely ponders the reality of sustainability. Sustainability – a word that makes me want to run...
Sustainable Sips: A Residue-Free Water Disinfection for a Greener Indonesia
The challenge of accessing clean and safe drinking water is a universal issue, yet it disproportionately affects vulnerable communities around...
Learning Dishonesty (or: Corruption Starts at School)
Kenneth Yeung looks at how Indonesia’s fondness for uniforms has created opportunities for corruption and manipulation. “If I am occasionally...
Why Bali Got Out of Control: From Reformasi to the Digital Nomad Wave
Bali’s beauty has always been irresistible — lush rice terraces, sacred traditions, and an openness that draws millions each year....
Online Slots Are Not a Solution: It’s Time to Stop and Save the Future
In this fast-paced digital era, access to entertainment, information, and various services has become very easy. However, this convenience does...
Paradise in Peril: Raja Ampat’s Fight Against Cyanobacteria
For generations, the people here have lived in sync with the ocean, guided by ancestral knowledge passed down through time....
Stay Awhile: How Long-Term Travel is Changing the Way We See Indonesia
It’s no longer about ticking destinations off a list. It’s about growing roots, however briefly, in a place that demands...
Investing in Indonesia’s Tourism Future: Ross Woods on Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities
Ross Woods is a seasoned hotel investment advisor with over 30 years of global experience, bringing unparalleled expertise to the...
10 Fun Facts About Earth Day You Might Not Know Yet
Turns out, this green milestone also renders a few colourful facts. Tuesday, the 22nd of April, 2025, marked Earth Day....
Food Waste in Indonesia: A Complex Interplay of Religion, Culture, and Ramadan
By working together, we can reduce food waste, conserve resources, and ensure food security for all. Disclaimer: This article was...