Plunder Vs Ethics for Shipwrecked Treasure
Ancient shipwrecks on Indonesia’s sea floors have become just another resource to be plundered – often resulting in the loss...
Kenneth Yeung
Valentine’s Day
Indonesia’s top Islamic authority deems Valentine’s Day haram (forbidden) on the grounds that it is an infidel celebration promoting sexual...
Tintin in Indonesia
Belgian reporter Tintin is one of the world’s most enduring comic book characters, especially in Indonesia, which was the setting...
Festive Feasting
If you’re yearning for a festive feast with all the trimmings but you lack the inclination to cook at home,...
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Belief in black magic is a psychological condition that afflicts millions of people who are susceptible to the power of...
Sex, Drugs and Other Diversions
If Jakarta is the city that never sleeps, not least because of the rousing pre-dawn call to prayer blaring from...
Cautionary Tales
There are countless horror stories of expats who invested in property and started businesses in Indonesia only to lose everything....
Environmental Crusader – Robin Marinos
Robin Marinos is living proof that one person can change the environment for the better, although his campaign to protect...
The Jaksa Position & Jl. Palatehan
Jalan Jaksa and Jalan Palatehan have been serving the needs of tourists and expatriates in different ways for decades. Jaksa,...
Not Losing Their Religion
How many people know there’s an Indonesian god at Jakarta’s oldest Chinese temple? And who knew the city’s oldest church...
Dying For a Drink
The Indonesian government claims that its high taxes on alcoholic beverages discourage heavy drinking but the reality is that many...
Bye Bye Bunnies, Enter the Dragons
As the Year of the Rabbit nears an end, hundreds of expatriates in Jakarta’s Chinatown are preparing to return home...
Deck the Malls
Criticising Jakarta’s shopping malls for their ostentatious Christmas displays is too easy. We can feel sickened by the crass commercialisation...