Bajawa Highlands: Heartland of Flores
The growling, battered ‘executive’ bus stopped in front of our hotel in Labuan Bajo, its engine hungrily pointing towards the...
Travel
Going, Going, Gone: In Search of the Ultimate Longhouse
Along with blowpipes, traditional tattooing, mastery of plaiting crafts, canoe-building and the custom of wearing huge bunches of metal earrings...
Cruising on a Borneo River
There is a special feeling that Borneo invokes. There really is no other experience that comes close to cruising on...
Blitar – Hidden Relics of the Past
Falling into history and stumbling upon ancient relics is what is in store for you when you take a journey...
The Mysterious, Phantasmagoric World of Javanese Wayang Theatre
The morality and messages conveyed in Wayang Kulit plays still permeate Javanese thought and daily life. The spellbound audience is...
Prigi: Where Java Meets the Ocean
Prigi on the south coast of East Java is a beautiful unspoilt place to enjoy fine beaches, fresh seafood and...
Lok Baintan Floating Market and Bamboo Rafting in Loksado
Any discourse on the rivers of Indonesia owes a great debt to Kalimantan. The world’s third-largest island is home to...
Operation Starfish: The Untold Story of Australian Commandos in Lombok, 1945
The Lombok Strait averages about a thousand metres in depth, though in places it is far deeper. And not only...
Minahasa Highlands | Land of Volcanoes, Bizarre Food, and Ancient Heroes
I remember my first flight into Manado in 2011. From the aircraft window the sea glittered under the sun, with...
Javanese Sailors in the Giant’ Homeland: the Traditional Houses of Bena, Flores
On finally having the chance to visit Bajawa, Flores, I noticed “Jawa” in the name. When I finally had the...
Diving After the Mines: A Day in Ratatotok
The soft scent of cloves toasting underneath the sun wafted in the air as my ojek cruised over the lush...
Fairyland Express
Sulawesi: twice the size of the UK, volcanoes galore, uninhabited islands, strange creatures, boiling seas, electric clams and tons of...
The Pasola Festival of Sumba | When the Worms Didn’t Come
In 1994, when travel journalist Ron Gluckman observed the Pasola ritual in Sumba, all of the “signs” were good –...
The Hidden Island of Savu
On his first voyage to the South Pacific, Captain James Cook dropped anchor at Savu, an island that did not...
Tana Toraja: Love for the Departed
Grace always knew that honouring the dead is central to Toraja culture. But on her second visit to Tana Toraja...
Rose of Northern Thailand’ Chiang Mai
This cultural capital of the Lanna Kingdom wows visitors with ancient wonders while keeping pace with a modern enthusiasm for...
Sins of the Father
“The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father.” – Bible: Ezekiel 18:20 When I was 17 in mid-sixties...
Dubai: The City With it All
Since the discovery of oil a mere 50 years ago, Dubai has experienced increased growth and prosperity, and has undergone...
Simeulue Island, a Decade After the Tsunami and Nature Reminds Us Still
26 December 2004, 10 years ago this Boxing Day, was a day of unbelievable violence when nature decided to wake...
Roehana Koeddoes: A Heroine of Education and Journalism
In Indonesia, Mother’s Day is celebrated on 22 December. Although it is neither a major celebration nor part of the...
Galungan: Biggest Day of the Year
Celebrating the creation of the world by the supreme god and the victory of goodness or virtue (dharma) over evil...