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Monthly Archives: May 2009

In the Office

During my stay in Jakarta, I have been fortunate to become friends with a colleague by the name of Dr Armid. He is a South African of Persian decent and was a Pandemic specialist for the company we work for. Armid and his young family have decided to move to the US so that he can complete further studies at John Hopkins university. They will be missed.

Armid gave me some insight into the Bahia faith and we shared a common interest in good food. He also started a blog which I hope he will keep updated called expatdoc.com.

Dr Armid calling a client

Joe & Armid

 
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Posted by on May 24, 2009 in Life In Jakarta

 

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Pelabuhan Ratu (May 2009)

Pelabuhan Ratu is a popular destination for expats in Jakarta. I enjoyed the long weekend with a group of mostly French friends who also enjoyed the fresh BBQ’d seafood and great massages on the beach.

The French Connection

On the way there (3 hour drive), we stopped off at an organic farm belonging to an American expat and his Indonesian wife. They supply vegetables to many of the top restaurants in Jakarta. They are building an eco resort that will also provide organic cooking lessons etc.. Sounds good.

Enjoying a Bintang at an Organic Farm

 
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Posted by on May 22, 2009 in Travel for Fun

 

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Yogyakarta

I took a few days off from work to visit Yogyakarta which is sometimes referred to as the Kyoto or Melbourne of Indonesia, as it is a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture. (Jakarta is alternatively referred to as the Osaka of Indonesia ;)

I stayed at the Phoneix hotel in Yogyakarta city and used it as a base for day trips out to the various sights. It’s a very nice hotel and I recommend it if you want a historic yet comfortable accommodation experience.

Borobodur

Borobudur is a ninth-century Buddhist monument and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monument is both a shrine and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. With a Buddhist mother, it was a great opportunity for me to take her to somewhere she has wanted to see. It’s a stricking monument in the middle of the jungle that was discovered in 1814 by Stamford Raffles and is definitely worth seeing.

Borobudur

Borobudur view

Try and avoid school holidays and weekends and it gets packed with group tours, all of whom are very friendly and entertaining mind you. If you want to feel like a celebrity go when they are there. You will have dozens of requests to take photos of you with kids and women tours).

Prambanan

Prambanan is the ninth century Hindu temple  located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta city. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia.

Antiques & furniture shopping

Culinary delights


 

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