Resort Concept
I have updated a new blog post on the resort project. Check out the pictures and let me know your feedback!
http://resortowner.wordpress.com/
‘Clean Air’ Plants for homes in Jakarta (and other polluted cities)
I came across a great blog post that recommends three specific plants for improving your home air.
Using these plants has shown significant oxygen level improvements which can apparently increase blood oxygen levels by 1% in 10 hours. This in turn can reduce headaches, eye irritation, asthma and other respiratory problems which are common place in Jakarta.
Check out the post: http://brokensecrets.com/2010/06/04/the-three-plants-you-should-have-inside-your-home/
Also, a great video by Kamal Meattle at a TED conference: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_grow_your_own_fresh_air.html
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Fluorescent batik cigarettes?
I enjoyed a rare moment yesterday socialising with a group of new Indonesian friends all of whom were non smokers. In a country where you quickly get the sense that the majority smokes, knowing that a growing group of young Indonesians are choosing not to, gives some indication that there is a healthier trend emerging.
Back home in Australia, the government has plans to enforce plain packaging for cigarettes in 2012. This no frills concept really takes out the ‘sexiness’ of any product. I think I would actually quit drinking beer if all my options were from plain white cans. Scary thought…
Having a friend in Jakarta whose job is to actually develop new brands or sub brands of cigarettes, I have seen how much emphasis is placed on packaging. My mate keeps new packaging designs of his latest brand and shows them off with as much affection as a new dad does with his baby pics.
If the law goes through in Australia, it would make a major impact on tobacco companies who rely heavily on colours, logos and branding to promote their product. As a potential counter measure, the Australian media has picked up an idea of the tobacco companies branding and colouring the actual cigarettes themselves. Something that is already being done with a brand in Indonesia called ‘Black’, which uses back paper and uses heavily macho themed advertising to support its ‘black’ image.
So that got me thinking, if the tobacco companies could only use the cigarette paper to differentiate themselves, can you imagine the absurdity of the design ideas. The only thing more ridiculous would be how a typical bar or cafe in Jakarta would look with smokers puffing on pink, green, fluorescent, batik themed and army fatigue design cigarettes. I’m sure my mate is salivating with ideas…
Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia
I made a quick work visit to a copper exploration site (and then took the weekend to scuba dive). The site is in the middle of a dense tropical jungle.
Gorontalo is on the northern part of Sulawesi. The province has been influenced by several foreign cultures over the centuries including the Portuguese and Spanish (who introduced corn, tomatoes, chili peppers, horses, and the afternoon siesta!). Like most parts of Indonesia, the Dutch took control of the spice trade and ended the power of the local kings of the time. The area is currently in the midst of an economic boom driven by the export growth of their primary industries (e.g. fish to Japan, corn to the Middle East). Despite its potential, tourism has been very low key.
Gorontalo has over 24 dive spots that are based off a narrow, shallow coral shelf that rims the coastline. There is only one dive operator run by an American from Miami, Florida, called Ratnje Wilson. The dive center is called Miguel’s diving and Ratnje has been in Gorontalo for close to 10 years providing a very professional diving operation. Unfortunately, I was only able to get in 2 dives but they were exceptionally good. The diversity and quantity of marine life was incredible (e.g tuna, crabs, Salvador Dali sponges, baby blow fish, Nemo fish, a massive school of Trevali and a turtle. I will definitely be back to explore some of the other sites next season.
The other divers were a group of friendly American English teachers who were based in Gorontalo, Makassar and Manado. Each are part of US foreign diplomacy programs that teach English at local schools and universities across Indonesia. We enjoyed some great seafood, cold beer(s) and tales of living and working in Indonesia.
Tips:
- Recommended restaurants include; Golden Fish and Samudera Indah. Rantje can advise you on some other places which I didn’t have the chance to go to.
- If you’re happy with basic accommodation stay at Oasis Hotel which is where Miguel’s Diving’s administrative office is based, but bring mosquito spray or cream though as there are a lot of them buzzing around. If you want more luxury then the Quality Hotel is the recommended hotel in town.
- The primary mode of transport is the Bencol. They’re cheap, clean and fun. For short distances expect to pay around 2,000 Rph, for longer distances that may take 10-15 mins around 10,000 rph (anymore than that and you’re paying bulle tax).
What kind of Expat are you? (or are your friends)
‘Expatriate (or expat) – a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing or legal residence‘ – Wikipedia
One of the great things about being an expat in Indonesia is the ease in which you can mix and mingle with a diverse group of people. Amongst the expatriate community, there are very different groups that can be polar opposites in their outlook and reasons for being here. In an interesting blog post by Simon Black (the Sovereign Man), he outlines 7 categories of expats based on his experience. It’s worth a read whether you are an expat or a national.
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Posted by Health Watchman on September 18, 2010 in Commentary
Tags: Expat, expatriate, living overseas