Yes that’s Ulf brushing his teeth in the pool…
Huu Bar, Seminyak
Tag Archives: Indonesia
Fantastic Flores
I visited Flores (one of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia), with friends from Australia and Germany. Our main interest was in the diving but we ended up taking away more experiences from the people and the unique circumstances that its capital Maumere and surrounding communities offered.
Christian Influence
Portuguese traders and missionaries came to Flores in the 16th century and their influence remains. There are numerous missionaries, churches and a seminary spread across villages and townships. They peacefully co-exist with the Muslim communities that also inhabit this area of Flores.
Diving
We were unlucky to have terrible weather which obviously affected our diving experience. Even with that taken into consideration, it was clear that the reefs had been destroyed due to the destructive practice of local fishermen using bombs to fish and the after effects of a devastating tsunami in 1992.
Accommodation
Babi (Pig) Island
On December 12, 1992, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale and the in suing tsunami wiped out 2,500 people including the vast majority of the residents on this island. The remaining 30+ people who survived were out fishing or visiting the main. We dropped in on the island after our morning dive so we could get some shelter and have lunch.
A graceful elderly couple invited us into their home where we shared lunch and a chat via our dive master, William.
Seaside Village
Smiling Children
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).
Bali for Business
Yes… dubious as it sounds, I had good reason to justify a night in Bali to meet with a potential venture partner. My good friend Shaun and I managed to get ‘mates rates’ at a stunning 4 bedroom villa in Seminyak. The meeting went well and we were all happy campers.
The Biggest Wedding Yet
If you’ve read my other posts on the weddings I have been to in Indonesia, you’ll know about how much of an event they can be. Last week was the biggest wedding yet. One of Indonesia’s richest men‘s son, Ardi Bakrie and his actress bride Prianti Nia Ramadhani, got married at the Mulia Hotel. 5,000 people apparently were invited, but close to 10,000 people turned up. People in attendance included politicians, actors, celebrities, sports people etc..
Putri Patricia and Ardi Bakrie
Check out the bodyguard in the middle looking right at the camera… he needs a smile.
John Eales – Wallabie Legend in Jakarta
As the medical partner for the good people at Rugby Indonesia, I was fortunate enough to represent my company at a rugby dinner featuring Wallabie great, John Eales. Aside from being a legend in the game, John was also a terrific speaker.
Fluorescent batik cigarettes?
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…
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Posted by Indonesia on May 2, 2010 in Commentary, Life In Jakarta
Tags: Cigarettes, Expat, Indonesia, Product Packaging, Smoking, Tobacco