This week, we’re introducing two new columns by veteran writers on the Southeast Asian beat. Pa Farang and Khun Lee each have unique perspectives on the social scene in Bangkok, and their opinions have value when dealing in social situations all over Asia. Pa Farang’s The Good Manner provides love advice to expat men and […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'By Subject' Category
Sukarno Museum and Memorial sites in Blitar, Java, Indonesia
Born Kusno Sosrodihardjo, Sukarno (also spelled Soekarno) was the first president of Indonesia. He was born in the city of Blitar on June 6, 1901, was overthrown by one of his generals, Suharto, in 1967, and died June 21, 1970. Known affectionately as Bung Karno in his native city, his body was eventually transferred from […]
Read the rest of this entry »Top 3 in Jogjakarta, doorway to Central Java, Indonesia
Jogjakarta (also spelled Yogyakarta) is a beautiful city replete with colonial and traditional buildings, cultural events, and is a terrific central location from which to visit nearby temples such as Borobudur. Travel in Jogjakarta is easy by renting any of the colorful three-wheel becak pedicabs that are plentiful throughout the city. Jogjakarta Top 3 1) […]
Read the rest of this entry »Meraki volacano lahar buries village of Kaliadem
Gunung Meraki, 30 km north of Jogjakarta, remains Java’s most active volcano. The destructive force of Meraki includes a series of lahars, one of which, in 2006, raced down the bebeng River and buried the town of Kaliadem. Today, a visit to Kalidem is interesting, both for the half-buried remains of the town, as well […]
Read the rest of this entry »Kretek clove cigarettes Dji Sam Soe 234 from Indonesia
Wherever you go in Indonesia, you’re going to be feasting on the redolent fragrance of kretek clove cigarettes, and Dji Sam Soe 234 is by far the most popular brand. Blended from Maduro and American tobaccos, kreteks are laced with clove casings, and the tastiest are the unfiltered variety. They are inexpensive and hand-rolled, and […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis Book review: Harold Stephens’ Tales from the Pacific Rim
Harold Stephens is a well-regarded expat writer and sailor who has written a number of interesting books on Asian themes, and we’ve found his Tales from the Pacific Rim: The Man Who Wanted to Buy a Wife and Other Stories (2007, ISBN 0-9786951-0-0) to be a compelling read. There are twenty short stories in this […]
Read the rest of this entry »Javanese Shadow Puppets at Jogjakarta’s Sonobudoyo Museum
Traditional shadow puppet theatre is an art form that attracts many to the island of Java, and one of the finest Javanese troupes we’ve seen performs nightly from 8 pm to 10 pm at Jogjakarta’s Sonobudoyo Museum. In this Ramayana show, the Walang Kulit Performance, you’ll see master puppeteers play out an elaborate story, accompanied […]
Read the rest of this entry »Ramayana Ballet Dance at Purawisata, in Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia
Traditional dance is an art form that attracts many to the islands of Bali and Java, and one of the finest Javanese troupes we’ve seen is the Ramayana Ballet Dance troupe performing at the Purawisata Amusement park each evening at 8 pm. You can combine the show with a terrific dinner that begins at 7pm […]
Read the rest of this entry »Kecak Fire and Trance Dance in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The character of Laksamana Traditional dance is an art form that attracts many to the islands of Bali and Java, and one of the finest Balinese troupes we’ve seen is the Taman Kaja Community’s Kecak Fire and Trance Dance. Held each Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:30 at the Pura Dalem Taman Kaja. The Kecak […]
Read the rest of this entry »Dieng Plateau on Indonesia’s island of Java
Home to the oldest Hindu temples in Java, the Dieng plateau, at some 6,000 feet in altitude, hosts more than 400 ancient structures. Though not as visually stunning as Borobudur, these temples are part of a beautiful landscape of terraced gardens, and the whole effect is wonderful. Dieng Plateau is best reached in a day […]
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