The volcanic area near Gunung Bromo is a not-to-be-missed experience in East Java, and is best booked as a two day trip from the city of Malang. Better still, add another day for a visit to the spectacular sulphuric atmosphere of the volcano Kawah Ijen as well, and stay overnight in a coffee plantation. Prior […]
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Kawah Ijen sulphur haulers in Java, Indonesia: the world’s worst job?
The trek up the Kawah Ijen volcano, then down to the fiery natural sulphur furnace near the famed turquoise lake is one of the most interesting treks in Java. It’s roughly 2km up to the crater’s edge, then perhaps another 1 km down the steep interior to the beds of raging sulphur fountains, where workers […]
Read the rest of this entry »The Good Manner: When the lady is a ladyboy
The Good Manner: Love & Relationship Advice from WoWasis’ Pa Farang This week’s dilemma: my grifriend is a ladyboy Dear Pa Farang, As a twenty-year military man now stationed in Thailand, I’m faced with something I never encountered at home. I’m writing to you, because I can’t discuss this with anyone at the base. I […]
Read the rest of this entry »Bachelor in Bangkok: Those Generous Sponsors
A very common topic of conversation among local guys is the strange phenomenon of men who don’t live in Thailand full time but send money every month to an entertainment provider. We refer to these guys as “sponsors” or “providers” but generally the girls just call them “farangs.” Well, there are some less flattering terms […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis introduces two exciting new weekly columns
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 »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 […]
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