Win a Trip to Jakarta!

Ok, ok, that’s not a fair title for a post. But, MY BROTHER DID! He studied gamelan – native Indonesian musical instruments – and has put on a few performances. Ironically, the group sponsoring the event was holding the drawing for two round trip tickets to Jakarta via Singapore Airlines. (valid for a year) – and without any corrupsi, was able to pull the winning tickets! I have no idea when he’ll come, but it’ll be great to have himRead more

Protests Spread in Indonesia Over Caricature

Protests spread in major cities over caricature The Jakarta Post, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya Despite calls for restraint, protests intensified in the country’s main cities Monday over the publication in European media of caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Protesters in most of the cities decried what they considered the use of freedom of the press to justify insulting Islam. About 200 protesters from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in West Java town of Bandung threatened to conduct searches for Danish nationalsRead more

Coin Rubbing for Healing?

Let me start by saying that this post isn’t meant to be condescending or written with an ironic tone. Having said that, what’s up with the coin rubbing for healing purposes here in Indonesia? After the gym last night, I dropped by the grocery store to pick up a few things. As I was going down the aisle, a maid (I believe) was blocking my way – before I politely asked if I may pass, I noticed massive red streaksRead more

Over-training or the Flu?

So my week went like this: Tuesday: I worked out at the gym having taken nearly a month off. I pushed myself to levels of which I knew I shouldn’t have attempted, but it felt good to be back in the gym again. See, I’m a bit abnormal in the fact that I love lifting weights and dislike doing cardio (indoors at least, cause I love mountain biking or hiking). Many of my friends are the other way around, andRead more

Bali Bomb – Video

I’ve decided not to upload the copy of the video I have – as I’m not sure how my web host would hold up. Instead, here’s a link to the footage online via The Australian. I don’t care to show any images of this, but the Indonesian police have released images of the terrorist’s severed heads to aid in investigations and identification. From The Times Online: Investigators hunting for the masterminds behind three co-ordinated suicide bombings on the island ofRead more

Bombings in Bali… Again

There have been reports of 3 bomb blasts in Bali. One in Kuta and two in Jimbaran. Details are still very sketchy. I’ll update as more information is known. The Indonesian television is showing more video that will likely never make it to the big networks – always gruesome when they do this (pools of blood on the floor, etc). There are conflicting reports coming in from the local stations that it was 6 bombs, not 3. This is allRead more