Tonic for the Soul

Tea plantations carpet the side of a volcano in Central Java. This island I live on is among the most fertile in the world. The tea grown here is exported all over the world. Apparently, this photo was featured on Yahoo’s homepage today. That’s always fun.Read more

Off to Bali!

We’re leaving for Bali in about 6 hours. We’ll be gone for the next 4 weeks (nice long break huh?), but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to check in and continue to post during our travels. I forgot to mention this before, but if those of you living in Indonesia have a chance, check out the latest issue of Kabar Magazine. The cover photo is one of mine and there’s a 5 page photo essay inside that I wrote.Read more

Yogyakarta (Jogja) Earthquake

I appreciate everyone’s concern in regards to the Yogyakarta earthquake. Fortunately, we’re all safe and sound, but thousands have perished in this terrible crisis. Due to the earthquake occurring in the early morning, many more people were still indoors than would have been later in the day – causing many more deaths. I feel as if Indonesia simply cannot get a rest from crisis these past few years. In only the 4 years I’ve been here the country has beenRead more

Emergence

I’ve passed this beautiful stand of trees a number of times but always without a camera. A lesson I’ve learned: if you continue to think about a place after having left, make sure you bring your camera next time. Lembang, Bandung – 3 hours from my home near the volcano of Tangkuban Perahu. This gorgeous stand of trees is only minutes from the crater.Read more

Indonesia Quake Death Toll Soars

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) — Relief and rescue crews and medical teams on Saturday raced to help the victims of the strong earthquake that rocked the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta and adjacent areas along the southern coast of Indonesia’s Java island. The 6.2 magnitude quake that struck just before 6 a.m. (7 p.m. ET, 11 p.m. GMT Friday) shook and rippled through a heavily populated region, killing at least 271 people, injuring hundreds, and leveling and damaging many structures. (Updata: ReutersRead more