Indonesia Expat - issue 146 by Indonesia Expat

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J A K A R TA • J AVA • B A L I • L O M B O K • K A L I M A N TA N • S U M AT R A • S U L AW E S I • W E S T PA P U A

W W W . I N D O N E S I A E X P A T. B I Z

HIKING GUNUNG TAMBORA IN SUMBAWA

THE IMMIGRATION INQUISITION MEET CHARLES CHOI, GENERAL MANAGER OF NOVOTEL LOMBOK TRAVEL: UNDER THE SHADOW OF MT. RINJANI

PADDLING IN GILI TRAWANGAN

THE

Nusa Tenggara Barat

ISSUE

issue 146 indonesia expat

indonesia expat issue 146

issue 146 indonesia expat

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers,

Editor in Chief

Angela Richardson angela@indonesiaexpat.biz

of white sand requires a decent drive through windy, hilly roads (best enjoyed on motorbike), but the trip is definitely worth it. Pictured on our cover this issue, it is probably the most beautiful beach I’ve set foot on so far in Indonesia.

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Management

Edo Frese edo@indonesiaexpat.biz

Selong Belanak is located about 49km from the capital of Mataram, just west of Kuta Lombok, an up-and-coming travel destination for those looking for a less developed part of the island. Feeling much like what I would imagine Kuta Bali was like in the 1970s, Kuta Lombok’s tourists are predominately made up of surfers and its rustic feel gives this spot a distinctive charm.

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Distribution & Admin

Juni Setiawan admin@indonesiaexpat.biz

Graphics

Frederick Ng Katarina Anindita

Finance

Lini Verawaty finance@indonesiaexpat.biz

Contributors

Stephanie Brookes Bill Dalton Karen Davis Heru Nainggolan Daniel Pope Simon Reynolds Hans Rooseboom Eamonn Sadler Kenneth Yeung

Welcome to our Nusa Tenggara Barat Issue, which is also our last edition before we break for Idul Fitri. Home to Lombok, the Gili Islands and the western portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands apart from Bali, which is its own province, this region is blessed with beautiful beaches, volcanoes and stunning sunsets.

Based in Kuta Lombok is the Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas, a popular hotel run by Korean expat Charles Choi. Charles is the first Korean General Manager in the Accor Group, and shares with us his experiences of living in this region. In Kuta Lombok, we also meet Jean-Marc Reyniard, Founder and CEO of Naga Indo Investments, a property investment company who believe in the sustainable development of the region.

On my most recent visit to Lombok, I discovered the Selong Belanak beach on the south coast, and was absolutely blown away by its beauty. This over 1km stretch

In the Gili Islands, we meet a colourful Dutch couple running a resort and sports club on the beach and find out the stories behind their success. We also have a couple of stories on hiking — both Mount Rinjani and Mount Tambora — which thrillseekers must read. Having conquered Rinjani myself a couple of years ago, I would encourage anyone with an affinity for hiking to do this trail — but don’t forget the toilet tent as facilities on this mountain are lacking! To all those who celebrate, we wish you a peaceful Idul Fitri, shared with loved ones and look forward to seeing you again in our Papua and the Spice Islands Issue on August 12th. From all of us at Indonesia Expat, Minal aidin wal faidzin, mohon maaf lahir dan batin.

Angela Richardson Editor in Chief

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Published by

PT. Koleksi Klasik Indonesia Graha Eka Formula Building 3rd floor, #302 Jl. Bangka Raya No. 2 Kemang, Jakarta T: 021 719 5908 (sales/editorial) 021 719 3409 (admin/finance) F: 021 719 3409 Office hours: 09.00–17.00 Monday–Friday INDONESIA EXPAT IS PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY BY PT. KOLEKSI KLASIK INDONESIA. OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE THOSE OF THE WRITERS AND THE PUBLISHER DOES NOT ACCEPT

Dear Angela, I was very pleased to see and read the Kalimantan Issue published in June. I thought it dealt with some very interesting topics; ones that the public need to be more aware of, like palm oil and illegal gold mining in the region. I also found the interview with Lorna Dowson-Collins particularly interesting, as her insight into this region is invaluable.

not win against large-scale companies hell-bent on destroying what’s left for profits if we are not supported by the Government. It’s capitalism vs. the environment and sadly capitalism is winning. Anyway, I just wanted to show my appreciation for you and your team’s efforts in raising awareness on some very critical issues that need to be raised in Indonesia.

Dear N.C, Thank you for writing. We are very happy to know that you enjoyed reading the Kalimantan Issue and found some worth in the editorial focus of that issue. We hope you will enjoy the rest of our regional series, including this one on Nusa Tenggara Barat.

ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMMISIONS, OR COMPLAINTS ARISING THERE FROM. NO PARTS OF THIS PUBLICATION CAN BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN PRINT OR ELECTRONICALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. ALL TRADEMARKS, LOGOS, BRANDS AND DESIGNS ARE COPYRIGHT AND FULLY RESERVED BY PT. KOLEKSI KLASIK INDONESIA.

The Cover Selong Belanak Beach in Kuta, Lombok. Pictured by Angela R.

indonesia expat issue 146

I’ve been visiting Kalimantan for years and, like so many others, am concerned about the rapid disappearance of its rainforests due to illegal logging. I support as many NGOs as I can who are working hard in the region to fight this deforestation — but I fear that we will

Kind Regards, N. C

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Many thanks, Angela and IE Team

Keep up the great work.

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Issue 146

Contents

Feature Story The Immigration Inquisition

Expat Business

Scams in the City What Price Glory?

Expat Outreach

Worthy Causes Keeping Lombok Clean

Announcements

Light Entertainment Nothing New

Observations Jakarta, Rattle and Roll

Travel North Lombok: Heading for the Mountains

Events

Business Directory

History West of the South-Eastern Islands

Classifieds

Meet the Expat Paddling Paradise: Grace Ariens and Astrid Gordijn

Featured With a Projected $200B Opportunity, Lombok is Looking to Attract More Muslim Tourists

Business Profile Investing in Lombok Real Estate: Naga Indo Investment Limited

Meet the Expat Striving for Excellence: Meet Charles Choi

Expat Lifestyle

Sports Hiking Gunung Tambora

issue 146 indonesia expat

FEATURE STORY

A Nigerian man is forcibly detained in an immigration raid in Jakarta. Photo courtesy of Antara

The Immigration Inquisition Carrying a photocopy of your passport, KITAS or KITAP in Indonesia may no longer be good enough if you don’t want to be treated like a criminal by overzealous Immigration officers. By Kenneth Yeung

t’s just after 9pm on a Tuesday night. Two teams of Immigration and military officers, most of them dressed in plainclothes, descend on Jakarta’s backpacker strip, Jalan Jaksa. They are seeking foreigners not carrying passports or residency permits. Numerous TV crews have been brought along to film the raid. Officers begin entering the street’s cheap cafes and bars, demanding to see original documents. The TV crews get some action when an American male without his passport shouts “What the f--- is this?” as he is roughly dragged away by four officers. When the bewildered man cries out for his brother to come, a diminutive but aggressive uniformed Immigration officer named Haristyo Utomo leaps forward and wraps his arms around the American’s neck, pulling his head backward. Another officer yells: “Shut up! Shut up! Stop shouting!” There’s more action when a burly Nigerian attempts to run away, but is caught by the officers. When an officer takes his passport, he protests, only to be put in a stranglehold by Haristyo Utomo and pulled to the ground. Fired up on adrenaline, Haristyo

indonesia expat issue 146

maintains his hold and screams: “You want fighting me? Huh? Huh? You want fighting me?” The Nigerian responds: “No, no. I no fighting.” He is then handcuffed by officers led by Central Jakarta Immigration Office’s head of Immigration Control, Vodka Yosa Anggara, who later proudly chats with reporters. Media coverage of the Jaksa raid was incompetent at best and racist at worst. “Several foreign citizens went on a drunken rampage when Immigration officials raided Jalan Jaksa,” claimed RTV. The Kompas daily reported that the American had to be restrained to prevent him from escaping – even though he wasn’t trying to escape. Other reports asserted that illegal foreigners were drunk and out of control. The Jakarta portal of trendy online news network Coconuts.co claimed the Nigerian “resisted and tried to escape the whole time”. Coconuts erroneously quoted Kompas as saying the Nigerian yelled “You want to fight me?” when officers tried to handcuff him. Not true. The Kompas report correctly stated it was the official who was asking for a fight.

The foreigners apprehended on Jaksa had just been enjoying beers with friends. Ironically, the pugnacious Haristyo, in his profile on online dating network Badoo, lists his interests as “beer with friends” and “freedom”. An Australian working as a consultant in Jakarta reacted to the May 5 raid by saying: “I always carry a photocopy of my passport to avoid this kind of thing.” Many expatriates feel the same way: a photocopy will keep them out of trouble. The fact is, some of those detained during the raid were carrying copies of their passports. John (not his real name), a British retiree in his 60s, was with some friends at a Jaksa bar when the raid occurred. “The officers were all wearing smart casuals. I thought they had come in to watch the football. Then they started demanding to see passports. They were threatening and abusive.” John, who is in Indonesia on a tourist visa, showed them a laminated, colour photocopy of his passport’s main data page. It was deemed insufficient. Another man at the table had a copy of his long-term residency permit (KITAP). This was also not good

enough. The two men and six other foreigners were bundled into two vehicles and taken to the fourth floor of Central Jakarta Immigration Office in Kemayoran. Most were soon released after friends or spouses arrived with their passports. The Nigerian and John were not so lucky. The Nigerian had overstayed, while John was not allowed to collect his passport from his rented house. One detainee recalls the Nigerian was taken to a separate room. Shouting was heard and then a group of officers stormed into the room. There was much more noise, then silence. John said officers kept asking who would “sponsor” him. He was eventually told to enter a lift because an interpreter from the British Embassy was waiting for him downstairs. It was a ruse. John was locked up in a cell and told he would be released the following morning. But nothing happened, so he called an Indonesian friend to come and collect his house key and then bring his passport. The friend, Adam (not his real name), arrived at Immigration after work at 5.30pm Wednesday and was tersely informed the office had closed for the day. When he insisted on seeing John, he was told the officer with the keys to the cells had already gone home. If that’s true, then Immigration was endangering the lives of inmates in the event of a fire or any other disaster. Adam returned at 8am Thursday, only to be informed: “The man with the keys to the cells has not yet arrived so come back at about 10am.” He returned at 9.55am, finally collected John’s key, went to the house, found the passport and rushed back at about 11.30am. He was told John

Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

“The officers were all wearing smart casuals. I thought they had come in to watch the football. Then they started demanding to see passports. They were threatening and abusive.”

In light of recent Immigration raids, carrying a copy of KITAS and passport is no longer good enough for Immigration officials

would be released at 2pm Friday. Why not sooner? Immigration now had his original passport containing a valid visa, so why keep him incarcerated like a criminal? The official reason: officers wanted to type up a letter for John to sign, promising to carry his original passport. Most people can type a simple letter in under an hour. Not Central Jakarta Immigration Office. Adam was asked to pay Rp.6 million to secure John’s release. He refused. John was eventually freed after three nights behind bars. “I don’t know what happened to the Nigerian,” he says. “There were a lot of Cameroonians in the cell next to mine and they didn’t have anyone to help them.” The Jaksa raids were part of a sweep conducted by 120 Immigration offices across Indonesia over May 5–7, netting 1,069 foreigners. The aim was to crack down on terrorism, drug smuggling and dealing, and to ensure that foreigners abide by Immigration regulations.

Screen grabs from media coverage of an Immigration raid in Jalan Jaksa, Jakarta where an American and a Nigerian man were detained

Such raids are nothing new, although the targets in the past were predominantly Africans and Chinese. Now, everyone is fair game. Koreans, Japanese, Middle Easterners, Europeans and Australians have all been nabbed and several claimed they had to pay to be released. Officers seem to be especially fond of raiding apartments of foreign women suspected of working as prostitutes. One perennial question that emerges after such raids is: Do foreigners have to carry their original passport or residency permit at all times in Indonesia? A moderator on the popular Living in Indonesia – Expat Forum in May posted: “Not having a passport to produce on the spot is not (and has never been) an offense.” He cited Article 91(2) of Law No. 23 of 2006 on Population Administration, which states that: “Every foreigner who has a Limited Residency Permit … who travels without a Certificate of Domicile will face a maximum administrative fine of Rp.100,000.” In other words, if you have a KITAS (shortterm residency permit) and you’re not carrying it or a domicile certificate, you can be fined a small amount.

But that doesn’t mention anything about tourist visas or passports. Instead, we need to look at Law No.6 of 2011 on Immigration. Article 71(b) of the law states that every foreigner present in Indonesia is obliged to: “Show and submit any travel document or stay permit they possess when required to do so by an active Immigration officer in the interests of Immigration control.” Violators of Article 71 face a maximum penalty of three months in jail or a maximum fine of Rp.25 million. Article 119 states that foreigners who enter and/ or are in Indonesia without a valid travel document and visa face a maximum of five years in jail or a fine of up to Rp500 million. So we must always carry either a passport, KITAS, KITAP or KTP-Asing (residency card for foreigners). Should these be originals or photocopies? The law does not explicitly say so, but given the recent raids, photocopies and scans are not enough. In which case, it’s high time for countries such as the UK to update their travel advice for Indonesia. The UK Government advises: “Carry a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport and copy of your arrival card for identification purposes and keep the original documents in a safe place.” Indonesia’s arrival/departure card, once mandatory for all foreigners entering and leaving the country, was scrapped in April. A strange move, as it makes it harder for the Government to know where foreigners will be staying and the purpose of their visits. As for Immigration raids, much comes down to a foreigner’s attitude. Always be polite, friendly and cooperative. Establish a respectful rapport with Indonesian officials and you’ll find there’s less risk of being treated like a criminal. Plenty of Indonesian expats in the US suffered tough treatment in raids following the 9/11 attacks. Western expats in Indonesia are lucky insofar as it’s usually easy to find a solution to administrative infractions. Most Indonesian officials are friendly at heart, provided we don’t antagonize them.

Aggressive Immigration officer involved in Jalan Jaksa raid, Haristyo Utomo, on his online dating profile lists his interests as “beer with friends” and “freedom” issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT BUSINESS FEATURED

With a Projected $200B Opportunity, Lombok is Looking to Attract More Muslim Tourists By Heru Nainggolan

As ten percent of the global travel industry, Islamic tourism is a lucrative space that can’t be ignored. Indonesia hopes to attract more Muslims to Lombok.

s a republic with the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia plans to tap the Islamic tourism market by promoting Lombok, one of the lesser-known island getaways, just a short distance from Bali. According to the West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD NTB), the Government has only just started to promote sharia tourism in Lombok. In the near future, it aims to boost the number of wealthy Middle Eastern visitors; an affluent demographic of people who are likely to bring family members and spend generously while on holiday.

Meanwhile, Thailand has been aggressively positioning itself to capture the segment by pushing halal tourism and launching marketing incentives for Muslim-related agencies. In March, tourism minister Arief Yahya told reporters that Thailand is currently attracting 600,000 Muslim tourists every month. Malaysia is pulling in slightly less at 300,000, while Indonesia is managing only 150,000 on average.

“Truthfully, sharia tourism in Lombok has not developed much because we just started [working on it] this year,” says BPPD NTB board member Lalu Hasanuddin in an interview with Indonesia Expat.

According to the MasterCardCrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, in 2014 the Muslim travel industry was worth about US$145 billion. 108 million Muslim travellers represented 10 percent of the global travel economy. That number is forecast to grow to 150 million by 2020, making up 11 percent of the market with a total expenditure projected to hit US$200 billion.

Indonesia’s current lack of promotion is reflected in the number of annual inbound Muslim tourists. Despite housing more than 800,000 mosques, Indonesia is still trailing far behind Malaysia and Thailand when it comes to attracting Muslim vacationers.

Muslim tourism will continue to be one of the fastest growing travel sectors in the world. In recent years, Indonesia ranked fourth in terms of inbound Muslim tourist arrivals, with 1.7 million in 2013. Malaysia came out on top with 6.1 million, followed by Thailand with 4.4 million, and Singapore

Lombok, the island with 1,000 mosques by SBA Mueller

indonesia expat issue 146

Photo by Michael Coghlan

In 2014, the global Muslim travel industry was worth US$145 billion. Islamic tourism in Lombok is supported by the fact that more than 90 percent of the population in West Nusa Tenggara is Muslim.

Heru Nainggolan is a Jakarta-based freelance writer and journalist who’s been covering a variety of issues since 2011.

with 3.9 million. However, it’s worth noting that as Indonesia has the largest domestic Muslim population on Earth, these figures do not account for local Muslim citizens who are vacationing within their home country. Realising the economic potential of Islamic travel, Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry earlier this year claimed the Government would beef up its budget to promote tourism in West Nusa Tenggara, the province where Lombok is situated. It promised to earmark Rp.11 billion (US$823,363) in 2015, up from Rp.6 billion (US$450,000) in recent years. In the grand scheme of things, these amounts can’t move mountains, but they might theoretically take care of small changes that could lead to big impacts. Examples of these may include opening more Muslim-friendly tour agencies and strategically placing halal restaurants in high-traffic areas. “We are targeting two million tourists in 2015, with one million foreign visitors and one million domestic tourists,” Yahya said in March. According to data from Indonesia’s tourism board, 1.6 million tourists visited the province in 2014, with 30 percent of them coming from overseas. “Islamic tourism in Lombok is supported by the fact that more than 90 percent of the population in Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara is also Muslim,” says Taufan Rahmadi, head of the province’s tourism

board. “Therefore, the lifestyle of the local people is suitable for Muslim travellers.” Rahmadi believes a predominantly Muslim local population is also a critical element to driving foreign Muslims to Lombok. According to him, sharia tourism is not only about pilgrimages or religious activities, but rather, it is defined as travel that fully complies with Islamic law. This includes, but may not be limited to, the provision of food and beverages that contain no pork or alcohol, the separation of men and women at tourist recreational areas such as swimming pools and spas, and the availability of water sprays or jet washers in toilets.

Thailand is currently attracting 600,000 Muslim tourists every month. Malaysia is pulling in slightly less at 300,000, while Indonesia is managing only 150,000 on average.

In Lombok, Muslims can more easily find halal restaurants than they can in Hindumajority Bali. Additionally, as Lombok is sometimes referred to as “the island of 1,000 mosques,” Hasanuddin claims it is also easier for Muslims to find places to worship each day. “We also have 11 hotels that have been certified halal. Currently, three more hotels are in development. Therefore, we will have a total of 14 sharia hotels in near future,” says Lalu. Sharia hotels provide Muslim necessities like halal food, the kiblat sign (direction to Mecca), Qurans, prayer rugs, and prayer time reminders. They also prohibit adult TV channels in the rooms.

Photo by AMISOM Public Information

Currently, there are 37 certified halal hotels across Indonesia, with 150 still pending approval. As for restaurants, only 303 out of 2,916 have been certified as halal; as many as 1,800 restaurants are still pending halal certification.

also educate people to be more friendly to tourists. We make public service announcements for people to uphold honesty and friendliness. These are our marketing tools to make Muslim tourists and others feel more comfortable and safe.”

The availability of facilities that comply with Islamic law can also be found at other sharia tourism destinations in Indonesia. The Government has declared that nine areas in Indonesia are “officially Muslimfriendly,” including West Sumatra, Riau, Lampung, Jakarta, Banten, West Java, East Java, Lombok, and Makassar.

With an open Muslim society, Hasanuddin says western tourists who want to sunbathe in revealing outfits and relax on the beach with a beer should not have to worry. “The existence of sharia tourism will not kill conventional tourism. On the contrary, it will be the locomotive [to attract a robust tourist trade],” explains Hasanuddin. “Most of the complaints actually come from the conventional tourism industry. Some of these people think that the existence of sharia tourism will erode conventional tourism. But there is already a clear distinction between the two.”

But there are some distinct selling points that help Lombok stand out from other sharia tourism destinations in the archipelago. “First, we have breathtaking nature,” says Rahmadi. “Second, we have an Islamic culture that is not only religious, but also more tolerant.” Rahmadi adds that Lombok is more accepting of foreigners when compared to other local Islamic tourism destinations like Aceh. Aceh is the only part of the country where Muslim and non-Muslims are forced to follow sharia, the Islamic legal code. Lombok, on the other hand, despite being majority-Muslim, is characterised by its foreigner-friendly practices. It’s not uncommon to see western tourists enjoying the beach in Senggigi while wearing revealing bathing suits. “Other than Muslims, we also have Hindunese and people from other religions and we live together in harmony. The people of West Nusa Tenggara are open yet still religious,” explains Rahmadi. “We

Hasanuddin cites the island of Gili Trawangan off the west coast of Lombok as a prime example of a westernised vacation area that will also not be affected by sharia tourism. Assuming the central government maintains support and funding, the province’s tourism promotion board says it has more plans for the future to attract Muslims to Lombok. “For example, there will be special tour guides for sharia tourism. We also push travel agents to offer sharia tours. At the moment, some travel agents already do that by combining visits to beaches with visits to pesantren [Islamic boarding schools] to learn how to recite the Quran,” says Hasanuddin. issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT BUSINESS BUSINESS PROFILE

Jean-Marc, how long have you been living in Indonesia? I left France 15 years ago and I have been living in South Lombok for three years. I came for surfing and to buy a piece of land. I wanted to get away from busy Hong Kong where I lived for eight years before Indonesia. You founded Naga Indo Investment Limited in 2011 as a land development and investment company in an emerging real estate market in Southeast Asia. Tell us why. I came to Lombok in 2009, and I could see so many opportunities. It felt like the right time for me to get involved. I also realised that many investors from Hong Kong would be interested in owning not just one asset but a portfolio. The idea of investing in an emerging market like Lombok was exciting, so I created a structure to test people’s interest. It worked out and it became a full-time job.

What potential do you see in the property development industry in South Lombok in particular? Lombok has for too long been in the shadow of Bali, just 40km away. However, Bali has reached a tipping point where mass tourism dictates uncontrolled and polluting developments. Five years ago, the Gilis in northwest Lombok started their boom and now it is spreading across South Lombok. The opening of the international airport and the Government’s commitment to building infrastructures in a more civilised manner offer bright prospects. What changes are you seeing in the property market in Lombok and the Gilis? There has been a very big change over the past few years. Land speculation is giving way to land development, which means we can see many new commercial operations opening, and also servicing and subdividing land or residential building. There are more mid-scale businesses entering the

market as well as a few boutique hotels; many coming from overcrowded Bali. They bring a certain experience of what should be done and what should be avoided in this new development. This has attracted much attention from expatriates across Asia seeking a holiday home destination at a fraction of Bali’s prices. Typically, where are your land buyers from? There are two types of people who invest here: those looking for pure investments and those looking for a family home. Demographics are expatriates living in Asia; 80 percent from Hong Kong and Singapore who own a property in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, visiting their dream home once a month on average. Many Australians like it here, too. Then we see tourists from Europe or America who see it as an investment first but are happy to own a dream villa in a remote paradise destination. Last but not least, we see the

With development in Bali reaching a tipping point, more and more investors are looking eastwards to Lombok. Silk Air has recently requested a direct route from Perth to Lombok, which means the international world is taking note of this travel destination, and more will follow. Living in South Lombok is Frenchman Jean-Marc Reynier, Founder and CEO of Naga Indo Investment Limited, a land and property investment company. We talk to Jean-Marc about the potential of this emerging market.

Investing in Lombok Real Estate

growing Indonesian middle class, who will probably become the biggest buyers in the next 10 years as we saw in Bali. What questions should interested investors ask themselves before purchasing land in Lombok? I believe the agent/developer/partner you use is as important as the choice of the land itself. You will need someone you can trust, who is well connected and skilled to advise you so that you can benefit fully from your dream land or new business. That works before acquiring the land but it is even truer to manage the property and the development afterwards. Foreign investors may typically be weary of investing in Indonesia for a variety of reasons, especially with the economy as it is today. Is Lombok a safe region to invest in? Emerging markets carry more risk than developed ones but the return goes with it. Expect a 30 percent net return a year. If you perform with proper due diligence and you have the right team around you, you will be safe. What are the positive aspects of investing in property development in Lombok? A mix of being very authentic and natural and having an international airport close by, which is quite a special situation, and pure beauty; many people think Lombok is among the top ten most beautiful places in Asia. And what about the negative aspects? We are at an early stage of development; some people say it is like Bali 30 years ago. So you have to accept that not everything is available; there is no Carrefour, no Gucci, no car dealers and no Disneyland. However, there is an international standard hospital and an international school.

Naga Indo Investment Limited

By Angela Richardson

President Joko Widodo recently visited South Lombok and announced a newly built office in the region to speed up licensing of all activities in the area. Can you tell us more about this and what it means for property developers in the region? It means faster processing of paperwork. Indonesia is full of red tape and regulation; despite being in a very beautiful island, you still have to go through the proper legal set up. Usually a lot has to go through the central office in Jakarta and it can take a while and slow down your implementation. Thanks to the new office in the Mandalika area of South Lombok, this will accelerate the processes.

BUSINESS SNIPPETS

Finance Ministry informs public that Indonesia will not follow Greece

Special Staff of the Finance Minister, Arif Budimanta, affirmed that Indonesia would not suffer the same fate as Greece, which is in a state of default after failing to pay its debts to institutions such as the International Monetary Fund. "Indonesia will not go bankrupt like Greece," Budimanta said during a recent discussion organised by the People’s Consultative Assembly. He added that the Greek fiscal deficit was 60 percent, while Indonesia’s was less than 1.9 percent. "…we are showing positive

indonesia expat issue 146

growth, whereas the economic growth of Greece is in the negatives." Budimanta has urged all sides to be optimistic regarding the country’s financial situation. He says the public should not fear unfavourable conditions as the Government has adopted pro-people policies, which focus on the development of villages. The budget allocated for this purpose was raised from Rp.9.7 trillion in 2014 to Rp.21 trillion this year.

Source: Antara News

Twin Peaks Estate, Serangan Beach, Selong Belanak Bay, South Lombok

Newcomers like me have to adapt and show respect to the local culture, religion and way of living What does your company do to ensure that Lombok will be developed responsibly and sustainably? We minimise the impact of our activities on the surrounding habitat, and we only associate ourselves with suppliers and workers that respect our commitment. Wherever possible, we will endeavour to utilise natural resources like solar power, collected rain water and recycled waste water when supplying services to sites in our portfolio. After the servicing of our sites, we make sure we preserve the environment and hedge the soil against erosion by planting vetiver grass. When planted in single rows, vetiver plants will form a hedge which is very effective in slowing and spreading runoff water, reducing soil erosion, conserving soil moisture and trapping sediment and farm chemicals on site. We help locals to create new businesses by establishing vetiver nurseries ahead of the growing demand from developers and builders. Naga Indo has leased land from local farmers instead of buying them. We bring know-how from experts in Bali, invest in the nursery and assist locals with development. We also offer extra vetiver slips for the most motivated workers to set up their own nursery on their land, showing them that vetiver nurseries are a viable business, as erosion is strong in many developing areas and many project

managers require green solutions to fight it. Once the lease expires, we expect the local people to take over the business and feel confident to market and sell the grass to developers and encourage a ‘green living’ environment. Why do you do what you do? It is my choice of work, which I love, and my choice of life. I always wanted to come back to the countryside because that’s the kind of place I grew up in. I go surfing in the morning; it’s peaceful, relaxing and it reminds me of why I am here. I also like to ride a bike; it’s much better than driving a car because you feel the wind and hear the sounds of nature. What challenges do you face working here? Living in a community is something new to many westerners or city dwellers. Newcomers like me have to adapt and show respect to the local culture, religion and way of living. It is an effort. Learning how to be patient, for example, is a hard test for many of us, but it is a must. The other challenge is to train and retain staff. The level of education is generally low in Lombok. It takes a lot of energy and patience to train staff to the required level. Do you have any plans to leave Indonesia? No, I have lived in eight different countries and I believe I am ready to settle down. I found my little secret garden.

Thank you, Jean-Marc. To get in touch e-mail: jmreynier@naga-indo.com

Philip Morris seeks US$1 billion from Indonesia Stake Sale Philip Morris International Inc., which makes and markets Marlboro cigarettes outside the US, plans to sell over US$1 billion worth of shares in its Indonesian operation in what would be one of the year’s biggest share sales in Southeast Asia.

exchange rule requiring all Indonesialisted companies to have at least 7.5% of their shares in public hands. Philip Morris currently owns 98.2% of the unit, which has a market capitalisation of about US$23.6 billion.

New York-based Philip Morris has tapped investment banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Credit Suisse Group AG, J.P. Morgan and local firm Mandiri Sekuritas for the sale of shares in PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. The sale will allow Philip Morris to comply with a pending stock-

It is unclear at what price the shares would be sold to investors. The sale is likely to take place in the coming months and be completed before the end of this year. Source: The Wall Street Journal

issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT BUSINESS MEET THE EXPAT

Striving for Excellence

Meet Charles Choi

Charles Choi has a remarkable story in his hotelier career, advancing steadily from waiter and receptionist to the position of General Manager. A passionate leader, Charles shares his experiences of being the first Korean manager in Accor Hotels Indonesia, as well as managing the Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas, where he works today.

By Angela Richardson

Please tell us how you ended up in Indonesia and what brought you over to Lombok? I joined Accor Hotels in 2009 when I went back home to Korea after spending nearly 10 years in the US and UK and soon I realised that there were a great deal of opportunities in this region as Accor was operating around 100 hotels. I took the job offer in Lombok without any hesitations as it had been a dream of mine to work as a resort General Manager.

and made a mutual agreement beneficial for the both parties. As per the agreement, the hotel is to buy a certain number of handmade bracelets and fresh coconuts from the sellers on a daily basis, as long as they stay inside the counter and do not disturb any of our customers. This new programme has had an immediate impact on our guests’ satisfaction as well as a significant increase on the beach sellers’ daily income. The beach selling counter has become very popular among our guests.

When did the Novotel Lombok Resort & Villas open and can you tell us a bit about its concept? We opened in 1997 and the resort has been boasting Kuta’s breathtaking nature with convenient and modern facilities. Continuous efforts on renovations and facility updates have managed to maintain the original charm of this unique property.

Please tell us some of the reasons to come and visit Kuta Lombok. You will be surrounded by breathtaking settings tailored by nature and locals who still keep their original ways of life. You might not receive the most delicate service here but Lombok’s hospitality comes from the bottom of its people’s hearts.

You are the first Korean general manager to be working at Accor Hotels Indonesia. How did this opportunity come to be? Accor recognises the importance of talent management and developed various personnel development programmes for different levels of the management team. I took advantage of one of these courses called ‘GM Pass’. Upon completing the program in 2012, I was searching for an opportunity in a top management position outside Korea and I joined Pullman Jakarta Central Park as Operations Manager in 2013.

Can you describe a typical day in your shoes? I am a morning person, opening my office at around 7am and I always try to complete 50 percent of my daily tasks before 10am. Before the morning meeting, I always carry out a daily walkthrough with my PA, Executive Assistant Manager, Executive Housekeeper and Chief Engineer, where I distribute a lot of homework for the day to my colleagues. One thing I do differently from other General Managers is enjoying my own hotel as a guest whenever possible; I always try to have all meals at my restaurant and I try to make room service orders. I swim in my swimming pool and I take a nap at our beach. I also join aqua aerobic exercises every Saturday and try all hotel activities together with my guests. For me, this is the best way to identify our guests’ needs and the areas for improvement – doing is totally different from seeing.

Where are your guests mainly from and what do they expect when they stay at your hotel? Novotel Lombok’s customers consist of a variety of nationalities: Indonesian, European, Australian, Singaporean, Japanese and so on. All of them visit us with the same expectations – quality time with family, friends and partners, and amazing views. Gorgeous white sand beaches and our genuine heartfelt service are all helping us exceed our guests’ high expectations. You’ve been in the hotel industry for around 15 years now, having worked in the US, London, Korea and Jakarta. What is it about this industry that you love? In my opinion, happiness comes from a series of positive stimuli and great expectations for the future. Like other hoteliers, I commenced my career as a waiter and receptionist and I have managed to develop to General Manager. It has been a very interesting journey thanks to these stimuli from continuous growth and achievement. To make it better, I still have great expectations for my future, which comes quite naturally from the accumulated confidence contributed from the all small successes in the past. This is why I believe life as an hotelier is fantastic! What’s been your most memorable moment working as an hotelier? Having moved from country to country and hotel to hotel during my 15-year hotelier journey, I have been through many goodbyes. My last farewell with the Pullman Jakarta Central Park team was an extremely sad and unforgettable 12

indonesia expat issue 146

In my opinion, happiness comes from a series of positive stimuli and great expectations for the future. experience with a lot of genuine tears. This kind of experience inspires me to be a better leader and a better person. What similarities and differences have you noticed between hospitality in Jakarta and in Lombok? My Indonesian colleagues share a common strength – great smiles! The Jakarta team was full of passion and willingness to exceed guest expectations with very high motivation, while my Lombok colleagues are all hospitality experts fully equipped with enough experience and amazing talent. You might find the people in Lombok slightly rough but their service is 100 percent genuine with a very natural approach. I’ve stayed at your hotel and really enjoyed it – I only found the child beach beggars on the beach to be a concern. Can you tell us more about this particular problem and how you have tried to tackle it? Beach sellers have been one of the main issues of Novotel Lombok since the opening as our guests were not able to relax and enjoy their holidays due to consistent disturbances from the local people. After I joined Novotel Lombok in February 2015, we built a beach selling counter for them

Are there any difficulties you face running a hotel in South Lombok? Recruitment can be quite challenging. On the island, there are limited human resources available and it is also not easy to hire people from outside as Lombok is still quite unknown to other islands. Security and cleanliness have been an issue in South Lombok, but recent improvements have been remarkable and the situation is heading in the right direction. Is there a Korean community in the area? There’s a very small Korean community in Lombok, consisting of around 30 people. What do you do to unwind? I am married to another hotelier. I enjoy talking with my wife to discuss various hotel issues as she has a good understanding about hotel operations, especially in food and beverage. It is a great feeling to have someone to share your concerns and ideas with, especially when you are aware that this person will always be on your side. Thank you, Charles. To get in touch please e-mail: gm@novotellombok.com

issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT LIFESTYLE

TRAVEL

ÂŠ David Metcalf

North Lombok

Heading for the Mountains North Lombok combines a stunning coastline, beautiful terraced rice fields under the shadow of Mt. Rinjani and a traditional culture that holds strong to its values. Only 35km east of Bali, there is a charm to North Lombok; a destination that few tourists venture to and so awaits your discovery. By Stephanie Brookes

Sembalun Valley

centre. Mount Rinjani crater lake with a new volcano growing in the Photo by Angela Richardson

The rich, fertile volcanic soil of the beautiful Sembalun Valley spreads out from the eastern slopes of Mt. Rinjani and turns a verdant green in the wet season. Agrotourism is developing in this area, and I stopped at a recently opened villa complex. Sembalun Agro Villa and Restaurant, which is located in a strawberry patch and gave me the chance to savour something that was a first for me, fresh strawberry juice. The fruit was picked from the fields surrounding the villa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what a delight! A vast patchwork of colourful fields spreads across this valley floor and neatly planted rows of cabbages, potatoes and garlic greet you in all directions. It is a scenic wonder from the top of the pass above the town of Sembalun Lawang. Sembalun Lawang village is another access point to start the trek to Mt.

indonesia expat issue 146

Porters trek thr ough the savan nah before beginn clouds that env ing their steep asc elope Mt. Rinjan ent into the i. Photo by Angel a Richardson

Rinjani and apart from Sembalun Agro Villas, there are several clean, affordable homestays and other low budget options on offer. The Rinjani Information Centre is worth a stop with their extensive display of information explaining the Mt. Rinjani trekking routes and short walk options. The centre can also provide you with tents, local trekking guides and supplies. Apart from the summit hike, there are one- to four-hour guided village walks and a wonderful wildflower walk, which can be easily arranged from the information centre. North Lombok is an adventure. Under the shadow of Mt. Rinjani you have a world of beauty and natural wonder, with very few tourists sharing space with you, making it one of the best-kept secrets in the vast Indonesian archipelago.

Stephanie Brookes is an Indonesian-based freelance travel writer. www.travelwriter.ws

North of Senggigi The road heading north out of Senggigi hugs the ocean and winds its way around the coastline, offering cliff top vistas at regular points. Dotted along the coast are beautiful, idyllic white sandy beaches and coves that lend themselves to stopping. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find more than small warung offering local fare, as very few tourists visit this beautiful area. There are no large tourism developments along this stretch of coast; however a little tucked away oasis does exist at Sire Beach. Discretely nestled in its own little world is Tugu Lombok. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth a stop here for lunch and a swim. This charming boutique hotel is a showcase

h. Senggigi North toward Sire beac The beautiful coastal drive from Photo by David Metcalf

It's worth taking one or two days to soak up the atmosphere, the cool temperatures and to enjoy the forest trail walks and highlights of this stunning mountain region. Senaru Waterfall Magic Scenic villages and fishing towns spread out at intervals along the cliff-bound coastal road, and our detour inland to Senaru was the next highlight. At the foothills of the mighty Mt. Rinjani, this delightful little town is alive with mountain climbers and eager backpackers. They are getting ready to take on the serious twoday trek to the summit of Rinjani, the second highest mountain in Indonesia, which sits at 3,726 metres (12,222 feet) above sea level. You have to be in good physical condition to attempt the challenging climb and preparations are necessary for the trek like tents, porters and a guide. For those not so inclined to reach such lofty heights, myself included, Senaru offers beautiful nature walks. It's worth taking one or two days to soak up the atmosphere, the cool temperatures and to enjoy the forest trail walks and highlights of this stunning mountain region. Approaching Senaru, you wind your way up the hill and the temperature drops noticeably. A small hotel with picturesque little cottages is a great stopping point, and I found it pretty difficult to get motivated to leave this idyllic spot. The Pondok Senaru Cottages and Restaurant have positioned the dining room tables, perched on the edge of two very dramatic vistas. Sipping coffee from your perched position you first take in the forests that cling to the mountainside and at eye level you look across to one of the tallest waterfalls on the mountain. The drop is 40 metres but from this spot there is only silence and nature between you and the thundering mass of water that beckons you across the valley. As you drag your view away from this show of power and beauty, you look out towards the ocean across a series of rice terraces cascading down the valley. Possibly some of the

of Indonesian heritage, exquisitely furnished with antiques and paintings of a bygone era; you can spend quite a lot of time here. There are beautiful old statues in the spacious gardens and an enormous rice-barn shaped open restaurant adorned with classic artwork and relics from the past. If you have time, a bit of pampering at the Buddhist Borobudur styled temple spa is simply out of this world. After a scrumptious lunch, I took a walk along the perfect white sands of Sire Beach. From the beach, you have views across the Lombok Straits to the Gili Islands, a group of three little paradise islands, which are accessible from Tugu by boat.

Mount Rinjani Mount Rinjani is sacred to Hindus and Sasaks, and offerings are made to the Gods at certain times of the year. These pilgrimages involve many people, including Balinese, who offer gold and jewellery to the lake during the ceremony of Pekelan before they make their final ascent to the summit. The cobalt blue, crescent-shaped lake, Danau Segara Anak, sits 600 metres below the crater rim and stretches for 6 kilometres. The mountain now has an active baby volcano. This cone emerged only a couple of hundred years ago. The summit is 3,726 metres (12,222 feet), however it used to be over 4,000 metres

(13,123 feet) before the eruption in 1257. The peak erupts at intervals and over the last decade has sent ash and smoke over the entire Rinjani caldera. The healing properties of the natural hot springs are well known to locals and many visit to soak in the mineral water. Trekking season is April to October. Check with the Rinjani Information Centre first. Due to landslides, the trail is closed during the wet season from November to March. Rinjani Information Centre (RIC), Sembalun Lawang: 0878 6334-4119 (6am to 6pm)

most beautiful you will ever see; local guides will willingly take you on walks through this magnificent landscape. The highlight of Senaru is the well-maintained forest trail that leads to the two massive waterfalls, one very close (only 20 minutes) and the other one, an hour further on. As I entered the forest, I heard crashing above me in the trees and looked up to see a family of monkeys swinging from branch to branch, on a serious quest for jungle food. The first waterfall, known as Air Terjun Sending Gila is pretty impressive with a long 40-metre drop. The trail brings you right underneath the spray of this cascading natural beauty. If this is all you can manage, it is well worth it, however, with a bit of extra effort, the next waterfall offers a little more. I was keen to see the next waterfall and my guide took me an alternative way through an old tunnel, flashlight leading the way. We had company on the way as docile bats dangled above us. The knee-deep, swift flowing water kept me alert and moving at a pretty keen pace. We popped out into the sunlight about 10 minutes later and continued, accompanied by a variety of birdsong, and arrived around 30 minutes later at our destination, Air Terjun Tiu Kelap. I heard the thunderous roar of this massive waterfall well before I saw it. This waterfall was bigger and worth the extra one-hour hike. The sheer volume of water cascading over the black volcanic rock wall left me speechless (and deaf). A perfect, natural swimming pool beckoned me in, and I took the plunge and braved the icy cold, pure, clean water and soaked in the exhilarating power of the thunderous fall. A delightfully revitalising experience.

Tiu Kelap Waterfall near Senaru. Photo by David Metcalf

issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT LIFESTYLE

HISTORY

West of the South-Eastern Islands Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) is one of Indonesia's 34 provinces. Wedged between Bali and the tiny island of Komodo, it is trying to carve itself a spot on the tourist map of Indonesia. Bali, to its west, is, of course, the leading and best-known tourist destination, so much so that abroad the island is quite often believed to be a separate country. Komodo Island – which is part of Nusa Tenggara Timur Province – to its east, is a strong draw for those interested in seeing the world's largest ‘dragon’. By Hans Rooseboom

In spite of official government efforts to promote NTB as a tourist destination, the province remains overshadowed by its westerly neighbour even though the beaches are marvellous white-sand dreams and the forested interior offers a range of attractions for eco-tourists and those who like roughing it. The main tourist centres are Senggigi, with starred-hotels and resorts on the west coast, and the Three Gilis, three small islands, to the north of there, frequented largely by backpackers. The second island of the province, Sumbawa, has probably even more to offer in terms of secluded white-sand beaches, nature and natural scenery. The main drawback, however, is the quite trying process of getting there. The main town on the island is Bima which in most tourist guides typically gets a less than favourable press. Most visitors, the guides say, will depart at the first opportunity for the surf beach at Dompu, or on to Labuan Bajo and the Komodo National Park. The scarcity of tourist facilities is another reason that the island is not visited much by non-surfing tourists, which is rather unfortunate as parts of the island are very beautiful. The most striking feature of the island is Mount Tambora. Slightly over 200 years ago, on 10 April 1815, this volcano erupted in what was the largest volcanic explosion in recorded history. The blast altered the global climate for years afterwards and directly caused the death of over 70,000 people. Hundreds of thousands more perished in the aftermath due to disease and famine.

The debris produced by the eruption measured some 175 cubic kilometres, or enough to cover Jakarta in 280 metres of ash and volcanic rock particles. The ash plume rose to 33 kilometres, reaching well into the stratosphere, and winds quickly moved the ash around the globe, causing vibrant sunsets. The explosions were heard as far away as Sumatra. The memoir of Sir Stamford Raffles, who was then on Java, contains this excerpt: The first explosions were heard on this Island in the evening of 5 April, they were noticed in every quarter, and continued at intervals until the following day. The noise was, in the first instance, almost universally attributed to distant cannon; so much so, that a detachment of troops were marched from Djocjocarta, in the belief that a neighbouring post was being attacked, and along the coast boats were in two instances dispatched in quest of a supposed ship in distress. The ash plume also caused global cooling which led to crop failures and widespread famine. In Europe, for instance, 1816 became known as the "year without summer". Mount Rinjani on Lombok, at 3,726 metres – the second highest volcano in Indonesia – is the equivalent of Tambora. A massive eruption in the middle of the 13th century is believed to have triggered global cooling, failed harvests and famine, too. Its caldera

The Sasak people. Courtesy of Tropenmuseum

In spite of official government efforts to promote NTB as a tourist destination, the province remains overshadowed by its westerly neighbour.

Turner's painting of Chichester Canal with a yellow tinge in the background, showing Tambora's eruption

indonesia expat issue 146

contains a crater lake at 2,000 metres above sea level. The mountain and lake are considered sacred by both the Sasak, the original inhabitants of Lombok, and the Balinese Hindus on Lombok. The presence of a fairly large group of Balinese Hindus started in the early 17th century and by 1750 the Balinese had taken control of the whole island. Internal rivalry resulted, however, in the island being split into four Balinese kingdoms, and in 1838 the Mataram kingdom finally took overall control. Relations between the Balinese and the local Sasak were, however, rather strained, especially in the eastern part of the island. And during one of the many peasant rebellions, the Sasak asked the Dutch on Bali for help. The Dutch Governor General reacted to this request in 1894 by sending an army to Lombok and after heavy fighting, and the near destruction of Mataram, the Dutch took control of the whole island in 1895. According to the Encyclopaedie van Nederlandsch-Indië of 1917, the Dutch are remembered as the "liberators" of Lombok, but that, of course, is a fairly biased statement. The Sasak are the largest ethnic group on Lombok and the majority adheres to Islam, but two version of Islam are professed— Waktu Lima and Wetu Telu. The former, Waktu Lima (five times), refers to the five daily prayers Muslims are required to perform. Wetu Telu (three symbols) in the Sasak language is also based on the Muslim religion, and according to its adherents they were the first to be converted to Islam by the Wali Songo (nine holy preachers) who came from Java in the 17th century. They set foot on the island in the village of Bayan and built the first mosque there. Wetu Telu is essentially a simplified version of Islam combined with ancestor worship and a strong belief in spirits. Interpretation of what the three symbols represent varies widely. To some it is ancestors, god and human life; to others it might mean birth, life and death; sun, moon and stars; or sky, earth and water. Wetu Telu Muslims pray three times a day, and the Ramadhan fasting month is reduced to nine days of fasting only. They moreover enthusiastically hunt and consume wild pigs, washed down with the strong rice wine they brew. Nowadays very few Sasak will openly confess that they are Wetu Telu Muslims, as religious intolerance has been increasing. During the past decade, there have been

Hans Rooseboom is a long-term resident of Jakarta, who has visited nearly all of Indonesia's provinces and worked for many years in Indonesia. He now enjoys a leisurely life, writing his blogs and other articles.

NTB Fast Facts Land size: Lombok 4,700 km2; Sumbawa 15,400 km2 Highest elevation: Mt. Rinjani 3,726 metres Population 2013: Lombok 3,257,200; Sumbawa 1,373,100 Where to stay in Sumbawa for surfing and white sand beaches: Amangati Hotel JL. Raya Hu'u Nangadoro Lakey Huu, Dompu, Nusa Tenggara Barat 84271 0821-4618-7583 amangatihotel.com Airlines flying to Lombok from Jakarta: Garuda, Lion/Wings Air, Batik Air Airlines flying to Bima from Jakarta: Garuda, Lion/Wings Air What to bring: swimsuit, hiking shoes, umbrella, sun hat, sun cream

regular outbreaks of violence towards Ahmadi Muslims, followers of the Ahmadiyya sect. Under the banner of: Destroy the Ahmadis who bring shame to Islam…, they were evicted from their villages and saw their houses being destroyed. They ended up in poorly equipped temporary shelters where they found it nearly impossible to survive on the support provided by the Government’s social service system. The only way to get out of the shelters appears to be to convert to the conventional version of Islam. No wonder the Wetu Telu Muslims nowadays will proclaim that they are "modern" Waktu Lima Muslims. But deep in the forests on Mount Rinjani some shrines have remained. Ceremonies are held there on certain nights to ensure that the spirits are appeased and no harm will come to the villages. And the villagers could tell you of trekkers turned to stone because they did not honour the spirits and were discourteous to nature. But that is another story to which trekkers should maybe pay attention.

EXPAT LIFESTYLE MEET THE EXPAT

Paddling Paradise Meet Grace Ariens & Astrid Gordijn Grace Ariens and Astrid Gordijn are a Dutch pair who followed their hearts to create the simple yet elegant Karma Kayak Bungalows and Restaurant in Gili Trawangan. By Karen Davis

Grace, where were you and Astrid born and raised? Astrid grew up in Delft, Holland close to an orphanage with lots of Indonesian kids. Her grandfather was a janitor of an Indonesian cultural centre, Nusantara, so Astridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for Indonesia was born in her childhood. I always wanted to explore different worlds and knew Holland was not forever. My favourite area in the world has always been Asia. When I eventually came here I fell in love with Indonesia and the people here. What brought you to Indonesia originally and what motivated you to settle in Gili Trawangan? Both of us fell right in place travelling throughout the country. After a few different islands such as Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi and Flores, we started to think about settling down in Indonesia since we felt so at home here. We knew this was the place for us! Tell me the story which led to the creation of Karma Kayak. Every holiday we would dream of building our own small resort on some beautiful beach. After a few holidays, the idea of starting something stuck so we decided to take a sabbatical and go to Bali for a few months to see whether we could actually achieve our dreams here or forget about it and find a new focus. We went around Bali for over two months. As much as we loved Bali, we could not afford the places we liked while the affordable places did not meet our expectations. So we went to Gili Trawangan to review our options. We stayed in the village but almost every day we went to the quiet and pristine northern part of the island to go snorkelling and enjoy the nature. We had found what we were looking for! Instead of the planned three days we stayed three weeks and tried to find out

more about this island paradise. After this sabbatical we returned to Holland and planned our return. We had a budget to live off and a budget to invest; the plan being if we went through the initial budget and still had no plan, we would use the investment money to travel the world. We decided to try our luck on Gili Trawangan first. We were very lucky to start Karma Kayak near the spot we initially fell in love with. Astrid loved doing water sports activities while I preferred reading a good book under a shady tree. That is how the idea of Karma Kayak was born â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to create an environment where people can spend their day eating, drinking, lazing around or being active all right here at our resort. What do you feel are the most important aspects of offering accommodation and dining to your guests? It is important to offer simple but clean rooms with ambiance, a good selection of food and happy staff. We started the Tapas menu as guests can eat as much or as little as they like all day long and there will always be something to suit their taste buds. At sunset, guests gather on the beach for Tapas and Sangria while a bonfire is made and music is played. We keep our beach as natural and clean as possible and guests appreciate the totally natural environment. We strive to give people the real paradise island experience and it is right here. It is magic!

We were very lucky to start Karma Kayak near the spot we initially fell in love with. Which part of each day do you enjoy the most? What takes your breath away? For both of us sunset is still the most breathtaking part of the day. The light changes, the temperature drops, locals venture out to fish or look for bait. Cloudy or clear, the sunset is never the same and is always beautiful! Do you have any other dreams to fulfil? This is a hard question to answer. We have excellent management now, which makes it possible for us to take some steps back and think about our future a bit more. We do not

have big dreams, but would like to spend more time travelling. There are still some places in Indonesia we would love to go; we have not been to Papua, especially Raja Ampat. That is high on our wish list, as is Kalimantan. Our biggest dream now is to be able to spend the rest of our lives here in Indonesia; whether it is in Bali or Lombok. We shall see where the future takes us! Thank you, Grace and Astrid! E-mail: info@karmakayak.com Mobile: +62-081 805 593 710

Karen Davis is a NYC artist and writer

Karma Kayak is known for the ocean kayaking and snorkelling trips. Do you recommend it for beginners? We have instructors available for beginners and staff to accompany people when they go out if required. We get lots of people who do not stay here but use Karma Kayak as their base to relax and use the facilities, as we are right in one of the main snorkelling areas. Visitors also come just to watch the sunset and have a private beach barbeque. issue 146 indonesia expat

What Price Glory? It’s official. Batam City, the polluted playground for neighbouring Singaporeans seeking sex, is the best, most attractive and smartest city in the world. So says the mayor’s office, after receiving an award from a UK-based corporation that sells meaningless accolades to egotistical officials, especially those from countries notorious for corruption. By Kenneth Yeung

hmad Dahlan, the corpulent mayor of Batam City, beams proudly as he is flanked by two balding, grey-haired Western men presenting him with an expensive vanity award in the Swiss resort town of Montreux. One of the old men is John W.A. Netting, director general of a spurious commercial organisation called the Europe Business Assembly (EBA). The other is Dr. Vincenzo Costigliola, president of the European Medical Association (EMA). The EBA is a scam, albeit a legitimate one. It sends emails to institutions, businesses and politicians – often in developing countries – informing them they have been nominated for a prestigious-sounding international award. Nominees who take the bait are then invited to a presentation ceremony, for which they are asked to pay thousands of Euros (or pounds sterling or dollars) to cover “accreditation fees”. It is grossly unethical to sell accolades to officials from countries known for embezzling public funds. Money that could be spent on infrastructure or healthcare instead goes to an unscrupulous corporation. The sham awards are then praised by fawning journalists in the recipients’ countries. Indonesia’s Education Ministry has a blacklist of non-accredited foreign universities that sell phony degrees, while the National Education Law makes it illegal to use fake degrees. There does not seem to be any corresponding legislation from the Home Affairs Ministry to punish state officials who squander public funds on nonsense awards. The EBA was founded in 2000 in “Oxford England” – which may impress those who associate the name with Oxford University. Anyone wishing to purchase an award can submit a request via EBA’s website (www.ebaoxford.co.uk). The stupid garbage on offer includes the “Queen Victoria Commemorative Medal” and the “Socrates Award”. The appalling grammar in EBA’s promotional materials looks like it came straight from a Nigerian Prince email scam. "Our dedicated, accessibly and highly qualified staff are an essential part of EBA experience and will help you achieve your networking goals in variety of ways," says one spiel attributed to Netting. “As the event guest you will get a unique opportunity to have new contacts with representatives of European and world economy, science and cultural elite in relaxing aristocratic atmosphere,” spouts another spiel. A 2012 letter signed on behalf of Netting offered recipients an opportunity to purchase a laureate title "in the Name in Science for contribution to world science" for £5,400 ($8,397). The fee did not cover any travel expenses. Targets were instead advised: “Please, for opening visa, flight to and from London, hotel booking, and transfer to/from hotel we offer you to apply to the tourist agencies of your country.”

over allegations that his office issued permits for illegal slot machines. The mayor has insisted the devices were merely licensed “gaming” machines for children. Also on the guest list was Yusfa Hendri, head of the Batam Tourism Board. He was investigated last year after allegedly issuing a massively inflated contract for a New Year’s Eve fireworks display without a tender. Another of the guests was Ardiwinata, chief spokesman of Batam administration. He was last year repeatedly summoned by state prosecutors over allegations of embezzlement and bribery. Ahmad Dahlan himself does not enjoy a clean reputation. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has demanded he be jailed for “unforgivable corruption”. ICW in August 2014 reported the mayor to the Corruption Eradication Commission for allegedly embezzling social assistance funds dating back to 2009. ICW further accused Batam City Administration of having a “phantom bank account” not recorded in official financial statements. Dahlan refused to suspend one of his employees, Niwen Khairani, after she was found to have a bank account worth Rp.1.2 trillion ($90 million) allegedly from an oil smuggling racket. Niwen was acquitted of money laundering charges in June and still works for the Batam Investment Board. Batam is literally not clean. Last year, uncollected waste began piling up across parts of the island. Sanitation officials claimed they lacked resources to handle the garbage. Insufficient funds to clean up rubbish, but enough money to fly officials to Europe for a vanity award.

Nominees who take the bait are then invited to a presentation ceremony, for which they are asked to pay thousands of Euros (or pounds sterling or dollars) to cover “accreditation fees”.

The EBA did not seem to care about the backgrounds of attendees at its meaningless ceremony, as long as they had money. As for the EMA, whose founder was also presenting awards at the event, it was founded in 1990, with the purported aim of studying European medical resources. Its website (www.emanet. org) is laughably bad. The EMA claims it “is not influenced by financial interests”. It charges EUR5,000 a year to corporate members and EUR125 to full members, which buys them an EMA certificate and “electronic information”. Ahmad Dahlan was among three recipients of an “International Prize”, which was officially described as “Best Cities for dynamic growth of the city with presenting the head of the municipality the title Manager of the Year”. The other recipients were the mayors from Colombia and Turkey. Their loyal media outlets dutifully produced glowing reports on the absurd award. There was no prize money for the dozens of recipients of awards; just medals, certificates and trophies. By comparison, some genuine international awards, such as the Nobel Awards, provide prize money. This year’s Nobel Prize winners will receive 8 million Swedish kroner (almost $1 million). Indonesia has never had a Nobel Prize recipient, unless we count Willem Einthoven, a Java-born Dutchman who in 1924 won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for inventing the electrocardiogram. And in 1996, the Nobel Peace Prize went to East Timorese independence activists Carlos Belo and Jose Ramos-Horta “for their work towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor" when the territory was still annexed by Indonesia. The World Mayor Prize – in which Joko Widodo came third in 2012, back when he was widely viewed as a good person – offers no prize money, but neither does it sell any awards. Instead, it is run by a philanthropic organisation that firmly rejects sponsorships, advertising and all other forms of revenue. Ahmad Dahlan is not the first Indonesian mayor to purchase an award from the EBA. The Mayor of the East Java capital of Surabaya, Tri Rismaharini, last year took an entourage of six officials to London after paying at least £3,900 for a certificate and trophy for leading an “innovative city of the future”. She then triumphantly paraded the pathetic trophy upon returning to Surabaya. Batam’s media did not learn from that silliness. “Batam Wins World’s Best City Award in Switzerland,” crowed the Tribun Batam newspaper. The Batam Pos went one better, printing a photo of Dahlan captioned “The Best City and The Best Mayor”. Batam’s netizens were savvier, taking to social media to gleefully mock the mayor’s award. One person duped was local legislator Ricky Indrakari of the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party. He called for an official parade of the award around Batam City to show respect and appreciation. What hope is there when officials are praised for wasting money on vanity? Judging by online ridicule, at least plenty of the public aren’t fooled.

The brochure for the June 30 – July 2 EBA event in Montreux contains a list of participants, including six officials from Batam. It’s unclear how much Ahmad Dahlan and his entourage paid to attend and whether taxpayers footed the bill for their airfares and accommodation. Kenneth Yeung is a Jakarta-based editor

Among the entourage was Gustian Rau, head of the Batam Investment Board. He was questioned by police in April 18

indonesia expat issue 146

issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT OUTREACH SPORTS

Hiking Gunung Tambora

Celebrating 200 Years Since the Eruption that Shook the World Two hundred years ago a volcano violently erupted on the island of Sumbawa, sending molten rock 40km into the sky – the most powerful eruption on Earth for 500 years. By Simon Reynolds

n Nusa Tenggara Barat, on the island of Sumbawa, stands Gunung Tambora, the second highest peak in the region at 2,722m. Back in April 1815, the volcano could well have been 1,000 metres taller, similar to the heights of Mount Blanc and standing as one of the highest peaks in Indonesia. It was during the month of April 200 years ago when this volcano erupted so violently it was heard as far as 2,000 kilometres away. In his book Eruptions that Shook the World, Clive Oppenheimer, a volcanologist at Cambridge University, puts the number killed by the ash flows, the tsunamis and the starvation that followed in Indonesia at between 60,000 to 120,000, making the eruption the deadliest in recorded history. The eruption’s impact on the world would prove to be epic, as Tambora literally blew its top off, sending 160 cubic kilometres of fragmental material into the atmosphere, resulting in what was known as 1816’s ‘year without a summer’ all around the world. The magnitude of the eruption is still very much evident today, and with a hike to the crater rim, one can witness a crater 7 kilometres in diameter. With other hiking enthusiasts and fellow members of Java Lava, we set off on an adventure to Tambora on the island of Sumbawa. On our flight from Denpasar to Bima, my window seat allowed me to absorb the spectacular views of Gunung Rinjani, which stands on proud today as the highest peak in the Nusa Tenggara Barat region. Such a site of this towering neighbour whet the appetite for what was to come on Tambora.

Several of the faster hikers in our group were already at the rim admiring the site when the quake occurred, which triggered a small landslide into the caldera.

From Bima airport we were transported by rented Kijang to the starting point, about a three-hour drive, and our first night’s rest before our ascent started at a hostel in the coffee plantations of Pancasila. It is advisable to pick up ample supplies of mineral water en route as clean water sources are not guaranteed during the hike to the crater. Our base was a lovely bungalow set amongst the coffee plantation – a 20-minute ojek ride up dirt tracks above the village of Pancasila. On the first night we were welcomed by Dutchman, Rik Stoetman, an expert in the history of Gunung Tambora’s eruption who has, for several years, led a team of archaeologists. Stoetman took us to a nearby excavation site where a team of local archaeologists had discovered the remains of an old house that had been obliterated by the 1815 eruption – captivating stuff on the eve of our hike to the crater. We set off at 7am from base camp, which is highly recommended especially for those planning to reach the crater rim well before sunset. The first few hours of hiking takes you through the hot and humid jungle. Hikers will be rewarded with little traffic and well-marked paths throughout the jungle, and thanks to its reasonable distance from heavily populated Java there was very little litter. For nature enthusiasts, one will probably encounter wild boars, wild chickens, and a constant serenade of healthy birdsong; sure signs of a vibrant ecosystem. Fast hikers will reach the crater rim in around 6-7 hours, steady ones in 9 hours, as the hike can get very steep once clear of the forest and into the more exposed valley terrain. For slower hikers, it may be advised to camp at Post 3 or Post 5, allowing for a second night at the crater rim. Once clear of the forest, the vegetation lessens and the remains of the copious lava flow from the 1815 eruption can be seen from the deep valleys cut into the volcanic rock along with black sand. Upon approaching the crater and steadily into my last hour of climbing to the rim, a small volcanic earthquake occurred. Several of the faster hikers in our group were already at the rim admiring the site when the quake occurred, which triggered a small landslide into the caldera. Be warned, folks, this was an indication that Tambora is still active, so step carefully when visiting and camping near the crater’s rim. We set up camp approximately 200m from the crater rim, which offers several ideal camping spots albeit being a bit exposed. After a good night’s rest and some warm food we proceeded to climb the summit, a small but steep rocky outpost above the crater rim. On a clear morning the views were majestic and Rinjani could be seen towering in the distance. The size and sheer depth of the crater and caldera will take your breath away and some would say it is one of the world’s most fascinating places to witness. The immense size of the crater prompts a reminder of the power of nature at our Earth’s core bubbling below, as the Eurasian plate and the Indo-Australian tectonic plates grind together, creating a subduction zone in a region of the world that has been suitably labelled ‘The Ring of Fire’. The island of Sumbawa offers a totally different landscape for those who reside in Jakarta or on the island of Java. Indonesia offers hikers and nature lovers true adventures. Local airlines offer extensive connections all over the archipelago for those looking to explore. If you would like to join fellow hiking enthusiasts in discovering the wonderful peaks of Indonesia, Java Lava provide regular monthly hikes to some of the more off-the-beaten-path regions of Indonesia and have been doing so for over a decade. Contact the secretary at jennydewijani@yahoo.com to find out about the upcoming hiking schedule for 2015, which includes Kelud, one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. For those looking for an online reference regarding the mountains and volcanoes of Indonesia the website www.gunungbagging.com will provide all the information you need. For those looking to plan their visit to Tambora, Rik Stoetman will be pleased to hear from you. Rik can be contacted on 0813 5337 0951 / visittambora@gmail.com

indonesia expat issue 146

issue 146 indonesia expat

EXPAT OUTREACH WORTHY CAUSES

Keeping Lombok Clean Lombok Eco Development formed the NGO Keep Lombok Clean as a way of thanking Lombok for its warm hospitality and smiles, working with different local communities to improve their standards of living and their environment. By Karen Davis

ombok Eco Development is a company interested in improving the way we all live by offering sustainable natural alternatives in the way to develop land and real estate. This dedicated company also works with different Lombok communities in order to improve their standards of living and their environment by organising plastic and litter pickup events with local children, expats and travellers through their organisation Keep Lombok Clean (KLC). They promote and install recycling and compost systems for local businesses and residents, and work with local NGOs in matters of education and environmental issues. KLC is a programme designed to decrease waste incineration and landfills and replace it with repurposing, reusing and recycling. Currently they are working on preparing, setting up, and implementing Lombok’s first communal recycling system, starting in Kuta, Lombok. This is one of the most important steps in steering Lombok towards an eco destination. Supporting a group of local workers in strategic locations in southern Lombok, recyclable materials are sorted and shipped to re-processing plants. As tourism grows in Lombok it is important to set up similar municipal recycling programmes early on to adjust to the influx of expats, locals and tourists. The KLC bins are used for recycling plastic, paper/

Dua Tangan Cukup

By Erma Syawal Putri

Gavin Edward Birch rose earlier than the sunrise. He loved staring at the horizon, that thin line between the sky and the sea, witnessing the first light of sunrise. “I can’t live without the beach,” he said. It was also the beach that brought Gavin back to Lombok after his first visit in 1984. He fell in love with the beauty of Lombok, although that beauty was covered with trash. He decided to reside in Lombok and changed his name to Husin Abdullah.

indonesia expat issue 146

Another important aspect of LED is composting - something we all should be doing. LED offers private consultations and training for residents and businesses looking to start their own composting programme. They will also accept organic waste to add to their own. Restaurants in particular go through a lot of organic waste and composting is the perfect solution to keep that waste away from landfills and rehabilitate and nourish the soil to create a richer, greener area surrounding one’s home or business. It is easy and fun – a good marketing tool for the hospitality industry and, best of all, it is great for the environment! Keep Lombok Clean also puts on events to promote awareness and involve the community, especially the children, of the importance of keeping our planet clean. The last event involved 60 children along with volunteers, all keen to be involved in the project. First, everyone took part in creating ‘Make Kuta a Cleaner Place’ collection boxes out of bamboo. The boxes looked great and when the children were informed with more detail as to the concept of these boxes,

KLC is a programme designed to decrease waste incineration and landfills and replace it with repurposing, reusing and recycling. they all clapped and cheered. They were helped to understand thanks to local Sasak translators, Ellen and Yuli, who were equally enthusiastic. The group then went for a walk around Kuta village and beach to pick up rubbish and plastic from the streets of Kuta with the chant ‘pick up plastic, it’s fantastic!’ The children dragged large rice sacks through the streets, some competing with each other on who would fill their bags first. Local shopkeepers and families also helped out and asked questions about the campaign. Some people recognised the children from previous collections and were very positive and supportive. All the bags were filled and collated at the beach at the end of the day and will be processed by the local government. It is another fantastic event, which helps support and educate the local community and the children, who are our future.

Keep Lombok Clean continues to promote proper growth through sustainable and caring action. They would like to thank all the enthusiastic, wonderful people who are the base of change within the community and who are giving so much inspiration to help Kuta grow sustainably with sanitary awareness. E-mail: office@lombokecodevelopment.com Mobile: +62 (0) 817 713 708 Address: Jl. Raya Kita ke Mawun Pujut, Lombok Tengah, NTB 83573

Karen Davis is a NYC artist and writer

Actions From Across The Archipelago

Lombok’s Clean Up Hero

cardboard, aluminium and most metals. Glass may be returned to suppliers for a small refund. LED is happy to collect all used batteries, which are stored and shipped to a proper destination when full.

People didn’t know him by name, they knew him as the ‘crazy foreigner’ (bule gila), a man who went around the beaches of Lombok to pick up trash and recycle them. The locals found it strange that a foreigner had scavenger-like tendencies.

Lombok a clean and greener place. Gavin Birch devoted 25 years of his life trying to achieve that. He passed away in 2010 and the successor of his mission, his son Abdul Aziz Husin, aspires to make an organisation that will manage clean-up activities.

He used to collect trash along Batu Layar Road towards Senggigi Beach. Separating recyclables from non-recyclables, he turned the organic waste into fertiliser, which he sold to a florist, and the recyclables were sold to earn him and his family a living.

“It won’t be an easy path to follow,” says Abdul Aziz, remembering his father’s dedication despite insults and a low family income. In the long run, Abdul Aziz plans to have a model area, which will show the public the direct effect of looking after the environment. The organisation he plans to build will enliven his father’s dream by educating people about the environment, providing more places for rubbish and managing volunteers.

The local government supported his programmes that included cleaning up mosques, beaches, roads, and villages. His love of nature led him on a quest to make

What’s your Dua Tangan Cukup action? Send them to: letters@indonesiaexpat.biz and we’ll share them here for everyone to see!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

National Commission of Human Rights urges the Government to issue more support towards the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community

JAKARTA In the wake of the news that same sex marriages are now legal in the US after a Supreme Court ruling against state marriage bans, the chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Indonesia, Hafid Abbas, urged the Government to issue more supportive regulations towards the LGBT community. Not having any specific laws for the protection of the LGBT community in Indonesia, except the 1945 Constitution, a technical procedure regarding the protection of their rights is needed to end discrimination, violence and stigmas the LGBT community have been facing.

A total of 47 cases dealing with verbal and physical abuse against homosexual individuals were recorded in 2013. These included murder, exclusion in the workplace and criminalisation, with government officials such as policemen and public order personnel perpetrating some of the cases. Komnas HAM also advised the Government to provide information dissemination concerning society’s responsibilities to protect the rights of the LGBT community, as well as providing recovery programmes to heal physical and psychological wounds victims may have suffered.

Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta announces new General Manager The 39-year-old Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta boasts of an unrivalled brand heritage as the first Pan Pacific hotel in the world. Strategically located in the heart of Jakarta’s financial district, it has become well established as a hospitality icon in the city. Dean brings over 20 years of industry experience in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, United States and United Kingdom to drive the competitiveness and holistic performance of Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta. He has held a broad spectrum of management and operations leadership positions with Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, MacDonald Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Thistle/Guoman Hotels and Resorts.

JAKARTA Pan Pacific Hotels Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Rossilli as General Manager of Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta after a three-year tenure as General Manager of Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.

Prior to his current appointment, Dean spent almost three years as General Manager of Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore. With enthusiasm and dedication, he led the 206-room hotel to achieve higher levels of financial performance, guest satisfaction and industry recognition after its S$10 million rejuvenation in 2012. As a testament to the property’s success, it was named among the Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Singapore at the 2015 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Hotels awards.

Farmers in West Java turn to crowdfunding to protect vulnerable forests

JAKARTA Farmers in West Java are running a crowdfunding campaign throughout July to raise money to build a tree nursery in Tunggilis, Cianjur. They have until 26th July to raise $7,000 dollars to cover the cost of the nursery building itself, seedlings, equipment and the running costs for the first year. The tree nursery will supply trees for their already successful tree adoption programme in the same location, which aims to protect the local environment. Tunggilis village borders a protected forest home to endangered species such as Javan hawk eagles, Javan leopards and Javan gibbons and is vulnerable to encroachment. Through this tree adoption program, run by the Green Initiative Foundation (GIF) and the local community, organisations and individuals ‘adopt’ productive fruit trees, which are planted on the land of farmers, who, in return for caring for the trees, receive the fruit harvest. This increases farmer’s income, but also protects land from erosion, creates a buffer zone around the protected forest and prevents downstream flooding in Bekasi and Jakarta.

So far this year over 3,000 trees have been planted and 75 farmers have become involved. And they plan to do much more, hoping to have planted 12,000 trees and be working with 300 farmers by the end of 2016. But to do this, the farmers need to ensure a high quality and consistent supply of trees. “The nurseries we currently use don’t always have stock of the trees we want and we can’t guarantee the quality, which is not good for the farmers,” said Kang Dudu, head of one of the farmer groups. “Building a tree nursery means we can control our own supply and employ local people to run it. This project is already proving successful and we want to expand it to other areas. But we can’t do this without the tree nursery,” said Emma Piper of Green Initiative Foundation. Support the programme by sponsoring seedlings, the running cost of a square metre of the nursery or even a nursery bed, along with some great perks for donors. Read more about the campaign here: www.indiegogo.com/projects/theforest-farmers-tree-nursery/x/9656808#/ story

Alila Solo to open in October

SOLO Alila Hotels & Resorts is delighted to announce one of its most exciting openings in recent years – Alila Solo, in Surakarta, Central Java, will be unveiled in October 2015 as the city’s first luxury hotel of international standard. An urban retreat that’s both tradition-inspired and technology driven, Alila Solo is poised to claim an iconic position in Surakarta’s skyline, offering culturally-rich encounters and resort-inspired facilities within a city oasis. Furthermore, the hotel will set new benchmarks as home to the city’s largest event space and unmatched

rooftop bar, a lavish lifestyle venue to wine, dine and socialise. Surakarta, or Solo, as it is better known, is the older of the two royal capitals of Central Java – considered the heart of the ancient Javanese kingdoms and cradle of Javanese culture. A city historically ruled by two palaces, it’s steeped in rich court arts, rituals and traditions. Today, Solo is one the fastest developing economic centres of Indonesia, combining the charm of a small city with the ambitions of a metropolis.

issue 146 indonesia expat

* Answers in the next edition!

LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

CROSSWORD

Nothing New

By Eamonn Sadler

hen I went to Istanbul recently, I was eager to submit to the full tourist experience and immerse myself completely in the city’s ancient and fascinating history. Known through the ages as Byzantium and Constantinople before it became Istanbul, the constantly conquered and strategically important settlement has played a huge role in the history of the world as we know it, so I felt that by visiting it I would be discovering one of the real cradles of modern civilisation. After a few fantastic days visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, I found out to my surprise that we modern folk are not the world’s first tourists. Not even close. In fact, we were beaten to it by thousands of years by the ancient Romans. During a day trip out of Istanbul to visit the ancient city of Troy in southern Turkey (believed by many scholars to be the site of the Trojan War as described in Homer’s Iliad), I found out to my utter amazement that tourism has been going on there for thousands of years. Apparently the ancient Romans believed that Aeneas, one of Troy’s original heroes, was an ancestor of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. So around 2,000 years ago Romans were already flocking to Troy on organised trips, eager as I was to discover and experience its colourful past, which already at that point in history stretched back around 2,000 years. Apparently, local tour guides even back then were using every trick in the book to relieve Roman visitors of their hard-earned Denarii, even to the point of making stuff up. They would point to random hills and fields and tell the hushed crowds that these were the sites of bloody battles where their forefathers had laid down their lives for the glorious cause. They even used to place large animal bones around these sites, dump a dented helmet and a rusty sword next to them and tell the gullible visitors that these were the remains of their valiant ancestors who had been struck down in battle. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the next bunch of archaeologists who take a shovel to the area were to uncover a 2,000-year-old gift shop complete with hand-carved models of Aeneas, Romulus and Remus and a range of tacky shield magnets depicting dramatic scenes from these fictional battles.

After a few fantastic days visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, I found out to my surprise that we modern folk are not the world’s first tourists. But what amazed me the most was the story of the Trojan horse. Like everyone else, I had heard of it and I knew the basic story but I had never really thought about the logistics until I saw a huge replica of the horse standing at the entrance to the ruins of the ancient city. The story goes that after 10 years of trying to take the city from the Trojans in a gentlemanly manner, the Greeks came up with a fiendish plan. They would build a huge hollow horse, hide a platoon of their best chaps inside it then wheel it up to the city gates. At the same time the rest of the Greek army would visibly retreat and sail away on their ships, leaving behind only their most convincing conman Sinon to persuade the Trojans that the horse (the symbol of the ancient city) was an offering from the Greeks to the Goddess Athena (the Trojans worshipped Greek Gods), intended to say sorry for the destruction of her temple at Troy and to ensure fair weather for the Greek fleet as it sailed away. Apparently, even after 10 years of war and repeated warnings from the city elders, the Trojan military brass accepted the story at face value, gave Sinon a hearty slap on the back and happily wheeled the horse into the city where it seems they left it unattended. That night, the Greeks returned quietly on their ships, the chaps inside the horse jumped out and opened the city gates, and the entire Greek army poured into Troy and chopped up every man, woman and child they could find. The war was over. How did the Trojans keep the Greeks at bay for 10 years with stupidity like that just below the surface? And here history comes full circle. There I was lapping up this story in the footsteps of the millions of tourists before me, not questioning any of it, when it suddenly occurred to me – did any of it really happen? Was there really ever a Trojan horse or even a city of Troy? Some say it’s all fantasy and the site I visited is what’s left of some other ancient city. Some say it’s all true. But did I buy a small carved wooden horse and a Troy fridge magnet from the tacky gift shop? You bet I did. Hail Caesar!

Eamonn has lived and worked in Indonesia for over 20 years but doesn’t understand the country at all and now realises that he never will. He is an entrepreneur, businessman and writer, lead singer with expat band Xhibit A and the owner and operator of The Jakarta Comedy Club and The Bali Comedy Club.

IS MADE POSSIBLE BY:

indonesia expat issue 146

ACROSS 1. Miscellaneous articles (13) 8. God of love (4) 9. Chief source of support (8) 10. Supported by both sides - aspirin tab (anag) (10) 12. He can't be a chooser, proverbially (6) 14. Concave - sunken (6) 15. Bavarian shorts with braces (10) 19. Take away (a number) (8) 20. Greet - bad weather (4) 21. Measure of vehicle's manoeuvrability (7,6)

DOWN 2. Passenger plane (8) 3. (All) very disorganised (2,3) 4. Rodent kept as pet (7) 5. Wading birds - dysfunctional person has come off them (5) 6. Football team - magazine (7) 7. Gosh! (1,3) 11. Mound of earth in garden (8) 13. Animal protein used in foods, glues, emulsions, etc (7) 14. One with unorthodox opinions (7) 16. Sewer (5) 17. Additional - further (5) 18 Religious teacher (4)

ANSWERS OF ISSUE 145

ACROSS — 1. Spoilsport 7. Instruct 8. Fool 9. Elba 10. Startle 12. Party pooper 14. Tremble 16. Flat 19. Idol 20. Bohemian 21. Aristocrat

DOWN — 1. Sense 2. October 3. Lout 4. Petition 5. Refer

6. Dollar 11. Syllabus 12. Parody 13. Polymer 17. Toast 18. Shoo

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HUMOROUS OBSERVATIONS

ot long ago, I watched Dawn of The Planet of the Apes in 4-D at a Blitzmegaplex cinema complex in Jakarta. Strapped into a seat that moved on pistons in approximate time with the onscreen action for the entire 90 minutes, I was vigorously bucked, swayed, rattled, jolted, tipped. Water sprayed me whenever rain or splashes occurred in the film. Jets of air actualised the celluloid wind. Flashing lights intensified lightning. Even smoke pumped from under the screen when the ape camp was torched by a pugnacious primate. To be honest, I began wishing the cinema would catch fire about halfway through the movie. Despite the film being largely forgettable, the ride was a novel one. But it occurred to me that I could have had the same experience at a fraction of the Rp.100,000 ticket price by watching it on my iPad on the back seat of one of the battered and largely windowless Kopaja buses plying the city. Taking a taxi over some pot-holed roads would have afforded the same effect, especially if I had selected the wrong cab. When I arrived in Jakarta in the 1990s, there were two main taxi companies. Blue Bird was the sensible option, whose largely trustworthy drivers used their meters and pretended to know where they were going. President taxis, with their fearsome red and yellow livery (a fleet of these vehicles called to mind a swarm of stinging insects), were to be flagged down only if you were a hardened fare negotiator and knew precisely how to reach your destination. It helped to be lightly dressed too, for these beat-up old sedans seldom had working air conditioning. I usually got around the city on an ojek, a cheap motorcycle taxi. This was because I was a fledgling English teacher with little money.

Jakarta, Rattle and Roll

Enjoying the expat journey in Indonesia requires a modicum of masochism, as Daniel Pope explains. By Daniel Pope

of the molecular level. Or so it seemed to me. I had swotted all week, anticipating all tricky questions, and the lesson was going well until one student pounced and – keeping with my wresting analogy – brutally manhandled me into a stranglehold. He shook me viciously and grimaced. "OK, Sir. Tell me, why is that preposition there and not there?"

retched. My torturer nodded knowingly and gave a satisfied smile. He explained that the vomiting indicated the 'badness' escaping from my body. I had been cured. I found an ojek and asked the driver to take me home. Unfortunately, this was one of those days when only a helicopter could beat the traffic.

"Erm, that's a very good question," I rasped.

Motorcycles – easily obtainable through cheap credit and often serving as the sole family vehicle – are a stark madness in Jakarta. I was soon caught up in one of the city's notorious traffic tangles at a major intersection. These virtual knots of vehicles generally form after a downpour that disables traffic lights, sends traffic police scarpering and can spread for miles. The mass of stationary motorcyclists stretching out all around me resembled an outdoor rock concert crowd; a vast sea of bobbing, jerking crash helmets. It was a surreal sight.

I became sick toward the end of that day. Taking a taxi home during rush hour would have been unwise, so I took an ojek instead. Before we had gone far I tapped the driver on the shoulder and asked him to pull over. Once stopped,

The driver was sympathetic, each time saying, "Masuk angin, Mister."

I had fallen into a career in English teaching, like many of my colleagues, as a means of supporting myself while travelling through Southeast Asia. Jakarta in those days still had a frontier town feel to it, behind the gleaming high-rises, attracting plenty of misfits and rogues from abroad. And my language school reflected this. The teachers formed a gregarious and eccentric bunch, among them casual alcoholics, drug users, unemployed thespians, manic depressives and a high number of English public school drop-outs. Several managed to tick all of these boxes.

I slid off and chundered loudly in the gutter, buffeted by the traffic roaring past me just inches away. This happened three times.

Astoundingly, when I first applied for a job there, I was told that I wouldn't fit in. It was only after I'd started drinking excessively and hanging out in dives that I was taken on.

In a rare instance of cultural indulgence, I once had a case of suspected masuk angin treated at a friend's house with a traditional procedure called kerokan. This involves a practitioner – anyone standing nearby with some small change in his/her pocket – scraping the edge of a coin repeatedly down your bare back, until long red welts appear. It leaves you looking like you're transforming into a tiger.

It could be a tough job. When I was first required to go beyond general English instruction and teach a TOEFL preparation course, I entered the classroom feeling the dread of a rookie wrestler climbing into the ring to face not one but 16 burly and deadly opponents. In the mid-90s, the Test of English as a Foreign Language – an entrance examination for those intending to study at universities abroad – included a section on sentence structure. This meant I was expected to be able to explain language principles on the equivalent

The driver was sympathetic, each time saying, "Masuk angin, Mister." This means 'air inside', describing an ailment that is to Indonesians what the common cold is to the British – widespread, perennial, almost iconic; though I've never heard masuk angin convincingly explained. It sounds like indigestion. It might be wind.

I was hungover that morning. My body wasn't going to react well to being scratched with a grubby coin. Sure enough, as the process got underway I felt a wave of nausea rising from my stomach. I excused myself and stumbled into the back garden, leaned over a low wall, gave a low growl and

But by far my scariest ride in Indonesia was a recreational one. It happened when I visited the Trans Studio theme park in Bandung. I had been advised to go during the week, when there were no queues for the rides. This absence of crowds was pleasant, until I clambered onto the rollercoaster and waited for other thrill seekers to join me. None did. The seats behind and ahead of me remained unsettlingly empty. I was alone. Yes, alone on a rollercoaster – it sounds like a horror story. There are some places – inside an airliner, on a cruise ship, on a rollercoaster – where it is inconceivable to find oneself alone. Yet there I was. I had nobody else to share the danger with. Fate pointed its finger solely at me. I became aware of how eerie and still the vicinity of the rollercoaster had become. With none of the expected clanking and juddering, the carts sprang forward and sped toward a massive loop in the track. I couldn't believe they hadn't cancelled the ride. This, surely, was the climax of an elaborate attempt on my life. I imagined tomorrow's newspaper headline: Suspiciously Solitary Rider Flung to Death in Rollercoaster Horror. I lurched. I shrieked. I lived. But I never went near a theme park again. Cinematic simian simulations and Indonesian public transport provide all the thrills and spills I’ll ever need.

Daniel Pope is a part-time hedonist, residing mostly in Jakarta, where he still finds everything a bit of a rum do.

issue 146 indonesia expat

If you want your event to be posted here, please contact (+62) 0 21 719 5908 or e-mail: events@indonesiaexpat.biz

EVENTS

JAKARTA Music

We the Fest 9 August 2015 Ismaya Live, the creative, dynamic group passionate about lifestyle and entertainment is bringing international acts to Indonesia’s live music scene. Followed by their successful debut last year, We the Fest is back with a strong line-up of performers such as Cyril Hahn, Darius, Echosmith, Flight Facilities, Jessie Ware, Passion Pit, Rufus, Sheppard, Elephant Kind, L’alphalpha and the YouTube sensation Madeon. But that’s not all because more local and international artists will be announced on the second phase. www.wethefest.com

But it is her second album we can't get enough of. Songs like ‘Problem’, ‘Bang-Bang’ and “Love Me Harder’ spent 34 weeks in the Top Ten Billboard chart. Starting her extensive Honeymoon Tour in North America and Europe, Ariana Grande will be in Jakarta for the first time in August. Get your tickets at rajakarcis.com

25 July 2015 As part of his X World Tour, this will be Chris Brown’s first time performing in Indonesia. The American recording artist, dancer and actor is the first male artist since P. Diddy (Sean Combs) in 1997 to have his debut single top the charts. His album was certified double platinum and he is known for chart toppers such as “With You” or “K iss Kiss”. Get your tickets at www. ice-indonesia.com

Indonesia Jazz Festival 2015 29–30 August 2015 Five stages will present bands from different jazz genres this August. More than 120 local musicians will participate in the event, ranging from famous Indonesian jazz musicians to the newly discovered talents. Enjoy the performances of Indonesia’s jazz legends this August at Istora Senayan. indojazzfest.com

indonesia expat issue 146

BALI Festivals

Margriet Smulders: Mystique Orientale

28–30 July 2015 Awaken your healing power w ith John Wong CW, one of t he foremo s t i nt er n at ion a l pione er s , opi n ion a c t iv i s t s and researcher on primordial applied metaphysical sciences. John discovered five scientifically studied and proven keys in life to regenerate his body and battle his own incurable medical condition. Besides the holistic understanding of water, nutrition, environment, energetics and one's mental state that have a profound impact on a person's health, he discovered that there is a deeper aspect to each of these areas. These are discreetly revealed in his bestseller book ‘Awaken Your Healing Power’. Come and meet John Wong CW as he shares his remarkable discoveries and experiences. The workshop will include learning how a scientist recovered from paralysis and blindness (28 July), physical and behavioural issues for children and sports and fitness (29 July) and skin, beauty and hormones (30 July). Limited seats available. Call 082112085650 or register at info@theraphyessentialoils.com Exhibition

Bali Gourmet Festival

12 May–30 July 2015 For the first time the work of international acclaimed Dutch photographer/artist Margriet Smu lder s w i l l b e show n i n Jakarta. Inspired by traditional Indonesian ar t and culture, Margriet tries to convert her dreams about Indonesia in a series of works in which she captures the beauty and mystique that Indonesia evokes in her. Her work is likened to Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet, Theo Meier and Willem Hofker, who, in their search for natural beauty, unspoiled peoples and a mysterious and mythical land found their inspiration on Java and Bali. The exhibition will be held at Erasmus Huis, Jl. HR Rasuna Said Jakarta. www.erasmushuis.org

14–16 August 2015 The Ba l i G ou r me t Fe s t iva l showc a ses the best of f ine dining restaurants to an affluent audience. It is an opportunity for chefs from near and far to show their wares. Whether they usually work in five or six-star hotels, or just a little warung around the corner, their food is on offer for you to judge. Held at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre, Nusa Dua. www.baligourmetfestival. com or contact Ms. Julita Chandra at +62 (0)361 283 356.

ACEH

Bali Kite Festival

Culture

18– 20 July 2015 Padang Galak, Sanur Beach. Bali’s beautiful sky will look even more stunning this July. When you watch the clouds come and go at Sanur beach, expect a myriad of colourful kites in different sizes and shapes. The kites are f lown by teams of kite f lyers from the villages of Denpasar. They compete at Padang Galak’s rice fields every July, the month with the best wind condition to fly kites. Other than the kite festival, Padang Galak offers tourist attractions such as open stages for both traditional and contemporary art performances and laser light with waterfall as the background. www.disparda. baliprov.go.id

100th Anniversary of Aceh Museum 30 July 2015 Aceh museum is one of the oldest museums in Indonesia, originally used as an Acehnese stage house and the Aceh Pavilion during ‘The Colonial Exhibition’ in Semarang in 1914. To commemorate its 100th anniversary and memorialise Aceh’s history, there will be tourist attractions and other cultural performances held at the museum. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it! www.disbudpar.acehprof.go.id Sports Aceh International Surfing Championship 2015

Ariana Grande 26 August 2015 Grande's music career began with the soundtrack ‘Music from Victorious’. Her album ‘Yours Truly ‘debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 in 2013.

growing the sport of surf ing in Southeast Asia. Local and international participants will have the opportunity to train, develop their skills and compete. www.asiansurfingtour.com

immerse in the spirit and practical k n o w le d g e o f i l lu s t r a t ion . Beginner illustrators or working profe ssiona ls w i l l have t he opportunity of being mentored by these leading artists. The workshop will improve skills, build connections, which will enable the illustrators to take deeper steps into the industry. There will be two batches of workshops with 20 seats each. Send your application to application@ illustrationworkshopbali. c o m b e f o r e 3 1 s t o f J u l y. baliillustrationworkshop.com

Workshop

John Wong CW

Chris Brown Live

came to work in Bali (Sanur and Ubud) in 1993, 1994, 1996 and in Jogjakarta in 2014. His work, full of Spanish emotion, colour and poetry, remains for him the diary of his life expressed through a vigorous and unique contemporary abstract style. This is your chance to v iew his paintings and sculptures displayed at Duta Fine A r ts gallery and museum in Kemang. www.jktgo.com/activities/dutafine-arts

Ginés Serran-Pagan 5 June – 26 July, 2015 Born in Spain in 1949 and living most of his life in New York, the artist Ginés Serran-Pagan

6–9 August 2015 Simeulue Island is known for beaches with alluring waves. With a consistent 2-4 feet wave for the majority of the day, surfers will see plenty of action here. The yearly surfing championship began in 2011 with the aim of

Bali Illustration Workshop 11–22 November 2015 For the first time in Indonesia, Kekai Kotaki, Danny Luv isi and Dave Rapoza will present an international illustration w ork s hop i n B a l i . A g r e a t opportunity for artists to deeply

Bali International Triathlon 25 October 2015 Nu s a D u a w i l l b e home of t he eig ht h ‘ Tr i at h lon w it h a Soul’, a race that has won numerous awards, including Best Destination Triathlon. The event comprises a full Olympic triathlon, a half-triathlon and a 5-kilometre fun run. It is expected to draw over 1,000 athletes from some 30 countries, including more than 500 Indonesian triathletes. The race w ill beg in shor tly after sunrise with a swim in the tranquil waters of Jimbaran Bay, followed by a bike sprint to Nusa Dua and finishing with a road race. Participants can now register online through the official race website. www. balitriathlon.com Charity

Wellness

Bali Unite 31 July–2 August 2015 A three-day event that offers a mix of international and local artists, yoga, wellness workshops and a wide array of organic food and drinks, Bali Unite will reveal domestic and international acts in the coming weeks, including a major surprise headliner. In addition to great music and overnight camping, the festival will serve up delicious and healthy foods and drinks and feature a wellness sanctuary with daily yoga, massage, dance workshops, and more. Held in the newly inaugurated 7Temples Eco Beach Complex located a short distance from the main eastern port of Padang Bai in Karangasem. www. baliunite.com Music

Ubud Village Jazz Festival 7–8 August 2015 The 3rd annual Ubud Village Jazz Festival will be held at ARMA Ubud. The concept of hosting a community concert in this unique village was born with the involvement and support of artists an communities. This year, world-class artist will be featured, among them are; MILES! From Holland, the Future Leaders Jazz Award Winner, Alex Lahey, Julian Banks Trio from Australia, artists from USA as well as local artist from Indonesia. w w w. ubudvillagejazzfestival.com Party

Yale Whiffenpoofs 9 August 2015 Founded in 1909, the Whif fenpoofs continue Yale Un i v e r s i t y ’s 10 6 - y e a r - o l d tradition, as the fourteen most accomplished male singers from the Ivy League University are appointed to join one of the world’s most widely revered musical groups. Recent performances by the Yale Whiffenpoofs include appearances at The White House for President Obama and at Broadway’s Lincoln Center to benef it the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation. The performance by the Whiffenpoofs at The St. Regis Bali Resort represents a continuing collaboration with Starwoods Hotels in support of t he U N IC E F C he ck O ut Fo r C h i l d r e n p r o g r a m m e . www.balidisvovery.com

Ku De Ta White Party 15 August 2015 The whole building in Seminyak will be transformed into a huge white set, with DJs aplenty and a theme yet to be announced. Like white parties all over the world, you are welcome if you come dressed in white. Expect dazzling light shows with multiple projectors reflecting off the white walls, dance floors and, of course, your clothes. www.kudeta.net

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

Santa Fe provides moving services — International, domestic, local & office, document storage & management services, real estate, property management & maintenance, orientations, visa & immigration and home contents insurance.

Medical evacuation health and life insurance. Let us diagnose your needs. Contact: Paul Beale Mobile: +62 816 137 0663 Office: +62 21 522 0990 E-mail: paulbeale@gms-financial.com

Call us Jakarta: +62 21 2961 2990 Balikpapan:+62 542 713 4334 Bali: +62 811 889 2445 Surabaya: +62 812 304 4775 or E-mail: indonesia@santaferelo.com and visit our website www.santaferelo.com for more information

INTERNATIONAL, DOMESTIC, LOCAL, OFFICE MOVING, STORAGE Call Francois 085 8838 98678 E-mail: francois@safeway.co.id or Firdaus: 0812 945 6005 E-mail: firdaus@safewayrelo.com Website: www.safewayrelo.com “RELOCATION MADE EASY’’

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DB Schenker can handle your move smoothly and efficiently from A to Z. The DB Schenker relocation service handles the complete planning and organization of a move, and of course ensures it is completed on schedule. DB Schenker relocations is your ideal moving partner with the competitive edge.

For more information: www.jac-recruitment.co.id indoexpat@jac-recruitment.co.id Phone: 021-315-9504 / 9506 Mobile: 081-672-8653

Contact: Ovilia Faratika Mobile: +62 81 8844 777 E-mail: ovilia.faratika@dbschenker.com E-mail: removal.jkt-id@dbschenker.com

INDONESIA EXPAT DIRECTORY

TO BOOK SPACE ON THIS DIRECTORY PAGE CALL: 021 719 5908

issue 146 indonesia expat

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Looking for work I'm Looking for part time maid jobs in central/south jakarta, and preferable work with single/ couple married peoples. I'm good english speaking and have plenty references from american/ australian family. Please contact me at: denovia82@gmail.com Chauffeured driven by english speaking driver and have local knowledge, familiar with the best routes, automatic vehicles, defensive driving skill. Works with honesty, responsible, polite, and good appearance too. Availability in the beginning of June 2015. Please contact: 085714221679 or email at: budi1873@gmail.com Excellent pembantu available after Idul Fitri. Tini is trustworthy and helpful professional. She has a very good level of English language and would often help translate between Bahasa-English. I have no doubt that you will be satisfied with Tini´s level of attention and service and I can, without any reservation, recommend Tini for a similar role in your household. You can contact her directly: 0813 8725 5951. Or email me at maria_ines_garcia@hotmail.com Great English-Speaking Nanny Available in August. Ibu Mia is an independent, reliable nanny/ housekeeper who is seeking a live-out position in the Kuningan area. Ibu Mia has experience with even the tiniest of children; she expertly cared for my two kids as newborns.Ibu Mia pays great attention to detail and follows all instructions closely. She has also taken wonderful care of our household, organizing our cupboards, laundry and cooking. Ibu Mia can be reached at 0877 861 40970. She is available in August. I can be reached by email for further info: Melissa at brownma99@gmail.com Driver available ASAP. Gunawan, has worked with international families for over fifteen years. Has upper intermediate level of English language. He is very responsible, intelligent, kind a nd ex t remely profe ssiona l driver. Knows his way around Jakarta. He is very kind and caring with children. He will be very much missed by our family. We highly recommend him! For references you can contact me: asset.sarzhanov@gmail.comor or Gunawan: 081380213165 Ibu Umi has been our pembantu / housekeeper for the past four years and we have nothing but good things to say about her. She keeps our house and outside spaces spotless and our laundry in order, shops and prepares food when required, deals with trades people, and helps out at parties if asked.

indonesia expat issue 146

Ibu Umi has rarely if ever taken a sick day in four years, and she is unfailingly kind, generous with her time, completely honest and highly reliable. Ibu Umi speaks some English and is familiar with expat ways of life and housework, as she has been working for expat families for 8 years. We very warmly recommend Ibu Umi, and will gladly provide a full reference on request (email hossain.naomi@gmail.com). Ibu Umi will be available from August 2015, and can be contacted on 0878 82596627. I'm looking for an experienced Nanny for my little one. Someone who can speak very well English and has worked for expat families with reliable references. Please text me if you know someone who is suitable: 08151804160

Jobs available Applicant with good academic qualif ication and work e x p er ienc e c a n apply for a house keeper /care -giver job in my California Residence, Work benefits/conditions: Free accommodation and feeding, Health care bills free, Weekly wage of 200Dollars, Monthly shopping allowance of 100Dollars. Interested applicant(s) should send application and resume to the below e-mails address: king194567@gmail.com Looking for a female native English speaker, immediately for August 2015, please email CV to 127ele@gmail.com The British Council Indonesia Foundation is looking for a Graphic Designer. Fresh graduate are welcome or a minimum of 1 year experience as a creative designer. proficient in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, Macromedia Freehand & flash. good photography skill and video editing is more preferable. good design portfolio and keep up with the latest design trend. apply through britishcouncilfoundation. or.id/en PT Zomato Media Indonesia, the world's largest restaurant discovery platform that is present in 22 countries around the world is looking for a Content Associate for Bali and Bandung Area. Apply through zomato.com/id/careers W EBSIT E DEV EL OPER WANTED: Rachel House (www. rachel-house.org), a small NGO in Jakarta that provides palliative care to children with life-limiting conditions such as HIV and cancer, is seeking an enthusiastic, professional volunteer website developer. Full or par t-time accepted. Bahasa Indonesia not necessary. Rachel House is a very active organisation in the community and requires a website

that stays current, attractive and informative. Please contact prita@rachel-house.org for more information. Services

Looking for a great new getaway during the summer holidays or weekends outside Jakarta? Enjoy the scenic and cultural beauty of Indonesia during your stay! Great times and great memories can be found across the archipelago. Check out the special deals for ITAS/ITAP holders on “Great Escapes” Living in Indonesia www.expat.or.id Bahasa Indonesia lessons for expats living in South Jakarta, Kuningan, Country Wood, BSD, given by instructor with 20 years experience. Flexible Schedule. Plea se c a ll Pa k C ha ir uma n +62 (0) 812 103 7466 email chairuman1942@gmail.com Spanish Tutor: Learn Spanish at your place with a DELE-certified examiner from Spain. Most of my students come from International Schools (JIS and BSJ). Please call me (Raúl) +62 (0) 821 1050 2786 Email: unascartas@yahoo.com Spanish/Indonesian translators: If you need experienced and native translators to translate in this language pair (both ways) please call us (FNA) +62 (0) 812 8821 5625 Email: elejakarta@gmail. com H i , I ' m R i c k y. I w o r k a s Indonesian language tutor. I use well structured books, lesson plans & modules with 2 years a c tive tea ching ex per ience. The cost is Rp 200.000 per meeting for 90 minutes. Yes, it is negotiable depend s on the numbers of students and meetings within a week. We can schedule the meeting based on your availability. Ask me to find out more by call 08176055511 or rickyk_10@yahoo.com Do you need or want to to be able to speak english, french, indonesian fluently? Or you want to take IELTS< TOEFL< TOIEC test for improving your life and career/ I can help you! please contact me at martrioskap@ gmail.com or text /call me on 081388558634. I am looking forward for your news! about.me/martrioska Learn French the easy way - with a native speaker, private lessons, tutorial & remedial. For people of all ages. Modem teaching methods from an experienced, dedicated instructor. Available at : JI. RS. Fatmawati No. 52 Wisma

Subud No. 22B Cilandak Barat Jakarta Selatan 12430. Please contact : Phone. 021-7690216 If you need Amway products in Indonesia, contact Unikasari Setio. A mway Multiv itamin Nutrilite (Double X, Salmon Omega 3, Protein, etc.), Artistry Cosmetic, Personal Care, Home Care (SA8, LOC, etc.), Home Tech (Water Purifier E Spring, Air Purifier Atmosphere). Please contact 0818-197-921 unikasari@ gmail.com

New to digital photography? Want to learn how to get the most out of your new camera? Wanting to explore Jakarta's hidden photogenic districts? Then contact Melbourne - The Photographer, an award-winning British/Canadian photographer who conduc t s phot og raphy training courses, one-on-one sessions, photo-walks in Jakarta and photo tours in Indonesia and beyond. NEW! Colourful Kampungs Morning Photo-Walk: Thursday July 23rd 8.00 am 12.00 noon Limited to 5 only. NEW! Kampung Cikini Morning Photo-Walk: Saturday September 19th 8.15 am - 11.30 am. Part 1 Getting The Best From Your Digital camera One Day Seminar: Saturday Oc tober 3rd 9.00 am - 4.30 pm. Part 2 HandsO n P r a c t ic a l Phot og r a phy One Day Workshop: Sunday October 4th 9.00 am - 4.30 pm. Mount Bromo (E.Java) 2 Day Photo Tour: Thursday October 15th - Fr iday October 16th. For full details: melbourne@ melbournethephotographer.com or phone Maria. 0816976707 Property

House for Rent. One nice house 2 storey, one large joined pool, b e aut i f u l g a rden , 24Hou r s security compound, no cement wa ll bet ween houses in the compound. Approx.500 M2 house with 1,000 M2 land, located at Jl. Margasatwa Raya, 10 Minutes to Cilandak Commercial Estate. @ USD 3,000,- per month with min. one year lease. If interested (no Broker/Agent), call owner 0811180605 House in kemang dalam X for rent. Nice quiet house, renovated, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and swimming pool for rent, 4,500 USD monthly. Kemang dalam X d17. WA +62.812.917.3381 - BB 5235ec10 For rent 300 houses at kemang,

cipete, cilandak, jeruk purut, pondok indah. Big gardens, swimming pools, USD 2,000 5,000. Phone: +62 (0) 816 859 551 or +62 (0) 817 009 3366 For rent Jl. Kenanga no.28 / E-4 complex, near NIS 4 bedrooms, 3 bed rooms, s’pool $3000, Jl. Madrasah IIC A mpera 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, s’pool $3000 call 0816859551 A newly renovated Penthouse area 510 M2 at 17th (top) f loor in Emerald appt. next to Talavera building at Jl. T.B. Simatupang with 4 Bedrooms, a children’s play room, two living / TV room / dining room (one at main level and one at mezzanine level) maid room with separate kitchen facility available for rent for long term/ short term. Price can be discussed based on requirement (Fully furnished, semi furnished or unfurnished)? Interested parties for viewing please contact Miss Tika. Mobile no. 08111676678 or E mail tika. syaputri@yahoo.com / ravi. rajdeep@gmail.com Sudirman Mansion Apartment for rent, Located in the prime area of SCBD (Jl. Jend. Sudirman) in South Jakarta, Private Lift, 2 Bedroom 90 sqm, Furnished, Plea se Ca ll: 0812.100.8927 maharaniproperty We're leaving the country and want to sell our brand new fully furnished 3BR apartment in Verde in Kuningan. For inquiries please contact the ow ner at w inar tiperr y@gmail.com or 0811117577.

House for Rent in Kemang USD 2800 nett per month. 5 rooms and 3 bathrooms. Garden and pool in quiet, flood-free neighbourhood. Jeruk Purut, Jalan Mawar (off Jl. Kenanga). Land: 591 sqm. House 500 sqm over 2 f loors. Contact Vera: 0811 817 877 HOM E F OR SU BL E A SE – Jl.Jeruk Perut (close access to TB Simatupang toll road), 4 bedroom home. Large private garden with swimming pool. Quiet location. AVAILABLE FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 2015. Sub lease for 3,100 USD /month. Contact Falen, Mobile: 62819-322-50506 Automotive 2008 silver manual Toyota Kijang Innova with 139,800 km, fabric seats with new beige leather cover, tires are 15 months old and has a diplomatic plate. We will be finished with the car in August 5th but if you need it earlier I'd be happy to work something out. Cars with Diplomatic License Plates are very hard to find in Jakarta, and it certainly helps you out if you ever encounter a police officer! IDR 95.000 million, SMS 081287850062. For sale Nissan Serena type HWS automatic year 2009 km 50.000 tax until October 2015. Leather seat cover, new tire just replaced in April 2015. Back seat TVs. Serious buyer please contact 081311177732 or email jjanuarty@gmail.com Kijang Innova V 2007. Available July 10 (negotiable). 126,000km. Registration through March

2016. Tires less than 1 year old. Asking Rp145 million. Email vsmencer@yahoo.com Sept 2011 Grey Ford Everest LTD Edition for Sale. Alloy rims. Full leather. Leather wrapped steering wheel. Built in GPS. A ud io s y s t em w it h r emot e control. iPod connector. SD Card reader. Reverse Camera. LCD Screens for passengers. Aux input. Adjustable Rear Aircon Blowers. 7 seater. Power windows. Power wing mirrors. Servicing records available. Please contact: limgcbernard@gmail.com or +62811-850-4113 Others Do you have too many unused t h i ng s? D o you w a nt t o go back to your home country and need someone to buy your old things? We buy used goods like furniture, electronics, clothing, sports equipment, household items, bags, shoes, etc. Contact: 081319342224 (CHRISTI) For Sale: DVD boxed sets AlloAllo (all 84 episodes.) , Faulty Towers, Hancock, Keeping Up Apperances, Open All Hours, The Good Life, Porridge, Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister, and many more. All are complete sets with all eposodes. Original BBC DVDs. Phone Joe 08111117397 for more details. Interested in buying a second hand single mattress, specific size 200 x 120. Please contact; v ia WA or SMS 0 81218818818

Kawai Piano (upright) for sale, black color 6 years old, imported from Japan, very good condition, include metal dehumidifier. Price: 20 million IDR negotiable. If interested, please call or text at 081217005500. Looking for outdoor furniture. Prefer rattan chairs and stool or small table. Sms: 0812 91676601 Brand new TECNOGAS Cooker Hood for sale. The hood has never been used and is in its original packaging. Model Slim Line CHN3 60, Italian Design, Stainless Steel, Acrylic Filter, L ighting 2x 25W Ha logen. Dimensions: 60 x 51 x 15 cm. Airflow capacity 1 motor 280m3/ hour, 2 motor 430m3/hour. Price: IDR 1,300,000. Contact: ffeulner@gmail.com or 0818-95 99 70. We're leaving Jakarta, and are looking to sell our furniture, baby and house items: Diaper Genie: 400,000. Mahogany Coffee Table: 1.2 juta. Water cooler: 400,000. Westelm Bedspread and custom pillows: 1.3 juta. Decorative Flowers from Ace Hardware: 200,000 and 350,000. 2 sets of Light Green Curtains + Rods (for 2 windows): 400,000 each. Other home items including: Fans, ladder, hangers, etc. Other baby items including: Playtex Bottles w ith Liners, Tommy Tippee, Bottles, Mobile, Toys, Pump, Carriers, Inflatable pool, etc. SMS 081323535248 For Sale: Good sized, inexpensive, barely been used grill! Purchased i n 2 01 2 a t A c e H a r d w a r e ,

480 square inches of primary cooking area for a total of 660 square inches of grilling space. Combination of stainless steel, powder coated steel and cast aluminum parts. Porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates. email teresajlin@gmail.com BABY STUFF for sale. All Items a re in ver y good condition. garagesalejak@gmail.com Folding bicycle for adults for sale. As new condition - almost never used! Japanese brand: Doppelganger ( ht tp://w w w. doppelganger.jp) Very convenient to put in a car trunk for Car free Sundays! Price: 3 000 000 IDR Pictures at: https://www.flickr. com/gp/131826064@N04/ oQ91tH. Pick up only in Cipete area . Interested buyers can contact Sophie by sms at 0857 81 58 58 10 Wireless router: Lynksys E900 N300. Including an Extension C able of 15mt r. P r ic e IDR . 200.000. If you are interested sms 081291648585

Bali Jobs available We n e e d M a n a g e r f o r o u r Childrens Home here in Bali. We have 90 plus children and need someone honest, hard working and educated to assist in the every day running and of course must love and care for children. English is a must, age preferred 35 + CV’s please. Please call 483610 and speak to Ibu Yanti, office hours 8am to 5pm.

English mother tongue copywriter required for part time ongoing work on Inter nationa l Tour Operator website, call 0812 3939 8005 Property Villa White house is a new (march 2014) modern villa, situated in a beautiful and quiet rural area just south of Ubud. 7 minutes to the center of Ubud, 15 minutes to Green School. The villa is situated on 26 are of private land which secures your privacy, the views are stunning. It has a 80 metre long private car access road and ample parking space. The villa offers 350m2 of living space; the large living room can be fully opened on both sides. 2 large decks (east and west) provide amazing views on rice terraces, palm trees and the secluded garden. A large white pool of 5×9 metres is integrated in one of the decks. Villa White house is completely air-conditioned and furnished with export quality (Danish design) teak furniture with a Balinese twist. For rent or sale. price on request. please contact +62 361 980 880. Delightful three bedroom luxury villa with gorgeous rice fields views that seem to go forever. Nestled at the end of a small road in the peaceful area of Umalas/ Canggu, this property oozes Bali traditional charm, with its open living areas, spacious gardens and rice field vista. Land Area: 1600 sqm, furnished, IDR 800,000,000 /year. Contact 0812 36330118.

issue 146 indonesia expat

indonesia expat issue 146

issue 146 indonesia expat

indonesia expat issue 146