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cr ip bs su ISSUE NO. 279 | DECEMBER 2, 2021 – JANUARY 5, 2022

INDONESIA'S LARGEST EXPATRIATE READERSHIP

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2021: Another Indonesian Year of Living Dangerously Luis Daniel Garcia, The Orient Hotel Jakarta The Alana Hotel & Conference Center … and many more

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Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

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We’ve made it to the end of 2021!

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A lot has happened in Indonesia, starting with the numerous changes to the government’s regulations, the COVID-19 Delta variant, biweekly updates on PPKM levels 1-4, to finally feeling a sense of normalcy.

The country has begun to get back on its feet with restrictions loosened, but in anticipation of a sudden surge of COVID-19 cases throughout the year-end holidays, the government has announced all regions will be under PPKM level 3. Few significant restrictions will occur, it’s just that mobility is tightened to halt travels and New Year’s celebrations are suggested to be done at home.

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Though this festive season might not be exactly “normal” as we’d all wish, Indonesia Expat has gathered jolly yet informative content for you to read at home. Moreover, if you’ve missed the first Indonesia Expat Mixer since the pandemic, read through the wrap up here! We hope to see you at the next mixer in 2022.

Not to forget, we’re spicing up more digital content with our YouTube channel, Indonesia Expat! This includes our new series entitled “Welcome to Indonesia: The Series”, where we cover insights on food, leisure, community, travel, tips, guidelines, and so on. Stay tuned by subscribing to our channel!

Don’t forget to check out our daily news updates at indonesiaexpat.id. Follow our Instagram @ indonesiaexpat and Facebook @indonesia.expat to stay updated on the daily COVID-19 case numbers and news, as well as attractive promotions from your favourite hotels, restaurants, and schools across the country. Now, you can even access Indonesia Expat on the Tripper app, available on iOS and Android for free.

On behalf of Indonesia Exapt, have a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!

06 BUSINESS PROFILE Luis Daniel Garcia Invites You to the Newest Authentic, Artisanal Experience – The Orient Hotel Jakarta

08 STAYCATION Adrenaline-filled and Rejuvenating Weekend Getaway at The Alana Hotel & Conference Center Sentul City

10 MUSIC Dangdut, Indonesia’s “Music of the People” – an Expat’s Take

12 MEET THE EXPAT Meet David Nesbit, an Author Depicting Tales of Indonesia’s Wonderful Characters

14 EDUCATION JIS Students Install Water Pipes, Solar Panels in Remote NTT Village

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Monday–Friday

INSIGHT Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things

Edo Frese Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and the publisher does not accept any responsibility for any errors, ommisions, or complaints arising there from.

18 WRAP UP 2021: Another Indonesian Year of Living Dangerously

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.

19 GRIEF Coping with the Loss of Loved Ones during the Festive Season

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6

business profile

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

Luis Daniel Garcia Invites You to the Newest Authentic, Artisanal Experience – The Orient Hotel Jakarta Based on the property’s concept, what are the differences found here compared with other hotels in the area?

I am confident to say that we are the most Indonesian hotel compared to others and the most artisanal. There’s no hotel in Jakarta that has this many art pieces and craftsmanship compared to us.

Is it challenging to realise the hotel’s concept in 2021?

The pandemic impacted the hospitality industry in a way that it wasn’t predicted, especially for such a long period of time.

Now with the beginning of the recovery in our industry, I’m very sure that our hotel concept is going to receive a positive response from the market.

One of the major challenges was to get all the customised pieces for the hotel by working with creative artisans to be able to execute Bill Bensley’s concept and bring it to reality. This is the first time that he hasn’t been able to come and see his creation directly hence, all being supervised through many zoom calls.

L

uis Daniel Garcia, the general manager of The Orient Hotel Jakarta, is excited to welcome you for an unforgettable stay at this newlyopened hotel. Situated in Sudirman, Central Jakarta, The Orient is an authentic, artistic, inspirational, and humbly luxurious spot to stay, dine, and socialise. Luis invites you to experience this truly one-of-a-kind hotel and its upcoming festivities worthy to spend the end of 2021.

we are bringing a nostalgic feeling of a bygone era from the past when travel was still a luxury that not many could afford.

Hi, Luis! We’d love to know more about your story.

I left Spain in 1999 to pursue an international career in the hospitality industry while at the same time, I was completing my Bachelor of Honours in Hotel Management. I worked in the USA and Europe, then in Southeast Asia; Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia for the past seven years. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in different divisions, including front office, food and beverage, and then more senior positions as the hotel manager and general manager.

As the general manager of The Orient Hotel Jakarta, can you tell us more about this newly-opened, vibrant hotel?

Our aim is to educate people about Indonesian culture through their experience at The Orient. It’s more than just staying in the hotel; we’re proud to be different and we incorporate artisanship in every detail as much as possible.

I’ve been a frequent traveller to Jakarta for a long time and have been living in Southeast Asia for years. Adapting to my life in Jakarta was nonetheless very easy, however, you discover new things that the city can offer every day. It’s always a great idea to embrace the culture and get involved in all the aspects of Indonesians' day to day life, discover the vast diversity of food, textiles, and ornamental products, as well as capture and memorise the common Bahasa Indonesia words that’ll help you daily.

We’re a luxury boutique hotel where each room has its own uniqueness and perks, from the hand-painted door, batik headboards, carved cupboards, to our handwritten surprise in the room. We’re striving to give a personal touch as much as possible to push the boundaries from the conventional hospitality concept. Another thing we want to highlight is we are bringing a nostalgic feeling of a bygone era from the past when travel was still a luxury that not many could afford.

The interior of the hotel is heavily inspired

by Javanese and Balinese cultures from the chosen furniture and artworks to the small details. Please describe it in three words.

Quirky, artisanal, and thoughtful.

List out a to do list for guests to do at The Orient Hotel Jakarta.

Be curious. Each corner has stories to tell.

Explore our hotel as a little kid does. This is the place to discover and learn more about Indonesia. Try all the food and drinks.

Socialise as this is the melting pot for creative minds.

In your opinion, what makes The Orient Hotel Jakarta appealing?

On top of our strategic location, we have a strong creative design concept that can’t be found anywhere else.

What has The Orient Hotel Jakarta prepared for this festive season?

We’re still aware that we need to continue to put everybody’s safety first. At the same time, we want our guests to enjoy what they missed last year; to bring joy, hope, and new aspirations. That said, we have the opportunity to do a bit more this year. Thus, there will be an array of offers from the hotel itself as well as Caspar this festive season.

Several special packages are in preparation, covering Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve combined with hotel accommodation. Guests will be able to enjoy, whether with family or friends.

Reservations are welcome from 1-31st December 2021. The two special packages will only be available on the 24th-25th and 31st of December.

What will your festive season look like?

I made the most of the last year’s celebrations under the circumstances at the time, but it felt different. I’ll obviously be looking forward to celebrating; meeting friends again, sitting down and having dinner together. I’m also excited by being part of this hotel, I can help to ensure a truly festive experience for our guests as well as everybody in Jakarta to come and have a wonderful time.

What’s next for The Orient Hotel Jakarta?

Our rooftop, Café California. It’ll be a destination rather than just a rooftop. Stay tuned for its completion and opening!

Thank you for your time, Luis. Stay safe and healthy!

THE ORIENT HOTEL JAKARTA Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 36 Jakarta 10210

+62213970 7777 +62878 7780 7777 reservations@theorienthoteljakarta.com www.orienthoteljakarta.com

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staycation

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

Adrenaline-filled and Rejuvenating Weekend Getaway at The Alana Hotel & Conference Center Sentul City

BY MIRELLA PANDJAITAN

Indonesian Archipelago and Nusantara cuisine. I strolled along each of the chef’s counters and got myself plates and bowls of their mouth-watering creations.

The Alana is infused with ethnic, traditional touches from its usage of batik accents placed subtly throughout the premise, in a minimalistic style.

Children and adults have their own obstacle courses to tackle, differing in heights and quantity. Professional guides are on standby to buckle up participants with safety gear and demonstrate the proper way to overcome each obstacle. I’m mortified of heights, but here goes nothing!

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021 is ending in only a month, which is crazy. Not much travelling could’ve been done and I, for one, have slightly lost my mind.

A wonderful way to shake off my tired muscles was completing my ninja warrioresque adventure by gliding my way down as a flying fox. Now that adrenaline and fatigue are overwhelming my body, perhaps the pool could be a good idea.

There are areas around Jakarta offering natural escapades. After all, surrounding oneself in nature is good for the mind, body, and soul. An example is Sentul. I’ve been and explored Sentul’s waterfalls prepandemic but truthfully, I’m not in the best shape to go for hikes again.

The Alana’s pool is one of the hotel’s soughtout facilities. In the mornings and late afternoons, one can spot children splashing in the waters with their family and friends.

Parents are spotted chilling poolside as they capture their staycation memories. Luckily, one of the three gazebos was empty. I dashed towards it to lay on the bean bag and be a typical millennial who updates their social media accounts. Guests, however, can’t bring food and drinks to the gazebos. It’s to ensure cleanliness.

“I need to somehow brush off my city-life induced stress from my system,” I told myself. This leads to my current favourite weekend getaway activity: staycations.

At The Alana Hotel & Conference Center Sentul City, situated in Bogor district about an hour away from the capital, one can pump some adrenaline and rejuvenate. This ultimately sounds very inviting and much in line with my agenda.

Waking up from a power nap inside, I looked at the time and realised it was almost dinner. An enticing dinner buffet was in preparation at the Green Canyon Urban Dining, the hotel’s food and beverage outlet just across the pool. I was lucky enough to relish in the Jakarta Culinary Movement Goes to Sentul City. The Alana had collaborated with the Jakarta Culinary Movement to raise CSR funds to promote young chefs in the international culinary world in November 2021.

Heavy rain covered the toll roads on my way to the hotel on a Friday morning. Weather. com suggested the rain would stop in the afternoon. Upon check-in, weekend guests are asked their preferred time to indulge in breakfast the next morning, either at 6-8:30am or 8-10am to maintain and adhere to health protocols, which The Alana instils strongly.

At last… the grey sky showed glimpses of sunlight. The Alana is surrounded by highly recommended attractions one shouldn’t miss. I headed to Taman Budaya Sentul City, or Sentul City Cultural Park, to get my dose of adrenaline. Initially, I thought I was going to delve deeper into the knowledge of the local culture, but I was wrong. This attraction holds vast land of greenery, restaurants, and an outbound area. Another thought came into mind: “the obstacle courses won’t be too challenging.”

Was I kidding myself?

This site presents a fantastic tourism concept that is all about "four", starting from the main view to the tourist zone across four categories. Moreover, it’s dubbed as one of the largest outbound spots in Indonesia. The area is about six hectares and is dominated by green grass.

Guest chefs included Chef Wiem Kahyang from The Alana Hotel Sentul City, Chef Reggie Kaihatu from Sentul Highland Golf Club, Chef Ragil Wibowo from Nusa Indonesian Gastronomy, Chef Adam Rizal from Botanica Dining Jakarta, Chef Deadrick Pono from Komunal 88, and Chef Patrick Ramon from Social Garden - Senayan City. They presented local delicacies that coincided with the theme;

My belly was full, my tastebuds were on fire from all of the sambal. Back at the room, I slept absolutely soundly until the morning sun beamed through the window.

Another day at The Alana was before me. My body was aching from yesterday’s outbound afternoon; thus, I took it easier on this fine Saturday. Breakfast by the pool was lively as families passed by to have a dip – a moment of full laughter and joy. It warmed my heart.

I truly dedicated my second day to rejuvenation. No plans were made! To my surprise, around lunchtime, the grey sky crept back again, accompanied by thunderstorms until late night. “Seems that the universe really wants me to rejuvenate and do nothing,” convincing myself.

After a lovely nap, the gym called me. So did it to the other guests. We could’ve always gone out to explore Sentul City further, possibly we had the same thought of staying in “our cocoon” for the night; sitting at the balcony whilst having a cup of tea, making a rainy season Spotify playlist, and so on.

Sometimes, less is more!

What can kids do besides pool time? Regular kids’ activities are held every weekend with a restricted number of participants for each activity starting at 10am, held at the kids’ club on Saturdays and at the pool area on Sundays. Kids can follow along colouring, crafts, towel art, movie time, cooking classes, and painting whilst adhering to health protocols by wearing masks and washing hands or using hand sanitisers beforehand.

As a one-stop place for leisure and business seekers, The Alana is infused with ethnic, traditional touches from its usage of batik accents placed subtly throughout the premise, in a minimalistic style. It lives up to its name, Alana, which means beautiful!

A total of 270 rooms are available, comprising three room types; Deluxe, Suite, and Presidential Suite. My stay in the Deluxe room was splendid. As I opened the curtains for the last time, the spacious balcony encompassed Sentul City’s serene landscape and endless fresh air. Sad to say goodbye to the weekend and Sentul.

THE ALANA HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER SENTUL CITY Jl. Ir H Juanda No.76, Sentul Bogor, West Java, Indonesia T: +622184280888 Instagram: @thealanasentul Website: www.sentul.alanahotels.com

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music

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

Dangdut, Indonesia’s “Music of the People” – an Expat’s Take

BY DACHLAN CARTWRIGHT

as the singer with the closest vocal gifts as herself. Erie is a dynamic singer with the classic swaying attributes of the best of the dangdutters. Her dazzling smile while singing shows how, like Inul, she enjoys what she is doing. Moreover, Erie is a lady, a real class act, and is never vulgar.

I apologise, especially to Indonesian aficionados of dangdut, for the many mistakes which must have crept into this article. And I’d like to thank all the dangdut performers who have given us such pleasure since the 1970s.

Inul Daratista

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n 1969, I bought a second-hand book in the Portobello street market in London, Two Faces in Borneo, written in 1928 by the composer A Safroni-Middleton.

Safroni-Middleton, who had spent some time in what was then the Dutch East Indies, mentioned a kind of music, which he despised, that he called “Sumatran Jazz”.

I later realised that what he was talking about was the music that became known as “Melayu” and then morphed into “dangdut”.

In 1973, I came to Bandung to work at ITB for two years. Here I encountered several forms of local music. These included Cianjuran, that hauntingly melancholic traditional expression of the outwardly smiling Sundanese; the delicate harmonies and range of vocal styles, including “Qasidah modern” of Trio Bimbo and their sister, Iin Parlina; the powerful but rather self-pitying vocals of singers like Broery Marantika; the melodic teenage pop of Koes Plus, jailed by President Sukarno, who had seen in their music an example of Western decadence; the rockin’ Rollies with their eccentric vocalist Gito; and the glorious harmonies of Batak groups like the Mercys and Panbers.

But my greatest love, and that of most of my expat friends, was for “Melayu”, the continuation of the style so despised by Safroni-Middleton.

As I wrote above, I’m no expert on music, but it seems that “Melayu-dangdut” relies on minor keys, grace notes, and vocal embellishments. Many explanations of dangdut cite its origins in Arabic and Indian music, but that’s not strictly true. If you listen to the three styles, they are definitely distinct. What they do have, however, is a similar fast, galloping, rhythm, and the music is intended to be danced to, erotically, or at least swayed to, devotionally, in a reflection of certain Islamic movements.

Rhoma Irama

In Bandung in 1973, the most popular song in this genre was Hitam Manis, sung

by Mus Mulyadi, who was also a popular singer of kroncong, a traditional Javanese form popular in the Dutch era. Melayu was usually played by an OM, or Orkes Melayu.

One of my favourite tracks was Bulu Bulu, by Rustam Nawawi and his OM. Now, do you know that Paul McCartney’s famous song Yesterday was originally called “Scrambled Eggs”, as Paul received the melody before he could create appropriate lyrics? (Check out Paul with Jimmy Fallon on YouTube singing “Scrambled Eggs” to the tune of Yesterday.) Well, Rustam Nawawi’s song has a most beautifully haunting melody, but the lyrics are as if sung by a man selling feather dusters or mattresses on the street.

Furthermore, the words “bulu bulu” can mean “hairy” as well as “feathers”, so they can have a rather raunchy connotation.

The confusing terms “Melayu” and “dangdut” became separated, “Melayu” being reserved for the slower, more traditionally-flavoured, music of West Sumatra, while “dangdut” became speeded up, and the later 1970s saw the rise of its first great star, the formidable Elvy Sukaesih. Her strong keening voice was often ignored in preference to her daunting, erotic, hip-swinging, which, although it did meet with some clerical opposition and even stoning, on the whole, she attracted the admiration of an increasing fan base. She made several dangdut-themed movies, and some memorable recordings, like the teasing Gula Gula, Colek-Colek, Cubit-Cubitan, Bisik-Bisik Tetangga, the poignant Tiada Berdaya and the dramatic Bumi Semakin Panas. Elvy deservedly became known as the Queen of Dangdut.

Meanwhile a “King of Dangdut” emerged in the person of Rhoma Irama, who with his group Soneta has done more than anyone to

Elvy Sukaesih

pioneer the popular acceptance of dangdut in Indonesia. He’s a brilliant guitarist and composer of several beautiful songs, many with a religious or moral theme. He also positions himself as an ustad (Islamic cleric) and has created controversy over his criticism of the next big dangdut star, Inul Daratista.

The Colombian singer, Shakira, is rightly popular all over the world with her songs like Hips Don’t Lie, and her hips truly don’t lie. However, I reckon Inul’s “hips” are even more “truthful” than Shakira’s. Her remarkable “ngebor” (named for the rotating action an oil drill makes) revolutionised and embellished popular dancing. She has a decent voice, a sense of humour (which some of her critics lack), and obviously enjoys what she is doing, so we enjoy it too.

Her popularity has spread as far as Japan, and she is now a respected diva and pundit of her genre.

In recent years what appears to be an offshoot of dangdut, “dangdut koplo” has recently emerged, originating in the “pesisir”, the north coast of Java from Indramayu, through which new cultural movements generally enter the island.

This is generally performed by girl singers to a rhythmic background, sometimes dangdut, sometimes pop-rock, sometimes techno. Examples I have seen range from the simple, charming, and pastoral, to the gross salaciousness of full-bosomed andbottomed sirens presenting their mammary blessings into which equally gross old men insert crumpled banknotes. Whatever this latter variant is, it’s not about the music, it’s about the money.

However, it is a pleasure to end this account by mentioning my favourite dangdut singer, Erie Suzan, whom Elvy Sukaesih designated

SONNET FOR INUL Doom fumaroles foretold by Joyoboyo Thrust manifests abreast the best intentions.

A village girl with Venusian dimensions Flows bold unfolding tantalised tomorrow.

Emerging from East Java’s dangdut sweat belt To sweeten hearts in Durian’s scented operas, She springs up like a concertina cobra To drill, refine crude geysers full of best Brent.

The high-horsed hyped crits sniding behind “duty” Will demonise her charms and bind her booty.

“Why should such “boring” dancing be exciting?

Lynch Elvis, quench Sukaesih, quell the lightning!”

Hang in there, Inul, dance free for men, women on Your ravelength as the nation’s rock phenomenon.

NOTES ON SONNET FOR INUL History repeats itself with accusations of vulgar movements which have been levelled against a series of rhythm singers from Elvis through Shakira. Inul Daratista is notorious for her sinuous and spectacular booty “drilling”. The total enthusiasm and integration of her performances, which includes a decent rock voice, is for me reminiscent of the early Elvis. She is, in my opinion, the most original, exciting and phenomenal music performer ever to emerge from Indonesia. I have little time for the dozens of cheap imitators who think it’s just about jerking their butts, but less for Inul’s hypocritical hypocrites who should lob a few stones in their own direction.

Joyoboyo: a 12th-century king of East Java who made certain apocalyptic prophecies about the future of Java.

All the songs and artists mentioned are on YouTube, even Rustam Nawawi’s “BuluBulu”. For those seeking a more thorough, academic, exploration of dangdut, check out the work of Andrew Weintraub, for example, Dangdut Stories: A Social and Musical History of Indonesia's Most Popular Music /Dangdut: Musik, Identitas dan Budaya Indonesia (2010)

Celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year at The Langham, Jakarta

This year marks the first festive season celebration of The Langham, Jakarta. Combining modern sophistication and timeless glamour, the new leading ultra-luxury hotel and lifestyle destination in the Indonesia’s capital city presents a series of festive celebrations with a sheer of British elegance through the finest offers and delectable treats. “’tis the season to unwrap the enchanting Christmas of the first Langham Hotel in Southeast Asia. There has been a tremendous amount of anticipation and interest about The Langham in this dynamic city over the past months, and we are beyond thrilled that guests may celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at The Langham, Jakarta; bringing regent streets of London to Indonesia's lively capital,” said Alexander Poindl, the new appointed General Manager of The Langham, Jakarta.

Hallmark Festive Story Suite offers

Taking luxury to the new heights, The Langham, Jakarta is ready to deliver the very best offers. Placed in the One Bedroom Suite, the “Hallmark Festive Story” Suites are available from 2 to 29 December 2021 with rate starting from IDR 18,888,888++ per night. Guests will be enchanted with beautiful decorations and carefully selected festive ornaments in the perfect home away from home; completed with a jolly visit and photography from Santa, creating life long memories.

One of the Langham Hotels and Resorts signature, the beautiful in pink Service Stylists are delighted to offer exceptional services and prepare special festive amenities inspired by British delicacies of Festive mini fruitcake, Gingerbread cookies and Eggnog which will make a holiday more authentic and memorable. Access to The Langham Club on 59th floor is available for elevated services that include; private arrival and departure services, dedicated Club Butlers with intimate dining space, British afternoon tea with all-time favourite savouries and sweet treats, completed with evening cocktails and canapes while overlooking Jakarta’s panoramic skyline and the dazzling lights of SCBD.

Festive Indulgence at Tom’s by Tom Aikens

The global Chefs of The Langham, Jakarta take festive celebrations to new heights for guests to fulfill all of the seasonal cravings and indulge in like-no-other dining experience. Showcasing the lively process in the Marrone open kitchen at the exceptional celebrity restaurant partnerships, Tom’s by Tom Aikens – located on the 62nd floor of the tower, overlooking spectacular views of Jakarta’s skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows of SCBD. Helmed by Executive Sous Chef, Giles Langford who was trained by Aikens himself, the restaurant offers Christmas Eve Dinner on 24 December 2021, from at 6p.m. with a crafted menu of Confit Salmon, Foie Gras, Lobster Salad, Roast Prime Beef Fillet and Bone Marrow for just IDR 2,088,000++ and with a celebratory glass of Champagne in a prime seat for IDR 2,880,000++ per person. Christmas Brunch served on 25 December 2021, Boxing Day Brunch served on 26 December 2021, as well as New Year’s Day Brunch on 1 January 2022 starts at 12 p.m. with welcome drink, family style seafood platter, a choice of Atlantic Salmon En Croute or Prime Rib of Beef or Roast Turkey for the main fair Baked Alaska and Tutti Frutti Ice Cream or Christmas Pudding or Chocolate and Hazelnut Yule Log dessert starting from IDR 1,388,000++ per person. New Year’s Eve Celebration Dinner starts 5p.m. IDR 2,588,000++ for selections of Smoked Salmo and Caviar, Lobster, Slow Cooked Ox Cheek, and the everyone’s favourite Valrhona double chocolate parfait and Petit Fours for the sweets indulgence.

Festive Delectable Hampers

This is a season of giving and sharing. Experience an unparalleled celebration with your loved ones by bringing magical experience to their home. Festive Delectable Hampers selections wrapped beautifully in two gift set difference by size, the Langham Medium Hampers IDR 788,000++ and Langham Large Hampers IDR 1,488,000++. The sumptuous hampers are filled with everyone’s favourites from London not limited to Chocolate Pecan Cookies, Pistachio Biscotti, Shortbread, Fruit Cake, and an exquisite tea which famed for British Afternoon Tea as a family and friends’ tradition for a perfect quintessentially celebration.

Guests who wish to be among the first to stay or hold their event in this season at The Langham, Jakarta may call The Langham Service at +62 21 2708 7888, send a reservation email to tljkt.reservation@langhamhotels. com or visit https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/jakarta/ to discover more offers.

12

meet the expat

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

Meet David Nesbit, an Author Depicting Tales of Indonesia’s Wonderful Characters

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while those who are yet to have that pleasure might find them illuminating in some small manner and so motivate them to give Indonesia a whirl.

uthor David Nesbit was drawn to return to Indonesia. Upon his settlement and new life, he met wonderful characters who have inspired tales of several published books now available in bookstores and online.

Indonesia Expat got the chance to chat with David, where he shares his upcoming projects, insights to his books, and of course, inspiration.

Can you give us a glimpse of your upcoming project?

Thanks for asking! I have just completed a collection of short stories all based in Indonesia. This is a diverse collection and tells various tales of myriad personalities and characters, all with a vested interest in life within the archipelago. The stories are all separate and not connected in any way.

In addition, I’m about half way through my next novel which is also Indonesia-based.

Hi David! We’d like to know more about you. Why did you make the move to Indonesia?

Hi there. I first came to Indonesia in 1990 for a holiday as part of a journey travelling around the world. I stayed in Bali for a while, met many wonderful people there, and had an insight into the culture and lifestyle. A couple of years later, I returned for a little bit longer and I was fortunate enough to meet and fall in love with a wonderful young Indonesian lady who would ultimately become my wife. Upon marriage a year later in 1993, we decided to settle in Indonesia and I’ve been here ever since.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I think the most important thing to do is to switch your mind off from everything going on around you and to write frequently. You don't need to write much, and you certainly shouldn't worry too much about the context in the beginning. Just enjoy yourself and let your feelings and thoughts flow. Set yourself small targets – maybe 50 words at a time – and try to keep to them. If you feel life is getting in the way and you’re tempted to use these distractions as an excuse to procrastinate, fight this feeling. It won't take much in terms of time or effort to write 50 words, no matter how tired or busy you are, but you’ll get a sense of achievement which will, in turn, motivate you to write further.

You are an author of several books based on stories set in Indonesia, incorporating the people and culture. Has the country become your “muse”?

Yes, I think so – at least to a certain extent.

They say you should write about what you know, and I think after almost three decades living here, I have a bit of an insight to Indonesia now. I like to write from the viewpoint of someone who has been lucky enough to meet many wonderful characters in my time here.

Would you agree that your books depict insights into Indonesia from an expat’s general perspective?

Well, possibly, but don’t think I would like to offer up the idea that I am speaking on behalf of the expat community or its collective perspective as a whole. I would rather say that my ideas are sometimes from my own feelings as an expat.

Twilight in Kuta explores love, loss, and infidelity in present-day Indonesia from the perspectives of multicultural characters. Did Bali’s notorious love scene inspire you?

Yes, again to a certain degree. Although the title does reflect Kuta and Bali, it should be pointed out that happenings in the story were not really that connected with the Island of the Gods or its people. It was more a cautionary tale of an expat who finds himself trying to adapt and come to terms with life in Indonesia away from the bright lights of the holiday areas.

Congratulations on releasing Return Ticket to Jakarta: An Indonesian Home from Home! Tell us about the writing process.

Thank you. It was a project that took a little longer than it perhaps should have done, at least partly due to procrastination. However, once I got into it I felt the story begin to flow quite naturally again. It was a little different in as much as this book was more abstract and less based upon my own personal experiences. That made it a little bit more challenging in some ways to complete.

What’s the takeaway you’d like your readers to have from reading your books?

I'd like to think that those reading my books would, first and foremost, simply enjoy them. I think some of the characters and events might resonate with those who have lived or travelled through Indonesia,

It won't take much in terms of time or effort to write 50 words, no matter how tired or busy you are, but you’ll get a sense of achievement which will, in turn, motivate you to write further.

Where are your books accessible?

The first book, Twilight in Kuta, is probably more widely accessible at the moment as it is available in paperback in Periplus, Books and Beyond, WH Smith, and Kinokuniya in Indonesia and neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. It is also available from various online outlets in both ebook format and paperback. These outlets include Amazon,Barnes and Noble, andMonsoonBooks.My new book, Return Ticket To Jakarta, is available as an ebook and in paperback to order from Amazon and from Barnes and Noble.

How can our readers reach out to you?

I have my Instagram account at @ daveynesbit https://w w w.instagram. com/daveynesbit/ and my Twitter account is David Nesbit @davidnesbituk, and a Facebook account at Daves Books and Writing Things https://web.facebook.com/ davesbooksandwritingthings. Finally, I can personally be reached through email at daveynesbit@yahoo.co.uk.

Thank you for your time, David! Stay safe and healthy.

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education

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

JIS Students Install Water Pipes, Solar Panels in Remote NTT Village

D

uring a family visit to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) in the summer of 2019, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a mobile clinic that allowed me to see firsthand the urgent need for clean water in remote parts of Indonesia. I learned a great deal from the experience, which also opened my eyes to just how prevalent the lack of clean water access is in the country.

villagers couldn’t wait to show us what they had accomplished. The next step was to install the solar panels and pump and to connect the pipes from the reservoir to the taps.

On the first day, we focused on installing the solar panels. Simultaneously, with the help of the villagers, another team started unwinding the pipes and stretching them across the paths where they would be placed the next day. We finished working at around 7:30pm. when it became too dark for us to continue.

I spoke about my discovery with three like-minded classmates from Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), Jason, Aaron and Makayla, and we decided that we wanted to help in any way possible.

Coincidentally, I was already involved in a different fundraising project for NTT for flood relief during which I got to know Mustika, the president and founder of Solar Chapter, a non-profit organisation focused on developing remote areas. After a meeting with our team and several other Solar Chapter members, we found out that we were both passionate about the same issue.

Solar Chapter was founded to provide clean and accessible water to the less fortunate.

Many people living in remote villages have to walk between 1.5 and 6 kilometres through uneven roads to reach a water source. Because our goals matched, we decided to collaborate with Solar Chapter for the Water for Fatoin project.

Fatoin village in NTT has approximately 800 residents spread across several hamlets, most of whom work as farmers and graziers.

Unfortunately, those who rely on agriculture and livestock for their source of income do not have access to clean water for their daily needs, let alone water for farming.

In addition to not having a water pump and clean water, the village also lacks a sufficient electricity supply, so we decided to utilise solar panels as the sun would be an adequate and renewable energy source that could produce enough electricity for the water pump we plan to provide.

To begin the project, the JIS team of four students and the Solar Chapter team drafted a proposal and a budget. Solar

The next day, all we had to do was finish connecting the pipes and setting up the pump. We split into two teams; one team was in charge of overlooking the pipes’ distribution, and another team went to the reservoir and connected the pump to be powered by the solar panels.

Jakarta Intercultural School students and members of Solar Chapter pose for a picture with children of Fatoin village in East Nusa Tenggara.

Chapter, having done many similar projects, prepared a working budget of approximately Rp320 million (US$22,527). Fortunately, through sponsorships and donations, we were able to meet our target.

With the help of the villagers, who wholeheartedly participated in the building of the water system from the beginning to the end, we were able to complete the water system. On our second day in Fatoin, we had water running by lunchtime.

Once funding was secured, we started looking for vendors to supply the pipes and solar panels. After coming to an agreement with the vendors, the pipes, the pump and the solar panels we needed were shipped to Fatoin. Now, all we had to do was wait until it was safe to travel.

Once the children of the village heard about the running water, they all ran to the biggest tap located in the house of the Fatoin community head. Their pure excitement of taking a shower without having to traverse across bumpy roads to a water source made all of our hard work worthwhile. We left with full hearts and expressions of thanks and gratitude from the villagers ringing in our ears.

Representing the JIS team, I joined several members of the Solar Chapter and travelled to Fatoin village on 22nd September for an implementation visit.

“Thank you so much, JIS and Solar Chapter, for giving us the opportunity to have clean and accessible water. We really appreciate your help!” they told us.

Prior to the trip, we had been in communication with the villagers, who had agreed to begin preparations for the project.

The villagers had been asked to build a reservoir where the pump would later be installed and to install several public taps around the community. Upon arrival, the

We believe that success has nothing to do with what you accomplish for yourself; it’s what you do for others. As Indonesians, we are proud to have helped the villagers of Fatoin gain access to clean water. Beyond being Indonesians, we are citizens of the world. We look forward to making a positive difference in the lives of others anywhere we find the opportunity. As JIS students who are heading to university, we know we will be taking this newfound feeling of affecting change to look for further opportunities to help communities in need.

Children play with clean water coming out of a newly installed pipe.

Beyond being Indonesians, we are citizens of the world.

We look forward to making a positive difference in the lives of others anywhere we find the opportunity.

Jakarta Intercultural School students, members of Solar Chapter and residents of Fatoin village in East Nusa Tenggara work together to install metal frames for solar panels.

Carolene Adeline is a Grade 12 student at Jakarta Intercultural School

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insight

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things

The Seven Stones Indonesia and OK OCE teams

T

here was something in the air. A sense of community. An awareness that change, true change, is possible if it comes from within. There was hope.

And in a world so full of uncertainty and gloom, this was on the edge of inspiring.

It was happening at the Sense Hotel in Seminyak, pun unintended but in hindsight, somehow appropriate, at an event organised and hosted by Seven Stones Indonesia and OK OCE, a social movement created by Sandiaga Uno and Indra Uno, which assists micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), and the entrepreneurs that drive them, with insights, the support of community networks and mentorship. It’s like the Indonesian Gotong Royong culture on steroids.

Since its inception in 2016, OK OCE has created almost 300,000 jobs in DKI Jakarta and a little over 500,000 nationwide and is active in almost 200 communities across the country. This latest event was focused on Bali’s culinary, crafts and service sectors to share and explore business strategies needed to survive in the pandemic, which has forced more than 11 million MSMEs to close with the potential for more to follow.

Win-Win Feels Good Terje H. Nilsen, Co-Founder of Seven Stones Indonesia gave that some perspective. “61 percent of Indonesia’s GDP comes from small and medium-sized enterprises and that translates to 97 percent of the country’s labour force. It would not be an exaggeration to say this is the most important pillar of the country, which is why it’s such an important area to focus on and why the Omnibus Law, more commonly known as Cipta Kerja, can

play a pivotal role in helping Indonesia reach its true potential and thrive,” he said.

He went on to explain that “we understand how important it is to the Indonesian economy, and we have to do what we can to enhance it. We encourage other companies, other expats, to understand how significant it is to share knowledge, train and engage.

It’s actually a win-win because by doing so we not only help the whole economy, we also help ourselves.”

It Feels Good to Do Good This is a sentiment held by Indra Uno, one of the founders of OK OCE who believes “the biggest contribution you can give to your country is to free yourself from a negative cycle of unemployment. OK OCE is facilitating this because we know we cannot work alone; community is essential.

Our culture of Gotong Royong is based around this and in that culture, we choose to volunteer our time and knowledge for a communal goal. It feels good to do good and that energy grows when mindsets are aligned, further impacting more people in a positive way. This is the choice we make,” he said.

OK OCE is an acronym for One Kecamatan (OK) and One Centre of Entrepreneurship (OCE) with the goal of encouraging the establishment of centres of entrepreneurship in every administrative district in Indonesia.

An effective way to realise this goal is for already existing businesses, like Seven Stones Indonesia, to share what they have learned; the good and the bad, to help people adapt to changes, take advantage of opportunities and inspire creativity.

Creativity and a Positive Mindset The reaction from those attending the recent Seven Stones Indonesia – OK OCE event in Bali was proof of how powerful this initiative can be. Balinese entrepreneurs,

creating a range of artisanal products from food snacks and gelato to handbags made from discarded waste had come together with the singular intention of breaking out of a negative employment spiral to create a better life for themselves, their families and local communities.

We shared insights into building a business and making it grow through branding and social media. We stressed the importance of financial reporting and how, if all this was done with a clear and focused intention, there was the opportunity to attract investment and possibly even “Go Public.” Notes were feverishly taken, hands raised, questions asked and creative pennies dropped. We knew we were helping and it felt good!

Indra Uno explaining the positive aspects of OK OCE

It feels good to do good and that energy grows when mindsets are aligned, further impacting more people in a positive way. This is the choice we make.

These are exciting times for those who believe in Indonesia’s future. At Seven Stones Indonesia, we do and we believe in the power of a positive and creative mindset.

We believe in helping our clients, partners, and communities create a better world by adapting to change and focussing on what matters most to them. We try to help businesses grow; we encourage investment and are forging relationships with likeminded organisations, such as OK OCE to create more opportunities for more people.

And we encourage you to do the same.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can become involved with the OK OCE initiative get in touch with us at Seven Stones Indonesia through hello@sevenstonesindonesia.com or visit the OK OCE website at www.okoce.net.

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wrap up

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

2021: Another Indonesian Year of Living Dangerously

BY KENNETH YEUNG

W

hile COVID-19 dominated the news in 2021, hundreds of Indonesians were killed by landslides, floods, and accidents throughout the year. Meanwhile, corruption and environmental problems f lourished. In the good news ledger, Indonesia won an Olympic gold medal.

7 January: Abu Bakar Baasyir, 82, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist organisation, is released from jail after his 15-year sentence for funding a terrorist training camp was cut by more than four years.

8 January: The Indonesian Ulemas Association declares the Sinovac vaccine to be halal, following earlier claims that foreign vaccines are haram.

9 January: Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 crashes in the Java Sea after departing from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for Pontianak, West Kalimantan, killing all 62 passengers and crew. The airline blames bad weather, despite reports of poor maintenance.

A landslide kills 40 people in Sumedang, West Java. Officials blame geology, rather than erosion caused by deforestation and housing developments.

11 January: Four miners killed by a landslide at a gold mine in South Solok, West Sumatra.

12 January: Floods in South Kalimantan kill at least 15 people.

13 January: President Joko Widodo receives a shot of Sinovac, the first COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia.

15 January: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Majene, West Sulawesi, kills 105 people.

21 January: American tourist Kristen Gray is deported from Indonesia after she promoted Bali as cheap and gay-friendly.

25 January: At least 10 people killed in a coal mine collapse in Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan.

6 February: A Sumatran tiger is shot dead after a landslide enabled its escape from a zoo in West Kalimantan.

8 February: Corrupt state attorney Pinangki Sirna Malasari sentenced to 10 years in jail for accepting bribes. Jakarta High Court later cuts her sentence to four years.

9 February: Five people killed by floods in Subang, West Java.

15 February: Nineteen people killed by a landslide in Nganjuk, East Java.

24 February: Five female students killed by a landslide at an Islamic boarding school in Pamekasan, East Java.

Six people killed by a landslide at an illegal gold mine in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi.

25 February: A drunk policeman shoots dead three people, including an Army officer, when arguing over his bill at a sleazy bar in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo then bans police from frequenting nightspots.

27 February: South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah arrested for alleged corruption. Facing six years in jail, he later blames his subordinates.

5 March: Former military chief Moeldoko takes control of ex-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democrat Party to further strengthen the government’s dominant coalition. The Law Ministry later voids the takeover.

10 March: A bus crash in Subang, West Java, kills 27 people.

Two police generals are sentenced to jail for 4.5 and 3.5 years for accepting bribes from corrupt tycoon Djoko Tjandra.

15 March: Veteran politician Amien Rais warns the government is planning to increase the presidential term limit from two terms to three terms.

28 March: Suicide bombers kill themselves at a cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

31 March: A woman brandishing a gun is shot dead at National Police headquarters.

3 April: Seventeen sailors die when two vessels collide off Indramayu, West Java.

4 April: Cyclone Seroja hits East Nusa Tenggara, killing 181 people.

8 April: The United Nations accuses Indonesia of human rights violations in the development of a motorcycle racing circuit in Mandalika, Lombok.

10 April: Nine people killed by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Malang, East Java.

21 April: Navy submarine KRI Nanggala sinks off Bali, killing all 53 crew. The sub’s commander had earlier complained of poor maintenance.

29 April: Indonesia classifies Papuan separatists as terrorists.

7 May: The Supreme Court revokes a ministerial decree that had banned schools from forcing students to wear religious attire.

10 May: Eight people killed by a landslide at an illegal gold mine in South Solok, West Sumatra.

17 May: Indonesia temporarily suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine because of fears over side-effects.

22 May: Eight people drown when a ferry sinks off Sumatra’s Jambi province.

26 May: A truck crash in Malang, East Java, kills eight people.

27 May: Rizieq Shihab gets eight months in jail for violating COVID-19 health protocols.

9 June: Deputy regent of Sangihe Islands, Helmud Hontong, 58, dies on a flight from Denpasar to Makassar, after bleeding from his mouth. Environmentalists speculate he was poisoned because of his strident opposition to a planned gold mine in the area. Police insist he died from a disease.

17 June: Bank Indonesia prohibits the use of cryptocurrencies as a payment tool.

24 June: Rizieq Shihab sentenced to four years’ jail for lying about his positive COVID-19 test.

28 June: A passenger boat sinks off Bali, drowning 27 people.

1 July: President Joko Widodo orders a two-week lockdown in Java and Bali amid surging COVID-19 cases and oxygen shortages.

14 July: Indonesia tops the global list for the most new COVID-19 cases.

15 July: At least 21 fishermen drown during a storm off Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

Former maritime minister and Gerindra Party member Edhy Prabowo gets five years in jail for taking bribes.

2 August: Indonesia wins a gold medal in badminton at the Tokyo Olympics.

10 August: Indonesian Immigration officials assault a Nigerian diplomat, prompting a complaint from Nigeria.

21 August: Taliban takeover of Afghanistan prompts Indonesia to relocate its diplomatic mission from Kabul to Islamabad in Pakistan.

23 August: Former social affairs minister Juliari Batubara gets 12 years’ jail for embezzling COVID-19 aid.

24 August: YouTuber Muhammad Kace arrested for posting content considered insulting towards the Muslim prophet, Muhammad.

8 September: A fire at a grossly overcrowded jail in Tangerang kills 49 inmates.

17 September: Central Jakarta District Court convicts President Joko Widodo, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and other officials of failing to combat air pollution.

18 September: Terrorist leader Ali Kalora of the East Indonesia Mujahideen shot dead in Central Sulawesi.

24 September: Deputy speaker of parliament Azis Syamsuddin arrested for alleged corruption.

30 September: The KPK fires 57 of its staff, including top anti-corruption activists, because they failed a nationalism test, which critics claimed was part of an effort to weaken KPK. 4 October: Six people killed in an intertribal clash in Yahukimo regency, Papua.

8 October: World Anti-Doping Agency penalises Indonesia for non-compliance.

The Indonesian f lag cannot be raised at medal ceremonies, and Indonesia cannot host international sports competitions.

15 October: Eleven school students drown when cleaning a river in Ciamis, West Java.

17 October: Indonesia wins the 2020 Thomas Cup in men’s badminton but cannot raise the national flag.

21 October: Greenpeace reports that 20 percent of Indonesia’s oil palm is illegally grown in protected forests.

26 October: Jakarta’s long-delayed light rail line suffers a setback when two trains crash near Cibubur.

1 November: Tempo magazine reports two companies affiliated with senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan are involved in COVID-19 testing, prompting the minister to deny he personally profits from the tests.

4 November: Nine people killed by a flood in Batu, East Java.

25 November: The Constitutional Court rules the government’s omnibus law on Job Creation is unconstitutional.

28 November: Indonesia reports just one new death and 264 new cases of COVID-19, while the national death toll from the pandemic reaches 143,808. That’s about 215 deaths a day since the pandemic started – while the usual death rate is about 4,700 daily deaths, mostly from smoking, bad diet, and pollution.

The government reimposes entry bans from certain countries in the hope of preventing the arrival of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

grief

Coping with the Loss of Loved Ones during the Festive Season

BY SHAHIDNA SHAHDAN

Visit Their Grave and Say a Prayer A person’s grave is the closest you can physically be to someone who has died. Visiting their grave and saying a prayer - if you are religiously inclined - may put your heart and mind at peace. You can clean the grave of any weeds or you can speak to it as if you were conversing with your loved one when they were alive. This will make you feel less lonely and you will feel embraced with serenity.

C

hristmas is just round the corner and it is bound to bring back feelings of loss and deep yearning for the people we love who have passed.

Festivities rekindle memories of the people we have lost in life, especially when it is a family tradition to gather and celebrate it together. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more of us to lose the people we love and the process of healing will take time. Sadly, the oncoming festivities can make the healing process even more challenging.

Writing this article reminds me of my late dad who passed on a few years ago. Every year, I vividly recall how painful and sad the festive season gets after his passing. I’m not an expert on the issue but here are some suggestions you can try in order to cope with loss better this festive season.

Talk about Happy Memories Together as a Family As with any time of high spirits, you will probably be gathering with your family members, especially if they live in the same city or country. Use this gathering as a chance to reminisce about joyful memories you have about the one you lost. Talk about your last trip together, the time they cracked a joke that made everyone laugh until they had tears in their eyes, and wise words they used to say to the family. Talk, laugh, and cry together as you recall the sweet moments.

When you are done, say a prayer together to bless their soul, if that’s your style.

Write a Letter to the Person you Lost Writing can be a healing process to cope with the sudden feeling of loss during the festive season. Write a letter to your loved one. Tell them all about your life, your family, your job, and how much you miss them. In your letter, you can pretty much write about anything that you want to share.

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Perhaps you did not get closure from a sudden passing and you still have some issues to get off your chest. Writing the letter should be healing and hopefully, you can then let go of the anger and resentment that you harbour. After writing the letter, you can tear it apart, burn it, or bury it, especially if you do not want your letter to be read by others.

Make a Donation in Your Loved One’s Name In the festive season, what could be better than giving to the underprivileged to brighten their life? If there is a religious organisation or other foundation that your loved one supported in his life, you can make a donation under their name so that it can continue to receive aid from your dead loved one, even after their passing. If you can’t think of a cause they supported, consider making a donation in their name to a foundation that you support, instead.

Get Professional Help If the feeling of loss and grief is too much to bear, please seek professional help from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication in addition to offering therapy, whereas most psychologists can only provide non-medical therapy. You will need to make a choice about which may be better for your mental health.

Do not shy away from professional help, because sometimes the grief is too much for us to process alone and it can be detrimental in the long run.

With this, I hope this festive season will be a healing one for you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Reference: https://www.bestcounselingdegrees.net/careers/ psychologist-vs-psychiatrist/

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Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

WEST JAVA

Archipelago Pens Deal for First International Airport Hotel at Kertajati Airport Archipelago International, Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned and independent hotel management group, is expanding its presence in West Java with the signing of a three-star boutique ASTON Inn hotel in Majalengka.

"We are delighted to welcome our newest hotel in Majalengka. Its excellent location near Kertajati International Airport will allow us to tie it into our offerings for pilgrims choosing to stay with our upcoming hotels in Makkah and Madinah,” said Norbert Vas, VP of Business Development at Archipelago International.

The new ASTON Inn will open in mid-2024 and feature 141 modern ArchSmart rooms and suites equipped with Google Nest voice control functionality, Archipelago’s ArchTV technology enabling unlimited content and Chromecast functionality, several meeting rooms conceptualised with delegate comfort and productivity in mind, and a ballroom will serve as the region’s primary hub for social and corporate happenings.

A lively all-day dining restaurant and coffee shop and a recreational area with a swimming pool, spa, and gym will round off the hotels’ offering making it an attractive option for mid-week business travellers, weekend leisure guests, conference organisers, and pilgrims from all over Indonesia.

The new airport serves the greater Bandung and Cirebon metropolitan areas and will be the major port of departure for Indonesian Muslim pilgrims on their way to Saudi Arabia as well as being a much-needed buffer to help ease air traffic at Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.

JAKARTA

Ensured Top Air Quality at HARRIS Vertu & YELLO Hotels Harmoni Air pollution remains the number one environmental health problem particularly in a crowded city like Jakarta. Nonetheless, the relentlessly innovative management team at HARRIS Vertu & YELLO Hotels Harmoni are not stopping to look for better solutions and to provide greater value to its guests.

Before the start of a meeting, the service team comes to the venue to meet the organiser and perform a reading and to give assurance on the air quality. The instrument does provide a broad spectrum of air quality indicators such as CO2, pollutants, humidity level, dust particles per m2, etc.

Given the unfavourable air quality in the city, the hotels’ teams have gone through their properties air condition and air intake technology to optimise the in-building air quality. Now, meetings and conferences participants can have peace of mind as they can be sure to be in a “top air quality” environment.

Christoph Voegeli, General Manager of HARRIS Vertu & YELLO Hotels Harmoni said, “our staff had received many complimentary comments and some guests even left special thank you notes. This is a great encouragement for our staff and the management team to continue to pursue our SMART hotel strategy.”

JAKARTA

InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah Prepares Premium Treats This Festive Season JAKARTA treats in Germany, the Stollen Bread. Aside from that, pastry superstar Kim Pangestu, founder of Nomz Kitchen & Pastry, brings her creative imagination and pastry-making wizardry to be part of a merry InterContinental Christmas.

BINUS SCHOOL Simprug Students Making an International Scientific Journal on COVID-19 The education field has an important role in the formation of character and morals, but how can this formation occur if learning is carried out remotely? This is a challenge, so that creativity, especially development in the field of technology, has become one of the benchmarks of success in the face-to-face learning process.

BINUS SCHOOL Simprug high school students participated in the creation of an international scientific journal entitled Voice Processing for COVID-19 Scanning and Prognostic Indicator. They were involved in one year of research since September 2020, together with Dr. Savita Sondhi (STEM Research Coordinator at BINUS SCHOOL Simprug), Dr. Rinda Hedwig (Research Interest Group Leader at BINUS University), and Dr. Ashok Salhan (scientist from New Delhi, India), where the results of this research were accepted and officially published on a global scale on 7th October 2021 in Heliyon.

The purpose of this scientific research is to test vocal correlations in people who are infected with the coronavirus and compare them with people who are not infected. This matter solidifies the research idea of Dr. Savita Sondhi to plan the creation of a mobile application that can analyse the human voice and detect the symptoms of COVID-19 from the voice. Dr. Sondhi explained that the the students were very much involved in this research process. “One of them is Claire. Claire is always ready to do her part well. For example, Claire was away on vacation but I didn't know it. She still helped me and got the job done quickly, even on vacation,” said Dr. Sondhi.

InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah has prepared a whole series of exclusive products and events for affluent residents of Jakarta to celebrate Christmas and New Year engulfed in world-class personalised products and services.

New Year, New Soirée The hotel’s New Year’s Eve celebration starts with a Friday evening dinner at Sugar & Spice for Rp688,000++ per person and will be followed by brunch priced at Rp618,000++ per person on January 1, 2022. Opt to temporarily move your home to the hotel and join in the celebration with the Christmas Weekend Staycation and New Year’s Room packages too.

Home For Christmas Enjoy festive Christmas cocktails at The Lounge and Christmas dinners at the celebrated Sugar & Spice. The gourmet culinary feast starts from Christmas Eve Dinner on Friday, priced at Rp688,000++ per person featuring mouthwatering, classic Christmas-themed dishes from around the world. Have an elegant, wholesome Christmas brunch for Rp618,000++ per person) on Saturday and Sunday.

Bringing the InterContinental Magic to Your Home The hotel has a separate Let Us Come To You package which features the highlights of the festive menu. Looking to share the magic with others? The hotel’s premium hampers’ prices start from Rp188,000++ for a deluxe box of artisanal cookies, which the Diamond Hamper is priced at Rp4,888,000++ with a bottle of Taittinger Champagne.

Chef Attila Körmöczi is bringing an authentic European flavour to Jakarta’s tropical Christmas with one of the most famous Christmas classic

Call +6221 3950 7355 or email reservation. icjakarta@ihg.com for more details and to make reservations.

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

JAKARTA

First Indonesia Expat Mixer Since COVID-19 Struck It’s been almost two years since the Indonesia Expat Mixer went off.

And truthfully, we’ve missed you!

A lot of people have been questioning when the next Mixer will be held amidst the pandemic. Considering the ever-changing government regulations to ensure the safety and livelihoods of Indonesians and expats in the country, we’ve been waiting for the right time to do so!

At last, on November 24, 2021 at The Orient Hotel Jakarta, the first Mixer occurred since COVID-19 struck. Participants coming from various backgrounds gathered from 7 to 9pm at the lovely poolside venue that The Orient provided. Free flow scrumptious canapes from the hotel were passed around, accompanying the thirst-quenching wine from Plaga as well as Heineken and Bintang Crystal beers.

Amidst the event, General Manager of The Orient Hotel Jakarta Luis Daniel Garcia commented, “it’s great to see everyone here enjoying themselves. The Orient is delighted to welcome all Mixer guests tonight, and to also be pleased with what the hotel has to offer.” This new luxury boutique hotel has its own uniqueness and perks in each room. The Orient strives to give a personal touch as much as possible to push the boundaries from the conventional hospitality concept.

In true Mixer style, lucky draw prize winners were announced towards the end of the night. Those who placed their business cards in a bowl and followed several social media requirements stood a chance to win two days and a one-night complimentary stay at Melia Bali and the grand prize of a complimentary one-night stay at The Orient.

The Indonesia Expat Mixer is a monthly event that enfolds both Indonesians and expats to expand their social network in an informal, relaxing ambience whilst also releasing some mid-week steam with appetising food and beverages and music. Every event is presented in a different and unique setup.

To stay updated for the upcoming Mixers, follow @ indonesiaexpatmixer and @indonesiaexpat on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to Indonesia Expat on YouTube.

See you at the next Indonesia Expat Mixer in 2022!

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Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

Expat Advertiser

Send your classifieds to: info@indonesiaexpat.biz Next Deadline: December 29, 2021

JAKARTA Jobs Available We are looking for experienced and passionate educators to join our school that is in South Jakarta in the following positions. Teachers’ requirement: • Min. Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education/ Education/Psychology or any related fields.

• Minimum 3 years of teaching experience in preschool/ kindergarten OR 5 years of teaching experience in a school setting.

• Having knowledge on inquirybased learning or IB PYP curriculum is an advantage.

• Solid work ethic.

• Collaborative and selfdirected, with the ability to work well in teams and independently.

• Positive attitude and pleasant personality.

• Competent and confident w ith technolog y (online learning tools, social media) • Strong underst a nd ing of children’s development and practices of teaching approaches and methodologies.

• Male or female, preferably expat, is welcome to apply.

Candidates should send the following information to email: secrpf@gmail.com • A current CV • A letter of application, explaining your strength as a candidate and why you are interested in this position.

• Two references of direct supervisor.

Automotive

Family Car... Good Condition!

Nissan GrandLivina product year 2014. Brought in 2015 Service at Nissan Center since the beginning until now. No accidents Only some scratches on the bumper. Miles are 49,000km. The plate Number is Odd. Mobil Tax is already paid. Contact +628119001891.

Property

Office Space/SOHO (Small Office Home Office) 42m 2 for rent in a luxury building on 9 th f loor of The Mansion B oug e nv i l le a t D u k u h Golf Kemayoran, in the same building with the eye clinic K MN (Klinik Mata Nusantara) can be used as an

Serviced Office • Virtual Office • Meeting Facilities • Company Incorporation Located in Kuningan Business District, integrated with shopping mall and residential enable you for a more convenient and easier way of doing business in Jakarta. With flexible lease terms, ready to use office suites, immediate office setup, daily receptionist and maintenance services, 88 Service Office leaves you free to run your businenss without the day to day hassles of managing a conventional office space. "At 88 Service Office, we enable you to focus on your core business with friendly professionalism and affordability flexibility."

Jl. Raya Casablanca Kav88 | Phone: 021-29631688 Email: sales@88office.co.id | Web: www.88office.co.id

apt and/or company domicile registration. Newly-acquired from developer, never been used, free maintenance fee for the 1st 2 years (worth 1 mio.

IDR per month). Price per year only 70 mio IDR. Facilities i nc lude s t a t e - of-t he - a r t swimming pool, supermarkets, laundry, 24hour security, item dropbox system, parking spot (always available), only 20 minutes away from both the airport and city center of Jakarta. Contact me on WA/ mobile +6285780141808 or budianto4@yahoo.com

House for Sale in Cipete.

Asking Price over Rp8.5 Billion.

Land size: 390. Building size: 600, Open plan kitchen/ dining/living room, Enormous Master suite with jacuzzi. 3 further double bedrooms, one en-suite, family shower room, Upstairs play area/potential further bedroom with views to Kemang Village and mountains to South, Swimming pool.

Garage 4 car, 2 maids room, 300 meters to MRT station blok A, 5 minutes to woman & children hospital, 7 minutes to Kemang village, No f lood.

More info: sarigarven@yahoo. co.id For immediate sale: South Hills Apar tment , Jl. Denpasar - Jakarta, Floor 41, Bedrooms: 1+1 Size: 73sqm, Fully furnished, European applia nces, pr ivate lif t .

Developed by Pacific Place and Ritz Carlton’s developer.

Selling price: 3.1 Billion Nett (excludes taxes). More info: jakartalinks@gmail.com Executive paradise for rent compound facilities: swimming pool, g ym, steam, sauna, children's playground, tennis court, squash, basketball court, jogging track, pet friendly, 24 hours one gate security, restaurant, minimarket. 5 minutes to TB Simatupang / Jakarta Outer Ring Road, 7

minutes to Kemang Village, LYCEE Intl Francais School, 15 minutes to SCBD, Rp 27. 5 million per month. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 400 m2 interior su r fa c e. Ple a se c ont a c t nivirgia@gmail.com For Sale FOR SALE: Exclusive Golf Club Share - Proprietary golf share in ‘Pondok Indah Golf Course’ World-class golf course in the middle of the city with a driving range and clubhouse that's great for family gettogethers and special functions.

Best Golf Course in Central Jakarta and among topranked in Indonesia. Designed and built for the 1983 World Cup. Reciprocal Golf Courses in Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. A good investment

that will definitely increase in value as the surrounding real estate prices increase.

Easy to rent out. For further details & inquiries: email: de ng f a lc on7 7@g m a i l .c om Viber and WhatsApp: (+63) 9175552575.

Car seat - Kiddy Guardian Pro 2/ Suitable for a wide range of children: 9 to 36kg, or 9 months to 12 years/ Colour: Black, Very nice and safe car seat, winner in several tests.

Price: 2.0 Jt - For more details, photos etc. please WhatsApp Phone: +62817759905.

Services Hello my name is Dahlia. I'm a swimming instructor since 2015. I was a water polo athlete.

I can teach all ages and strokes.

Not only a swimming instructor but also I can teach math for elementary school. I was teaching math since 2019. Now, I was teaching some schools in Jakarta. Please contact Dahlia +6283875214710.

Indonesian language course by Online Training Google Meet / Zoom or Face To Face (in case situation is ok). More than 10 years of experience provides training the Indonesian lang uage for expatriates i n Indone sia . S t udent s can learn up to newspaper

Indonesia Expat Issue 279 | December 2, 2021 – January 5, 2022

reading class/level. w w w. indonesian-language.net. Call: +6281286404560.

BALI Property

Seminya k/L eg ian border.

Family holiday villa 5 minute walk to Legian beach and Jln Seminyak Raya. Beautiful green garden and stunning s w i m m i ng p o ol (14x6).

Available for shor t-term rentals.

4 bedrooms, all with A/C. 3 with en-suite bathrooms. Cable TV, free Wifi, well equipped kitchen.

Daily cleaning. High customer rating (9.7). For details: WA +6281314002059.

Elegant v illa in central Seminyak for rent. 2 bedrooms with private bathrooms. IDR 16 000 000 / month - IDR 6 million / week for November.

Electricity excluded. Daily cleaning service (part time).

Fresh linen & towels every week For more information please contact by PM or whatsapp +6282236562302.

Luxury 2 Bedroom Private Villa with Private Pool in Sanur Bali. With a land area of 216m2 and a building area of 86.7m 2 and located in Sanur, feel the comfort and tranquility of the tropical island of Bali is second to none. Monthly rental price IDR 12 million. For further information, inquiries, or free site inspection please contact via WA: +6285157998821.

Cozy villa with beautiful garden in Seminyak for rent 1 spacious master bedroom with private bathroom, 1 living room that can be set up as bedroom with private bathroom. IDR 10 million / month for November.

Electricity excluded. 2 min walk to La Favela & Red Carpet. 5 min drive to the beach. Private pa rk i ng. F u l ly- e qu ipp e d modern kitchen. Cleaning service 3 times per week. Fresh linen & towels every week.

For more information please whatsapp +6282236562302.

23

BALI Jobs Available If you are a native speaker of English and would like a part-time/freelance online job working a few hours a week, I am looking to hire you as an online/ offline English teacher.

Any teaching experience/ certificate would be a plus, but it's not mandatory. I am also open to non-native English countries. Please send your CV and recent photograph to my email if you are interested, miracle.education101@gmail. com EF Summarecon Bekasi is looking for English teachers for both a full-time and parttime position. Please note: Candidates must have a high level of English, Teaching experience is preferable but not necessary if the candidate's English ability and willingness to succeed are clear and evident, Teaching degrees and/ or other relevant qualifications are highly preferable. If interested, please send your CV to andrew.boslim@ef.id

Identify a Clinic You are Comfortable with!

You and your family might be in good health, but in general everyone needs some medical input at some point in time.

COVID-19 has certainly created a lot of uncertainty. I think it is essential that you at least identify a clinic that you are comfortable with. Look for a group of medical professionals who you can turn to, with any concerns. I would like to share some information to make life a bit easier.

by water or by food such as traveler’s diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and amoebic dysentery. Insect bites can also spread diseases like malaria, dengue, Japanese encephalitis and Chikungunya.

Tuberculosis is spread through coughing and sneezing. Body fluid transmitted diseases like STIs, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B & C are also common in Indonesia. There are possibilities of getting Rabies if you are exposed to certain animals. Most of these can be prevented by getting vaccinated.

Besides COVID-19, there are common health problems for expats living in Jakarta.

There are three things to expect when you are living in Jakarta; infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and accidents/injuries.

Infectious diseases, like food borne, air borne, or even body fluid transmitted diseases are common in Indonesia. Non-infectious diseases, or chronic diseases are sometimes unavoidable depending on your risk profile. Accidents and injuries can happen anywhere.

What to Do when You are Sick Feeling unwell can be a challenge. First advice would be to seek an opinion if you are unsure about your condition. You may use Dr Google, talk to a friend or even a medical professional you know personally. If possible, visit or call a clinic that you are comfortable with. In an ideal world you should have an assessment by a trusted medical practitioner (this can even be a telephone consultation).

Your medical practitioner will give a possible diagnosis. A management plan needs to be mutually agreed upon. You need to voice your expectations and ask for possible options (Are you expecting a referral?).

Preventive Actions To avoid diseases from happening, you need to know how to manage avoidable risks. For infectious diseases, there are lots of vaccinations available to protect you. This includes vaccinations against COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19, is important if you have symptoms that might indicate a COVID-19 infection. In those circumstances an Antigen test may suffice. If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 it is recommended to test yourself with a PCR test 5 days after your contact, if you are still without any symptoms. Consider a FLU and Pneumococcal vaccine, as this will reduce your chances of getting infected with COVID-19, especially in vulnerable iFood prepared under unclear circumstances, tap water, and mosquitoes should be avoided.

Identify a clinic that you are comfortable with! You can discuss your own risk profile with your trusted physician.

In a tropical country like Indonesia, there are a lot of infectious diseases, besides COVID-19. Infectious diseases can be spread

Dr Steven Graaff, MD, MRCGP, the founder of Good Practice Clinic is a graduate of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Before completing his formal training in General Practice in the UK, he worked in several hospitals, occupational health and general practice in the Netherlands and the UK. As a medical professional with international experience,Steven decided to start his own clinic – Good Practice, in Jakarta

Chronic Disease Management If you are suffering from a chronic disease, we advise you to have a list of your regular medication. You should identify a doctor who can regularly check upon your condition and someone who can advise which (specialist) doctor you should see. Your family doctor can facilitate the communication with your specialist. Monitoring your condition on behalf of the specialist can also be done by a good family physician.

New Developments Good Practice is expanding. We hired new English speaking staff.

This means extra capacity to do house calls, office visits and teleconsultations. We have built additional consultation rooms and employed a UK trained psychologist. GOOD PRACTICE is now also the Medical retainer clinic for the ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, ADB. It I important that you identify a clinic that you are comfortable with. Good Practice Clinic has patients from 71 countries.

Try us! Info@goodpractice.co.id or 021 7183140

Jl. Bangka Raya #106B Jakarta 12730 Tel. +62-21-7183140 info@goodpractice.co.id

www.goodpractice.co.id