Quiz Result - President Sukarno

Congratulations to the 70% of you who correctly identified Sukarno as the first President of Indonesia, in the most responded to quiz yet! He was in office from 1949 to 1965, and both Jakarta airport and the national stadium are named after him.

Less impressive the two readers who answered SBY. My cheif suspects either work with me or are related to me; neither of which is especially reassuring!

New quiz to follow soon.

Angkot, Bogor and Karaoke

Having received an official invitation, with my name written on it and from a person I actually know, I was especially keen to attend the wedding of Andreas and Devi in nearby Bogor. A swift train journey from Kota Station on Saturday morning brought us to the small but busy city of Bogor, famous for its botanical gardens, near daily rainfall and good food.

Almost before I could take in my surroundings my companions leapt though the miniature door of a passing vehicle and so began my first confrontation with the Angkot, the small bus-like form of public transportation that is pretty much the only way to get round Bogor. Your average Angkot is a fraction larger than a Volvo estate and waits at set points round the city. Once filled to bursting point it will hurtle off in a presumably designated direction dropping people off on request for a 13p fare. I squished my way through an opening about a third the size of my body and joined the fourteen other people sharing the tiny space.

Fortunately the journey was short, and after a quick meal of pork related dishes we reached the church for a mixed catholic / protestant ceremony. Having survived the thirty minute sermon, which judging by the reaction of the congregation was not a great deal more interesting if you could speak Indonesian, I was a little disappointed by the post vows kiss: once on the forehead and once on each cheek. Indonesian’s are famously reserved with public affection between couples; but from the look on the bride’s face, he definitely left her wanting more.

The reception involved a feast of different dishes and numerous photos. Then back to Jakarta to unwind English style watching Birmingham v Sunderland with a beer.

Sunday was relaxed and a suitably Indonesian day of badminton and karaoke.

Visit from Home

In case you hadn’t already heard, last weekend I was lucky enough get my first visit from the lovely Donna (especially lucky seeing she traveled such a long way for a relatively short time). We made a return to my new favorite place: Gili Trawangan, a beautiful and relaxed island just of the coast of Lombok. Two great days were spent snorkeling, diving, strolling the beaches, and eating delicious fresh fish (and a sneaky pizza).

Sadly it was all over too quickly. But Donna did have time to return to Jakarta for a day and to meet the team from work. Attached is a picture from our lunch together.

Presidents

Yesterday Jakarta saw the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (affectionately known as SBY). The presidents of both Australia and Malaysia were both in town to see SBY start his second term on the back of a big mandate following a sweeping election victory. Indonesia is one of the most democratic countries in Asia, and SBY is now the 6th Indonesian president following liberation from colonialisation.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a not entirely unrelated dinner on the same evening and there was much discussion about the future of Indonesia, its gifts and its failings. The most optimistic dinner guest carefully explained to me that Indonesia is in fact heaven; blessed with 15,000 beautiful islands (17,000 at low tide), warm weather, friendly people and every possible natural resource - all spread across a distance the equivalent of London to Moscow. Hard to argue. But it would be nice if the phones worked too.

P.S. Well done to 50% of you who identified Java as the island home of Jakarta. Keep trying the quizzes!