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Recent Posts
- Facing gender inequality In Indonesia, not so different from the West
- Jakartans claim public spaces wherever they can find room
- After tense election season, Indonesians breathe sigh of relief
- Stark contrasts, historical ignorance on display in Indonesian presidential race
- Southeast Asia’s forests: vital and vanishing
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Author Archives: Katherine
Thais weigh peace, democracy
The situation in Thailand escalated from martial law to full-blown military coup around 5 p.m. on May 22. Despite new restrictions imposed by the army (especially those limiting media outlets), most Thais are sticking to their usual daily routines, and … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Politics
Tagged bangkok, civil liberties, coup, democracy, freedom of the press, peace, Thailand
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Under martial law, Thais take little notice, but lots of selfies
This is not how I pictured martial law. At 3 a.m. Tuesday, two days into our vacation in Thailand, the Thai military declared martial law across the country. According to Wednesday’s Bangkok Post, a top Army’s general said martial law … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Tagged coup, democracy, martial law, Northern Thailand, selfies, Thailand, Thaksin, Thaksin Shinawatra
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On a Javan volcano, tourists and brimstone
The mountain path was wide but steep. Tourists carried backpacks with water bottles and snacks, seeking exercise and fresh air. Meanwhile, local porters carried woven baskets, carefully balanced on bamboo rods, overflowing with impossibly lemon-yellow hunks of stone. Welcome to … Continue reading
Posted in Indonesia, Nature, the environment & landscapes
Tagged ijen, Mount Ijen, national park, sulfur mine, work hazards
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Indonesia’s legislative elections, even more complex than expected
On April 9th, 2014, across nearly 8,000 islands, the citizens of the world’s third-largest democracy cast ballots for over 235,000 candidates in legislative elections. The Wall Street Journal called it “a massive logistical undertaking”. In this complex environment, none of the … Continue reading
Posted in Indonesia, Politics
Tagged Indonesia election, Jokowi, legislative elections, legislature, Presidential candidate
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A taste of real democracy in Indonesia’s presidential elections
For the first time, democracy in Indonesia might not be something of a sham. We are living in Indonesia in a fascinating time, as 2014 is an election year (both parliamentary and Presidential). That might sound reasonably interesting anywhere, but … Continue reading
For Balinese New Year, the meaning is in the doing
On the raucous party island of Bali, Nyepi is a fascinating example of one culture’s sanctity being preserved against the odds. Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Indonesia, Religion
Tagged Bali, day of silence, fasting, indonesia, island of Bali, new year, ogoh-ogoh, Pemuteran
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Volcano’s awakening a reminder of Indonesia’s vulnerabiility
On Thursday night, Mount Kelud, a volcano in eastern Java, blew a plume of smoke and ash 17 km into the air. The eruption shook the surrounding villages, which were soon covered in ash and rock….
In recent history, Indonesia has suffered more deaths due to volcanoes than any other country, or even volcanic region…. Continue reading
Posted in Indonesia, Nature, the environment & landscapes
Tagged ash, erruption, indonesia, Java, Kelud, Mount Kelud, ring of fire, Vlocanoes
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Public works are too little, too late as the rainy season strikes
When it rains, it pours; in Jakarta, it floods. Last night I awoke to a familiar sound from our bathroom: drip … drip … drip. I was surprised that I could hear it over the pummeling of rain on our … Continue reading
Three years after quake, Christchurch slowly rebuilds
To escape Indonesia’s humid tropical climate, we met Katherine’s parents for a vacation in temperate New Zealand. New Zealand and Indonesia share at least one thing in common: a high level of seismic and volcanic activity. As I write this, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture
Tagged Christchurch, earthquake, gapfiller, indonesia, New Zealand, New Zeland, recovery
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Glitz, wilderness and dirty hands: Indonesia’s top three contradictions
Expatsbolg.com is hosting a competition, and this is our entry. If you like our blog please support us, by posting a comment. Indonesia is a unique country of contradictions and contrasts — a place with extremes and seemingly no middle … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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