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Continue reading →: 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 no major protests have been reported since the takeover began.…
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Continue reading →: 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 would be “step one on the path to peace, which…
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Continue reading →: 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 Java’s Mount Ijen: national park, sulfur mine, active volcano. “I…
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Continue reading →: 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 parties won a strong enough lead to run a candidate in…
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Continue reading →: 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 in the Indonesian context, democratic elections are still somewhat novel.…
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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.
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Continue reading →: 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…
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Continue reading →: 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 roof. Whenever it rains — right now, almost daily —…
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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, Mount Sinabung on the Indonesian island of Sumatra continues to…
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Continue reading →: 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 ground. Some clashes result from a mix of cultures trying…
Hello,
I’m Katherine
I started this blog while living as a single expat more than 20 years ago. Now with husband and two kids in tow I’m keeping the adventures alive. Follow along for travel tips and life detours!
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