Category Archives: indonesia

Dewi Sukarno – Dragon Lady

April 23, 2013 – 8:45 pm

Several years ago the 4th wife of Indonesia’s 2nd President accused the recently-departed 2nd President of shortening her husband’s life. The 19 year-old fiery entertainer had met the 57-year-old Sukarno during a state visit to Japan. She has always denied the rumors of her geisha background. Her non-conciliatory declaration was the sole voice of dissent during the mourning [...]

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LOST AT NIGHT by Peter Nolan Smith

April 23, 2013 – 8:01 pm

In the winter of 1990 I bought a round-the-world ticket from Pan Express in New York. The total cost was $1500 as was advertised in the NY Times. The boss of Pan Express helped to arrange the path of my circumnavigation of the globe. “Sir, you are going West.” John had a quaint Indian accent. [...]

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MACAM KUMBANG by Peter Nolan Smith

March 24, 2013 – 12:14 pm

In 1990 I got off the train from Surabaya a little past dawn and headed over to the port of Jakarta to catch the noon ferry to Sumatra. The inter-island ship was a big liner and I was looking forward to a cruise through the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. As I neared the [...]

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ERIN GO BRAGH by Peter Nolan Smith

March 17, 2013 – 4:58 pm

My first trip to Bali was in 1991. Kuta Beach was most tourist’s destination for sea, sun, and fun. Being a pseudo-intellectual I opted for Ubud, an idyllic village of Legong dancers, ornate temples, and quiet evenings. I rented a small house overlooking the stream at which the villagers bathed in the evening. My house [...]

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SEA LEGS by Peter Nolan Smith

October 9, 2012 – 8:59 pm

Spice dominated the trade between Asia and Europe for centuries and the oriental lore of processing roots, seeds, and bark into food enhancers inspired western travelers to seek various paths to detour the Arab middlemen profiting from the lucrative east-west trade route. Successful voyagers stood to reap fortunes from their discoveries. Failures were many. Christo [...]

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