Tag 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 [...]

By Peter | Posted in 60s, indonesia, scandal | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

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 [...]

By Peter | Posted in 90s, Travel, indonesia, semi-fiction | Also tagged , , , | Comments (0)

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 [...]

By Peter | Posted in 90s, Drinking, holiday, indonesia | Also tagged , , , | Comments (0)

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 [...]

By Peter | Posted in 90s, Asia, Travel, indonesia, sea, semi-fiction | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

THE BEAUTY OF BALI by Peter Nolan Smith

September 25, 2012 – 11:40 am

Back in the 90s I had developed an annual routine of working seven days a week at the diamond exchange during the Christmas season. The weekly income and commission from the sales provided enough money for 5-6 months in Asia and my yearly bonus paid for the around-the-world flight. Once Richie Boy and his father [...]

By Peter | Posted in 90s, Beauty, indonesia, semi-fiction | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (0)