Love Island Travel

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is now booming. For non-Muslim expatriates recently arrived in Indonesia, it can be something of a culture shock. Yet many expatriates are embracing the holy month to varying degrees. Some expatriates even eventually convert to Islam before marrying an Indonesian and observe Ramadan seriously

Ramadan this year began June 29 and ends July 28 The first two weeks have coincided with two major events :. The World Cup, which ended July 13, and the presidential election on July 9, the uncertain outcome of what is causing no small amount of tension. It may be a blessing that people will still be fasting when the official election result is announced on July 22, the real loser must accept defeat with grace and humility, rather than anger that could spark conflict.

The purpose of Ramadan is to purify the soul, mind and body. It is on the development of self-discipline, so that the body can resist bad habits and sinful desires. It is about acting with respect and compassion, get closer to God and help the needy

Every morning the holy month begins with sahur -. The meal before dawn. In many neighborhoods, there are multiple calls, either from the battery being wheeled on children, people who heard metal pipes on fences or loudspeaker of the mosque - and sometimes three

Some people have half a dozen mosques. their neighborhood, all with a different time for the announcement of sahur, which seems to go 2:20 to 03: 40, so if you sleep through the first, you can get to the second. loud cheers of the viewers of televised World Cup this month's matches also awaken sleeping.

Inner Peace

PR, a British civil engineer based in Jakarta, has been observing Ramadan for many years and says there is a sense of accomplishment and inner peace at the end of each day of fasting. However, he said the fast is not easy. "If I'm at home or in Jakarta, not on a long trip in a remote village, I go fast. The day before I prepare a meal with protein to keep me in the day. Setting my alarm for 3:30, I get up and eat before the fasting time, and then say the morning prayer. Then I try to get another couple of hours of sleep before heading to a normal day at the office. "

When the workload is not too heavy, he tries to leave his office for about 16 hours, so he could go home to break the fast after maghrib, the evening prayer . "Otherwise, I break the fast with my office in about 18 hours."

PR said it is difficult to fast if it is in London, especially during the summer when the sun is not before 22:30. He said one of the simplest pleasures of Ramadan in Indonesia is breaking the fast with his wife. "Just a simple cup of tea with an Indonesian sweet dish to give us back our d energy. the fasting month is a time of reflection, back to basics, and it makes you realize the important things you need in life. "

the fasting month is followed by holiday Idul Fitri period in which urban residents traditionally move to their hometowns to be with their extended families.

PR said he usually travels to East Java on Idul Fitri to visit the village of his wife's parents. He said the morning prayer of Eid in the village is kept in a field with a volcano in dramatic backdrop. "Here I can meet all the guys from the village, and there are religious but festive atmosphere."

The annual family meeting is a cherished tradition. "Everyone is in good spirits, but there is a serious time too, when everyone asks forgiveness from their parents and siblings, and vice versa, the mistakes made in the past year, "said PR.

"Then the second day of Eid, it's time for neighbors to visit, and all kinds of traditional snacks are prepared in every house to get people down in. The Indonesian traditions are really something very different that we do not live in the West these days. "

marketing

Just as some Christians in the West mourn marketing of Easter and Christmas , as do some Muslims feel that large companies drowns the meaning of Ramadhan. Rizqi, an office worker in Jakarta, is from the town of Pekalongan Central Java, known for its many Islamic boarding schools. He was raised to see Ramadan as a time for better prayer to approach God. "My first two years in Jakarta showed me a different face of Ramadhan; it is the month of discounts and sales ... During Ramadan, instead of tingling in mosques, people will swarm in malls. "

Rizqi said Ramadhan in Jakarta is also a time of" excessive socializing ", most revolving around breaking the fast, which is known as buber ( berbuka puasa ), or iftar in Arabic. He says it's not uncommon to receive an invitation to a fast breaking event almost every night.

"You may also be invited in activities Buber post. Unfortunately, the ones I attended were far from religious. They included karaoke, watching movies or chatting with old friends all night until the time of sahur. So we often forget to pray when the time comes. Or do we simply choose to forget? "

Office hours

Some offices in Indonesia can allow workers to leave early during Ramadan so they can return home in time to break the fast with family members. These first brands does not always mean that people will get home before 18 hours.

Take the case of Lina, a bank employee in Jakarta. She left happily his bank early on Monday to take a train to his home in Banten, west of Jakarta. by taking ojek (motorcycle taxi) of Tanah Abang station, she was confronted with a sea of people. a technical problem on the line had caused delays. When finally a train arrived at the platform, the patience of commuters had evaporated.

"Everybody pushed, pushed, stepped on, elbowed , kicked and shoved each other, either going down or, "says Lina. "Everyone wanted to go home early for iftar and taraweh prayer. It got worse at each station. Overpopulation, the snail pace speed and broken air conditioning exacerbated the nightmare."

She said a passenger finally fainted in the heat of the car. After over an hour of discomfort, the passengers heard the call to prayer, but there was no joy because they remained trapped inside the train. That said, one of the points of Ramadhan is to learn to endure hardship without complaint.

cutting Conversions

When men here expatriates decide to convert to Islam, it is usually because they married an Indonesian woman whose family insist her husband should be a Muslim. Some men think they should be circumcised to become true Muslims. The Koran does not cover circumcision, but it is mentioned in some hadith (reports on the words and activities of Muhammad and his followers) and the sunna (Islamic customs based on the teachings of Mohammed).

The time for circumcision is usually around the age of seven, sometimes earlier. John, a New Zealander living in South Jakarta, said he converted to Islam when in his mid-30s, in part to please his future wife and family. "He was everything to her, so I did."

He decided to be circumcised before conversion. "You do not really need; no one checks, but I thought it would be an interesting experience and something to tell That certainly proved to be the case." He recalls.

"Snipping top small appendage of a young boy without any problems. Men, on the other hand, have little control over the tumescence of their penis, especially during sleep. That first night after surgery, jumped on every point that was holding it together. It was like I was shot in the groin. It heals terribly. "

despite mixed feelings about his circumcision John is fond of Idul Fitri. "I like to return to the kampung for Idul Fitri with family. Aside from the problem of driving there, of course, given the traffic. Once home, however, it is a pleasant experience. "

For expats who decide to become long-term residents, embracing the faith or at least the spirit of Ramadan is not only about fasting, but to get closer to Indonesia.

This may seem as if I do, but did you know that it is possible to spend a weekend away from Jakarta, in the hills of the Sundanese campaign without having to get in a car or languish for hours in bumper- to bumper traffic? All that is needed is some planning. But first, let me tell you about the magical place, and then I go to the secret of how to get there.

In the foothills of Gunung Salak volcano, and near the city of Sukabumi, is a small place called Cicurug. There, a few kilometers in the hills is a farm called Portibi. But Portibi is not only an old farmhouse; it is an organic farm, the fruit of a dream of a young Californian with a love for Indonesia. You may ask: how a bule California end up on the side of a volcano in West Java? The farm is a joint venture between Jocean Bowler, from central California, and its Indonesian original host family. After arriving in Indonesia in the early 00s and its hosts Jocean decided to create Portibi in 04 in a clove farm that has not been used to its full potential in 15 hectares of hillside. Putting aside the thesis of his master on land use in Indonesia, Jocean realized he had a more important mission. With an emphasis on living in harmony with the environment and not beyond taking what is made, Jocean on building a firm that would preserve the flavors, endemic natural beauty and local crafts that Indonesia is in danger of losing his rush towards modernity. He created a refuge from the city using the inspiration of the past Sunda, complemented by touches of modern technology to make it all work.

Select your own organic product Portibi Farms

Today Lodges Ekologika to Portibi Farm is still a work in progress. Although the main living areas are complete, including a sumptuous dining room, large kitchen, Cannibal Lounge Pacifist, only three hectares are cultivated. The farm has accommodation for up to 30 people in a dispersed collection of bungalows and huts made with recycled wood from mostly older buildings. Some cabins are traditional Sundanese rice barns apart and reassembled at the farm. All are lit by solar energy; Solar cells absorb sunlight during the day and spread light through the light bulbs in the night. But nature has its limits: if you leave the lights on for too long, they lack the juice. A well stocked bar is conveniently located in the lounge, which is ideal for strolling. It also contains a collection of board games, books, music largely of the 1970s and 80s, and a guitar for those who want to strum.

Included in the price of a stay in Portibi are three healthy meals one day, who strive to make good use of organic farm products. But fear not, Jocean always love a good steak or fish fillet. An excellent cook, Jocean and well trained team throw together the most delicious natural and tasty dishes using influences from around the world. And there is an excellent wine list if you want to wash with something special, like a full-bodied Italian red. They can be organic pioneers, but they like to live in Portibi.

One of the must-dos while Portibi is to go on a walk around the property. Visit workers and perhaps learn more about what they grow and lend them a hand planting or gathering a basket of arugula leaves or parsley for dinner. You can also collect all the green you can choose to take home.

Do not forget to take in the nature that you insects, birds, sounds, smells surrounds. But beware of the tracks; beautiful creatures they are, but they can leave you with the itchiest rashes. You can not miss the butterflies here and hitting enough to visit Portibi reason; tropical varieties as big as your hand flit from plant to plant. If you are really keen on the side of agriculture of things, Portibi is also a member of the WWOOF organization, meaning Willing Workers Opportunities on Organic Farms. WWOOFers can spend three weeks or more to the farm with free accommodation and food if they contribute by doing the job of a decent day every day.

Accommodation Portibi

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, there is a great hike up into the national Halimun jungle park that is above on the slopes of Gunung Salak. The trek leads to the waterfall and rock pool Citaman where if you want you can jump in a cool bath. The hike takes 1.5 hours to the waterfall. If you are in the most intense treks or even expeditions to the summit of Gunung Salak (a good 5 hour climb), they can also be arranged with a little advanced planning.

And now the secret bit. Believe it or not, Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), the Indonesian railway company, has revitalized a track in the hills of Bogor. The train goes to Sukabumi, then go all the way in Cianjur. It is the journey of about an hour in Bogor Cicurug, the nearest station to the farm and, if the weather is clear, can provide stunning views of the peaks of Gunung Salak and Gede. The three trains a day are in high demand, especially on weekends, so it is essential to book online in advance. The train from Jakarta to Bogor is simple, but then you have to walk about 400 meters from the main station of a smaller adjacent station from where trains depart for Sukabumi.

So what are you waiting for now that the secret? Go green in Portibi!

Just call the farm (0266) 257 7115 or email info@portibi.com to make a reservation and book the train, called Pangrango , on the site of KAI, the www.tiketkai.com.

On finally have the chance to visit Bajawa, Flores, I noticed "Jawa" in the name. When I finally had the chance to visit the famous traditional houses Bajawa Bena, I learned that it was no accident

Despite my first impression though, I did not immediately connect :. The traditional houses of Bena are some external resemblance to the Javanese joglo , but they are also very different.

Born in Pati, a coastal village in north central Java-Bena ancestors sailed to Flores there 1,050 years. Their ship was aground on the southern coast of central Flores, and its bridge became the neighborhood Bena. Descending down to Bena, you can see the traditional houses lined up in a pair of curves in the shape of a ship's deck.

Bena The district is named after one of the seven founders of Java. Due to the practice of polygyny ancestors, the people of Bena track of common ancestors with people Maubena, Likowali, Benaliwo and Watujaji. Men leave homes to live with their wives of their first parent families, and if the first wife's consent, to spend time in the homes of his other women.

There are 45 traditional houses in Bena, six from each of the nine clans living there. Made of wooden walls, roofs of reeds and bamboo floors, these traditional houses speak volumes about the kind of local concepts that culture is based.

In the space between the undulating rows of houses, there are male altars umbrellas called form ngadu altars and female called bagha , which look like miniature houses with high racks in the center.

Watunabe is believed to have been erected by the giant Dakhe there are about 1050 years. The dolmen that looks like the dining table is the origin of the name Ba-plate Jawa Java.

Rituals involving ngadu and bagha are conducted by the household of a woman. The ngadu pole is used to tie cattle. Rope, pe'u symbolizes children born out of the man and the woman's union, forever bind them together.

To marry a woman in Bena, a man must first commit to three prenuptial Service -Year his father-in-law to be, then present a coconut offering, chicken, leaves betel and areca nuts to the family of his wife-to-be. If they accept the proposal, the woman's family slaughtered a pig and organizes a festival called Zeza . Then they welcome the groom, sitting him on an altar in the center of the house, and he officially becomes a husband.

Although most of the inhabitants of Bena now converted to Catholicism, the Zeza marriage and ngadu-bagha rituals come from pre-Christian practice ujukuwi . Ngada in the local language, ujukuwi refers to both an offer of prayer, and the name of faith. Followers of ujukuwi worship a "Heavenly Father" called Nitu Gale, and raise prayers to him by a personification of "Mother Earth".

Pak Kasmir, a local elder who for a small fee guide told me, "people tend to generalize these indigenous beliefs such as animism, but I refuse to label as such Ujukuwi . There were many generations here before Catholicism reached Flores, we already know God and prayed for him. "Pak Kasmir claims to have studied Islamic studies and lived in Java for 50 years with his wife, a native of Purworejo.

tradition that Bena was built by a giant named Dakhe, wearing magic rocks near the Mount Inerie to erect the famous Neolithic altar watunabe in the center of the village. Among dozens of standing stones is a large dolmen resembling a dining table with a round basin in a center like a cup holder on the folding table of an airplane seat.

"It is on this dolmen we raise our ujukuwi to our ancestors. This is where the name comes from Bajawa: it means "plate of Java," said Pak Kasmir

Dakhe was considered a man of great strength .. "It's like Goliath. But I think that Goliath had to be smaller because David so easily struck him with a stone. You can not do that to Dakhe. If Dakhe wants fish, he walks into the sea. He catches shark by the tail and slap them. Porter rocks that made this watunabe was a breeze for him, "said Pak Kasmir.

We then visited a traditional house. "The traditional house has three floors Bena But people often mistake this for Java. It is three stories high, but three floors inside," said Pak Kasmir

the southern end of Bena, outlooking hills on the south coast of Flores. the Savu

Sea

the first floor is the open wooden air terrace where residents perform daily activities, such as weaving and woodworking, and flaunt their wealth in the form of bull horns and pig tusks previous celebration ceremonies. The second floor is the versatile central room where the family sleeps at night and where mataraga altar is. Behind the altar is a small sliding door on the third floor, where one must kneel and bow. The third and innermost floor of the house is a kitchen with an oven wood.

A good time to visit Bena is December 27 at Reba celebrations. Reba, traditionally celebrated on 15 December, is the New Year Ngada. However, since December 15 might interfere with Catholic commitments before advent, Reba celebrations are now postponed until after Christmas and just before the new Christian year.

I ended my visit to Bena climbing the south end of the neighborhood where a small shrine to Mother Mary overlooking the lush hills of Surelaki. deep shades of blue nature left me questioning where the sky ends and the earth begins. As the fresh breeze quiet play with my hair, I say goodbye to Bena with images of Javanese ancient marine and mobile giants mountains, establishing a settlement whose legacy has lasted a millennium.

Quick Facts

Country: Indonesia

province Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT)

the largest city: Kupang (capital of NTT, Timor Island)

ground: 566 islands, 47,349.9 km ²

the highest altitude: Flores Ranakah - 2350m AMSL

population: NTT - 4,899,260 (BPS 2012 estimate)

Getting there :. Daily flights Ende Kupang, Surabaya and Denpasar, the 4-5 hour drive from Ende to Bajawa

Alternatively, fly to Bali to Labuan Bajo (8 -9 hours) or Maumere (7-8 hours)

What to bring :. hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, polished dress (covered shoulders and knees), camera, cash for entrance fees and guide, cigarettes offer local men (especially when photographed) .

For whatever the reason, New York picked up the name "Big Apple" - is still appropriate? Unbeknownst to most people, and as a result of a remarkable twist fate, fortune of the city really have much to tropical exotic spices in Indonesia than they do to the humble apple.

The spices in question are nutmeg and mace. Both come from the tree of nutmeg from a small chain of islands called the Banda Islands, which are themselves part of a larger group of islands called the Moluccas, or Spice Islands - a chain of islands in the vast Indonesian archipelago. Today, Banda Islands are largely forgotten and sometimes failed to maps of the area. But this common oversight belies their enormous importance in times past, because of their indigenous nutmeg trees.

Although exotic spices spice islands were traded for thousands of years, it was not until around the thirteenth century, when they started to become popular in Europe. For 300 years, until about 1500, the Venetians dominated European trade in nutmeg and mace - and other exotic spices spice islands such as cloves - because they controlled the sea routes Mediterranean. Venice has become very rich as these spices were in high demand in Europe and could draw astronomical prices. The especially nutmeg, was highly appreciated; spice sweet tasting was used as a hallucinogen and aphrodisiac. Meanwhile cloves that have a pungent flavor, were revered for their medicinal properties. Not only did doctors think they could cure the common cold and settle an upset stomach, but they could also improve poor vision!

Kaartje van de Eilanden Bandasche Jacob Keiser circa 1734. Courtesy of Galerie Bartele

Venetians gets the spice merchants in the Middle East, who kept their sources a secret. But the monopoly of the Venetians could not last forever. Indeed, the potential rewards to discover the source of the most valuable spices provided a great incentive for European explorers to unravel the mysteries of unexplored land in the southern hemisphere. Portugal has taken a leading role in this regard, and to trace the route around the southern tip of Africa, accidentally discovered the coast of Brazil in 1500.

In 1511, a Portuguese fleet commissioned by Alfonso de Albuquerque reached the important strategic port of Malacca on the Malaysian peninsula where spices spice islands were taken to be exchanged. Among those aboard was the legendary explorer Ferdinand Magellan, famous for leading later, the first world tour, although he did not actually make it back to Europe (he was killed in a brutal fight . while trying to set up a trading post in the Philippines)

Portuguese finally reached the islands of the spices in 1512. This was their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: same when to pay inflated prices for spices for the local natives, they could still expect to reap the benefits of a phenomenal 1,000 percent when selling them back to Europe. The Portuguese were naturally ecstatic at their success, and to protect their newly discovered sources of wealth of the Spanish competition, they built forts across the Moluccas islands, many of which are still visible today.

But the lucrative spice trade has also attracted the attention of other European powers, especially England and Holland. Although the Portuguese held on the islands for some time after, the Dutch have managed to take control of them in 05. But the English had not given up their aspirations either. Indeed, the explorers of the two countries have made many attempts to identify alternative routes to the Spice Islands. The arduous journey of two years is Europe often ended in disaster, with crews decimated by fatal diseases scurvy and others.

A European explorers eager to locate the Spice Islands was Henry Hudson. Although English, he was recruited by the Dutch. But after failing to find a northern passage to Asia via the Arctic Ocean and the North Pole in 08, the ship sailed to the east and ended up exploring the east coast of North America, even sailing on a distance to the Hudson river that now bears his name. He brought new fertile land for his return to the Netherlands, and the Dutch later sent several missions, eventually establishing a permanent presence in the region in 1614. Soon after, amid the threat of attacks by d other European colonial powers, the Dutch built a fort to protect their trading post at the southern tip of what is now Manhattan. Shortly Hudson could then realized the importance of his journey to the Americas!

New Amsterdam alias Manhattan in 1667

Meanwhile, in the Spice Islands, the Dutch had gained the upper hand in English. But even so, does not have exclusive control over the Banda Islands. Somehow, the English, under the spice trader resourceful and determined Courthope Nathaniel, had succeeded in establishing a foothold on the small island of Run quickly where they erected forts to protect the island from the Dutch vigilance.

However, the presence of the English on this island was a thorn in the side of the Dutch East Indies Governor General of Jan Pieterszoon Coen - even if both parties were technically allies, united in their common hatred of Spanish . By all accounts a ruthless and bloodthirsty man, he set his sights on sending its British neighbors unwelcome packaging. It does not take him long. He quickly captured two English ships and ordered the British to surrender. Although Courthope refused the request, his courage did not go far: he was shot while trying to flee the Dutch some time later

But in 1624 the Dutch went a little too far .. on the island of Ambon, the unjustly accused Dutch entire quota of English traders engineering a mutiny. As was the fashion of the time, these poor traders were beheaded soon after their confessions were instilled them with a particularly extravagant torture methods. News of the attack soon filtered back to England, where there was a public outcry. Feelings ran so high for some time that the Dutch had even recalled their ambassador. But after a heated debate, the Dutch finally relented and agreed to return to the island of Run English.

However, peace did not last long. In 1660, the English and the Dutch went to war after former Act was passed controversial navigation which sought to protect the trade of England by requiring that all goods imported to England to be transported over English ships. Cease hostilities was the Treaty of Breda in 1667.

Under the agreement, the British agreed to surrender their interest in the island of Run in exchange for the island Dutch Manhattan in North America

although English thought they got the best deal they could not imagine - even in their wildest dreams - they were now in possession of what would become the most influential and important city worldwide. So if someone asks you about the nickname of New York, why not suggest that perhaps the 'Sweet Nutmeg' would be more appropriate?

Years end in Jakarta can be a stressful experience - traffic is worse than usual, flight prices go through the roof, and organizing family vacations can take a nightmarish cast. Fortunately, a little-known chain of islands right on the Jakarta threshold can do it much, much easier.

Very often, it is the attempt to actually leave Jakarta that can transform even the most affable of commuters in a madman. We've all been there - toll gate queues stretching to the horizon, the sun reflecting off moist countless bumpers and windshields, and ojek brushing handlebars literally under our noses. This is even before we get to the airport and crowds rushing brave, a registrar overtaxed and immigration officers scrutinizing. Add a couple of kids in this mixture, and it is quite a combustible combination that makes a vacation almost not worth it.

Fortunately, there are some options much closer to home that can accommodate families, singles or groups who wish to go out and have fun!

Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) are a chain of islets and bigger islands stretching off north Jakarta. Far enough to claim beautiful stretches of clear water, the closest of the islands can be reached in just 45 minutes from Pantai Mutiara in North Jakarta. Do not be fooled by the name though -. The number of only 76 coral islands, with other surfacing at low tide

Although we are in the rainy season, the crossing remains generally quite safe, and make it to the islands is fast. boat options can vary from quiet family cruiser yachts to party with DJs and drinks plenty of options.

If you are staying on board is your thing, there are a myriad of different activities to continue. There are a few diving spots around the Thousand Islands - indeed, some diving schools hold accreditation around some of the easiest reefs. Fishing is still available, although some fish stocks were slightly depleted in recent times. Other water sports can be rented at the stations on the islands, such as kayaking, windsurfing and jet ski rental.

party boats can be arranged very easily. Get some friends together, nominate your favorite music or drink, and that's all there is to it! Choose either a cruise around all day, or snuggle in a sheltered bay - it is yours. Just be aware that motoring all day chewing more fuel, and therefore increase the cost.

The nights can be arranged on board one of the many boats to Pulau Seribu liveaboard serving. Drift to sleep with the relaxing sound of water lapping at the side of the boat is a soothing experience indeed, and much preferable to the blaring horns or catcall of nasi sellers at 6am! If sleeping on board is not your thing, there are more than a dozen stations scattered throughout the islands with varying degrees of quality and price variables.

Have an Indonesian on the Thousand Islands, and there is a good chance that they do not have one either! It is certainly a shame that most turn their eyes entirely to East Nusa Tenggara for a beach holiday with so many decent options close to home. You can finish the job and being on a boat in a Jakarta time - what is not to love

There are many services and various boat trips available . For service in English, Spiceislandcharters.com runs weekly boat services to the Thousand Islands with features on the models and accommodation. family trips, holidays and resort accommodation can be booked quickly and easily.

If you're not sure how to plan your boat out on this special season, you can simply contact Spice Island Charters on 0897 7187 616 or visit www .spiceislandcharters.com / pulauseribu for all the information you need. Just pack your bags, label your friends or family along, and activate the mode "holiday season!

Fly Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways and discover an enchanting city with this glamor can not be matched by its fascinating past. In the capital of the UAE, the proud traditions are the perfect backdrop for the wonders of the 21st century elegance and sophistication.

Top 5 things to do in ABU DHABI

Whether you enjoy shopping, sightseeing or just relaxing in a spa - there is some something for everyone on holiday in Abu Dhabi. Here are our top picks for Etihad Airways:

1. Enter the gates of Qasr al-Hosn and in a world that has been protected in the stone walls of this magnificent fortress-palace from the mid-18th century.

2. Discover the history of Abu Dhabi and learn about the life of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the "Father of the Nation", the Zayed Centre? 3. Feel the rush Ferrari World theme park, and if you dare, the challenge of Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world.

3. Enjoy a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful religious structures in the world? 5. Feel the anticipation and excitement in the air at the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Discover one of the largest motorsports racing and take part in a driving experience of your own.

modern Islamic architecture

There is more! Take the plunge in Abu Dhabi Yas Waterworld, take a walk around a traditional souk, or engage in one of the many exciting tours of the city by land or sea - Abu Dhabi attractions are unparalleled. The compact size of the city, it is easy to get around as well, so the visit is always a pleasure.

SHOPPING IN ABU DHABI

Shopping in Abu Dhabi is something of a national pastime.

Its remarkable diversity means you can find everything from traditional perfumes, handicrafts and spices in small souk-like outlets, or pick up the latest designer clothes in ultra malls -modernes.

RESTAURANTS at ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi offers some of the best cuisines in the world. Taking its culinary inspiration from the East and West, Abu Dhabi restaurants offer delicious fusion of flavors from around the world. From comfort food to fine dining, there are restaurants for every taste.

BOOK WITH HALA ABU DHABI

Reservation ultimate getaway Abu Dhabi is easy with Hala Abu Dhabi - the travel management company Etihad Airways. Hala Abu Dhabi offers tours; safaris; sports and golf packages; and quality accommodation. Visit www.etihad.com/hala-abu- dhabi or call +971 2 590700.

A punish yet seductive ascension into heaven of Central Java

philosophical arguments are usually given when the climbers why they climb mountains. British climber George Mallory, for example, famous aphorism "because it's there", while the legendary New Zealand explorer Sir Edmund Hillary made the existential notion that by climbing a mountain, we are in reality " conquer us ". However, just after climbing the 76th highest peak in the world - Mount Lawu Central Java - I would say that for many climbers reason to want to climb a mountain is much simpler, and it is the visceral pleasures that come from the stunning views at the top !

as very high mountains of Indonesia will, Mount Lawu is not particularly well known, but at 3,265 meters, it falls just 411 meters before (probably) the most famous mountain in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani Lombok (3,676 meters).

Mount Rinjani, however, is not the most practical of mountains to climb, which requires a serious investment in time and money. Mount Lawu, however, is easily accessible from Jakarta and trails are so well marked that even a drunk and very nearsighted climber would find hard to lose (no, I'm not autobiographical here!). Mount Lawu is also a good test for novice climbers -. To see if they have "what it takes" to mount even the most difficult mountains in the country

Y

to get to Mount Lawu you must first go to the city of Central Java Surakarta (Solo or, as we call it otherwise). We took the night bus who left the dark area and Kampung Rambutan filthy from East Jakarta. In what appeared to be the age of the bus struggled through the crazy traffic on the toll road out of town.

Eventually, however, the traffic began to ease just after the satellite city of Bekasi and we thought we were finally on our way - and then the pilot decided it was time to eat and pulled on a wide service area where we had our evening meal in what looked like a huge aircraft hangar. Bizarre.

Back in our seats 30 minutes later and the bus hurtling towards Central Java on newly built toll roads (thanks, Jokowi), most of us doze soon to nostalgic songs "Indonesians love by people Ebiet G. Ade, Alda Risma and rock's most talented female star ever to have lived, Nike Ardilla -. best known for his heartbreaking ballad Bintang Kehidupan

Everything was then a blur until, at some ungodly hour before dawn we were awakened by dangdut play music from a radio in a streetside warung. We stopped for coffee; no nonsense Starbucks, but the Javanese good coffee - Kopi Tobruk - so strong and sweet, it could breathe life into a golek wayang puppet. Revitalized, we left and within an hour or arrival at Terminal Palur, a house typically ropey bus station looking on the outskirts of Solo. From there, we moved to a smaller bus to get to Tawangmangu, the nearest town of Mount Lawu in a bone tower tremors that takes about an hour.

Tawangmangu is a pretty nice place with accommodation if you require it. There are two trails leading to the summit of Mount Lawu (named Cemoro Kandang and Cemoro Sewu), starting not far from each other, and easily accessible from Tawangmangu by omprengan (minibus) in about 20 minutes. On both tracks, I highly recommend using the Cemoro Kandang track to climb the mountain as far 12km summit - from what Cemoro Sewu 8 km -. There are more flat sections, which makes for a more enjoyable ride

history

one thing to appreciate about Mount Lawu is that is a very sacred place.

According to Javanese legend, the mountain is the final resting place of the last king of Majapahit Empire, Prabu Brawijaya V -. although his body was never found

No mountain in Indonesia is considered haunted or as mystical as Mount Lawu and despite being "alive", he can also hide his identity. For this reason, the climbers are supposed to whisper to the mountain and ask permission each time they need something - say, for relief, for example. Swearing or cursing is strictly prohibited. "Upset the mountain," say the people who live in the surrounding villages and "you can not be allowed to walk the sacred land." The losses over the years have been many and as recently as last year seven hikers died in a forest fire

The View from Mount Lawu. | Photo Martin Jenkins

The rise using path Cemoro Kandang

There is a long travel to the summit (about eight to ten hours), so you'll need to spend the night there. We brought tents but you can also plant in the warung of mbok Yem near the top of the very simple fashion on rattan mats provided. On the track until there are five positions that offer basic shelter from the elements

make no mistake, however -. This walk in the park. The trail is very steep in parts and fresh legs do not last long. For me, in the middle of the afternoon the trek had turned into a battle between my mind and my body. How can I go on? My shirt is soaked in sweat - a typical bule weakness - and I have a burning thirst. painful legs like crazy. But turning back is not an option. Not now ...

At the time we had reached three after most of us were completely broken. We relaxed and enjoyed the spectacular views before remembering it was almost dark, and we still had to walk to post four, hour and a half drive, where we will camp for the night.

We continued our torch beams head. This section was a complete beast up and so steep in places the trail zigzagged crazily back and forth. But then, what is that smell? The smell of human excrement! This can only mean one thing of course - we were on hand after the four! The literal dumping grounds for those too lazy to cover their shit: by far the most disturbing aspects of the climb. Why treat a sacred mountain like that?

The next day we went down to an early start. It is walking distance of a good time to post five before a grueling 30 minute climb almost incredibly steep path to the top known as Hargo Dumilah. We created it! All the pain instantly forgotten. Well, not too long, of course - we still have to go back down

The descent using path Cemoro Sewu

Unlike! the path Cemoro Kandang where we found that no drinks (or food) can be purchased, refreshments are readily available in most messages on the trail Cemoro Sewu - probably save my life

[1945029!]

down the mountain was also difficult. The road was incredibly steep and especially being paved with large stones I was surprised my knee joints will not break completely at some point. Yet in the late afternoon and about five hours later, we did a poster for the legs like jelly. From there it was an hour or walking through a forest of pine return to the main road. sacred mountain or not, one question was now in my mind. **** When can I get a blessed Bintang?

In practice

• No guides are needed because the trails are very well defined and in many places paved with large stones.
• Be prepared with all the right gear for it is very cold at night and hypothermia kills. night the temperatures range as low as 0-4 degrees.
• Bring a minimum of 2 liters of bottled water.
• Travel as light as possible.
• Do not rise during the rainy season - really, it's not worth
• be mentally prepared for a very difficult hike
• Take the hike seriously ... If you have an accident, you will not be airlifted out!

Bung Karno and Sudjojono

S. Sudjojono, 1913-1986

One of the ultimate tools of the revolution is art. So, too, revolution ideas often stimulate revolutionary visual - posters and icons that embody the aspirations of those who fight against the old order. Art is also victorious in their search for iconic images that embody the principles of the revolution.

The Father of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, has understood the need to create a truly Indonesian art movement to forge a national identity that religious divisions, ethnic and linguistic transcended that plagued the archipelago. To do this, he gathered around him a circle of talented young artists. One of the most important of them was S. Sudjojono, one of the main founders of Persagi (1938-1943), who, with his many other achievements lead art critic Trisno Sumardjo to declare him the "father of modern art in Indonesia "in 1949.

Born in Medan, Sumatra at a Javanese family of poor migrant workers, S. Sudjojono, stumbled on the greatness following serendipity and pure talent. it starts in 1925 when an art teacher admiring sent to Jakarta. there he would gain an intimate insight into the prestigious Batavian Art Circle, which featured exhibitions of Belle Ecole des Indes, and often revolutionary contemporary European art. in the process, it would also be introduced to many now famous modern artists from Indonesia, including Affandi and Hendra Gunawan who were also founding members of Persagi.

in 1947 Sudjojono present perhaps the most poignant representation of Indonesian independence struggle - a large oil on canvas entitled "revolutionary Camarades" (Kawan-kawan Revolusi). Unlike many tables in the revolutionary genre, "Comrades" is an attempt to glorify or beautify the subject. His ultimate nobility is reflected in his dark and moody honesty. Here we see the dirty and tired faces of the men and Indonesian women from all walks of life staring with courage and courage is apparently remembering fallen comrades, lost youth and even more challenges ahead.

Bung Karno

Although the founding of the Republic of Indonesia ended more than 300 years of foreign domination and oppression, struggle to bring prosperity, equality and justice remained elusive. Like many artists of his time Sudjojono S. expressed his concern for the welfare of the people in the paintings of peasants and workers. In the 1970s, he would begin to explore more surreal subjects often suggests alienation and disappointed by the Brave New World which has never appeared.

His revolutionary credentials have been recognized in his choice to paint a huge mural in the Fatahillah Museum depicting the struggle of Sultan Agung Mataram (ruled 1613-1646) against Jan Pieterszoons Coen (1587-1629), the founder dour and severe VOC or Dutch East India Company. Ironically painting is located in the City Hall where Dutch Coen sat when the Sultan Agung unsuccessfully besieged the city in late 1628. victories are often milder.

In 1985, S. Sudjojono would ride his last exhibition in the Ancol Art Gallery with Affandi and Basoeki Abdullah. He spent the following year in September. In the last phase of his life, he largely abandoned the typical anti-aesthetic style of his youth. The most likely cause was love that can over time, even the wildest revolutionary. Today he is honored for a major role in Indonesian art and history not for his still lifes of flowers, but his revolutionary vision and force - Merdeka

Nearly half a millennium before the world, slowly connect by television images grainy black and white, was fascinated by the antics of Yuri Gagarin, Neil Armstrong and other cute animals in the astronaut outfits there was another race that captured the attention of people. Instead of the moon and if the vanity of nations, it was spicy and it was all about profit. massive profits for the tiny seeds.

Regarding the Europeans, spices overpriced and they blamed the Venetians. They knew that the product came from somewhere in the east, but that's all. Europe emerged from the Dark Ages; for them, the east was the Ottoman Empire. In addition, their knowledge was scarce at best. In fact, this lack of knowledge can be evidenced by the fact that Columbus went looking to tap into the spice trade when he "discovered" by mistake America!

They little knew that spices themselves, nutmeg, cloves and mace, began their travels on small islands on the other side of the globe and have been worn by a horn Virtual abundance of nationalities before ending up in the finest homes and restaurants. They did not know that, but they instinctively knew that if they did it themselves, sourcing, collection and transportation, wholesale prices would plummet and profits would rise astronomically.

Towards the end of the 15 ^e century, the race was on and the first leaders are Portugal and Spain, no doubt encouraged by a decision of the Pope who had conveniently to them at least, carved with the globe into two halves; half being allocated to Spain and one in Portugal. Malaka was vital as it is from there to a narrow point on the Malaka Strait, all shipping charges could be verified, and especially imposed.

Before the Europeans arrived on the scene of the strait was of great importance; all trade between Arabia, India and China had to pass through this stretch of water that separates the Malay Peninsula from the long cigar-shaped island of Sumatra ,.

With the Portuguese conquest of Malacca, then a medieval Singapore, they could almost smell the aromatic spices carried on trade winds and after consolidating their hold on the vital Port they headed eastward finally set foot on the legendary islands.

But the Portuguese control of trade was brief. At the end of the 16 ^e century, two other players emerged on the scene and for them their goal was the outright profit. The Portuguese felt their work was done to the glory of God, but the Dutch and the British, not bound by the dictates of Rome and the Pope, had no such qualms. And benefits were astounding.

After an initial output Dutch who had seen much of the die and the crew left behind a succession of local potentates upset, a second company, more serious, bought before a 400% return for investors and launched a large number of imitation traders; by the end of 01 14 fleets had headed east looking to emulate that success.

Towards the end of the 17 ^e century, the British and the Dutch were still sitting on more wealth. A trader can buy a bag of 10 pounds of nutmeg, the seed of the tree of nutmeg in the Banda Islands and pay less of an English penny. That same bag, on his arrival in London could then be sold for more than £ 2 10s. A return of 60.000% which would have erased the entire inner city drug dealers in the world today.

As men of greed themselves, the donors of these armadas pioneers trust anyone. Men captaining the fleets were strictly told that they could not engage in exchanges themselves and the slightest deviation was seen seriously. Back fleets have jealously guarded their precious cargo from the hold to the marketplace.

So what were these little seeds that sent men around the world have seen small wars exported around the globe and, ultimately, saw a small island in the vast open sea exchanged for a piece of real estate that eventually became New York?

Today, if you sell a nutmeg it refers to the act of a soccer player passing the ball between the legs of an opponent. There are about 1300 years have seen monks nutmeg as something they could add to their desserts for flavoring while the Queen of England Elizabeth 1 and William Shakespeare said it could be used to ward off the plague, a common occurrence in those days. It would have also been used as an intoxicant by an assortment of people from Indonesia, the United States via India.

Given the high cost of nutmeg in the European markets, it is not surprising that they were considered a status symbol and the wealthy would think nothing of going in the best restaurants, sitting then whisk them nutmeg grater as ostentatiously as possible. Think Blackberry without worrying about the battery charge.

In a boon for businessmen reddish covering around the nutmeg seed, called mace was also prized for its culinary qualities.

Cloves also a long and varied use. A Chinese emperor demanded that anyone who wanted to speak with her must first wash your mouth with cloves to improve its odor! The Romans were also familiar with the cloves with a complainant the sum of money and resources were spent annually for trade with India.

They are also a mainstay of Indian cooking with chili added to a variety of dishes the subcontinent while the idea of ​​burning cloves is one that has largely with that of course is a popular ingredient in Indonesian cigarettes but also as incense in China and Japan.

as any free market economist will tell you, a monopoly is not in the interest of the marketplace. The Dutch and the British are not able to enjoy their huge profits for long. The need to protect their supply routes has led to security costs more and it was never going to be long before some enterprising soul has tried to plant the seeds in similar environments far from the greed monopolists . Today, for example, nutmeg is cultivated on the small Caribbean island of Grenada and such is its importance to the economy, it is the second largest producer in the world after Indonesia, it has on their flag.

Miguel The Covarrubias father was a Sunday painter. As a very young child, Miguel liked to sit by his father, watching her work. This happened almost every weekend. Noticing his interest, his father gave the boy small paper and pencil. Miguel happily busy himself to take pictures. As he grew up, sketches drew attention to ease burgeoning drawing. By the time he was fourteen years old and in high school, he made caricatures of teachers to the amusement of his classmates.

From there where Covarrubias went, he carried with him a pencil and sketch pad at the ready to make some paper or something that caught his attention. At night, he loved to go to vaudeville magazines and, later, the cafes where intellectuals and artists from Mexico gathered.

Covarrubias remembers this period, a chubby shy boy still sitting in a corner of busy drawing. He was given the affectionate nickname "El Chamaco", "The Kid", a pet name that would stay with him for the rest of his life. Some of the cartoons he made already well known artists such as Diego Rivera or visit the writer, D. H. Lawrence, ended up pinned to the walls of "EL Monote", one of the cafes. Soon he was asked to contribute caricature of Mexico fashion magazines and student publications, including the popular art magazine Zig-Zag.

At the time he was eighteen, Covarrubias is in New York and was soon make caricatures of personalities from the world of art and entertainment, and political figures and social. It has also become an important contributor to the Harlem Renaissance movement. Alan Fern, a former director of the Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC wrote "seems commentator par excellence of American life in the 1920s."
Al Hirschfeld, who shared a studio with Miguel in the twenties commented, "I know he used to fiddle a lot and draw on tablecloths and menus in restaurants .... In Harlem, he hundreds of drawings in a sketchbook, and when there were no leaves in white, on matchboxes, on the towels, and anything he could find. "

After the publication of Covarrubias first book in 1925, the Prince of Wales and other Americans, his mentor Carl Van Vechten marveled, "I have always regarded as an axiom that a cartoonist should know about it for ten years before sit for the draw .... relieved me of this superstition. Ten minutes with one of them was all that was required. The result was not superficial ... are set down so sharply that posterity can study them to better advantage in the art of Covarrubias that the written critique of their work. "

Later that year, Van Vechten once again made a similar observation in his novel, firecrackers, which he dedicated to MC. In the book, a character thinks of "a young Mexican boy, Miguel Covarrubias, who created caricatures of celebrities who knew only by sight and name, which exposed the secret of the subject's personality. There was foresight. "

From 1926, Covarrubias began to illustrate books. As he read the text he would start drawing and, in the end, choose the most suitable images. Some of the designs have was repeated up to fifteen times in a patient experimentation to find the right approach and technique.

book Covarrubias, Negro Drawings was published two years later. in his preface to the book, the cartoonist, Ralph Barton attested "drawings by Covarrubias ... only need to be looked at to be understood. To draw as Covarrubias draws, simply being born with a taste for all to understand. As we look at the drawings that we are aware that they bear the stamp of genius. "After its publication, the Encyclopedia Britannica listed him among the" wonders "of black and white artists.

In 1928, the Valentine Gallery in New York Covarrubias gave his first exhibition. The catalog said "simplification is such an important element in Covarrubias drawings is rarely achieved he starts a picture at the latest after the most summary of thumbnail sketches, but he is ready to draw and redraw until his keen sense of. pictorial rightness is satisfied. the end result is usually deceptively simple. It has a look of the immediate and spontaneous creation. "

Rosa Rolanda Covarrubias married in 1930. For their honeymoon they traveled by boat to China and Bali. Covarrubias threw himself into Balinese life. All he saw was recorded in sketches. The results of his two visits to Bali was his book, Bali island, published in 1937. Many of the topics in the book are illustrated by a summary sketches.

Covarrubias became a passionate anthropological researcher. He immersed himself in the arts and culture of primitive cultures. His way of sorting the ideas and way of understanding a culture was through the use of the drawing. As a teacher, his students remember him with the always present pens in his pocket and a notebook to make sketches. In the classroom to illustrate what he described, Covarrubias would simply turn to the blackboard and draw. "It goes something like this ..."

The same is true for its archaeological research The Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso said:.. "He gave something to archeology that was missing ... and that was an aesthetic perception of form, always correct. " The archaeologist Michael Coe said: "I learned many of his designs"

group of Bali and Chinese sketches in this exhibition performed by Miguel Covarrubias early thirties is a window on the. creative process of his way to work. Wherever he was, he saw people and events for later use. These sketches show his keen sense of observation and intellectual curiosity and loyalty and artistic understanding of its subjects.

Many of these preliminary drawings were the first step before developing into refined line or lavis or color studies. good examples sketches Bali are the corresponding final works "food Stall", "Every Night's Night Festival "," Brahman Priest or Pendanda "and" Princess and Attendant "(a scene from the Ardja, Balinese Opera). This work can be found in Covarrubias in Bali published by Editions Didier Millet. Chinese sketches, there are several drawings improved for the book of Mark Chadourne China and gouache for the book jacket Albert Ms. Gervais Flowery sense in 1937.

Miguel Covarrubias began his career as a cartoonist and graphic designer. He was working on a cartoon, a book illustration, teaching a class, design a card sets for a ballet, studying a culture or solve an archaeological mystery, he always sketched.

The sketches in this exhibition are examples of how it worked and are works of art in their own right. Rubin of Borbollas said: "Perhaps one of the most profound lessons of Covarrubias was there any aspect, but abstract it may be, knowledge or human nature that surrounds the man who can not have and should not have a graphical interpretation. "

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