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The rather scrappy first title for this article ran nearly three lines as he tried to carry this Kassian Cephas (a) was the first professional photographer Javanese; (. R 1855-1877) (b) at the request of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI, was appointed official photographer to the court of Yogyakarta; (C) has photographed many Javanese Hindu monuments of civilization in Central Java.

Born in Yogyakarta, he became a student of Christina Petronella Philips-Steven, a Protestant missionary in Jogjakarta. In 1860, he was baptized and took the name Cephas. Later, he began using Cephas as his surname. Cephas married Dina Rakijah, a Christian Javanese woman in a church in Yogyakarta on January 22, 1866. The couple raised a daughter and three son: (b 1866). Naomi, Shem, Fares (1872 b.) (B 1870). and Jozef (b. 1881). Shem, his eldest son, became a photographer and painter in his father's workshop. A biography of Peter, called Cephas, Yogyakarta sultan Photography service by Gerrit Knaap, published by the Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde (KITLV), Leiden, 1999 presents a selection of 98 images: portraits the royal family, court dances, city views, and of course the Borobudur.

easy access to the courtyard allowed Cephas produce a documentary work on its buildings, among others, the Taman Sari Water Castle (now one of the major tourist attractions in Jogjakarta). He also recorded the various keraton (royal court) dances and other cultural expressions of the court. He also was able to indulge in portrait photography of members of the royal family and the Sultan himself.

As official photographer of the court, he immortalized the interactions of the court with the colonial officers and visitors. An example of the latter is the record of the visit of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in Jogjakarta, in thanks for the king presented him with a case of three jewel buttons.

His most important work, however, was associated with many ancient monuments and buildings in central Java. This includes, firstly, the complex at Prambanan Jonggrang Lara, he photographed so precisely that these photos could be used later for restoration of temples. And secondly, the photographs of the hidden foot Borobudur.

Borobudur was discovered in 1814 by H. C. Cornelius, a Dutch officer in the Engineering Corps. At the request of the Lieutenant Governor-General Thomas Stanford Raffles, Cornelis was sent to investigate the existence of a large monument on a hill in the jungle near the village of Bumisegoro. It took Cornelius and his 0 men two months to cut down trees, burning vegetation and dig away the earth and ash from Mount Merapi to reveal the monument. But because of the danger of collapse, Cornelis could not unearth all galleries. The report its findings to Raffles including various drawings.

Borobudur before the restoration, in the late 1800s

Hartmann, a Dutch administrator of the Kedu region, continued the work of Cornelius, and in 1835, the entire complex was finally unearthed. His interest in Borobudur seemed more personal than official. Hartmann did not submit reports of its activities, in particular, the alleged story that he discovered the large statue of Buddha in the main stupa. In 1842, Hartmann conducted an official investigation of the main dome, but what he discovered is unknown and the main stupa remains empty.

The site was used for some time, largely as a source of artifacts for "souvenir hunters" and income for thieves. In 1882, the chief inspector of cultural property recommended that Borobudur be entirely disassembled and reliefs to be seen in museums. This was based on his belief that the monument was largely unstable. The government ordered a new thorough investigation be undertaken to assess the actual condition of the complex. The resulting report fortunately recommended that the site be left intact

Borobudur did, however, remains a source of memories. parts of his sculptures were looted, some even with the colonial government consent. In 1896, King Chulalongkorn, who visited Java and Yogyakarta, requested and was allowed to take home eight cartloads of sculptures from Borobudur. Many of them are now on display in the hall of Art of Java National Museum Bangkok.

Due to the absence of written documents about Borobudur construction, much of the monument is still shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty. And when, in 1885, a hidden structure under the base of the temple was accidentally discovered by Isaac Groneman, first president of the Archaeological Union, a new layer was added to the unknown.

The hidden foot was originally the first level of the temple; it contains 0 relief panels. Why this first level was closed and turned into a new foundation is not known. One theory says that during construction it was necessary to prevent the collapse of the monument. Another is that the original database was not properly designed. Whatever the reason, the 0 panels (not all of them completed when the first original level was locked) were locked in a new foundation.

In 1891, at the request of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VII, the panels were photographed by a photographer of the court, Kassian Cephas. It should be emphasized that these photographs are the only ones in existence that depict the panels. The hidden foot was open panel by panel, and after being photographed again closed. The budget for the year was prepared by the colonial administration, but for unknown reasons, Cephas received 3,000 guilders 000 budget Maybe it was estimated that a native (photographer) operates at a cost level different, or perhaps the original plan to produce 300 photographs were considered excessive and unnecessary. Ultimately, 0 photographs panels were produced, plus four other giving an overview of the site.

Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI

For a long time we did not know what was depicted in the reliefs of the hidden foot. Only in 1929 was the French orientalist, Sylvain Levi (1863-1935), able to connect the panels to the Buddhist text Mahakarmawibhangga, which had been discovered in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1922. Apparently, the reliefs illustrate the theory karma- the idea that the actions of an individual determines his destiny, in the here and now, or in a future life! Although some may be deciphered, but the meaning of others is still under discussion. The reading of the reliefs of the sequence begins the stairs of the East and skirts the temple clockwise. The panels are to be read from right to left.

In the southeast corner, the hidden foot was left open to provide an overview of what remains hidden.

Since the discovery of oil there just 50 years, Dubai has experienced increased growth and prosperity, and underwent a rapid transformation from a pearl diving and fishing village to one of the cities dynamic in the world, now the 7th most visited city in the world. He emerged as the contemporary face of the Arab world and its diversity makes it a truly exciting and memorable destination to visit.

Whether you are looking for an indulgent getaway, a relaxing beach retreat, a gastronomic adventure, or something a little more cultural and relaxed, Dubai has everything, Moreover. Lined with pristine beaches and shimmering sands, Dubai offers a healthy outdoor life, from which you can admire the mixture of ancient and modern architecture during the colder but balmy winter months from December to March before the sun really heats year.

Fly Emirates Airlines in business class and be served by the best in the business

A trip to Dubai is easily accessible from the Indonesia with Emirates, offers three daily direct flights to Jakarta. Flying business class is an incredible experience with the selection of food and drinks available, the incredible flight entertainment system with over 1,0 channels of the latest movies, TV programs and music from around the world, and friendly flight attendants ready to see to your every need. You can lay back and stretch out in your own personal space and feel rested and ready to navigate the city on arrival.

There are festivals each month in Dubai, with January the most exciting hosting event in the racing calendar of the city: the Dubai shopping festival, now in its 20th year. This is a detail extravagance than a month with significant sales, entertainment and prizes to win and with 95 shopping centers to choose from, it is a paradise for genuine shopper. As a home to some of the most luxurious malls in the Middle East, the Dubai Mall is one of the largest malls in the world and home to more than 1,0 stores with many American and European labels and brand products. By visiting the Dubai Mall, you can also enjoy views of the largest aquarium in the world suspended, home to over 140 species of aquatic animals, or enjoy a meal and take in light and water spectacular display of the Dubai fountain dance in the evenings overlooking the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 828 meters. commercial districts there are also options to visit, offering incredible options for bargain hunters, where you can find anything from fresh food for tailors that can replicate anything found on a magazine page .

If you prefer shopping more cultural experience, exotic Souq , or traditional markets offer a lively atmosphere and are life with the sounds of traders and customers excited negotiating for better prices for their goods. Located in traditional interiors, you can catch a abra (traditional wooden boat) from the textile souq gold souq and spices. Here, travelers are sure to find the perfect souvenirs of Persian carpets, electronics, crafts, aromatic spices or silver and gold jewelry. This is a truly rewarding way to discover a completely different side of Dubai, away from all the glitz and glamor of the city.

Once you have exhausted all possible options, one of the strongest from a trip to Dubai is a visit to the desert, and what better way to to experience than to enjoy a desert safari? Position in the golden sand dunes in a 4 × 4 you have many options available to make the most of this unique destination. You can enjoy a show of falcon before leaving in a dune buggy adventure, navigating the dunes with your desert guide, with a lap of course rollercoaster get your adrenaline. You can watch the sun sets over the arid landscape and magic, and enjoy a ride on a camel in the desert windswept, before enjoying dinner on a traditional Arab barbecue under the stars in a style camp Bedouin. In this desert camp, you can dine on a delicious spread grilled meat, vegetables and mezze, while being entertained by belly dancers, as well as to offer a temporary henna tattoo.

camel in Dubai

As Dubai enjoys continued growth and has many ongoing plans bigger and better ways to discover the city, the changing landscape will remain full of surprises and places to explore, continuing to meet the needs of every traveler. If you decide to spend the night in transit or make your final destination, you are sure to leave with all your senses more than satisfied and wanting to come back.

In short

country: United Arab Emirates

plot size :. Dubai has an area of ​​4.114 square kilometers

Population: 2,106,000 (2013). Only 17% of the population are Emirati. The rest are immigrants and tourists from around the world

Getting there: Fly Emirates .., three times a week direct to Dubai (flight time of eight hours)

What do:

• Dubai Fountain, Aquarium and shopping at Dubai mall
• Visit textiles, spices and gold souq (traditional markets)
• Explore the old town of Al Fahidi district (Bastakiya)
• Dubai Museum
• Visit to the observation deck at Top Burj Khalifa
• Desert Safari Arabian BBQ Dinner

Where to eat:

• Wafi Gourmet (Lebanese cuisine) to Dubai Mall
• 3in1 Vida Downtown Dubai
• Moana Seafood restaurant, Sofitel Dubai the Palm

Where to stay:

• Enjoy a 5 * stay in Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
• Enter a new world Atlantis the Palm

What to bring:

Sun hat, sunglasses sunglasses, sunscreen, flip flops, comfortable walking shoes, camera, bathers, a light long pants for men and skirts to the knee and tops that cover the shoulders for women. Emiratis like to get the glamorous evening, so take a cocktail dress for that special occasion.

Falling in history and fall of ancient relics is what is in store for you when you take a trip to the far East Java. 80km stretch of Malang in Blitar reveals weathered stone shrines and temples attractive the kingdom of Majapahit, who reigned from 1293 East Java 1500s ..

An exquisite structure, the largest temple ancient Hindu in east Java, Candi Penataran, is just 12 kilometers from the township of Blitar, and something totally different, you can arrange a candlelit dinner on the grounds of this beautiful temple.

Penataran Temple in Blitar, East Java by David Metcalf

Candi Penataran is best enjoyed in the evening. It is one of the most beautiful temples in East Java and lies at the foot of Mount Kelud. Special arrangement, a magical event occurs, and the Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari, Blitar can arrange a "Dinner Temple Lost '. It is one of the most unique dining experiences in all of Java, and it is worth going to just for this experience Blitar. It is a getaway from Jakarta weekend.

As the sun was setting, I followed a trail of bamboo torches along a winding path through the grounds of the great temple. In front of her a beautiful candlelit table was laid with a variety of cutlery and glasses to match seven sumptuous dishes meals. As the wine was poured, flute solo played a melodic song singing, and slowly felt transported back in time to another place lined with romance.

As the dark sky pulling down this mystical evening features the temple fell gently into the night. Shaded by the faces carved high on the walls, hundreds of flickering candles danced in the dusty light. A romantic indeed.

Java Kuda Lumping dance by David Metcalf

Blitar is a quiet little town. It is the birthplace of the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno President (101-1970). You can visit his childhood home, his tomb and Sukarno museum, which has an interesting function and draws a crowd.

At the entrance of the museum, a beautifully framed portrait of Sukarno is exposed. This is roped off, and if you stand on the side of the rope and see the table in this way, the painting throbs at the heart of President. There are no project or air-blowing wind on the painting, and it seems that his heart beats on.

In Rambut Monte, a small town nearby, more mystical powers are involved. A beautiful blue-green lake surrounded by a forest is not only a place to picnic pleasant, but is also a mossy temple hidden to discover.

This ensures temple on the beautiful lake where a strange event occurs.

I saw with my own eyes, strange turbulence on the lake bed, but he does not seem to be anything the creation of the sand moving on the lake bottom.

is said to be the house of the God of fish and it is forbidden to swim in this lake; the locals believe that the spiritual fish live in the water.

Many people claim to have seen the fish gods or magical fish with bones of the skeleton and translucent body swimming in the lake. Rambut means hair, and it is said in legend that natural serene beauty of the lake and surrounding trees resemble wispy hair growth of the gods who reside here.

Next on the discovery trail, halfway between Blitar and Malang, you'll find 1 November ^e century Ganesha statue. This beautifully preserved statue is carved in standing position, with views of the thick jungle and a river gorge raging in the village of Karangkates. The unusual thing about this relic is that it is one of the few standing Ganesha statues in Java. Most statues of Ganesha assume the sitting pose and nobody seems to know why it is standing.

From fish gods temple romantic dining, Blitar reveals many treasures and can easily be done in a weekend. Why not go somewhere new and experience the beauty of this Javanese city less known and mystique surrounds

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Blitar

Country: Indonesia

province East Java

population 131968 (2010)

Getting there: daily flights are available to Malang Garuda Indonesia, Citilinks, Sriwijaya Air and Wings. Continue driving for 81.5 km in Blitar

Housing :. Tugu Sri Lestari, Blitar, East Java. www.tuguhotels.com/blitar

Local guide and historian Hery Kurniawan. harinathjii@hotmail.com. +62 (0) 81223314594.

Nearly all United Nations Members approved the 1961 Conventions, 1971 and 1988 on the Prohibition of the main illegal recreational drugs. The goal of these mandates was, in the words of William Brownfield, US Assistant Secretary of State for drugs, to "reduce the misuse and abuse of products harmful in the world. "and the way to achieve this is to launch an all-out war against drugs. Now, half a century later, the belief that the culling of drugs are not the best way manage the problem begins to take root.

We are talking about cannabis, illicit drug in the world of choice. in the United States, four states have legalized as a Washington, while most European countries have decriminalized the use - but not drug trafficking Uruguay is the first country to legalize the entire chain from cultivation to distribution and consumption of cannabis [

regarding other drugs (and there are a number of them) legislation in Western countries is not as indulgence, yet. Users of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine are sometimes still prosecuted, and heroin users could be jailed, but at the same time are provided with access to clean needles and methadone; a substitute to stop overdoses addicts. In Amsterdam, the policy goes further. Heroin addicts who can prove they have tried to quit smoking several times but failed, can get heroin to smoke or inject three times a day in a municipal health center. The result is that addicts have disappeared from the streets, and those under 40 are almost nonexistent.

100 years in the Netherlands East Indies, the main opium was amazing. Used for medical or recreational purposes, the substance was entirely controlled by the colonial authorities through its 1893 legislation called Opium Regie , or Opium. Raw Indian opium was bought by an agent at the auction Calcutta with the UK Government to ensure product quality. This outsourcing has been adopted as poppy cultivation was banned for reasons that, in the vast expanse of the archipelago it was almost impossible to control the production. In addition, it was asked whether the local culture give a reliable product. The government was therefore the only one monopolistic importer and processor of raw opium, taking care of packaging and shipping for resale by tenants, too.

As elsewhere in the world, 19 ^e century was quite tolerant of smoking opium; it was not seen as a threat to health and society. In 1884, a royal commission in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, interviewed a girl of good family and education why she smoked opium. His response was : Why do people start drinking? Trouble, I suppose brought me to smoke. I think it's better than drinking. People who smoke opium will refresh rows; they hurt not one but themselves, and I do not think they hurt a lot .

Back in the Netherlands East Indies, research at the psychiatric hospital in Lawang could not find a link between mental illness, or heredity, and the smoking of opium. And experts were of the view that moderate use of opium did little harm to Asians. The researchers reported that Lawang :. ... typical representation of opium damage is greatly exaggerated

The authors cite examples of coolies who took a certain amount of opium on a daily basis and were always able to perform heavy physical labor. The coolies coal port of Singapore, for example, have reached old age and were known as strong and industrious workers, even if they smoked 10 to 20 times more opium than the Javanese workers.

I do not know if the authors were free enlightened thinkers and well ahead of their time, or try to justify their own habits, but their statements are certainly different from what you would expect to read in an encyclopedia 100 years. However, the article also contains statements and references to studies that oppose the opinions above. The authors themselves, for example, report that the unrestrained smoking [of opium] eventually ravage the body. But this, of course refers to unbridled smoking , rather than to take a certain amount opium .

the Regie opium was modified and adjusted frequently than the government faces the difficulty of predicting how much to import and distribute to different tenants and operators opium den. If too little was bought in Calcutta, tenants - aided and abetted by large powerful groups with business interests in trade - would smuggle quantities necessary to offset the shortage in the country. And when too much was distributed, tenants would be (illegally) enlarge the sales area assigned to them.

In the 20 ^e century, the desire to eradicate opium smoking gradually got stronger, and various methods for achieving this objective were used. The number of regions where opium was allowed to be sold has been reduced, as has the number of opium dens. In Java and Madura, for example, the number of holes was reduced by 20 percent, or from 1 January 1025 105-823 12 years later. Great care was taken not to reduce their number too quickly as this will undoubtedly lead to smuggling and illegal sales.

The government's dilemma was immense. On one hand, the desire to curb the opium-smoking was genuine. However, the revenues collected from opium was very profitable. In 1916, revenues stood at 35,345,0 florins, with operating costs (including raw materials, processing, packaging, shipping, the cost of preventing smuggling, and pensions) to 6,933,646 florins only, leaving a net profit of 28,411,514 florins - the equivalent of about $ 350 million today.

He was the second world war that ended with the Regie opium and profits.

It seems that the main reason for the lack of success of the anti-opium-smoking campaign was profits from the sale of opium. Therefore history repeats , as nowadays the big profits are still the main reasons why the war against drugs has been a failure. Only now, profits are made illegally by big outfits, well organized criminals who have the capital to buy their way easily around obstacles.

Those of getting caught (and executed) are generally small-fry the small mules, or at best a few low-level organizers.

heads of large, powerful groups with business interest in trade sit back and enjoy their illicit profits.

a language of publication English recently published an interesting editorial corruption weakens the war Jokowi against drugs , in which it is stated that the basic problem of war Indonesia is on drugs "... corrupt officials, a penitentiary system rotten and of course the judicial system as a whole rather than just drug smuggling foreigners into the country ."

It is time to try an alternative approach to the fight against drug use. legalization of drugs hit the bottom in the market and eliminate the huge profits. It would also eliminate the need to kick-back and other corrupt practices. Rehabilitation of drug users and a needle cleaning program, rather than imprisonment, would also be a positive first step.

This, however, seems to be a distant dream as the new anti-drug czar, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, wants to stop rehabilitation services for drug users provided by his office (National Narcotics Agency, BNN). It also found that, similar to the policy on illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, the boats used to smuggle drugs should be cast, but with crew!

“The memory of things past is important for a jazz musician . "- Louis Armstrong

The appointment of Joey Alexander for two Grammy Awards created an increased international interest in the jazz scene in Indonesia, but it is not the first child prodigy to emerge here play jazz piano.

Jazz arrived in what was then the Dutch East Indies back nearly a century, in 1919, and its entry represented a socio-cultural change among Dutch adolescents and Indo-European just as the advent of rock 'n' roll was in the mid 50s in the United States. Because nothing happens in isolation, it is important to ask why.

According to the second full census survey of 1930, the population of Batavia was 435,000 having grown from 306,000 in 1920, while the population of the Dutch East Indies was 60,727,233. Among these millions, just 240,417 were people with a European legal status in the colony, and about 75 percent of them were "Eurasians" children of Dutch men who had taken women "natives" for the duration of their contracts here.

The Building Society Concordia in Surabaya, 1850 - 100

There were also a number of foreign traders, including the British, who were " in need "of entertainment and fun such as that known in Europe and the United States. This was provided by the high-end hotels that had their own home groups, theaters and a Sociëteit Concordia official network, which offered theatrical and musical performances with dance weekend.

Jazz was born from the ragtime music (rhythm 'ragged'), which originated in hot neighborhoods African-American communities in St. Louis and was popularized by the publication for piano performances Ernest Hogan. Another African-American, Scott Joplin, recorded Maple Leaf Rag in 1899; the first record of surviving the melody of 106 by the military band of the United States.

Ragtime was popular in Batavia. For example, in May 1913, Elite Cinema and Deca Park Theatre, which had live acts of vaudeville, ragtime featured actor Tom Richards and American dancer.

On February 26, 1917, the all-white Original Dixieland Band 'Jass (ODJB) recorded both sides of a 78rpm shellac disc, Dixie Jass Band One Step / Livery Stable Blues , which are considered the first jazz recordings. Ragtime went out of style

Two years later, jazz (more "Jass") arrived in Batavia with the act of the San Francisco-based Columbia Park Boys Club -. A group of 42 missionaries boys. Their eclectic program included singing, dancing, tumbling (gymnastics), with marches and jazz played cornet, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, percussion with. A journalist from East India Het Nieuws van den Dag rejected the Boys Club show as a " kind of entertainment cocktail ." Although it was fun, the " of strong and loud music " gave him " stomach cramps ".

But new music proved popular, particularly with older teens. As phonographs were already part of household furnishings, heavy shellac discs were brought into the country from, it is suggested, Shanghai via Singapore. live music area too in upscale hotels including bands personnel, called "string" groups because banjos and violins predominated, soon began internally to include jazz in their repertoire for morning and weekend dances.

It was not long before high school and vocational college students decided to form their own dance groups playing new music. However, it was not in Batavia, but in Makassar that the first group began. In 1920, WM van Eldik formed the black and white strip with his 17-year-old salary violin playing brother-in-law Rudolf Supratman, now best known as the composer of the national anthem Indonesia Raya . They played at weddings and birthday parties.

The Batavia Jazz Band formed in 1922 with a line of six banjoists, two saxophonists C-melody, a piano, an acoustic bassist and drummer, who had all Dutch names. However, Pater who played trombone and cornet Geduld were perhaps Suriname, the Dutch colony in the Caribbean. All were amateur but their influence stretched Ted Lewis and Paul Whiteman as interpreted from partitions.

The following year, the folded strip and two banjo players, Wim and Piet van Bruyn Rozenburg brothers joined with four other pupils of the school King Willem III to form The Royal Jazz Band, but alto sax and violin respectively. They took their name from Koningsplein (King's Place, now Monas) because they had a regular booking at Hotel railways on the east side, where Gambir station is now.

Another band on stage at the time was flatly called The Jazz Band of origin. It is now noted for its drummer: Moh. Aroef was the Indonesian jazz musician first recorded.

In 1926, a number of lively scene Filipino jazz musicians, and 1928 saw a visit from a real group of American jazz, that of Jack Carter drummer on tour in Southeast Asia after have completed a contract at the Plaza Hotel in Shanghai. Their live sound is so much better than recorded "plateau", they inspired young local musicians.

A new group was formed at the end of this year with sax, trumpet and trombone, with Moh. Aroef on drums. They got regular concerts in the Park Theatre Deca restaurant (north side of Koningsplein) on Saturday night after the movie of the show, and the Hotel Railway whose director was Paatje Vos. At the end of 1926, he became director of the newly opened pool Tjikini Zoo (now Taman Ismail Mazurki), and the group, now called Orchestra Bath Swimming, played Sunday matinees, which began at 11am.

" visitors had first bath for half an hour and spent the rest of the morning dancing to live music. At two o'clock they went home to their afternoon nap . "

Yes, it was a time of leisure for very rare.

Bands came and went staff left school, were published outside Batavia or returned to the Netherlands, so we jump to 1930 and the entry of Charlie Overbeek Bloem to scene. Born in 1912, he was barely six years old when he took his first step to fame playing Paderewski Minuet in G Schouwburg Weltevreden, now Gedung Kesenian.

Bloem was to prove a musical driving force not only in Batavia, but also nationally. At 18, he was the head of a trio, the Jazz-O-Maniacs that played in the lobby King Willem III school. He was also a key player in Kings of money, the name of a brand of cigarettes. They had concerts in elite hotels like the Hotel des Indes, the Batavian Yacht Club and other company locations such as Sociëteit Concordia in Bandung, regularly broadcast live on the radio.

In 1936, the semi-professional group registered both sides of a disk 78s for HMV, Dinah and Ma It Eyes At Me , which unfortunately does not seem survived. In early 1938, Bloem resigned from the group and concentrated as the distribution of live piano soloist on Saturday evening on the radio network approved by the government heard throughout the archipelago.

On December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, jazz in Dutch East Indies came to an abrupt end that all able-bodied men were mobilized and sent to their defensive positions to prepare for the Japanese invasion . The next chapter A History of Jazz in Indonesia started in late August 1945, when Charlie Overbeek Bloem was liberated from Japanese internment camp in Bandung.

On a leafy quiet corner tree, surrounded by majestic white mansions and European luxury cars parked roadside structure is a small jewel designed by Dutch architect Pieter Adriaan Jacobus and artist Moojen. Built in 1913, the Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is an excellent example of rationalist architecture Dutch - also known as Indian style here in Southeast Asia -. Which introduced new elements to traditional architectural designs to better meet the climatic conditions and the former tropical Batavia

Tugu Kunstkring Paleis outside

Kunstkring Paleis translated literally "Circle Art Palace 'and the building and interiors are truly reflects its name. Originally built as a place to promote the fine and decorative arts, he served as an art and cultural center and home to a world class art gallery with a popular cafe that served good food and wine to the inhabitants of Batavia. Important art works by the likes of Chagall, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Picasso were exhibited.

After the Battle of Java in 1942, the Kunstkring was converted into an office building that housed the Islamic Council of Indonesia, and later served as an immigration office for Central Jakarta until the late 190s

In 2013, the restored Hotel and Restaurant Group and Tugu Kunstkring reintroduced its original splendor. The ground floor now houses a restaurant shop, lounge, tasting room, a café and a gift. Upstairs, a large, open gallery offers art exhibitions and sale to occasional auction.

Diners who walk in the Tugu Kunstkring Paleis are immediately transported to the old Batavia as antiques and paintings adorn the walls and the corners of each room. The sumptuous aroma of spicy incense permeates deeply as Frank Sinatra belts out 'Corcovado' background

Dining here is a true cultural experience not to be missed.

the dining experience at Tugu Kunstrking Paleis in Menteng

Those interested in colonial culinary efforts may be inclined to order Rijsttafel the Betawi. Rijsttafel was born as a method for the Dutch taste different components of a traditional Indonesian meal. It is not uncommon to see more than 20 dishes parade through the dining room and each presented by animated waitstaff in traditional dress. This presentation was a way for the Dutch settlers to display wealth and revel in the exoticism of their adopted country. The rijsttafel (or "rice table") was probably based on local hidang way of eating that is in most restaurants in Padang, where the dishes are brought in the dining room instead of making a selection from a menu. It is a beautiful screen, with food of all textures, flavors and different degrees of spiciness. Sambals, salads, meats, stir-fries and soups are served alongside a variety of steamed rice.

However, for those who are less interested in the stage, there is also a la carte menu from which to choose. There are many traditional Indonesian dishes as there are South-East and West Asia, and an extensive wine list and cocktails for an even more exhilarating experience.

An intriguing appetizer is Nonja Popiah, a kind of spring roll is filled with a creamy combination of turnip, shrimp and chicken is lightly dusted with panko flakes then fried and served with melted cheese. It is rich and satisfying, a unique blend of flavors that knows surprisingly on both eastern and western palate. The Kunstkring Roast Chicken is a play on the Asian duck with orange and served with an orange sauce infused aromatic brandy. Vegetables are also important component in an Indonesian meal and Boentjis Sayoer met Udang Api-Api Telor Asin was refreshing with crisp, young green beans and crispy fried prawns with salted egg yolk thrown together as a blown light. Parboiled Barramundi Curry, a signature dish, is not to be missed. A curry-based flavored coconut milk and light becomes soft when poured on a red bed of rice steamed. Finish the meal with some Kue Pancong, Betawi traditional dessert made of coconut cake and ice cream.

The Nonja Popiah aperitif

During the day, a small café serving homemade bread and pastries and a fine selection of mixed Tugu teas cafes for their private plantation in the hills of east Java can be enjoyed both inside and outside, as there is a quiet balcony on the second floor of the building, with panoramic views the district of Menteng. The Lam Ban Wine Shop and Tasting Room houses a range of wines from around the world. Guests can enjoy their selection here or buy bottles to take home after a heavy meal.

The importance of Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is deeply rooted in its historical relationship and continued with art. As such, a walk through the hall of the gallery and exhibit is indeed one of the highlights of the visit. If possible, skip the elevator ride down the stairs and go to the old photographs and illustrations that adorn the walls and that are part of the history of the building. There are private rooms with Indonesian paintings and luscious art which provide information on a long history of the time.

At the time of our visit, Sidharta Auctioneer displays an impressive collection of fine art, just hours away from their next sale. Potential buyers slowly studying their favorite tracks and navigating some of the most revered modern artists of Indonesia. How fitting indeed that Kunstkring is complete.

Tugu Kunstkring Paleis

Jalan Teuku Umar 1

Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

Tel: +62 (021) 30 0899

Website: www.tuguhotels.com / restaurants / jakarta / Kunstkring /

Email: kunstkring@tuguhotels.com

I used to think the trip to Jakarta ultimate culture shock was the flight over the sweet saccharin Singapore but also as eye opening - and for all the right reasons -. is a trip to the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu) northwest of Jakarta

Boats leave Muara Angke until 07:00, and unless you live near this skuzzy zone and dilapidated northern Jakarta, you have to get up at an ungodly hour, which ironically for me, meant being shaken out of bed by 4:30 prayers that came through loud and clear as I made sure to leave the window open in the room the night before. Thank you God, then to the Chinese distortion mounted speakers high up on the minaret (now that is something I never thought I'd say!).

It is only in Muara Angke I thought the boats go Thousand Islands could hardly be described as the last word in the boat building technology. Ours was pretty much a typical Indonesian wooden boat with a roof so low that only the dwarves or kids under 7 years could actually get on without having to look at the Quasimodo style. Power was provided by a small Honda motor attached to the stern.

And so, with the boat only about three times overcapacity (pray, it does not flow!) We were on our way.

everything was fine for an hour or two, but midway between Jakarta and the island, the sea began to be a bit rough and in no time, there were more faces smiling, and just about everyone was vomiting their guts as the Sunda Strait churned our stomachs repeatedly in a tortuous passage round.

puffy we arrive an hour later, incongruously on land that technically falls under the administration of Jakarta, but is surrounded by a wonderfully clear sea as opposed to the terrible dark brown mash run across the channel Jakarta.

in the absence of pollution vault overhanging the Thousand Islands of the sun is incredibly fierce. Definitely something I should have considered before being fried alive on a dive trip later in the day in which my skin was shot very painful shade of red lobster.

Overall, there are 105 islands in the chain of islands that make up the Thousand Islands (do not ask me what happened to the other 895 - maybe they sank) . But the region is also a marine national park, development was limited to only 37 of them.

Of these 37 islands, some of which are the property of hotshots Jakarta (mentioning no names) and others very expensive resorts. Pulau Tidung, fortunately, mostly very simple - but comfortable type of stay -. Many with air conditioning so you can sleep well if you have the habit of sleeping with the air conditioning before madcap Jakarta

From the main island Tidung you can actually walk to another island called Pulau Tidung Kecil (Small Tidung island) as a long wooden bridge was built to connect the two islands.

you can also rent bikes to get around, although in true Jakarta Fashion rent seeking, you are not allowed to take over the bridge to the other island, but rather to park your bike on a field not far from the bridge and pay a small parking ticket!

Tidung the Snorkeling trips can be easily arranged to other neighboring islands - especially on Saturdays. At the dive site, we went to I was amazed at pretty decent coral formations - including some really nice coral table - and many colors tropical reef fish. Obviously, this is not comparable to wonderful places like reefs Amed in northern Bali or Manado to Bunaken out, but when you consider that you are only 30 km from Jakarta, it is a miracle, it is coral at all.

Returning to Jakarta was a case quite comfortable that we went by speedboat shaved a full hour off the travel time compared to slow wooden boats leaving Muara Angke.

another good thing is that these stars will take you to the harbor Marina Ancol (rather than Muara Angke) which is within walking distance of one of the best restaurants seafood Jakarta - Bandar Jakarta

This, incredibly, is technically part of Jakarta

Pulau Tidung is easily the best island to visit if you are on a budget that the island is relatively large meaning there are people living there who provide private accommodation at low prices. Go as a group, not only is really cheap (as low as Rp.300,000 pp) but meals and diving trip are included in the price. It makes a great weekend and is much nicer than fighting traffic to get to places like Bandung and Puncak. By comparison, small islands are difficult to access and accommodations are more upscale and expensive.