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Having Visa nightmares at risk of being deported? No need ...

The visa is the most misunderstood document issued by Immigration. Whether a company cultura t social tourist free or visa on arrival, , it is the same with the visa legally correct name: the visit visa. These different names cause a lot of confusion, leading to many stories are alone urban myths. Indonesian visa system is clear and transparent. This article unravels the visa and recommends using the right terminology

Generally only two visas are relevant for the average tourist or business person visiting Indonesia.

• on visit visa
• on without visa exemption

law on immigration Article 38 says: "A visit visa is granted to foreigners who will visit the Indonesian territory to carry out tasks of the government, undertaking educational, social or cultural tourism organize, manage business or family matters, or are in transit to another country. "

This is a general description leading to various interpretations. However, elucidation of Article 38 gives better insights into the possibilities. A Visit Visa may be given to a visitor when he wants to be involved in the following activities:

1. Tourism
2. family visits
3. social activities
4. art and culture
5. government tasks
6. noncommercial sports
7. comparative study of short duration, and training short
8. provide guidance, counseling and training in the application and innovation of industrial technology to improve product quality and design industry and collaboration in International marketing for Indonesia
9. emergency and urgent work
10. journalistic coverage, after authorization from the competent ministry has been obtained
11. non-commercial film production, after authorization the competent institution was obtained
12. business negotiation, do business talks
13. Sale of goods
14. give lectures or attend seminars
15. participate in exhibitions or fairs [International
16. Attending a conference organized by the head office or representative office in Indonesia
17. audit, quality control of production, or inspection of subsidiaries in Indonesia up to one month
18. foreign labor (expatriate) candidates in a trial for their competence at work
19. Proceed any travel to other countries
20. Join the transport of tools that are present on the territory of Indonesia

Note: the Ministry of Manpower of work on 10.23.2015 ruled in the law no. 35 that work on the installation of machinery, electrical, customer service, or product in future exploration efforts needs a temporary work permit.

on the Immigration website of Indonesia a brief explanation is found useful: www.imigrasi.go.id/index. php / layanan-publik / visa-kunjungan

This visit visa, as described, can be obtained in three different ways.

• The visit visa on arrival (VOA)

A foreigner can apply this visit visa on arrival in Indonesia, if their nationality is included on the current visa on the list of countries of arrival (see below). It is valid for 30 days and can be extended in Immigration Office for once, for 30 days.
The passport must be valid for six months and the visitor must have a return ticket or. For visitors on a business trip, it is advisable to have a letter of invitation from the company as well. So a genuine business visa on arrival!

• The only visit Visa

If a visitor wants to stay longer in Indonesia, a simple visit visa must be applied for at an Indonesian embassy or consulate abroad. This simple visit visa valid for 60 days and can be extended five times for 30 days at an immigration office in Indonesia. Attention is a single entry visa in order not to leave Indonesia or expiration.
The passport must be valid for six months and the visitor must submit an application form, a letter of sponsorship request of the Annex, a return ticket and a passport photo.

• The multiple visit visa

a foreigner who wants to travel frequently to Indonesia to family matters or business are eligible for a multiple visit visa at an Indonesian embassy or consulate abroad. The developer (who must be a member of the immediate family or business) must request approval telex with the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta first. A Multiple visit visa is valid for one year to be used within three months after issuance. The visa allows visitors to visit and leave Indonesia for a year as he wants, but each stay may last only 60 days. The passport must be valid for 18 months and the visitor must submit for approval telex, an application form, a letter of sponsorship request of the Annex, a return ticket, a copy of a bank statement and An identity photo.

Note :. When sponsored by a company or a direct family, single and multiple visa visit is also called a business or social visa

now ALERT AND CONSCIOUS

• free Visa exemption

in early 2015, the Indonesian government in a attempt to attract tourism, launched a marketing program based on Article 98 of the Immigration Regulation number 31 of 2013 the citizens of 75 countries can travel to Indonesia for free, which means no fees are required when the entry into Indonesia.

However, be very careful This visa is only for tourism purposes! No family or social meetings and above; no meetings or activities business can be conducted either. When caught, arrest and deportation will follow.

Unfortunately, a number of business people were arrested for being on a work site in the possession of a free visa exemption only. In some cases, the visitor has no idea and really thought that Customs have issued a visa on arrival.
So if a visitor arrives at the airport other than for tourism, it must request a Sightseeing visa on arrival and refuse the grant of exemption Free Visa. The visitor must say he came for a business meeting meeting, social or family event and request a visit visa on arrival. See the above requirements

Visitors from 15 countries can use the free visa exemption for business as well (see list below)

Visit website Indonesia web immigration for other updates ..: www.imigrasi.go.id/index.php/layanan-publik/visa-kunjungan

The Spice Islands are wrapped in a story aromatic cloves, mace and nutmeg, kings and sultans, spices wars, and the rise and fall of the invading armies.

As I traveled around the Spice Island chain, I saw massive groves of cloves and nutmeg hung on the volcanic islands perfect conical dotting the Molucca Sea. In the 8th century Chinese merchant ships sailed through the Moluccas (Maluku), and the Arabs followed later. The spice wars involved the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, who fought in the lucrative trade in exotic spices.

We remember this trade spices on the note of Rs 1000, which proudly displays Tidore Island near Ternate, one of the famous Spice Islands. It was here that I discovered my first Portuguese fort

Fort Tolluko in Ternate. | Photo by David Metcalf

I leaned against the stone wall of the old Fort Tolukko, Ternate, soaking in the history. This beautifully preserved 16 ^e century Portuguese fort is protected by a large solid stone wall from 10 meters impressive. Fort Tolukko is located in the village of Duga Duga overlooking the Molucca Sea. It was built by the Portuguese to protect the clove industry of the island, which at that time was the only place in the world where the cloves increased. Later, the plants were smuggled out and found their way to Africa and other places, where the clove plantations were established.

I am impressed by the two dominant bulwarks that were in front of the fort, which is typical of the Portuguese fortress architecture. I found my visit to this fort was more a reflection of activity. Listening spellbinding stories told by my guide made me fall in the history of the islands and set the tone for what was to come next.

My next stop was a visit to the home of Alfred Russel Wallace where the famous "Letter from Ternate" was written in 1858. Alfred Wallace was a naturalist and zigzagged his way through the Indonesian archipelago collect more than 3,000 bird skins, including the famous bird of paradise, 20,000 beetles and butterflies and land shells.

His travels took him to Borneo, Sulawesi, Sumatra and Java all the way to New Guinea. It was between 60 and 70 separate trips to the islands dotted across the vast archipelago, often visiting the same island two or three times to make more collection for different seasons.

document the natural history of the region, he finally wrote his theory of evolution by Charles Darwin, whom he admired as a naturalist and geologist leader. Darwin's theory of natural selection is rather controversial, as is alluded to by many a scholar he was in fact the letter from Alfred Wallace's Ternate and exhaustive research that cracked the code, so to speak, on the "question some change".

Darwin had worked for 20 years on the question of how the animals came to be different. When Wallace's letter arrived from Ternate (which took three months to get to England), it seems that he summarized in just 4000 words key elements of the theory of evolution. Darwin had researched volumes of material and made no public statements except to prominent scientific friends, off the record, about his theories. As Darwin approached his 50th birthday, he was still publishing his magnum opus and was a semi-recluse living in a household with 15 servants and a rich woman who had money to family Empire Wedgwood.

By comparison, Wallace was a lonely wanderer, not university. He was a field naturalist and a very shy person, while Darwin was in a stronger position, as he had completed many years of painstaking work. When Darwin presented his work at the Linnean Society, a company dedicated to natural history, he was largely content Wallace. He presented three documents: two letters of his own ideas about evolution written to his friends in 1842 and again in 1844 and another document that married the content of the letter of Ternate Wallace with his own ideas. This has been presented without the permission or the mention of his name Wallace.

After this was welcomed, Darwin rushed to print the manuscript and gave the name On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection . The book was a huge success. Thirteen years and six editions later, the book has not recognized the work of Wallace. Darwin's name was on the book and his theory of evolution by natural selection, or "survival of the fittest" has become the most profound scientific development of the modern era.

Fortunately for Darwin, when Wallace finally left Indonesia and came home, the humble Alfred Russel Wallace was largely concerned with the cataloging of his beloved insect and bird skins that had been shipped in thousands, and began working on his own book.

It is in the book of Wallace the Malay Archipelago that the true genius of Wallace is revealed. Since its publication in 1869 the book was never sold. Wallace was an extraordinary man who lived in Ternate 1858-1861, and as I stood at the back door of his humble home, I felt this man's work dedication. He contributed so much to the natural history and the discovery of the origin of man.

Interesting Facts

The Moluccas

[Islands

Ternate | Photo by David Metcalf

The name Maluku is thought to have been derived from the term of the Arab operator in the region, Jazirat al-Muluk or "Island of the Kings." That Arab traders brought back to their home port were exotic spices: cloves, mace and nutmeg. These were sold to Venetian merchants and became known in Europe as "the nuts of Muscat." Because of the high value of these spices in Europe and the big profits they have generated many adventurers followed the footsteps of the Chinese and the Arabs; first the Portuguese and later the Dutch followed by the British

the Birds of Paradise

Maluku two species endemic bird of paradise :. red-bellied Pittas and Wallace standardwing bird of Paradise.

book Wallace

naturalists ecology Moluccas fascinated for centuries. the book of Alfred Russel Wallace the Malay archipelago , was the first major study of the natural history of the region and is an important resource for the study of Indonesian biodiversity.

recommended reading

more recommended reading

The islands travel Spice: looking Wallace by Tim Severin.

Moluccas
The Maluku Islands formed a single province since Indonesian independence until 1999, when it was divided into two provinces. A new Northern Province, Moluccas, incorporates the area between Morotai and Sula, with the arc of islands of Buru and Seram to Wetar remaining in existing Maluku province

Highlights :. Moluccas

Directions: scheduled flights from Jakarta and major cities of Ambon and Ternate Indonesian Service

Where to stay:. Seatrek sailing adventures offer 7 and 10 days cruises on traditional schooners Phinisi around the Spice Islands Ternate and Ambon. This is a comfortable way to see the famous islands and invited guest speakers present fascinating evening of talks on board. www.seatrekbali.com

What to bring:

An umbrella (for shade protection), sunscreen , mosquito repellent, hat, walking shoes, swimmers and swim shirt for the many hours you spend in the water diving around the island stopping at beautiful remote beaches.

As an ever-increasing quantity of farmland is converted to Bali hotels, resorts and other tourism-related infrastructure, a project takes a more sustainable approach to tourism on the island.

Desa Wisata Ekologis Nyambu , or project Ecotourism Nyambu Village, which was launched in April this year, aims to show tourists the traditional side of Bali while strengthening the ability of individuals and local communities to stimulate economic growth at the village level. Developed over 18 months, the community project is the result of collaboration between the local government, Yayasan Wisnu, PT Kreasi Langgeng Jayaprima, Diageo and British Council.

Situated about 15 minutes from Tanah Lot Temple and about an hour from the airport, Nyambu has enormous tourism potential due to its ecological and historical attraction. "Nyambu is a truly unique town, with 67 temples located in its 380 hectares. The village still retains 61 percent of its area as rice fields and protects its 22 natural sources, even if it is close enough to urban areas "says Ari Sutani, Senior program manager at the British Council, which is involved in the project

Towers project Nyambu Village Ecotourism |. Photo British Council Feri Latief

the village has a long history and enjoys 67 Hindu temples, some of which were built between the 8th ^e century Kediri Kingdom and ^{he era Majapahit 13} century. "The oldest temples include Pura Bale Agung and several other smaller temples. There are several temples of the Majapahit era, such as Pura Pura Rsi and Wisesa, as well as temples of post-Majapahit period, such as Pura Agung Majapahit "said Sutani.

With such selection rich of attractions, it is not hard to see why Nyambu would be of interest to tourists. in fact, the village is a road stone's throw which has recently seen an increase in development outside the village vulnerable to urbanization. However, the villagers, who are determined not to let the industrialization and tourism invading their farmland, decided to opt for a more sustainable approach to tourism than many others on the island.

significantly, the customary law of the village ( awig-awig ) in Nyambu makes it very difficult to change the function or the ownership of agricultural land, protecting culture and traditional village lifestyle. A long study is needed before a change in the earth function is enabled. "This local traditional wisdom is supported by the community Nyambu to preserve and protect their village and its culture," said Sutani. "The awig-awig each village in Bali can be completely different so this is certainly something that can play a big role in the protection of Nyambu overdevelopment. "

Sutani said that the British Council has worked with representatives of six banjar who have expressed interest in the development of community tourism in Nyambu. They started by organizing seminars, workshops and training courses to build the capacity of Nyambu residents to support tourism management the village enterprises themselves in the coming years and a half. The project aims to increase the incomes of Nyambu realizing the potential of the region in terms of natural resources, cultural attractions and artistic and creative activities, all without destroying it in the process.

Much of the project involves visits and activities organized by the villagers, including visits rice fields and an explanation of Subak , the ancient irrigation system, walk through the history of the village lane and a painting workshop led by local artists.

painting workshop | Photo British Council Feri Latief

"Nyambu is of historic importance because it is said to have been visited by Dang Hyang Nirartha, a priest of the kingdom of Majapahit, which is came to the village to reinforce the teachings of Hinduism, "said Sutani." During the visit, tourists have the opportunity to visit the main temples of Nyambu and learn about the travel Dang Hyang Nirartha. "

in light of the current overdevelopment of Bali, it is important that the inhabitants of the island are provided with more opportunities and space to develop community tourism they collectively own and manage because they are those who best know what their strengths in terms of culture, nature and tradition.

Sutani estimated mass tourism, very often leads to environmental degradation due to demand additional infrastructure, which in turn affects the culture and local wisdom. "This means that many tourists do not know the real Bali and that local cultures are gradually being eroded," he said.

The Nyambu Village project hopes to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in Bali because it maximizes the potential of the existing village in a sustainable manner. Sutani concludes

"It was great to see residents of the mapping and planning of a tourism business that meets their unique needs and expectations of villages."

Subak

Subak is an environmentally sustainable water management system and the rice culture that existed in Bali for over 1,000 years. The system, which was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage in June 2012, is as complex as it is ingenious and combines irrigation technology, spiritual practices and community involvement.

Illustrating the Balinese concept Hita Karana Tri philosophy that highlights the importance of a harmonious relationship between man, earth and gods, Subak are groups farmers who share the same water source. Farmers gather regularly to decide collectively how their water will be distributed (the amount of water allocated to each member is proportional to their obligations and participation) and the time of planting and the type of rice to be cultivated.

irrigation system usually consists of five terraces and temples of water, with the water distributed between the different levels. The water is channeled lakes, rivers and springs through tunnels specially designed. To ensure good harvest, farmers hold regular rituals to pay their respects to Dewi Sri, the goddess of prosperity and fertility.

Photo courtesy of Bartele Gallery

In 02, eight British expatriates in the beginning were deposited in what is now known under the name of Banten Lama by the first trip of the East India Company. They were told to make money and promised that yes, someone was going to come back soon to pick them up.

When the second trip called into port, the busiest time in Southeast Asia, only two survived. Six were killed while one of the remaining pair, Edmund Scott, was a nervous wreck after three tortuous years he had been too afraid to leave his wooden compound. If she was not fighting with drunken Dutch sailors there were curdling cries of blood outside headhunters his cabin fire or screams as unscrupulous traders tried to take his meager stock.

While Scott was more than happy to return home with the second trip of his co-survivor, Gabriel Towerson, spent the better part of two decades in the Indonesian islands.

Back in the 16 ^e and 17 ^e century, most of the traffic jams, we now take for granted would have been unimaginable. Most of what we know as Jakarta was still jungle and the first residents began to move south of the mouth of the Ciliwung it was obvious that they would soon come into contact with animals. Wild animals do wild Big destroyed their habitat.

In 1659, for example, 14 loggers were killed by tigers in Ancol. They also took slaves, but the story did not bother to tell us how. In 1692, three young Europeans were not in Batavia long before they were chased by a crocodile along a canal. Their only solution was to mount the brackets to take lives, not save them.

Late 17 ^e century, the government paid a bounty on all tigers, panthers and crocodiles killed in and around Batavia.

in 1811, the British invaded Java. At that time, the Dutch have been cozying up to the French and in those days the British never need much of an excuse to have a pop their eternal enemies through the channel.

After mobbing off Meleka the British, with some prominent Stamford Raffles, sailed south, a Singapore which was almost deserted and headed east to visit more south of Pontianak in Borneo past. They hit Cilincing in August and began their conquest.

Raffles was made governor, but rather than live and work in Batavia he chose to stay in Bogor. It commute into town fairly regularly and if the frequent change of horses that he could count on getting Harmony Bogor in about four hours.

Not wrong during his short time in Java. He climbed Gunung Gede and thought he saw both the south and north coast of Java. He heard of a volcanic eruption thousands of miles to the east and sent a team to investigate what was later known as Tambora explosion. And he also heard of some temple ruins being discovered in the middle of the island and sent another team to learn more.

In 1828, a new statue was erected in what we now know as banteng Lagangan. The only column featured a lion on top and place around it was called Waterloo Square in memory of the famous Napoleon's defeat in Belgium in 1815 against the British and the Prussians. A similar monument was also erected near the actual scene of the battle, but the tropical version was destroyed during the Japanese interregnum.

In 1883, a middle-aged Dutch family were preparing for Sunday lunch one morning when suddenly a plate fell on the table and broken into several pieces on the floor. When her husband was reading the Sunday paper. Then the windows and doors started rattling and there was a low rumble.

The husband decided he needed to know what was happening. It was his job after all explain everything on the normal activity; he was the director of the Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory. he walked to his office and saw all the instruments and dials that do things that meant something big was happening. He did not know yet, but he looked Krakatau to blow out

Sources and useful reading

Simon Winchester -. Krakatau The Day The World [1945004éclatée]

Giles Milton - Nutmeg Nathaniel

William Thorn - The conquest of Java

John Keay - The Honourable Company

A Heuken - historic Sites of Jakarta

The first days of the expatriate in Southeast Asia, back in the 16th and 17th centuries were full of danger and the unknown. Never knowing when a passing ship would call and bring them home and consumed with fear they may never make it back, some of these intrepid pioneers would often seek comfort in the charms of a local obliging lady. Those who felt they were doing God's work had faith to keep but traders, sailors and others with a predilection for the sins of the flesh are more tempted and their offspring are still finding in pockets Asia, known as Eurasians name.

As the years turned into decades and decades to century of technological advances and the opening of the Suez Canal, cut journey times and expatriates found the country was not so far away after all. The wealth of the East had drawn increasingly and time, the gruff, old hoary colonial finely follicled and lord of his own manor started becoming an anachronism.

The expat scene, as it was transformed from the drunken debauchery of these pioneers in a distinguished mirror image, the middle class in Europe with all its prejudices that accompany and attention to status. Men displayed on the region, be they officials or businessmen, have begun to bear women, infused with a religious mini-renaissance that hit the rich again, smelled the decay they saw around them and imported Western values ​​and mores. Well, their idea of ​​Western values ​​and mores.

The rough as drinking nails lasts three veterinary ten years has been set aside with these new notions of status, business cards and mixed relationships, newcomer women considered under contempt . Indeed, any relationship with the natives was deeply frowned upon by the new breed, wrapped in its cocoon of faith and privilege, hated what they saw as the indolence and ineptitude of the local pagans. Rudyard Kipling spoke of the "burden of the white man" and newcomers embraced this fully.

But for two centuries before the men came to the east, settled and raised families, mingling with the local community and reach positions of trust. And not just the Europeans, of course. There are records of marine powerful treasure fleets of Zheng He's settling down on the north coast of Java, marrying local women and adopting local lifestyles.

The port of Banten, west of Jakarta, was the first trading entrepot before Singapore arrived on the scene and like any port town, he shook the sound of the marine barracks and randy sailor looking for their own piece of love before their next extended shuttle around the eastern islands of the archipelago; a Pattaya 17th century. The noisy city is now little more than a distant memory. Not only ships and sailors long since gone, even the seashore fell in the streets once rowdy.

The archetypal image is of course the cliff face red planter and blowing on plantations far from the "civilized" society but a weekly trip to the club sated desire to mix with his own nature. In the jungle if, under the canopy and in the midst of powerful jungles that still welcomes tigers and leopards in large numbers, he satisfies his lustful desires by other means.

Considered a classic piece of colonial literature by those who consider these things, the soul of Henri Fauconnier Malaya tells the story of a French planter who arrived in Malaya before independence just after first World war that soon mingles with the wife of Tamil gardener.

tent planter, without enthusiasm, to justify the appointment saying he gets useful information but even he knows this is not true. It is a little confusing at first by the attitude of the woman. He was given to understand that generally when a local lady was invited to share the white man's room, she will use her new status to dominate others and seek benefits for herself and her family.

His partner is so quiet and it is moderately amusing, assuming first, probably with a Gallic shrug of the shoulders, it's just a nymphomaniac; she was attracted by sex and not man. It was after an orgasm, not some trinkets.

Of course, despite its discretion the whole field knows what is happening and he discovers a colleague that in mind Tamil gardeners, it does not count. He has no caste and the idea of ​​sharing his wife with the boss is on a level with the old sharing their wives with the gods who imagine some fatal at times. It is also revealed that the domain does not have a garden then perhaps the gardener simply ensure he keeps his job!

Of course, what is correct for the ulu is not good for the city and by the beginning of the 20th century when rubber prices were booming, new staff sent east said they could not marry during their first tour of duty and once they were in the country they soon discovered that pact with a local woman was a total violation of the label with disastrous consequences for the career of an ambitious young man.

Even after the Second World War single men often have to get permission from their employers before they can marry. A gentleman in England wrote to the government of Sarawak, also based in England, asking for permission to tie the knot and has been authorized to do so, once the Sarawak agreement was received! He received the good news in the form of a short letter bureaucratic

Mr.

In reference to your letter dated 30 May, I Sarawak received a telegram that your request to marry is approved.

Accept
government agent.

romantic bouquet!

There are no men, of course, who have been seduced by the charms of the East. Take the case of the late Cleo Odzer. She went to Thailand to catalog the stories of men who went to Bangkok in search of love. Or lust. In his mind, it was all the same and the chapters of his book Patpong Sisters' Showing his contempt for the subjects.

However, she changes her tune when she falls for a young Thai man who works as bragging in a bar in the district of Patpong busy road. Nobody, it seems, is immune to the charms of the East!

Bandung, with its outlet stores and bakeries selling the ubiquitous brownie, this city has long been a favorite destination for Jakarta people looking for a cooler shopping experience. Now, of course, with the advent of budget airlines, there is no Indonesians flock to splash money. The people of Malaysia and Singapore are discovering that makes for a refreshing weekend.

There was a Bandung that dates back centuries. But the Bandung which hosted the Africa Conference Asia, the city that attracts visitors and locals alike, is for all purposes a Dutch creation. It was the Dutch who insisted the original village to move a few miles, it is the Dutch who brought the railroad and it was the Dutch who made Bandung a must on the nascent world tour with their gardens and Art Deco architecture in the early 20th century.

So it was a bit of a surprise that the Indonesians, in their early days as a sovereign state, the city must choose to highlight the rise of the new breed of cut countries outside the empire.

Asia Africa Conference 1955 held in the city of West Javan, was supposed to show the way forward for the new nation states who came to get rid of their unwanted overlords and their paternalism. The final communiqué has mapped the way forward and offered a better future lessons learned the hard way.

If Bandung can be said to have a center, then it probably is where the Grand Preanger Hotel is now located on Jl. Asia Afrika. This is the original Groote Post Weg. A few steps from the Preanger is 0 KM marker that marks the beginning of the road that was to reach the length of Java.

Cross the road and enter the Art Deco Savoy Homann Hotel. Back in Bandung the 1920s was known as the Paris of the East for its leafy boulevards and trendy cafes that lined Jalan Braga. When the beautiful people have come to stay, they stayed in the Savoy Homann, among them Charlie Chaplin. The rounded edges smooth outer lead of the hotel some call this style 'Ocean liner' Amsterdam Art Deco.

Today, cross the road after about 9 hours is not for the feint heart, but back in the heyday of Bandung guests of the Savoy Homann would cross socialize in society Concordia. Planters and officials who have called home Bandung to discuss at the bar while the ladies and their brother were flirting in the large ballroom making Concordia the place to be.

a generation, a war and later independence was the likes of Sukarno, Jawarhal Neru, Nassar and Zhou En-Lai who gathered for the 1955 Conference which gave the road its name. One wonders what the leaders of the new and ostensibly unaligned nations thought the showy environment where they have developed their final communiqué.

Today, this proud building stands in silent tribute to another era. Its curved walls have seen much change over the years, but for now, named Gedung Merdeka, he is humble museum detailing the events and characters of that 1955 conference, momentarily, the world's eyes were on Bandung.

is just a short walk west of alum alum (public square found in traditional Javanese cities like Cirebon, Yogyakarta and Solo). After the colonial styles earlier, we fall headlong into something truly native but essential. For it is here that the Bandung chief at the time, RAWiranatakusumah, relocated its seat of government under the "guidance" of the governor general of the early 19th century, Herman Daendals.

On the north side is the Grand Post Office, a return to the early days of the Groote Postweg then a road heading north, Jl. Banceuy also hint at a historic postal connection. Banceuy is a Sundanese word for post horses and they were probably stabled nearby but you stand to watch the traffic you are wondering how a four-legged animal would last five minutes, let alone a horse.

Take the next turn right along Jl. Otto Iskander and enter Pasar Baru. A panther made the mistake of coming here in 1920 only to be shot for his troubles. This road and the side streets leading off, it has some interesting old buildings that survive in the modern era. Before the Dutch started coming here in numbers there was little in the way of a Chinese population, but that changed during the 19th century, large profits were made in the nearby hills and the railway arrived in 1884 promised to deliver products in Jakarta in about three hours.

cities Even in these days off, the divided tracks. South of the railway was where people have played; cafes and bakeries on Jl. Braga, the Concordia, the Savoy. North, the road rose gently, was the place where people lived, defended and ran the growing city and its surroundings. Just by the Hyatt today speak some impressive white washed buildings. After the chaos of Jl. Asia Afrika it is refreshing to walk on the wide quiet roads around military barracks now used by Indonesian forces.

Today's visitor does not come for old buildings and history that arouses the streets of Bandung, but its factory outlets. Every weekend of the new toll road in Jakarta is clogged that families fill the car and head south to cooler climates and cheaper prices. Jl. Martadinata, popularly known as Jl. Riau is a mecca for those buyers eyeing a bargain.

At the corner of Jl. Riau, you may notice in this area, the streets are named after the remote islands of the archipelago, and Jl. Banda is an outlet store . No surprise there. But this particular shop is in a big old house dating back about 100 years. In another time, it was home to a planter, a pioneer who made mint in Parahyangan lush mountains that surround this cool city.

Perhaps, after a busy day audit the accounts, he mounted his horse and head back the way we come through the cantonments across the railway line down Jl. Braga in Concordia for some cold refreshments.

This house of one level with its columns surrounding the front door seems uncomfortable with his current incarnation. The cars that fill her car seem almost insulting this lady, but the empire is gone. It is not for visitors to decide what should happen to the heritage of the city.

Bandung icon is the Gedung Sate Dutch but it was built and what the Dutch building have made a statement. They wanted to move their capital Jakarta, then known as Batavia, Bandung and they wanted to govern their empire far thrown Gerber designed this building.

With a nod to the local influences of the central tower was crowned by three traditional levels and roof above was a single stick sate; small skewers pieces of meat and ready to eat.

The time has dictated the Dutch were not to exclude Bandung. 25 years after Gedung Sate was built Indonesians were proclaiming independence. A planned avenue leading to the mystical Tangkuban Perahu was finally built by people who perhaps understood the sacred bond between the rulers and the spirit of the mountain that dominates the skyline to the north.

Our journey through Bandung took us through time and up to modern times. Daendals forced relocation of the original village, we saw where the elite has played and stayed, but we end up watching a mountain that has inspired generations of young Indonesians.

This is perhaps the respectful memory of colonialism. It is ephemeral, it can never last because while the body of a people may be subjugated, soul can never be if they do not allow.

Wali Songo are revered throughout Indonesia that wise men who brought Islam to Java first, but ultimately across the islands. Wali, now used for a civic leader as in Wali Kota or mayor, Songo means nine. History likes to play tricks with us and all their legacy is clear who they were and even how many there were less clear. They rose to prominence along the north coast of Java as the Majapahit empire, mostly Hindu, was fading.

Sunan Gunung Jati
In addition to being active in the early Muslim entities such as Banten and Demak, Gunungjati is credited as the founder of Cirebon, another town port on the north coast of Java, about four hours from Jakarta by train. Some stories have him from the Bogor region, other Aceh. Some sources also call Fatihillah who fought the Portuguese in the early 16th century. His tomb is located north of Cirebon beside the grave of his first wife who was Chinese.

Sunan Kudus
Kudus in Central Java is just east of Semarang. The city was founded by Sunan Kudus who also built a mosque called Al-Aqsa Masjid here after that of Jerusalem with the rumor, the doors of a Majapahit palace. Her grave is behind the mosque and every year on 10 Muharram in the Islamic calendar curtains around the resting place are changed. The date is interesting because it is a holy day in the Shiite calendar when they recall the martyrdom of Hussain and perhaps Persian traders in a distant heritage days.

Sunan Giri
This chapter is regarded as the son of a Hindu princess Balambangan and missionary Melakan. He studied in Melaka and is credited with spreading Islam in Sulawesi, Lombok, and Maluku. He also studied under Sunan Ampel and married his daughter. He remained in East Java and started schools in Gresik, just north of Surabaya.

Sunan Kalijaga
Just north of Kudus near the coast is the town of Demak. He was Demak which finally overthrew Majapahit and has become the leading power in the region, rivaling Banten. Masjid Agung here is reckoned to be the oldest mosque in Java, built in 1466. Legend has it the mosque was built in one night by the Wali Songo and one of the pillars was made by Sunan Kalijaga using tips wood welded together. Many early Demak leaders are buried by the mosque while Kalijaga was buried a few miles in Kadilangu.

Sunan Ampel
He was born in Champa somewhere in South Vietnam but has found its way to Surabaya. It is believed to have been the leader of the Wali Songo and its mosque, Masjid Ampel, is considered one of the largest in Surabaya. Two other Wali Songo were Bonang and Drajad who were his son, as we have seen, it was near Sunan Giri. He was royally well connected with family ties to both Majapahit and the Sultan of Demak.

Sunan Muria
Thought to be a son of Sunan Kalijaga, Muria is considered friendly to Javanese culture and used traditional methods like gamelan and wayang in his teachings , which uses the lower levels of Javanese society where he spent much of his time.

Maulana Malik Ibrahim
the first of the Wali Songo, its origins are unclear. He died in 1419 in Gresik and his tombstone was shipped from Gujarat where he had been finely carved in white marble.