Unique Travel Experiences to Remember
Every few days I sift through the internet looking for interesting articles about Indonesia’s past and present. As we all know, the news ususally carries with it a lot of negative or sensationalized stories, some of substance and some that lack this.
I recently came across this site that relates directly to Indo Discovery so thought I would share it with you. Please take a moment to test yourself and see how you compare.
Click here to test your knowledge of Indonesia’s Colonial Past
Back in 2009 in one of my blog entries I made a reference to how impressed I was that cities in Indonesia had appeared to have taken on an attitude of restoration and remembrance. There was an abundance of evidence, at least to me, that a shift in thinking had taken place and the history of Indonesia was about to be recognised in its own country; good, bad, and ugly…before 1945 and after.
I witnessed throughout Java a new understanding, or acceptance, of the countries history. An understanding that did not shy away from the fact that it was not all uplifting; that it did not always look positive in the text books of school children but it was none-the-less the truth. University students were holding heritage walks through the streets of Jakarta and adorning themselves in the attire of the Dutch colonialists while listening to lectures of what life was really like. A push to lay claim to their heritage was afoot. [Read more...]
Immediately following WWII the Dutch East Indies found itself embroiled in yet another conflict. This time the fight was with Indonesian nationalists fighting for the lofty ideals required to form a republic rather than the exploitation of commodities that had catapulted the islands into violent struggles in the past. They were demanding from the Dutch colonialists the right to pursue independence on their own terms and were fully prepared to take up arms, dictate the timeline, and sacrifice life in order to achieve their goal.
Considerably weakened by years of fighting the Japanese, the Dutch army was now in no condition to take on a new adversary. Over the next 7 months the island of Java would bear witness to a mish-mash of nations either fighting, protecting, or attempting to remain neutral. The British, Japanese, Dutch, and Indonesian forces were destined to clash.
At the outset confusion was prevalent. Dutch civilians who had been the captives of the Japanese for 3 ½ years were now being protected by them and in a cruel twist of irony had to remain behind the walls of their concentration camps for survival. The British were on their way to act as a neutralizing force and would attempt to peacefully resolve the issue. The Dutch were fighting to hold on to their colony and the Japanese, whose role had been turned upside down, were ordered to both protect the Dutch civilians and remain neutral. [Read more...]
I have been trying to think of a way to make this blog entry relevant to the site and with winter approaching in the midwest I think I have come up with an angle to tell my story.
In the fifties and sixties Indonesia saw a migration, of sorts, to many foreign countries. Apart from Holland, which was the obvious choice, the other big destinations were Canada and the US. Families also headed to Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and many, many other places around the world. A brief history of many of these families can be found here.
From reading many of the histories and from listening to my own family it is apparent that weather played a large part in the final decision. Living in the tropics to living in the freezing winters of northern Europe did’nt seem to be anyones idea of a lifestyle improvement. A large population found themselves most suited to life in California and the North West which, during the oncoming era of free love and rebellion, must have been a monumental culture shock. [Read more...]
Batavia had once been known throughout the world as the Amsterdam of the East. With its citywide labyrinth of canals, drawbridges, cobblestone streets, trams, harbors, and European cultural awareness Batavia was now adding to this romantic exotic moniker and focused on becoming a world class city; one that could attract people by boasting opportunity, success, and lifestyle.
The ever increasing population required infra-structure. Civil servants from the Netherlands were offered incentives to pack-up and move to the Indies. The promise of a life in the tropics was hard to resist. With unrest in Europe becoming more and more likely a chance to escape and start again was appealing. People flooded into the Indies throughout the 1930’s.
By the turn of the decade the world was bracing for war. In Europe, Germany had mobilized and by the end of 1940 Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, and the Netherlands had fallen. In Asia, Japan had invaded China and was systematically working its forces south through Burma, Indo-China, Malaysia, and Singapore. The goal was oil…and that belonged to the Dutch East Indies. On December 8th 1941 Japan attacked multiple targets that flanked its objective.
© Written and photographed by Tim O’Callaghan, Indo Discovery Travel
As the Dutch and European populations in Java grew it became clear that certain fundamental aspects needed for a good quality life were absent. Boredom, especially for women, contributed to many ultimatums and early return voyages to the Netherlands. It was simply not enough to live in paradise, as the shipping and immigration posters had advertised it, but rather a sense of purpose, culture and sophistication also had to be developed in order to maintain this population that had traveled half way around the world in search of a better life.
Batavia and Bandung especially, began a campaign to deliver European culture to the Indies. Society clubs, concert halls and theaters were built in haste. Performers and entertainers in music, dance, stage, and opera, were brought to the Indies to provide an opportunity for certain residents to elevate their social standing; for most though it was a way to enrich the lives of those who now made the Indies their home…a morale boost for its citizenry.
© Written and photographed by Tim O’Callaghan, Indo Discovery Travel
From all accounts the arrival in Batavia during the latter part of 1927 must have been one full of incredible anguish coupled with limitless possibilities for a richer life. Stories must have run rampant during the ocean crossing about what to expect upon arrival in the Indies and many of these would have been either highly exaggerated or completely fabricated. Nevertheless, for those passengers on board, the tales, whether tall or not, were none the wiser during this stage of their journey east.
It has become clear through written accounts of the time that for a lot of people making this voyage, assimilation to the East and its way of life was simply never to become normal. For others, the exact opposite would hold true. For them, making the journey provided an immediate ascent in social standing that could never have been reached had they remained in the Netherlands. By virtue of being European they were, without further credentials needed, deemed superior.
© Written and photographed by Tim O’Callaghan, Indo Discovery Travel
I decided to go to Bali after a really rough year. I had been through the ringer emotionally and was looking to escape, to experience something life-altering, to feel peace and beauty. I needed to have an adventure. I quickly made the decision to participate in a yoga and meditation retreat. I had always wanted to deepen my yoga practice and engage in the personal and spiritual development facilitated by such retreats. After researching options, I came across one that advertised the perfect escape. It promised yoga and meditation in a beautiful setting, gourmet meals, tantalizing spa treatments, cultural experiences and outings, and all for a very reasonable price. It sounded like just what I wanted and needed.
Indeed, it was what I needed…and so much more. My experience at the retreat and in Bali fulfilled a longing, a hunger that I didn’t even know I had. I got to experience a place where time seemed to stand still, where the physical beauty of the land was so breathtaking it felt surreal, where the air was thick and fragrant and charged with energy, and where the people smiled as if they knew a secret about life that I was still trying to figure out. [Read more...]
Indonesia in 1988 was quite different than it was in 1955. But it is still the wondrous tropical motherland from where we originate.
A window of opportunity came and I snatched it up. With some careful planning, I began with teaching English in Tokyo for just under a year, went to Hong Kong and on to Jakarta where the adventure began. This was before computers and travel blogs and WiFi cafes, so the only information we had were our little guidebooks with some phrases and whatever information other travelers shared with us. One of my best friends (a seasoned traveler) met me in Jakarta and we proceeded onward. In a way it’s kind of nice not to know a lot. That way it justifies our outrageous Western behavior to the natives. Like climbing over a chain link fence to catch our train at 4:30 in the morning. Not only that, but my friend was wearing a dress and the hem got caught on the top of the fence but the rest of her body was already on the ground so all the world got to see what was underneath. We were laughing so hard of course. I’m sure the locals thought we were off our rockers (they get up early). Oh well. [Read more...]
For many of us dreaming about a first time trip, or a return trip, to Indonesia and Bali is at the forefront of our travel plans. It may have even been sitting there for a long time waiting for the right opportunity. We all know that traveling to the archipelago takes time to organize and prepare, and we also know that the journey involves a flight of considerable length. Whether you depart from the U.S., Europe, or Australasia your choice of the right airline is important to ensure your maximum comfort and rest, allowing you to arrive relatively refreshed, happy, and full of anticipation.
That said, here are some of the airlines that will not only give you a good deal but provide you with the best in-flight service; in my opinion of course. [Read more...]
Contact us directly to ask any question however first take a look below. You may find answers to questions that hadn’t even crossed your mind yet! Does … [Read More...]
Toll Free: 888 876 8817
From USA: 773 865 8778
From Abroad: +1 773 865 8778
Email: toc@indodiscovery.com
