Java Man

I did two of the things on my “to do” list in Java already. Tomorrow I’m going to see the excavation site and museum where they found Java man. Unlike my other tours which were really cheap, this is going to cost a bit more because I have to hire a driver for the day …

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In Indonesia, I Am A Rockstar

Today I visited Borobudur and Parambanan. But I’m not going to talk about that right now. That will be for another time when I can go through the photos and do them justice. I’m going to talk about all the kids I met today. I met a LOT of kids today. Normally when you are …

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That Is Some Good Java

I’m alive in Yogyakarta in central Java. I did the most dangerous thing on my trip today. I flew an Indonesian discount airline. The flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta was $29 with taxes. The plane was packed, and they fly pretty much on the hour. Pramabanan and Borobudur are the two big ruins nearby. Either …

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It’s Good To Be The Sultan

You cannot discuss Brunei without talking about the Sultan of Brunei. Not talking about the Sultan is like not talking about an elephant in the middle of the room. Brunei is the Sultan and the Sultan is Brunei. It is a form of government unlike anything in the world today. The Sultan is one of …

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Jakarta Take 2

I’m leaving Jakarta today. I”ll be taking a short flight to Yogyakarta later in the afternoon. I consider myself a pretty knowledgeable guy. I certainly have become very knowledgeable about the places I’ve visited, and before my trip I considered myself pretty up to date on what was going on in the world. I have …

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Go Pack Go!

I’m often asked if there are things I miss from home. Outside the obvious friends and family there is one thing I miss. Watching the Green Bay Packers. Today they are playing in what will be one of the coldest games in NFL history for the NFC Championship at Lambeau Field. It doesn’t get much …

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Jakarta

The following question is for my non-Asian readers: Name something about Indonesia which does not involve a natural disaster. When do you think of Indonesia, what image comes to mind? Can you name an Indonesian movie? Any Indonesian outside of politics? Can you name any Indonesian food dish? I asked similar questions when I first …

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KL Quickie

I’m in the cheap-o airport in Kuala Lumpur waiting for them to start check-in for my flight to Jakarta. I can tell that I’m in SE Asia. The airport is full of the gap year English backpackers. I last ran into this crowd in Fiji and probably wont have to really deal with them again …

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Bye Bye Borneo

Tomorrow I’m off to Jakarta. I hope to be in Indonesia for two weeks going through Java, Bali, and then a few days in East Timor. I came to Borneo not really knowing anything about the island. Next to nothing about the political divisions on the island, the history, the people, and very little about …

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