Alistair Speirs
Artist Nita Nursita Inspired by Now! Jakarta
I was recently approached by a very gentle and charming lady in Bali airport. “Excuse Me”, she said “are you Alistair Speirs”? “Yes” I answered, having no idea who she was but wanting to be polite! It turned out she was an artist called Nita Nursita, and her story was quite intriguing! It seems she
The Thompsons Are Doubly Honoured By HM Queen Elizabeth II
The British Ambassador’s elegant residence was filled with an enthusiastic and grateful crowd in late May when he organized a reception to present The British Empire Medal to not one but two British citizens in a heartwarming ceremony . The fact the recipients were husband and wife was an absolutely brilliant bonus. The British Empire
The Continued Struggle for Discipline and a Solution
When people take a calculated risk while driving, it usually pays off. Our minds are amazing things that do calculations so quickly we don’t even have to think. We can immediately figure out if we can squeeze through a gap, overtake before a truck comes and generally weave our way through safely. But it’s when
New Zealand’s Natural Beauty
There are two major differences between life in Jakarta and life in Auckland: people and space. Jakarta has over 20 million people in its total conurbanation area, Auckland only 2 million. To reach green – really natural – space you need to drive a long way east, south or west from Jakarta. In Auckland there
The Spread Of Corporate Responsibility
I have been travelling in Europe recently and have seen some of the best – and some of the worst – examples of corporate responsibility in action as a counterpoint to Indonesia’s growing efforts to understand and put into action real practices to make companies responsible across a wide range of critical value areas, especially
Independence Day Fun!
One of the great things about Indonesia at a local level, away from politics andpower plays, is the tremendous community spirit, which especially express itself on 17 August every year when Independence Day is celebrated. For those lucky enough to have well organized local committees, and good parks or open spaces to enjoy, the celebrations
Happy Holidays…….And Happy Motorcycles!
Did you know there are 24 public holidays in Indonesia in 2017? Yes I know it seems more – and so many of them on Thursday, Friday or Monday creating the inevitable long weekend! Since three fell on Saturday or Sunday that’s 21 working days or 8% of the working year. Now I know I’m
Talk About Sustainability at Most Valued Business Indonesia
I am surrounded by experts. So many people I meet are start-ups, entrepreneurs, go-getters, amazing achievers, dedicated, visionary, brilliant, community-oriented and environmentally focussed. Everyone knows everything about sustainability, responsibility, CSR, recycling, repurposing, re-everything. There are more experts online, in consulting groups, in advisory companies, in multi-national’s, in CSR departments, HR departments, PR departments. It’s a
The Wisdom To Know The Difference
It was on my mind to write about our new Governor and Vice Governor and look at their campaign promises and get myself all worked up about “how would it be possible to fulfill them” and get you all worked up about how we are constantly deceived, diverted and ultimately disappointed by politicians and government
An Interview with H.E. Johanna Brismar-Skoog, Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia
H.E. Johanna Brismar-Skoog spoke to NOW! Jakarta about the strengthening ties between Sweden and Indonesia, their various fields of cooperation and her plans for the near future. A year ago there seemed to be a chance you would be heading for New York, but you are still here! Please bring us up to date with
The Final Chapter of Jakarta Traffic
One of the most annoying things about life in Jakarta is the traffic. There can surely be no more mind-numbing, frustrating feeling than that feeling of total powerlessness in a line of dead stopped cars. “Oh“, you say, “what the []$#% is going on?” Well it’s simple, as was revealed last week, the contractors for
What’s Cooking, Farah Quinn?
Indonesian celebrity chef, restaurateur and media personality Farah Quinn looks back on 2017 and tells NOW! Jakarta what she is planning in the upcoming year. Photo courtesy of Farah Quinn As we near the end of 2017 maybe you can tell us what your year has been like? What were the highlights… and the challenges?
What are your New Year Resolutions?
This is such a terrible ritual, this making of promises to yourself that you may never keep! In fact, so often we make them not even knowing how or when or where to start, but I guess while having good intentions isn’t enough, it’s better than having bad intentions! Here is my list of (im)possible
