Explore Indonesia
Subak – The Spirit behind Rice Cultivation
Subak is Balinese traditional water management. Photos by Gerda Kassing/NOWJAKARTA The jewel-like perfection and beauty of Bali’s rice terraces illustrate that it is not just about a crop, giving food and prosperity to the farmers. For over a thousand years, this cascading landscape has been shaped by men in accordance with nature and the gods.
Makassar: A Living Maritime Heritage of Island Traders
There is a modern port in Makassar, but the harbour of Paotere is where the Portuguese and Dutch sailing ships moored centuries ago. Photos courtesy of David Metcalf/NOWJAKARTA Walking towards a long line of tall traditional pinisi boats in the historic Paotere Harbour in Makassar, I caught whiffs of freshly cut timber. I watched strong, sinewy sailors
Reflections 2019: From Lombok Peresean Stick Fighters to the Dark Tales from Banda Islands
Photos by David Metcalf/NOWJAKARTA Each month, NOW! Jakarta brings you tales of hidden heritage from our travelling duo, writer Stephanie Brookes and photographer David Metcalf. During 2019 they have brought stories back from the Kei Islands, Lombok, the Banda Islands, Seram Island, Kalimantan, Bali, Java and Sumatra. From accounts of meetings with forest-dwelling shamans who
A Road Trip to the West Coast of Java
Sunsets are always stunning in the west coast of Java. Photos by Rintang Azhar/NOWJAKARTA Starting from the zero-kilometre mark of the Great Post Road, roll down the window of your car to appreciate the endless nautical beauty of Anyer littoral zone that spans through its long coastline. Taking a two-hour road trip to the west
Into the Wilds – West Kalimantan
Photos by David Metcalf/NOWJAKARTA Sitting on a woven mat, I listened as a Dayak Simpang elder explained, “Our history and our story are told through the old songs.” I was in Ketapang Regency, around four hours from Pontianak, the gateway city to West Kalimantan. I sat captivated as he continued, “We moved a long time
Seram Island – Meeting the Nuaulu Tribe
Seram Island in Maluku Province of Indonesia is steeped in tradition. Deep in its mountains and along its coast, several indigenous tribes still hunt with long wooden spears and adhere to their old ways of life. The largest island in the Maluku archipelago, Seram is known affectionately as the Nusa Ina (Mother Island) and is considered the
Revisiting Lombok: The Breathtaking View and The Intriguing Sasak People
Travel brochures advertise Lombok as “the way Bali was 30 years ago”, untouched and unspoiled. In other words, those venturing the island east of Bali will find equally enchanting beaches, surf, and culture. Photos by Namhar Hernanto/NOWJAKARTA I remember arriving in Lombok five years ago at Teluk Kode, an area in the northern part of
The Joys of the Harvest Festival in East Belitung
While Belitung island is unquestionably home to the most secluded and beautiful collection of beaches, it’s also remarkably known for diverse cultural heritage, ranging from thanksgiving celebrations to folk festivities. This year, the province successfully held its most anticipated event, bringing in more than 4,000 visitors. The perfomance of Alu Besantok played by Sanggar Tembang
Sunset Spots in Bali
Envision Balinese cliffs, golden beaches, and glorious ocean vistas—Bali’s tropical sunsets are second to none. The island of the Gods has harboured an ardent crowd hunting for the island’s best seat to revel in the sunset spectacle. Ji Terrace By The Sea in Canggu, Bali is one of the best spot to witnes sunset in
Brilliantly Designed Mosques in Indonesia
During the national coordination meeting at Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama last January, the then Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, who is also the chairman of Indonesia Mosque Council (DMI) stated that there are more than 800,000 mosques around the country. The government aims to develop and curate Muslim places of worship to be promoted as destination for halal tourism.
Medan, North Sumatra’s Hidden Charm
North Sumatra’s capital city, is often overlooked thanks to its gridlocked streets and industrial feel. Long regarded as a stopover en route to more glamourous destinations in the province, a closer look yields some delightful treasures. Little India in Medan. ulturally, this is a diverse city with Batak people, Chinese and Tamils originally from India who
Magical Places: Hindu Water Sanctuaries of East Java
Water is often called the elixir of life. It also plays an essential role in religious practice, especially in Hinduism where it is considered to have spiritual cleansing powers. Even today, sacred bathing spaces, such as Belahan and Jolotundo in East Java are used for purification ceremonies. About a one-hour drive from Jolotundo are the
In the Heart of Java, Yogyakarta and Solo Offer a Wealth of Cultural Experiences
Yogyakarta is a bustling town of some half a million people and the most popular tourist destination on Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. The town is a hub of art and education, offers some good shopping and has a wide range of tourism spots. Prambanan or Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound
