nomad4ever

Fuel prices in Indonesia are fixed by the government and don’t float according to market conditions. This leads to unbelievably cheap costs of fuel of Rp 4.500 per liter (app. USD 0.50).

While that was basically great for the population and led to an increased use of fuel - making oil-rich Indonesia basically an Oil Importer instead of an Exporter a few years back - it did cost the country an ‘arm and a leg’ in fuel subsidies.

Changing that policy caused national unrest and riots the last time they tried in 2005. Now things look a bit more calmer; but still fuel prices have to go up to save the country from sliding into bankruptcy in the mid-term:

written by Chris

Found this picture in a local newspaper: These days with Windows Vista around you never know what can happen when you plugin a new gadget into your laptop! Some crashes just can’t be avoided…

I guess we all heard a story about that guy who brought a jumbo down, because he had to use his phone during flight. Maybe it’s just an Urban Legend after all?

With Bluetooth, Infrared, WiFi, 3G and other wireless technologies popping up faster than you can say ‘turbulence’ its no wonder that there might be still some surprises ahead for the savvy traveler.

written by Chris

For Westerners it is sometimes difficult to understand Asia’s obsession with Karaoke. What’s so exciting about embarrassing yourself in front of your friends or even strangers with your non-existing singing skills?

Fortunately - Karaoke is more than that, it can be a favorite pastime or your dirty little secret.

Once you take your time to get the hang of it - you could have lots of pleasure and a great time enjoying yourself.

But let’s first shed some light on Karaoke and some stereotypes - on what most people believe to understand about it:

written by Chris

Many RTW (Round the World) Travelers have the problem of keeping track of their journeys around the planet.

Of course you will keep a notebook, write a blog, shoot thousands of photos or mark your tracks on a small world map you carry around with you.

That’s usually okay, but what if you have a hangover, get lost, laze too long at that paradise beach or even lose track of what day it is?

How good that modern technology can help you out to monitor your trips and display it in graphic ways in popular applications:

written by Chris

Freedom of Speech and Expression are cornerstones and the lifeblood of any democracy. For a free people in mature societies to govern themselves - they must be free to express themselves - openly, publicly, and repeatedly; in speech and in writing.

How else can one put the finger in the wound and take part in discussions about what hinders a country in its progress?

Most Westerners don’t know that Indonesia is a very young democracy. This leads to surprising insights, which surface when you look a bit deeper into the woven society fabric on its long-winding road towards ‘real’ Democracy:

written by Chris

The best spots in Bali are in regions away from the touristy areas. The island is rich in beautiful nature spots. For instance the cascading waterfall at Git Git in the northern part of the island is very popular with tourists and locals alike.

The Banjar Hot Springs near Lovina are another famous spot, with 3 basins of different temperature to chose from. They are about 25 kilometers from Git Git.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a spot where you can stand under a Waterfall and warm your old bones in a Hot Spring right next door and almost at the same time?

written by Chris

Yup - in case you were wondering why nothing happened at this site for the last couple of days - we just came back from an Outback trip with the bare essentials. The location was Baluran National Park in Eastern Java.

It’s a mystic explosion of nature and wild life. African-style Savannahs, just without Elephants or Giraffes. No telephone signal, no internet, no TV, limited water and electricity supply - in one word - a Robinson Feeling like no other.

Baluran? Where the hell is that?

written by Chris

While some of Indonesia’s famed airlines obviously try their best to get their acts together - this can’t be said about the most notorious suspect - Adam Air.

Over the last 2 years, there were various rumors that Adam Air’s license might be revoked, if they didn’t clean up their mess and come up with concepts how to improve their safety standards and maintenance regime.

But - as often in Indonesia - nothing much followed, except maybe some money changing hands and things continued as usual.

Nothing much followed? Not exactly:

written by Chris