MANNERS AND OTHER MATTERS

Mt Merapi, Central Java (photo LP) Considered the most important island in the vast archipelago of Indonesia, Java is at the centre of Indonesian culture and industry.  Stretching for more than 1,000 km, Java is framed by the Indian Ocean to its south and the Java Sea in the north with Sumatra bordering its west coast and Bali immediately to the east.  The volcanic, tropically green and ruggedly beautiful island of Java is about the size of England.  It's population is about 105 million - nearly half of Indonesia's entire population. We started touring around the vicinity of Yogyakarta and after visiting the Buddhist Temple ofr Borobudur  we had lunch at the stunning Amanjiwo  (peaceful soul) hotel, which overlooks the Temple; it was a superb lunch  in a truly spiritual location. Borobudur fromo the Amanjiwo hotel restaurant (photo Christine Simmonds) Of the four days I spent with friends in Central Java, there was one that was abs...

The Buddhist Temple of Borobudur (photo LP) I am currently in Jakarta, Indonesia, visiting a dear friend and her husband, having spent the last four days touring in Central Java. The environs of Jogjakarta are as far removed from the hustle and bustle of southern, tourist laden Bali as possible. And my eyes have been opened to a culture so diverse, so rich in history and so engrained in every aspect of everyday life, that I have felt truly humbled by the experience. The Eastern side of Borobudur (photo LP) The most extraordinary part of my journey into the centre of this island of Java was a visit to the ancient Buddhist temple of Borobudur. I know little about the Buddhist religion other than general concepts, but I am now in awe of the beliefs and will endeavour to learn more. The Buddha, the top Stupa, Borobudur (photo LP) Words like " spectacular" and " awe inspiring" do not do justice to the magnificence of this ediface. And while the ...

Balinese temple (photo LP 2010) I have returned in the past few days from a holiday in Bali, Indonesia, with my sister.  Unlike my trip in 2010 when I stayed more remotely in the north west at Pemuteran  and  the north east at Amed, this visit was to a five star resort in Legian. What a difference!  The streets of Legian were very busy, the locals almost outnumbered by the Australian tourists.  I heard very few languages other than “Aussie” spoken and it reminded me that when I travelled with my French boyfriend to the northern part of Bali, I was told by the Europeans I met that they tended to avoid the tourist hubs of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak because of the loud, rude and crude Australians…yes a generalisation about the Aussies, but unfortunately, as I was to learn, a correct one. A friendly local trying to sell us a toy (photo LP 2012) It is difficult to write this post without appearing a “snob”.  But having canvassed my ideas wit...

Cindy and Ruby resplendent in their "winter coats" ready for the cold weather (photo the author) Friday June 1 marks the official start to winter here in Australia.  In Western Australia, our spring and autumn are the very best seasons of the year.  The sky is usually a brilliant blue and the breezes are light and calm, the ocean and the river tranquil. In spring the bulbs pop their heads out expectantly, seeking some light rain and sunshine to encourage their coats of many colours to flourish.  The roses push out their new shoots, usually a light burgundy colour, until the flower buds form and the stems and leaves turn to a rich green to complement the ladies as they emerge. The leaves are turning on the Chinese Tallow trees and the wisteria vine (photo the author) In autumn the leaves turn colour on the trees which are of a European extraction.  I so enjoy the seasonal change, even when  raking the huge piles of leaves which collect on my front ...

Gotye singing "Someone That I Used to Know " I had a call this morning from a client which deeply disturbed me.  Because it touched a raw nerve. The client asked me about the manners of personal breakups.  In 2012 should the conversation be between the two people involved, face to face, or is it appropriate to initiate the breakup by SMS, or email? What about a voice message or a telephone call? Her husband of 25 years, a well known doctor, had sent her an SMS while she was attending a conference overseas saying that he had fallen in love with someone else and wouldn’t be home when she returned the following day. I took a few seconds to compose myself before answering her. I very rarely wander into the realms of personal experience when offering advice but I decided to share with her my experience;  and when I had told her my tale she encouraged me to talk about the manners of personal breakups on this blog because the impact of internet communication is...