Stops: Pulau Weh: Casa Nemo near Sumur Tiga, Iboih Inn near Pantai Iboih, and points in between. (Days 21-33) Etsuko knows about my propensity when travelling to always go to the very end of the road, trail, or especially–island. Usually, but not always, this works out with amazing scenery along the way and a great…
So, one of the things I have planned for my sabbatical–which was not on the research application–is to put some time and effort into doing some art. I have watched a LOT of YouTube tutorials. The whole Urban Sketcher scene is an inspiration. And, something like this is amazing. I’ve done this in fits and…
PLTN Apung, Rumoh Cut Nyak Dhien, Lhoknga and Lampuuk Beaches, Lentera Sawah Hijau, Lem Bakrie. (Day 20–catching up with posting with some better Internet back on the mainland.) My very funny and helpful companion for the day. I had a free day and had seen everything in walking distance in Banda Aceh, so I went…
Borrowed some equipment from the hotel and hopped off the dock. (Day 29) The coral here is in very sad shape, but the crystal clear turquoise water is wonderful. Standing on the dock sipping some coffee after breakfast, I could spot seven or eight different species of fish just like that. Also, there had been…
Masjid Baiturrahman Banda Aceh (Day 21) This mosque is the heart and center of the city. My hotel was just around the corner, but I did not go in the first couple of days. It was Friday, and then Saturday was a holiday. So, I saved it for the morning of the last day before…
Good morning! From Casa Nemo, Sabang, Pulau Weh. (Day 23)
Medan. Under the tracks behind Hotel Kama. (Day 17) You can see some amazing street art in Indonesia. When I went to Semarang a couple times it was truly amazing. They have an art college there. Jogjya, too. Here are a few from a series of railroad pillars behind my hotel. Feels very NYC to…
First stop in Medan: Grand Mosque of Medan (Day 11) The evening of my arrival, as I wandered about looking for something to eat and just checking out the city, I just barely caught a glimpse of the spire atop the minaret. First, first stop. I have not had a chance to visit many mosques–before…
The woodcut-style and strong design of this wheat-paste poster on a bus shelter in front of the State Museum of North Sumatra caught my eye. (Indonesian cities are great exhibits of graffiti, street art, and protest art of all kinds great and small. Jokowi is instantly recognizable on the right. And, his administration’s road and…
Roads Traffic is bad. Everywhere. In the country, two lane roads, twists and hills, farm vehicles, and people in a hurry make for slow progress or sometimes some really hair-raising overtaking. On Batam, they are expanding some of the two lane roads into six lanes, but as soon as you hit a town or village,…
