Yes at last I met my family in the wild. Trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park North Sumatra my 4 head local guides found an orangutan with baby high in the trees. We spend a hour or so chatting and the mother did some modelling compositions. Than the mother found it enough and gently swinging in the vines disappeared even deeper the rain forest of Atceh. Unfortunately I can not give an advice how to experience such a great honor of meeting “people of the forest” because illegal logging makes the habitat of this Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii) smaller every day. Maybe only five thousand of these ancestors are still alive in Sumatra. Together with the small population of Kalimantan that is all that is left of this gentle ape.
last Orangutan in Gunung Leuser
Bad Dutch History
Today Dutchman are well known for their water management skills. We make new land everywhere around the world and protect people against water disasters by nature. In the past the Dutch used their knowledge about the sea to reach new lands. The Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie, VOC committed particularly many crimes in Indonesia. Only to stop this crimes around 1950. In the period 1896-1920 around 100.000 people were killed and whole tracts in Atceh were wasted. Governor van Heutsz and Hendrik Colijn committed crimes during the “politionele acties” particularly in Panglima Polem Atceh. It is not more than acceptable that every person I spoke to in Atceh would mention: “that you (Dutchman) were here before”. The grandmother of my friend stated when I left after being their guest for 7 days. “Our ancestors were enemy, you are family” I have no words for the appreciation and endless respect I have for this woman who personally suffered under the Dutch garrison. Not our ancestors but she personally saw criminal Dutchman committing (war)crimes and faced the Dutchman now again and offered warm hospitality.
Religious Police
Walking in Banda Aceh you will see that everybody keep strictly to the Islamic rules. All women wear a kerchief, men cover their upper legs for sure and no drinking. Friday at noon the city is desolated because all men have to attend the prayers in the Grant Mosque. As a foreigner you adapt to the local customs and dress accordingly. Walking down the road I was invited by a man in uniform to see his office. Going up the stairs he was talking to all the other uniformed men & women. Then we arrived in his small office that was totally filled up with officers soon after my arrival. Then the questions started, where are you from, what is your name, where you stay etc. A -according to his stars and stripes- high officer arrived and with him a lady who actually could speak English. She told me that I was now in the headoffice of the Religious Police. About 70 men and women look after that all Muslim act according to the Islamic rules. Especially they watch the youngsters at night on the beach road. After the Tsunami their were many foreigners and more officers good speak English. Nowadays seeing a foreigner was a touristic attraction for this police officers. They good speak English and I got a training by at least 20 officers about there work.
Bus driving & prayer
Travelling by bus is an adventure. There is always something different from the schedule; destination name on the bus; pricing or availability of seats. This is part of the fun. If you take a bus in Atceh that should be not different. I took a bus on a 8 hours trip. Of course there might be one stop for the necessary activities. At 6PM the bus stopped at a small restaurant. Everyone got off and went to different places. I ordered food. When my food was served the bus driver went to the bus and start driving. No problem of course but annoying it was that I could not enjoy having diner. Then my friend walked slowly to the bus and had a little chat. My friend came back and started eating. No way the bus would leave. Why can you stay so calm, I asked my friend. Simple: every Muslim makes prayer 5 times a day. In Atceh the bus company has to facilitate that. Apparently the bus driver had forgotten this and my friend had just asked about that. It is always useful to know local customs.
Western spectacels
Talking with some Batak schoolboys to let them practice their English. About family: unbelievable to travel without your wife. We talked about health: smoking and alcohol are bad. And crossing on a motorbike is not safe. Then I thought their English was good enough to speak about education and punishment system. I asked how much they had to pay if the police stopped them not wearing a helmet. I had to repeat this question 5 times to this 10 students. They where just smiling and could not answer. I told them the fine we have to pay in Western world. Unbelievable for them because when they got busted by the police it was terrible because they had to make many push-ups right on the spot or run around to many miles. That is what Dutch system calls “lik op stuk” punishment. Now one is question is left over if you to pay the police in western world and just got a bad feeling in Asia in which continent you can say their is a system of to have to pay the police….
Posted in Coaching, Legal issues
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Batak People Lake Toba North Sumatra Indonesia
On the island of Sumatra their is a big tribe called the Batak people. This is a culture with a rich history. Now their are 6big extended clans. 200 years ago they had the last execution according to ancient rituals. The hard and liver of the executed criminal would be eaten raw. Other body parts would be boild with human blood, lemon and herbs. Unlike most other asian people Batak people are straightforward. They tend to say what they think of you right in your face. I am really pleased with that. Certainly this is rather useful for Dutchmen because in colonial times the Dutch VOC committed many acts that where criminal towards the locals.
Posted in Coaching, Legal issues, Photography, Travel
Tagged Indonesia, Lake Toba, North Sumatra
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bus ticket
If you travel around SEA sometimes the bus brings you to an unplanned place. Busdrivers want to earn money so when you call the city you want to go to they always will say they will bring you. So it happened that I wanted to go the city with the ferry to Lake Toba. I had to pay double of what my friend had said it would cost. In the bus I was ordered to leave my backpack and seat in sake of an old women. Fair enough but then the bus stopped half way to my destination. It looked like in the middle of nowhere. When I called my friend it turned out to be his hometown, a place I wanted to see anyways. After a short gathering together with the locals I got on my bus to Tuk Tuk and had two places visited I wanted to see anyhow
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A good lawyer
Last week I met the managing director of a big resort. He told me how happy he was with the services of the lawyer. “The lawyer is not the best lawyer but his services are great”. Than I asked him about the quality of the services been provided. “Whenever I call my lawyer he solves the problem faster, better and cheaper than any other lawyers I know.” This lawyer is more creative in problem solving, makes a few phonecalls and everyone is on track again.” Lawyers created a bad image themselves. My advice is if you have an issue with legal complications go to a legal consultant / mediator who knows the local laws but more important who is experienced and willing to solve the problem on the spot and creates a solution acceptable for everyone.
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Chinese new year
Chinese New Year begins according to the Chinese calendar which consists of both Gregorian and lunar-solar calendar systems. Because the track of the new moon changes from year to year, Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February. Below is a chart that shows the beginning day of Chinese New Year and the animal sign for that year.
| Year | Chinese New Year Begins | Animal Sign |
| 2008 | February 7 | Rat |
| 2009 | January 26 | Ox |
| 2010 | February 14 | Tiger |
| 2011 | February 3 | Rabbit |
| 2012 | January 23 | Dragon |
| 2013 | February 10 | Snake |
| 2014 | January 31 | Horse |
| 2015 | February 19 | Sheep |
| 2016 | February 8 | Monkey |
| 2017 | January 28 | Rooster |
| 2018 | February 16 | Dog |
| 2019 | February 5 | Pig |
Chinese New Year First day
Early in the morning, children greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes. The first day is for the welcoming of the deities of the heavens and earth, officially beginning at midnight. Many people, especially Buddhists, abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure a long life. Some consider lighting fires and using knives to be bad luck on New Year’s Day, so all food to be consumed is cooked on the days before. On this day, it is considered bad luck to clean.
Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time to honor one’s elders, and families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended families, usually their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
Family who are married also give red envelopes containing cash to junior members of the family, mostly children and teenagers. Business managers also give bonuses in red envelopes to employees for good luck and wealth.
Second day
Incense is burned at the graves of ancestors as part of the offering and prayer ritual.
The second day of the Chinese New Year, is when married daughters visited their birth parents, relatives and close friends. Some believe that the second day is also the birthday of all dogs and honor them with special treats.
Third day
The third day, known as “red mouth” is generally accepted as not a good day to socialize or visit your relatives and friends. This is also considered a propitious day to visit the temple of the God of Wealth and have one’s future told.
Fourth day
In communities that celebrate Chinese New Year for only two or three days, the fourth day is when corporate “spring dinners” kick off and business returns to normal.
Fifth day
It is common in China that on the fifth day people will shoot off firecrackers in the attempt to get Guan Yu’s attention, thus ensuring his favor and good fortune for the new year.
Sixth day
In Taiwan, businesses traditionally re-open on the sixth day, accompanied by firecrackers.
Seventh day
The seventh day is the day when everyone grows one year older.
For many Chinese Buddhists, this is another day to avoid meat.
Eighth day
Another family dinner is held to celebrate the eve of the birth of the Jade Emperor. However, everybody should be back to work by the eighth day. All government agencies and business will stop celebrating by the eighth day. Store owners will host a lunch / dinner with their employees, thanking their employees for the work they have done for the whole year.
Ninth day
The ninth day is traditionally the Jade Emperor’s birthday. This day is especially important to Hokkiens. Come midnight of the eighth day of the new year, Hokkiens will offer thanks, giving prayers to the Emperor of Heaven.
Tenth day
The Jade Emperor’s party is also celebrated on this day.
Eleventh through fifteenth day
On these days, friends and family are invited for dinners. On the 13th day people will eat pure vegetarian food to clean out their stomach due to consuming too much over the last two weeks.
The 15th day is celebrated as the Lantern Festival, and families walk in the street carrying lighted lanterns. In Malaysia and Singapore, this day is celebrated by individuals seeking a love partner, a version of Valentine’s Day. This day often marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.
Tsunami 2004
December 26th. 2004 many places in south east asia were distroyed by the Tsunami. If you have a closer look you can still see the impact this had on many peoples life. Phuket has memorial events every year. Nai Yang Park restaurant is organizing a benefit meeting. Since I was in Thailand in 2004 I feel closely related to this area. The local people always give priority to care about the tourist. So we should show some respect in return. The best way to help locals is to spend your holidays in the areas that have suffered most of that tsunami. By the way those places are the safest nowadays because of the tsunami warning system, protocols and regularly held evacuation drills. Nobody can predict if, where & when in the world a tsunami comes but some areas have valuable experience with how to evacuate. Wherever you go just know the evacuation route.
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