Kidnapping, Bintang and other Indonesian facts

1. Tourism makes up 60% of Balis economy.

2. Whilst 80% are Hindu on Bali, in nearby Lombok 80% are Muslim. Lombok is full of Mosques and every village seems to have at least one.

3. In Lombok, potential future wives are ‘kidnapped’ to allow negotiations to take place on doweres. It’s all planned in advance but avoids the alternative of asking permission and being given a dowery you can’t afford to pay.

4. Moto GP has recently set up home in Lombok and they expect tourism numbers to rise steeply as a result. They are even aiming for F1 to be there in future. It’s currently described as Bali 30 years ago.

5. Bali is full of Australians, who treat it like the British do Spain. As a consequence, many locals speak English and written English is prevalent.

6. Indonesia was colonised in the 1500s first by the Portuguese. Spain, the Dutch, and the Netherlands controlled it for periods subsequently. Japan even took control during the second world war.

7. Their independence day is 17th August and goes back to 1945 when independence was declared from the Dutch. Japan first offered Indonesia independence during its occupation and as a way to cause the Dutch problems prior to handing it back towards the end of the ward

8. Thank you is “Terima kasih” (Sounds like TREAM A CASH E) in Indonesia, to which locals reply Sama-Sama.

9. There are two active Volcanoes in Bali, Mt. Batur and Mt. Agung.

10. Tri Hita Karana is the traditional belief in Bali linked to wellbeing - its three components are harmony with God, Nature and Community.

11. The whole area is prone to earthquakes and minor ones happen all the time. Traditionally housing made of Bamboo is particularly resistant to tremors but concrete is rapidly replacing the remaining villages where this still exists.

12. In addition to rice, in Bali and Lombok tobacco is a large crop, mostly consumed (smoked) locally rather than exported.

13. Diving is spectacular in the area, particularly in the famed Gili Islands just off Lombok.  These are unspoilt and cars aren’t allowed.  Turtles and sharks are two of the local sites that can be seen whilst snorkelling.

14. The local beer is Bintang, introduced in 1929 and now owned by Heineken. Bintang means “Star beer”. The star on the bottle is the same as that on the Heineken bottle.  It is 4.7% Alcohol but here is a 0% version too.

M&J