A Geek in Indonesia: Discover the Land of Komodo Dragons, Balinese Healers and Dangdut Music

by Tim Hannigan

Overview

Award-winning writer and Indonesia expert Tim Hannigan gives Southeast Asia's biggest country its proper due. Written in an irreverent, youthful tone, A Geek in Indonesia provides a hip, streetwise introduction to an increasingly popular travel destination.

Hannigan leads readers on an eye-opening excursion around the archipelago, from the outer fringes where tribesmen still wear penis gourds and ritual battle gear to 21st-century cities filled with fashion bloggers, feminist activists, punk pioneers, and scandalous celebrities. He provides a quick introduction to Indonesian history, a rundown on traditional arts, insights on why Jakarta is the social media capital of the world, and tips on where to enjoy the region's thriving pop, jazz, and alternative music scenes. More than just an Indonesia travel guide, this volume is packed with lively articles on everything from office culture and the Indonesian blogosphere to dating rituals and TV soap operas.

Illustrated with hundreds of colorful images and loaded with the kind of insights that only an author with a lifelong passion for the country could provide, A Geek in Indonesia will enlighten and entertain Indonesian culture enthusiasts, backpackers, first-time visitors, newly-arrived expats, and longtime Indonesiaphiles alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804847100
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	02/06/2018
Edition description:	Paperback with Flaps
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	543,665
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Tim Hannigan's first book Murder in the Hindu Kush was shortlisted for the Boardman-Tasker Prize. His second book Raffles and the British Invasion of Java won the 2013 John Brooks Award. His features and travel articles appear regularly in newspapers and magazines in Indonesia and beyond. He has also authored A Brief History of Indonesia and edited A Brief History of Bali.

Table of Contents

An Archipelago of Superlatives 004

Hello Mister!-My Personal Journey 005

Chapter 1 Indonesia Today 8

Indonesia in a Snapshot 010

A Laid-Back Nation Where "Face" and Respect are Everything 012

Relations with The Outside World 016

A Nation of Linguists 018

Indonesia: The Social Media Capital of the World 020

Chapter 2 Society and Daily Life 22

Workaday Lire in Indonesia 024

You'll Never Walk Alone: The Super Sociable Nation 026

"Do You Live in a Mud Hut?" 028

A Thirst for Learning, but an Educational System that Often Fails Short 030

Women in Indonesia: Interview with Devi Asmarani 032

Dating, Sex and Marriage 034

The Dark Side: Indonesia's Underbelly 037

Chapter 3 Indonesia's Vibrant Music Scene 40

The Musical Archipelago 042

Dangdut! Indonesia's Unique Brand of Working Class Pop 044

Indonesian Rock and Pop Royalty 046

Indonesian Jazz: Interview with Terry Collins 049

The Indonesian Punt Scene 050

Sounds of the Street: A Thriving Busker Culture 053

Chapter 4 Cinema, TV and Media 54

Tropical Celluloid Dreams: A History of Indonesian Cinema 056

Channel Surfing: The Indonesian Tube 059

A Broadsheet Free-For-All: The Indonesian Press Pack 062

Indonesian Literature: Journalists, Poets and Revolutionaries 064

Chapter 5 Indonesians at Play 66

Heading For The Hills: Indonesians on Holiday 068

Indonesia's Travel Blog Scene: Interview with Vira and Mumun of Indohoy 070

Sport in Indonesia 072

Indonesian Soccer: Interview with Antony Sutton 074

Underwater Indonesia: The Ultimate Dive Destination 076

A Surfer's Paradise: Exploring Indonesia's Top Surf Spots 078

Into the Wild: Indonesia's Great Outdoors 080

Chapter 6 Traditional Indonesia 82

The Ring of Fire: In the Impact Zone 084

Traders, Raiders and Intruders: A Brief History of Indonesia 086

A Patchwork of Religions 090

A Supernatural Menagerie: Spooky Indonesia 092

Pulang Kampung: A Nation of Villages 094

Craftsmen, Artists and Performers 096

Chapter 7 Indonesian Food 98

More than Just Nasi Goreng: The Joys of Indonesian Cuisine 100

Cooking Up a Storm: Bakar, Kukus, Goreng, Rebus 102

Food for the People: Eating on the Street 105

A Thousand islands, a Thousand Cuisines 108

The World of Indonesian Drinks: From Kopi Tubruk to Bir Bintang 112

Chapter 8 Exploring Indonesia 114

Island-Hopping Across the World's Greatest Archipelago 116

Incomparable Java 120

The Enduring Magic of Bali 124

Supersized Sumatra 128

The Outer Islands Where Things Get Really Weird and Wild 132

Traveling in Indonesia: Some Essential Travel Tips 138

Photo Credits 142

Editorial Reviews

"It's a window into another culture and a travel guide all rolled together. It is a book filled with wonder and intercultural sensitivity, enticing photos and clear explanations. It's a fascinating read, and one that you won't be able to put down." — Dr. Jessie Voigts, Wandering Educators

"For anyone wanting to move beyond tired travel guide formulas, award-winning travel writer and Indonesia expert Tim Hannigan has finally given Southeast Asia's biggest country its proper due. A Geek in Indonesia provides a hip, streetwise introduction to an increasingly popular travel destination. From the author's extensive firsthand experience gained from living many years in Indonesia, this book is packed with lively articles on everything from office and cafe culture to food and dating rituals." —Bali Advertiser

From the Publisher