Leaving Jakarta. Dubai Jan.14 '09

Jl. Lebak Bulus IV No. 39A - Jakarta -> Dubai <- Dusseldorf - Amsterdam

It has been about four and half months since my last entry, when I arrived in Jakarta, and I am already on my way back to Amsterdam. I am happy to comment that this flight schedule is much less tiring than the one on the way over, at least the connection Jakarta - Dubai. I feel I have managed to do a lot in the last months. Numerous projects both photographic and academic.

I have managed to document the JIS Varsity Boys Soccer Season right up till it's dramatic end in Taipei. Where a golden team received a silver medal. Although I don't wish them the questionable defeat, I was able to capture elements that I myself experienced when winning that final in 2002, and seeing it slip through our fingers in 2001. A loss like that also shows you how much a few months can stay with you for a lifetime. Regardless of the stats, I enjoyed watching these boys grow. Hats off to my cousin Milan who surpassed all my expectations. 

Taipei on it's own was a sight to see. Although Taipei 101 is still on my to do list, I did manage to see the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial. I was lucky to also catch a holiday parade along the front of the memorial during a break between the matches. Taiwan in it's whole is also a photographic treasure trove, with lush jungles, serene beaches, imperial temples, and cities to lose yourself in. My trip through the Toroko Gorge, was well worth the money. I was happy to also have seen friends in Singapore that were due for a visit. 

The work with CWS in West Timor, but mainly Nias was both eye-opening and pleasantly familiar. It is good to have seen Indonesia with fresh eyes. When I arrived I didn't feel the need to live there again, but now that I'm leaving it feels different, and I know I will probably come back soon. After the summer my aunt, uncle, and cousins will have moved to New York. But maybe next time I'll be in a house of my own. 

I am hoping to add a number of galleries to compensate for the lack of journal entries. The JIS Varsity Soccer will be reorganized as a permanent collection. The book of the season, turned out to be a great success, and I am happy I was able to make the book. It's something I have wanted to do since I suspected my cousin would be spending senior year playing for JIS. 

Following are a couple of shots to give a taste of the galleries to come:

The Monas, also known as "Soekarno's last erection", is a monument with great presence. It is also one of the few places in Jakarta were you can take a proper stroll. 

One of the grand trees in the botanical gardens of Bogor. The bark almost seems to hang from it's lank skeleton. 

A white tiger that resides in the Taman Safari park between Bogor and the Puncak Pass. Regardless of the location, these animals remain majestic. 

The gates of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. 

The JIS battle cry: "Tzabuka!"

Milan Zico Bloem, scoring against Taipei American School. 

Post final emotions and support. 

Me and the golden boys.

A poster made for my cousin, Milan Zico Bloem.

A poster made for Will Julius, also an essential member of this team.

A poster made for Christiaan Frankin, a good friend of Milan's who joined the IASAS team at the last minute. Although he wasn't able to play very much, he definitely proved himself by scoring against Singapore American School.

Fishermen setting out at dawn in Nias. 

A truck driving off a ferry boat in the harbor of Gunung Sitoli, Nias. 

Three school children enjoying an afterschool snack in Gunung Sitoli, Nias. 

A mother, her kids, and her neighboring friends in Gunung Sitoli, Nias. 

A mother and her child look out on the rainy weather. 

A ruined church on the western coastline of Nias in the almost ghost town of Sirombu. This is one of the places most affected by the tsunami and earthquake. 

A woman walking towards the stairs of Teluk Dalam, on the south side of Nias. 

A compilation of photos showing school kids of Nias, the well know stone jumping in Teluk Dalam, previously pictured on the Rp. 1,000 bill, and a man swimming a wheelbarrow down a river. 

A tap and water system provided by the Church World Service (CWS) in Soe, West Timor. 

A child eating Vitalita (mixed with rice), a multi-micronutrient powder used to help raise the nutritional status of these children.

Taken on the walk over to the crater of Bromo, West Java.