Very early every Sunday morning, until around 9am, from Patung Pemuda Statue on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman to Monas on Jalan Mohammad Husni Thamrin, the streets are closed to traffic for Car Free Day. Usually the road is filled with people walking, jogging, riding bikes and rollerblades, but we found during Ramadhan the roads are incredibly […] Read more »
Buka Puasa with Orphans at the Ridwans
Each evening during Ramadhan, the Ridwan’s have been hosting ‘Buka Puasa’ (Breaking the Fast), with the orphans in their community, as has been the tradition for Shinta and her husband Mohammad for the past 11 years. Firstly they snack together before praying and then eating their meal for the evening. I have met these children […] Read more »
Taman Suropati Chamber during Ramadhan
During the month of Ramadhan, Taman Suropati Chamber have rescheduled their usual morning classes to 3-5pm each Sunday afternoon. We headed down recently, taking with us one of Treen’s dear friends and fellow teachers, Talisa, to enjoy the ambience in the park. I am incredibly envious of anyone with any musical talent and to see […] Read more »
CONGRATULATIONS Rafi!
Today I am thrilled to announce we have received confirmation that Rafi has been invited to attend Festival Indonesia in Melbourne, which is an absolute dream come true. This year, Festival Indonesia will hold a series of events leading up to Festival Weekend on 22 and 23 September at Queensbridge Square, Southbank in Melbourne. The 2012 […] Read more »
Train Spotting in Bandung
I love spontaneous adventures and riding on trains so I couldn’t resist an opportunity to head to Bandung with Tri to take photos of trains crossing the bridge out in the countryside, and to enjoy a short respite from the chaos of Jakarta. I have travelled by car and train to Bandung several times over […] Read more »
Pejaten Performers
Every year, students from the Australian International School in Pejaten (AIS Pejaten) hold an art exhibition and theatre production for parents and fellow students at the prestigious TIM in Cikini, which I have attended for the past two years, thanks to my beautiful sister Treen being one of the many teachers who dedicates their time […] Read more »
Mini Fashion Show by Rafi Abdurrahman Ridwan – ‘Lovely Moment for Lovely Kids’
Indonesia’s National Children’s Day was celebrated earlier this week on 22nd July and I would like to acknowledge all the children I know that have touched my heart and brought sunshine to my days and I would especially like to dedicate this day to a very special friend of mine, Indonesia’s youngest Fashion Designer, Rafi […] Read more »
A Heart of Gold – Ages Biola and Taman Suropati Chamber
If you live in Jakarta, it is easy to get distracted by the mess of the city; the mind-bending traffic, the corruption, the pollution, the mind-blowing poverty; it feels like a city that is about to self-combust while you can only sit and gape and wonder, who is doing anything about this mess? Does […] Read more »
Jakarta Expat Magazine and Taman Suropati Chamber
A huge thank you to Angela Richardson at Jakarta Expat Magazine for sharing my story and photos of the amazing Taman Suropati Chamber. Share on Facebook Read more »
Orphans at the Ridwan’s
Every so often you meet people that make a big impact on your life and make you see life from a new and fresh perspective. The Ridwan family have been incredibly generous with their kindness not only to me, but to many people that surround them. Rafi is always thinking of others and how he […] Read more »