Welcome to Setarbak

Not sure who to credit for this one. Let me know if it’s you.  Not sure where this originates, but it’s doing the rounds. A terrible example of Indonesia’s rampant property rights abuse, or a reflection of Indonesian-ness? (For non-Bahasa speakers, just say the first word quickly. The second means coffee, not, in this case, … Read more

One Kid, A Tsunami, Nineteen Days At Sea, And A Soccer Match

This is nothing to do with technology, but it’s such a wonderful story I have to share it. Here’s how AP reported it: Portugal welcomes a special fan: Indonesian tsunami survivor LISBON, Portugal (AP): When Portugal walks onto the field Saturday to play Slovakia in a World Cup qualifying match, its captain will be holding … Read more

Starbucks Comes To Tsunami-hit Aceh

Indonesians don’t have much time for trademarks, copyright and all that kind of thing, but they do have a great sense of humour and a resilience that inspires. Here’s a new cafe that has just opened for business near the airport in Aceh’s Meulaboh, one of the worst hit areas: (picture courtesy of Radio68H. The … Read more

Anyone For Banda Aceh?

Tourism to South and Southeast Asia may have taken a hit in the aftermath of the tsunami, but clearly not every travel agent thinks it’s a no-no — even to the capital of the hardest hit region, Indonesia’s Aceh. This contextual ad appeared on Google doing a search for Banda Aceh. The blurb is unsurprising, … Read more

Indonesian Tsunami Relief Effort

I’m not in Indonesia at the moment, but my thoughts are with those tens of thousands of people in Aceh and the rest of Sumatra island, coping with the aftereffects of the tsunami. For those of you wishing to make contributions to the relief effort, one organisation is worth considering: Radio 68H, a network of … Read more