Bookworm’s corner: getting known Indonesia and Aceh via books
- Api Aceh
- May 12, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 16, 2018
Enjoying amazing Indonesia's scenery is not enough to fully experience this country. Without background information about culture and traditions in this country you can feel yourself quite lost while traveling.
There are many books written about Bali where most people from all around the world go to see Indonesia but there are not so many books in English that grasp different corners of Indonesia.
I would like to share some titles of books that helped me to know diverse Indonesia better. It helps you understand why behind the country’s slogan 'Unity in Diversity’ hide so many things.
I read this book in one and a half day while staying in remote resort near Padang, Sumatra. While I was enjoying buffalos that use the sea to travel from one beach to another, my eyes were glued to the book.
Australian Michael Maher shares his experience as a journalist living in Indonesia. His professional background makes the book interesting because he shares not only his own experience but many factual data that makes you understand Indonesia better.
As a foreigner traveling in Indonesia you may not see real situation of Indonesia. Local people always will want to show the best side of the country but Michael Maher reveals what actual characteristics of the country.
After buying this book in Jakarta’s airport I tried to be more slow reading it. I did not want to swallow it as a junk food because it is not. I enjoyed reading every chapter carefully following the travel of Elizabeth Pisani through Indonesia.
Former foreign journalist in Jakarta before starting her almost one year travel through Indonesia already knew a lot of about this thousand islands country. Her travel from island to island opens the unknown world of different Indonesian regions, customs and people.
In this book you will find stories from Papua in the East to Aceh in the West. So grab a book and enjoy traveling with Elizabeth Pisani.
It is a perfect book for those who love languages and maybe already started to learn some Indonesian words. Authors of the book travels through Indonesian history, traditions and nations while explaining everything via colloquial Indonesian.
Of course one of the best ways to know the culture and country is by studying its language. In this book you can find an answers why family, food and nature is so important for local people. Also you will see how Indonesians love abbreviations. No wonder that it is hard to read Indonesian newspaper even if you know some Bahasa Indonesia.
If you ever have cold or stomach ache while visiting Indonesia you should try traditional jamu. This is a medicine of traditional medicine that is covered in a book mentioned above. The author gathers her ten years experience in researching jamu in Indonesia and shares her insights about Asian way of treating different illnesses.
Also you will find an interesting information about Indonesian massages that is a must to try while visiting this country.
Ayu baca buku! (Let's read a book)
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