"we will raise our adopted child like our own son because

we believe that children are a priceless gift from God..."

The adoptive parents of Tristan, 3 years before they returned him to the orphanage


Source: HEARTLESS Joe Dowse must have thought it was the bargain of the century. (Mirror)
 

Huge power failures in Indonesia's Java, Bali
Tens of millions of Indonesians have been affected by electricity cuts due to technical problems at a series of power stations. According to the Associated Press, the provinces of West Java, Banten and Jakarta were all affected, as were parts of the resort island of Bali. A similar-sized problem occurred in September 2002. That power outage lasted two days. (BBC)
 

"Many foreigners think giving sentence reductions is inappropriate. But prisoners in Indonesia have that right under the 1999 decree ... and as long as the rules are like that, the government must be consistent....."

Indonesian Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin

Indonesia 'to review remissions'
Indonesia is to review its policy of reducing prison sentences to mark national holidays, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said. (BBC)



 

Indonesia Military Commits Genocide in Papua, Study Alleges  (Bloomberg)
Aceh Rebels Seek Safety Before Disarming
Newmont Challenging Bay Pollution Case
Exxon Mobil near Indonesia deal
OPEN BURNING LINKING MALAYSIAN COMPANIES: Indonesia: We have evidence


Huge Indonesia flag fails to fly

An attempt to unfurl the world's largest flag from the top of a new Jakarta tower block failed to fly when it was torn apart by strong winds. About 50 rock climbers had been used to slowly unravel the flag, which weighed 1.3 tons. It had been expected to enter the Guinness Book of Records, beating a flag made in Brazil into second place. (BBC)

Police in Indonesia shoot dead three elephant poachers

Indonesian police have shot dead three elephant poachers who resisted arrested after they were caught in a protected forest reserve on Sumatra island. (yahoo)

BuGils Bar Staff Are Going International

The Hawaiian party that was held in BuGils last week, was a success. All the revenue of this evening went directly to staff members, who are planning to use this money to go on a outing to Singapore. The manager: 'Funny to see how easy it is for them to collect money from customers. They opted the possibility for customers to go out and have diner with them for an additional fee of Rp.200.000 . This money would go to the money allocated for the outing. I received one angry email from (apparently) a boyfriend of one of them, telling me to stop it. I told him I was not in control of the staff for this matter as it was their own thing. (I wonder if I have been in control at all for other staff matters the last few years, but that's another question) At another moment, one of the waitresses came to me, and asked if she could have a commission on the money that she could raise for the rest of the group. Then there was a bule who was willing to gave so much money to one girl, if she would promise not to date other men. Many protective people around! Luckily we received also positive reactions from a hotel chain in Singapore and a travel agency in Jakarta, both willing to sponsor the trip for a certain amount. They will get there, thats for sure.' (Another fundraiser organised by the staff is planned for next week Thursday) (BuGils Daily)

FROM THE EDITOR:

My parents were worried that my visiting brother Herman would come into contact with the wrong girls. I tried to explain them that they should not worry about him. He is 43 years old, for heaven sake! But, ok, in the end, I agreed to keep an eye on him and warn him for evil whenever it was possible necessary. But I had other things to worry about: my daughters birthday.

'Do you want a Dora, a Mickey Mouse or a Sponge Bob?', a voice on the other end of the line asked. Being a single parent a question like this is probably to most difficult decision you have to make on a day.   And, when it is time for the kids' birthday party, It is even more easier when you happen to have a bar where you can celebrate this.

The children where shouting loudly at every move Dora made. Suddenly, I noticed this old Indonesian man walking step by step towards BuGils, supported by a much younger woman. He clearly needed her arm, as he had difficulties walking. After carefully stepping into BuGils, his face slowly looked up. 'Are you Bartele?' he asked me in a soft and old voice. 'Yes, I am', I answered. Now he lifted his chin even a bit higher and showed an happy but almost painful grin on his face. He must have been way over 75 years old. Then, in a clear and joyful tone, he said in plain Dutch: 'Keep writing. Don't stop. Keep writing, Bartele. I read your book and I think it was fantastic!' I was speechless for one or two seconds. It must have been the best compliment I had received so far. This man was over 70 and he came to BuGils to tell me he liked the book! He spoke again: 'I was at the Hollandse School until the Japs came, and then....'. He wanted to tell me something, but the children were running around us, shouting and singing. I explained the old man that it was the birthday party for my daughter. His eyes twinkled. 'Patricia? Is it Patricia's birthday? Congratulations, Bartele..'. I was perplexed for the second time; he even remembered her name from the book! I offered him a drink but the lady on his right hand - who hadn't been involved in the conversation until this point -turned around. With a bored look on her face she tried to pull the old man out of the bar again. The situation clearly annoyed her.  'My father had read some paperback and he wanted to see the place this writer wrote about. I have no idea what this book was about and what he wants to do here.....but...' She tried to turn her father around. With an almost angry look she pushed him slowly to the exit again. He followed her with his head faced down, but not before he had a good look around the bar. He seemed satisfied. He didn't say goodbye. He just left. He had done what he wanted to do. While he disappeared out of sight, my brother Herman came in. He had just spend a few days on Pulau Kotok with this girl he had met a week earlier.

She was well dressed and clearly not the average Blok M girl. On the contrary. In her early thirties and well dressed, I asked her what her job was. She said she owned a small computer shop somewhere in Tangerang. Good, I thought. My parents could be relieved.  'That's interesting. What computer brands are you selling?' She shuffled her bar stool a bit and put her handbag on the bar. And without changing the look on her face she conveniently answered:  'Windows.....'

In the distance I saw the old man disappearing from the Taman Ria komplex. Patricia and her three year old friends tried to pull the huge woolly head from the shoulders of the Dora creature. The clown resisted heavily. No, the old man didn't have to worry. I will not stop writing for as long as I am in Indonesia. There are just too many beautiful things happening here...  -- Bartele

On the picture below: Another 'older' and regular (once a year) customer of BuGils: the 85-year old mother of Wybe Valkema. She is enjoying a stroopwafel and Dutch jenever.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD: 

No "mate" allowed in Australian parliament
It's an Australian colloquialism recognised around the world, but the affectionate term "mate" has been banned in the country's parliament building.

Farmer Writes Personal Ad in Cornfield  -  It sounds a little corny. A farmer looking for love has planted a personals ad, using corn stalks in a cow pasture. It reads: "S.W.F Got-2 (love symbol) Farm'n." Underneath is a 1,000-foot-long arrow pointing single white females to his house.

Singaporean fined for stealing women's underwear
An unemployed Singaporean man suffering from depression was reportedly fined 2,000 Singapore dollars (1,212 US) for stealing 49 pieces of women's underwear.

Indonesia passes China in coal boom


FOR SALE: KRIEK BELLEVUE and FRAMBOISE beers.

ALSO: STELLA ARTOIS: Rp.375.000,- for 24 bottles home delivered.  Order now and receive a pack of stroopwafels for free. Just send me an email with your address and when you want to have it delivered. Many other beers for home delivery available, like Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Duvel, Leffe, Asahi and others. bartele@bugils.com

Indonesia recruiting terrorists from tribes?
Indonesia's military is committing genocide and recruiting terrorists in the resource-rich province of Papua, a team of Australian researchers charged on Thursday.


Stroopwafels from Aaltje Bakery: now for sale in BuGils!
For Home Delivery (min. 4 packs) email roos@bugils.com

FROM A READER:

HOUSES FOR SALE IN SPAIN  -  Would you like to buy a Golf Villa in sunny Spain? Now's your chance. Contact Neil Seager at : golf@seagerfinancialservices.com for information on brand new Golf Apartments from 125,000 Euros, Golf Townhouses from 280,000 Euros and Luxury Villas from 390,000 Euros

LOOKING FOR:  

FOR SALE:  Candles made from 100% environmentally friendly pure natural palm wax. It is blended with pure citronella essential oil, which helps protect against mosquitoes and flies.  The Candle (approx.600grams) will burn up to 30 hours making any outdoor activity more enjoyable and insect free.  Available only on this newsletter for Rp. 125,000  To order contact Robert: Hp 0811872233 or email: puritycandles@cybi.net

Bintan Resorts – Indonesia

It has a charming range of resorts catering to all tastes and budgets. Bintan Resorts is a favourite amongst tourists for many reasons – as a relaxed beachside getaway, golfing on some of the best designer courses in Asia, watersports like windsurfing and diving, or a spot of body-and soul pampering at any of the numerous exotic spas. Add to these are the flavour of Riau-Indonesian cultural heritage tours and captivating nature tours.

371 Beach Road, #01 - 09, KeyPoint , Singapore 199597 - Tel:+65 6293 3191 Fax:+ 65 6293 3375 - Email: tours@brf.com.sg Website: www.bintan-resorts.com

SILADEN RESORT & SPA

Siladen Island, Bunaken Marine Park / Manado / North Sulawesi

SILADEN RESORT & SPA

siladen_resort@hotmail.com / info@siladen.com

www.siladen.com
Tlp/fax: 0431 856820
ADVENTURE INDONESIA - Jakarta Office:
Wisma 31, Jalan Kemang Raya No.31
advindo@cbn.net.id
Tlp/fax: 62-21-7182250, 7182256 /Fax.7180438

For more info on the Newspaper Direct service, click here 
For more info on the Beer Delivery Service, click here
For more info on the Stroopwafel Delivery Service, click here
For more info on the Unibind Document Binders, click here

RECENT EDITIONS:

Couple gives adopted child back to orphanage
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Aug08nl2005.htm

Jakarta Expat Bar Takes Staff Abroad

http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Jul27nl2005.htm

Expats to be tested on language in Indonesia

http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Jul14nl2005.htm

Big quake hits Indonesia's Sumatra
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Jul05nl2005.htm

Indonesia Bans US Beef
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/Jun29nl2005.htm

Indonesia finds first human case of bird flu

http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/June16nl2005.htm

Indonesia military hunt cars carrying bombs-paper

http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/June12nl2005.htm

U.S. closes Indonesia missions

http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/May26nl2005.htm

women in swimsuits are common in Indonesia
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/May20nl2005.htm

Guidelines for Expat Drivers in Indonesia
http://www.bartele.com/newsletters/May16nl2005.htm

Ensure your receipt of this publication by taking a moment to click the “Confirm” button below. This affirms your wish to receive this newsletter, getting you VIP mail routing from us to your ISP