APRIL/MAY 2025 ASIA STORY PART 3

After a bit of an emotional breakfast, we bade farewell to our hosts and hostesses of the Agusta Eco Lodge Resort, otherwise known as our secret little island jewel. Yes. It was time to begin phase three of this Asian trifecta. The roadies were great helping us with our luggage, et cetera, to the return ferry, which was quite different from the one that took us to the island….Thank G-d.

Once again, our first stop was Sorong, which we referred to as “So Wrong.” At this point, we decided to investigate Sorong. We learned that it is the largest city, and capital of the Indonesian province of Southwest Papua, located on the western tip of the island of New Guinea. Yes. We used our encyclopedic knowledge of the local language once again, as we said, “Terima Kasih,” with smiles all around. After a short ride, we checked into the Aston Hotel, and decided to take one of our thirty- minute-naps that lasted a bit over two hours. Ah yes. The discipline of the seasoned traveler…NOT!

On our way to our hotel in Sorong, we passed some interesting sites.

This is one of the neighborhoods that we passed. As you can see, NO CLOTHES DRYERS IN SIGHT!

It was now time to dine. What started out as just another buffet dinner turned into a quasi-photo shoot for Naomi. It seems that a young lady was celebrating her birthday with a good-sized cadre of friends and family, when they took notice of Naomi’s golden tresses. They came over to our table, and asked very politely if they could have pictures taken with my wife, heretofore referred to as “Goldilocks.” When we said that it was perfectly okay, they ran back to the rest of their young friends, gathered them and returned to our table with giggles to spare, and primping of their hair. Just about each jeune fille had her own camera, which made this a pretty lengthy shoot. Nonetheless, after several and sundry poses, they thanked us, and left us to our cooling soups. We noticed that we weren’t the only ones who dressed alike. Fashion and fun is where you find it. Unlike other photo-ops, they just wanted pictures, no autographs, or interviews.

After our dinner, it was once again time to stare at our eyelids for a good rest. Yes. Tomorrow we are flying to Jakarta for more than just a few hours’ stay.

Our flight was leaving from the Raja Ampat Airport. Yes. They even had live music there too. The piano player wasn’t exactly another Art Tatum. In fact he made me almost sound good. I told him that if he let me play his piano that I would get all of the wrong notes out of it. So I played for a while. I left some clunkers for him.

Between the two of us, I was wondering if we were going to be arrested for musical malpractice. Luckily no one was listening.

Upon checking into the Jakarta Raffles Hotel, the “Call of Nature” was upon me.

Here are some lobby decorations.
Yes. Everything at Raffles is “TOP DRAWER.”

Riding to Raffles, we discovered that there must have been a sale on Mopeds,
because it seemed that practically the entire populace was riding one.

For those of us who prefer doored vehicles, Blue Bird Taksis are available. Yes. TAKSI.

And now, a few words about Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. After going through a few centuries of kingdoms, Buni, Taruma, Sunda, et cetera, the Dutch East India Company, which traded heavily in teas and spices, moved into Indonesia around 1619, expanding until 1800, when it became officially the Dutch East Indies. This lasted until the Japanese invasion in 1942, and lasted until 1945, the end of WW II, when the Japanese were ousted. It then became the Republic of Indonesia through 1947, at which time it once again became the Dutch East Indies through 1949, at which time it became the Republic of Indonesia, as it is presently known. Keeping up with this stuff is almost like keeping track of the order of clarinetist Artie Shaw’s wives. There are several buildings still standing from the Colonial Period, 1619 on through 1800. Here are some of them.

Each group practiced their own religion, and still do today.

Another tradition that has survived through the years of upheaval, occupations, and travail is the art of the “Shadow Puppet Show.” This gentleman showed us how it is done “backstage.”

Here is how it appeared to us in front, as the audience.

The apartments that we rode past were painted quite like the ones in Dublin. I guess that if, for some reason, you couldn’t remember your street address, you could simply tell your taksi driver, “The Pink One or The Green One.” Oh the ravages of alcohol.

No heavy-duty reel, et cetera for this guy. How about fishing with a sling-shot? This all seemed a bit avant-garde to us. But, hey, we’re the foreigners. I guess it’s cool as long as you have a guitarist along, fishing for a folk song.

Seeing all of this fishing reminded us that it was “Getting hungry out.” Not exactly a weather report. Just a statement of fact. So here we were checking out the menu at the restaurant that our driver picked out for us.

After such a hard day at play, it was time to get back to our hotel, and take a well-earned nap…Yeah. A few hours. Nonetheless, we made it up in time for dinner, which, of course, was flawless, and then the retreat between the sheets for the rest of the evening. Upon awakening, and showering, it was the season of breakfast.

Now, fully fueled, it was time to once-again hit the streets of Jakarta. There were more things to see, and learn. How could we pass up an opportunity to see a shirt shop like this? As it turned out, very easily.

Another short drive, and we were in front of the Headquarters of the Prime Minister of Jakarta.

From here, it was another bit of a drive to see this famous statue of horses. Yes. They are into colors.

This is the Indonesian Crest in Jakarta.

After this tour, it was time to get back to Raffles for dinner, cocktails and a bit of live jazz. Yes. Real musicians. Not a DJ.

As I said at the beginning, this would be the third installment of our Asian Trifecta. Well, it would have been, but for the fact that from here we took off to Singapore, which is a story in itself. So, as they used to say “way back when” on radio and television, “Stay tuned for the next adventure. Same time. Same station.” Well, I can’t say same time. I can say that Singapore will be forthcoming, as the fourth chapter in this Asian epoch. We hope that you’ve enjoyed what we’ve shared so far. Till next time, be well, and thanks for reading this.

DARRYL B. MORTICOM