Krakatau is famous among island biogeographers. These are the scientists who study the geographical distribution of plants and animals over time. The reappearance of this island in the 1920s has given scientists a rare clean slate upon which to watch the appearance and succession of various plants and animals. The island is rather young. After [...]
Some know it as the sound heard round the world. Author Simon Winchester calls it “The Day the World Exploded.” On August 27th, 1883, the island Americans call Krakatoa (but which Indonesians call Krakatau) disappeared in a massive explosion. The eruption produced the largest natural concussion ever recorded. Krakatau though was not the largest eruption [...]
The hotel where we stayed in Carita (pronounced cha-REE-tah) did not provide the best of accommodations. The Sunset Hotel was not on the beach, and buildings across the highway would block any possible view of a sunset, making me puzzle over its name. A dirty pair of men’s underwear lay on the rooftop just outside [...]
My cousin came to visit this month. Like lots of extended families, our history has not been marked by the best of relationships. Feuds from long before I was born kept many family members from talking to each other for years, and sometimes the silence continued until someone died. As a teenager I learned I [...]
It’s 6:30 on Saturday morning, a day for much-needed rest, but sleep is elusive. Outside, the neighborhood has been awake for several hours. The daily calls to prayer began at 3:30. Now three hours later, the nearby guards chat to stay awake as their 12-hour overnight shift draws to an end. Next door a ping [...]
Poorly translated signs are generally always fun. They can be found just about anywhere, including in the United States. This particular sign was found on Bali, at a wonderful facility called Tirta Gangga, or Water Palace. It’s a beautiful garden with ponds and other water features. It was restored through the guidance of an American, [...]
It’s tough for me to take trips because I don’t have a good childcare system in place, especially for travel taking me away overnight. So when Beth arrived for her last visit at the end of March, I left the next day for a trip to Kuching, in Malaysia. The kids could have her all [...]