Roses for Xi Jinping and the One Child Policy
Our journey in Hainan continues. After a morning visit to a legendary traditional Chinese medicine factory, our next destination is one of China’s most famous rose gardens, Yalong Bay Rose Valley, sometimes called Yalong Bay Rose Park. On the way to the flower garden, our tour guide talked extensively about Hainan Island and briefly explored […]
At the Edge of the Sky and the Edge of the Sea: Sunset Notes at Tianya Haijiao
It was nearing dusk when our bus arrived at our next destination: Tianya Haijiao, which the tour guide had called the most romantic beach in Hainan—and indeed, in all of China. “If we hold hands with our partner here, our relationship is guaranteed to last until we’re grandparents,” Angela said teasingly on the bus. Not […]
Poco-Poco and Xinglong Coffee in a Chinese-Style Balinese Village
Travel Report from Hainan by Taufik Hidayat The afternoon sky in Hainan was a mauve hue as the chants of Poco-Poco echoed from an open-air stage. Rows of round lights hung between coconut trees, casting golden light onto smiling faces. Amidst the crowd, dancers dressed in orange batik swayed their hips energetically. The audience—both Indonesian […]
Captivated by the Sparkling Gür E Amir, the Prototype of the Taj Mahal
When we think of Agra, we immediately recall the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Therefore, if we visit Samarkand, Gur E Emir, the mausoleum complex of the Timurid dynasty kings, is the actual prototype of the Taj Mahal. Let’s follow its story. Our journey in Samarkand continues from the Statue of Amir Timur in the […]
Under the Shadow of Amir Timur
After a brief stop at the hotel to store our belongings and change clothes, our group immediately departed in the same vehicle for downtown Samarkand. Our first stop was the Statue of Amir Timur, located on University Boulevard, or Universiteti Xiyoboni. This area appears expansive at first glance, with pleasant gardens adorned with fountains and […]
White Chevrolet, Doctor-Turned-Guide, and Sukarno’s Story in the Silk Road City
“Welcome to Samarkand,” was the warm greeting from Daniyor, our local tour guide, as he picked up the group at Samarkand Vokzal, the city’s main station. The 25-year-old was charming, spoke nearly perfect English, and immediately made a great first impression.At first glance, Daniyor’s appearance reminded me of my first visit to Istanbul two decades […]
Taking the Afrosiyob High-Speed Train from Tashkent to Samarkand
Indonesia has only recently become familiar with high-speed trains. The Jakarta-Bandung route officially began testing in September 2023, but was still free for a limited number of passengers. Back home, high-speed trains feel like a leap forward. But in Uzbekistan, high-speed trains are no longer a novelty. Since 2011, they’ve had the Afrosiyob, a Spanish-made […]
Trapped in a Dead-End Chinese-Built Tunnel in Tajikistan
The journey from Khorog to Kalaikhum, two important cities in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) of Tajikistan, is a colorful experience. The route offers stunning natural scenery, such as the Panj River that separates Tajikistan from Afghanistan, and a winding route that offers surprises at every turn. However, challenges such as road repairs, permit checks, […]
Mezquita As-Salam: A Light in the Village of Love, Santiago de Chile
“Every step in a foreign land is a prayer seeking a home, and every mosque found is a small answer to that prayer.” That day, the Santiago sun was shining brightly, ushering in a warm afternoon in the Chilean capital. The clock struck one in the afternoon when my walking tour ended in front of […]
Prayer, Incense, and Raminten’s Traces at Hamzah Batik
My steps that morning began on the south side of Malioboro. The Yogyakarta air was warm, sunlight reflecting off the old buildings along the street, even though the clock was only a few seconds before 10 a.m. I accidentally entered Beringharjo Market and took a moment to soak in the atmosphere. It was crowded, but […]
