Mission to Empower Female Weavers Across Indonesia

Toraja Melo has established a variety of programs to work with women who participate. (Photo courtesy of Toraja Melo)

Jakarta. A 2007 trip to her husband's hometown, Toraja in South Sulawesi, saw entrepreneur and women's rights activist Dinny Jusuf become fascinated by traditional weavers living in the region.

Using back-strap loom to slowly weave colorful fabrics bearing sacred Torajanese motifs, these economically disadvantaged craftswomen relied on their creations as a main source of income, while having to navigate dual roles as a weaver and a housewife. It was a situation only worsened by fluctuating tourist numbers and an insecure market to sell their crafts.

Inspired Ways to Decorate With Empty Wine Bottles

It's great fun opening a new bottle of wine, but the good times don't have to end when you've polished off what's inside. There are tons of inspiring ways to reuse that glass bottle, from lighting solutions to outdoor accessories. Wine bottles are one of the amazing materials that can be used in countless ways if you're into upcycling, but we're partial to using them as decor. Brush up on your glass-cutting skills, and see 15 ways to use gorgeous glass bottles into your home! 

1. Très Chic Tiki Torches

Give your wine bottles a second life by making them into tiki torches! Julie Blanner has the step-by-step guide on how to make them.

This Tree Houses That Would Make Tarzan Jealous

Trust us — these aren't the tree houses of your childhood. Thanks to fully-stocked rooms, lofted interiors, and striking architectural details, these tree house rentals on Airbnb are jaw-dropping properties with plenty of character. Whether you're hoping to plan an exciting vacation or simply enjoy some travel eye candy, we're highlighting the most design-savvy tree retreats across the world. From California to Australia to Italy, here are eight stunning tree house rentals that are sure to inspire your inner child.

1. Atlanta, Georgia

Comprised of three separate rooms connected by string-lit rope bridges, this Atlanta escape is truly a fantasy come to life. The romantic, secluded tree house even boasts its own chandelier! 

Who says Halloween food only comes out at night? With a little creativity, you can transform everyday toast into a spooky, spiced, and sweet indulgence: ghost toast. While this buttery breakfast bite might look like it requires a supersteady hand or special tools, that's far from the case. Aside from four common ingredients (bread, butter, cinnamon, and sugar), all you'll need is a sheet of tinfoil, a pair of scissors (or, better yet, a utility knife), and a tiny bit of patience.

Selena Gomez Says Suffered From Lupus, Underwent Chemotherapy

Singer and former Disney actress Selena Gomez revealed in a recent interview that she is recovering from the autoimmune disease lupus. (Reuters Photo/Luke MacGregor)

Pop singer and actress Selena Gomez has revealed in an interview that she was diagnosed with the autoimmune diseaselupus, which led to her canceling the end of her tour in 2013, but that the disease is now in remission.

"I was diagnosed with lupus, and I've been through chemotherapy," Gomez, 23, told Billboard magazine. "That's what my break was really about. I could've had a stroke," she said.

Eager Fans Snap Up Copies of New ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Novel

Two fans read their copies of E.L James's new book "Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian." (AFP Photo/Jewel Samad)

New York. Fans of British author E.L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” erotic trilogy clamored on Thursday to get the first copies of her new book “Grey,” a version of the first novel told through the eyes of her famous male character.

At Barnes & Noble bookstore in Manhattan, where James was appearing at a book signing, the line stretched around the block.

“Grey” was the highest Kindle pre-order book of the year on Amazon.com when it was released as an ebook at midnight and was expected to be an instant bestseller.

Facing Backlash, US Muslims Counter With New Advertising Campaign

A billboard sponsored by Islamic Circle of North America is shown on a street in Sacramento, California. (Photo courtesy of Islamic Circle of North America)

Sacramento. In California’s capital city of Sacramento this month, stark black billboards loomed over highways and faded commercial strips, offering solace to the troubled: “Looking for the answers in life?” one asked. “Discover Muhammad.”

With messages that are part religious invitation to explore the Muslim faith and part public relations, the billboards anchor a national campaign to showcase Islam as a religion of love and tolerance, aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Backpacker Website Blazes Trail

Off the beaten track of Indonesia’s most-loved tourist hot spots lies some of the archipelago’s most beautiful, if not largely unknown, natural attractions. (Photo courtesy of TripTrus)

The blue flames seep out from the cracks under the crater of the Mount Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi, East Java. Glowing eerily, the inextinguishable blue light is not just one of nature’s eternal flames; it’s also one of the most rare natural phenomena in the world today.

“[Mount Ijen’s blue flames] are one of only two in the world, along with another blue flame in Finland. Like so many wonders in Indonesia, it’s better known among foreigners than Indonesians,” said intrepid traveler Bramantya “Bram,” Sakti, who seeks to spread word about the flames to other Indonesians.

Boutique Charms at Sandi Agung Villa in Seminyak

Local entrepreneur Agung Pano has created a cozy yet comprehensive nest of hospitality in Seminyak with Sandi Agung Villa. (Photos courtesy of Sandi Agung Villa)

For Balinese entrepreneur Agung Pano, good service is key when it comes to hospitality. As the owner and founder of Sandi Agung Villa in the popular tourist hub of Seminyak, Agung has created a boutique spot tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets.

A Javanese Downton Abbey Experience at Yogya’s Ullen Sentalu Museum

Yogyakarta. For a city whose kingdoms are heavily patriarchal, it’s refreshing to find and explore a museum in Yogyakarta that is dedicated almost solely to the powerful feminine figures in the Javanese kingdoms. It was pure curiosity that pushed me to make the two-hour drive to the chilly Kaliurang region on the slopes of Mount Merapi to visit the Ullen Sentalu Museum.

Unlike other museums in Yogyakarta or Indonesia in general, Ullen Sentalu is well-preserved and well-maintained. Visitors are not allowed to freely roam the exhibition rooms themselves. Instead, they are divided into small groups for which a dedicated guide, whose services are part of the Rp 30,000 ($2.30) admission fee, explains the history of each exhibit as the groups move from one room to the other in chronological order.

We sat in the outdoor vestibule while waiting for the tour to begin, engulfed by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that Ullen Sentalu’s surrounding greenery brings. Near the museum’s entrance a massive banyan tree stands tall, its huge roots cradling the entrance like giant hands.

In Kulon Progo, Luscious Views and a Clash of the Titans

Enjoying the sight of Menoreh hills. (JG Photo/Nadia Bintoro)

Yogyakarta. There will come a time when you have explored most of Yogyakarta, down to the tiniest temples, and have passed for the umpteenth time the tourist-packed street of Malioboro. And yet, you simply long for more.

Food for Thought: Breaking the Fast With Beans

This simple recipe serves 12. (JG Photo/Petty Elliott)

Mung beans are known as kacang hijau in Indonesia and are a common legume in many countries. Originally hailing from India they are now common cooking ingredients in Chinese and South Asian cuisine, including Indonesian.

Shakespeare’s ‘Othello Tower,’ Victim of Cyprus’s Division, to Reopen After Facelift

A general view of the 14th-century Othello Tower in Famagusta, Cyprus. (Reuters Photo/Yiannis Kourtoglou)

 

Famagusta, Cyprus. The 14th-century Cypriot tower that is the fictional setting of Shakespeare’s play “Othello” reopens next month after undergoing renovation following decades of decay on the internationally isolated Turkish side of the ethnically divided island.

Yogyakarta Terracotta Biennale Celebrates Ancient Artistic Roots

(JG Photo/Richard Horstman)

Yogyakarta. Indonesia has a rich and diverse tradition of terracotta culture dating back many centuries, and the opening on June 7 of the Terracotta Biennale 2015 Art On The River in Bantul, Yogyakarta, was a landmark occasion. Featuring sculptures and installations made from clay by 70 artists from Indonesia, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Slovakia, Hungary, Japan and England, the event has the distinction of being the world’s first international terracotta biennial.

Indonesian Kitchen at Home in the Netherlands

 

Stall selling Indonesian food at the Tong Tong Fair in The Hague last week. (Photo courtesy of Tong Tong Foundation)

Jakarta. In no other country outside of Indonesia can one find Indonesian food, spices and condiments as easily as in the Netherlands. Seven decades after the Dutch left their biggest colony, dishes like rendang and nasi goreng have become part of the country’s national cuisine.

“Geef mij maar nasi goreng” (“I prefer nasi goreng”) a popular golden-oldie Dutch song, can be heard several times a day on a hip radio station playing pop music for a young crowd. It advertises Toko Joyce, one of Amsterdam’s most famous take-away joints, which has been serving Indonesian dishes and snacks for almost half a century.

So Sad... Christopher Lee, Evil Count of Cinema, Dies Aged 93

 

The British actor Christopher Lee and his Danish wife Birgit Kroncke in Marrakesh in 2008. Lee, best known for his seminal portrayal of Count Dracula in the 1958 screen classic before enjoying a late-career renaissance as the evil wizard Saruman in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, died on Sunday at age 93. (Reuters Photo/Jean Blondin)

London. Master of the macabre Christopher Lee, who portrayed Dracula in outrageous Hammer Films horror classics but became known to later generations for roles in “Star Wars” and as the wizard Saruman in the “Lord of the Rings,” has died aged 93.

Lee died last Sunday in hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for respiratory problems, a copy of his death certificate posted online showed. Lee’s agent, in an e-mailed statement, said his family “wishes to make no comment.”

Kacang Kenari With Coconut Sugar Give Classic French Pastry an Indonesian Twist

Kacang kenari tartlets. (JG Photo/Petty Elliott)

Canarium nut, better known as kacang kenari in Indonesia, is found mostly in  Maluku and North Sulawesi.

Although another name for the nut is “Java almond,” kacang kenari does not grow in Java. 

Food From Farm to Fork in Bali

Belantih farm aims to promote healthy, sustainable eating to its fans.(Photos courtesy of Petitenget restaurant)

Cool winds rush past the vehicle as its wheels make the only sound audible for miles. Rain falls gently from wispy clouds wrapped serenely in sunshine, gently arousing the earth from cranky stupor. The earth here is soft, alkalized, the rows of herbs, set in geometric precision with each labeled in clear serif font, Parsley, Dill, Coriander, Basil. The air here is clean and fresh, with a hint of herbal fragrance. This space is heaven and not just for the seasoned chef, gastronome or gourmand. It pays homage to the origin of food, celebrates its conception, cheers its transformation and honors its sacrifice.

A Hidden Gem of Ecotourism in W. Kalimantan

The Betung Kerihun National Park offers a unique holiday experience

Betung Kerihun National Park is home to a rich collection of flora and fauna unique to Borneo, offering travelers a rare opportunity to embark on an adventure of ecotourism. (JG Photo/Nuelle Intan)

Noon is yet to come; the sun seems reluctant to share its rays. A motorboat moves slowly atop the Embaloh River, its passengers sharpen their eyes and ears, ready with their cameras.

Salamat, a Dayak Iban, carefully maneuvers the boat while monitoring the waters and its surrounding. Spotting movement in the foliage of the rainforest, he calls out: “There! A wild boar!”

Unveiling the Cultural Wonders of Mahakam River

The Sei Mahakam Festival, sponsored by French oil company Total, highlighted the artistic elements of East Kalimantan’s Dayak culture. (JG Photos/Tunggul Wirajuda)

The Dayak artisans focused on weaving their plaited arts and crafts in the same intent manner their ancestors have applied for hundreds of years.

Their practiced hands intricately wove the bamboo and rattan into wide brimmed cahung, or solar hats, baskets to hold paddy seeds, anyaman weave mats and ulap doyo cloth from the fibers of curculigo leaves. Their deft touch came from constant practice and hundreds of years’ worth of tradition, turning everyday objects into works of art.