Indonesia is continuing her self destructive behavior in rare form and making headlines across the world. Like a woman scorned she has erupted in a wide range of violence confirming clear disapproval of her current treatment.
On October 25th a 7.7 earthquake hit off the western coast of Sumatra which in turn triggered a Tsunami that practically swallowed the remote Mentawi islands whole. One village reported that of the 200 residents 163 were missing and presumed dead yet another village reported of their 50 children 30 has been found dead so far. Due to the remote location and countries extremely poor infrastructure most news reports had initially stated that the tsunami warning has been called off and there were no injuries...it took days for information to reach mainland that there was almost total devastation in these areas, 433 dead and another 300 still missing. I would also be willing to bet that these numbers are smaller than the actual numbers due to the fact that most Indonesians, especially those living in remote areas, are not listed with the government and would likely not be counted. Sadly, due to theft and damage, the Tsunami warning system put into place after the 2004 tsunami which killed over 200,000 failed to work properly and villagers were never warned of the impending wall of water.
One day later, Indonesia released a fury of hot ash and lava upon the city of Yogyajakarta with the eruption of Mt. Merapi which is considered Indonesia's most volatile volcano. So far, Merapi is still erupting and has belched ash and fire 3 times since Oct. 26th. 36 villagers have lost there lives in the eruption including an elderly man who was called "the mountains keeper"
Travis & I recenty had visited Mt. Merapi with his parents after going to the Bourabodour Temple. We were hiking around the hillside and even got a sneak peak inside the mountains volcano eruption shelter. It is sad to think that people are now using that for safety.
Last night we were informed that Anak Krakatau (The child of Krakatau) has started to erupt. Anak Krakatau is a deserted island between Java and Sumatra in the Sunda Strait. Although it is isolated and remote it is the sight of the largest volcanic eruption in history (1883) Last Feb. I was lucky enough to make the trip across the Sunda Strait and up the volcano along with a few of Travis' friends who were visiting. We were treated to snorkeling on a beautiful coral after our picnic beach lunch and a few encounters with some dragon lizards.
Just as I write now, there has also been a report of a 6.1 earthquake in Papua
The reason I suggest that Indonesia, as a woman scorned, has erupted in violent protest of her current treatment is because, firstly, the beauty of this place is beyond measure and the word paradise hardly does it justice. I have seen sunsets so breathtaking you would think heaven was descending itself therefore if Indonesia has a gender, Indonesia is most defiantly feminine, secondly she has quite a destructive pattern these days. Then you may ask, what so angered the beautiful Indonesia? Well I believe it has something to do with the fact that Indonesia has the largest number of endangered species in the world and the list is rapidly growing. It may have something to do with the severe lack of respect for nature most evident by the lack of funding for or maintaining of any kind of proper waste disposal system leaving human and animal feces in the drinking supply, garbage piling up on roadsides, and the easy spread of disease. Even worse it could have something to do with the vast corruption from top to bottom and genuine devaluing for human life. (Human trafficking is at its peak here in South East Asia and in Jakarta in particular.)
After all the misuse, disrespect and betrayal I see plenty of reasons for Indonesia to be angry. I see people millions of people in Asia and across the world look the other way with their rose colored glasses on as the corruptness prostitutes the beauty right out of this true life paradise.
So although I am grateful that Indonesia's recent disasters have brought her so much attention, I wish her truest devastation- the true disasters of Indonesia also gained as much publicity and garnered so much foreign aid. The natural resources here are being pimped out and polluted so quickly that I believe my children will not get to see the Indonesia I once experienced (A place of pure calm & beauty so fresh and alive.) My heart aches for this beautiful country and for all those who do not give her due respect. Indonesia is screaming....what will it take for her people to listen?
I have included some pictures of Mt. Merapi erupting, The Menatwi Islands after the Tsunami and some of the various topics below.
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| Mentawi Islands after Tsunami |
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| Baby found in drainage ditch after tsunami |
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| Mt. Merapi Erupting |
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| Pollution in Indonesia |
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| Hiking with Mt. Merapi in distance |
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| Pollution in Indonesia |
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| Volcanic Eruption Shelter at Mt. Merapi |
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| Top of Mt. Krakatau overlooking Anak Krakatau |
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| View from Krakatau |
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| Animal Fur Trade Endangered Species |
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Some of the topics in particular that deserve attention: Human Trafficking, Deforestation of Jungles, Black Market Animal Trade, Pollution, Clean Drinking Water, Abuse of Children & Women, Endangered Species killing for profit. These are not topics that have been "swept under the rug" as in the States, these are visible.
