Meet Andrew Whitmarsh. The adventurous travel writer and author of the recently published guide walking Jakarta: 25 Excursions in and around the Indonesian capital
.
As a travel writer you must be familiar with the islands of Indonesia. What is your favorite place?
I would be on the tops of volcanoes, no matter the island. Whether the always explosive Semeru volcano in East Java, the massive volcano Kerinci in West Sumatra, Krakatau volcano grass in the Strait of Sunda or Lombok Rinjani volcano.
Are there places you have not been to Indonesia that you want to visit?
Papua is the only place left that is a must for me. I'd love to climb Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) or do serious trekking in remote areas.
And what was life like before Indonesia?
Not nearly as exciting. I lived in a remote mining town, at the bottom of a canyon, the Republic of Georgia for 2 years before coming here, which was great, but the things I've seen and done here in Indonesia over the 8 years have been enough to fill a lifetime. Luckily, mine is only half over.
You recently wrote the travel guide, Jakarta: 25 Excursions in and around the Indonesian capital. How the idea was born to write it a walking-tour guide?
When I arrived in Jakarta, I began immediately to explore the city on foot and by bicycle. It was not long before I realized the city was full of amazing things to see and places to visit, contrary to what everybody around me said. All my friends complained there was nowhere to go and nothing to do, but I knew otherwise. So I began to collect information, draw maps and craft the early chapters of the book.
Melanie Wood is your wife and photographer for the guide. How did you two meet and how it worked with your other half?
I met Melanie in Georgia, where she worked in Tbilisi as a journalist and teacher. I fell in love immediately and eventually proposed to her at 10,000 feet on Slamet, an active volcano in central Java, then married in a cave church of the 14th century in central Turkey last year. She is very adventurous and love to explore the narrow streets of the city, it has been a great partnership. Be sure to check his blog www.gangs-of-indonesia.com
Who did you in mind when you wrote this book?
Expatriates Jakarta. These poor people generally keep locked behind gated communities and confined the small areas they feel at ease, not because that's how they want to live, but because there is such a lack of reliable information on where to go and what to do. In addition, they got so much misinformation about the city they are afraid to get out and explore and they are under the impression that walking is impossible, but it is far from the truth.
What do you hope to achieve with this guide?
I like Jakarta and honestly I would like other people to experience a slice of good times. If you go out at the right time, right place, well prepared and with the right mindset, this city will blow your mind. Do not forget that to enjoy the city, you need to do three things: Stay off the main streets, the walking and becak and talk to as many people as possible
Of the 25 Tour guide is your favorite?
For culture, I love Cikini excursion for history, the tour Monas / Pasar Baru, for sheer variety Blok M excursion and the weirdness Glodok / Mangga Besar tour. My favorite excursion is Bendungan Hilir -. A little known gem of a neighborhood in the city center
What challenges have you encountered when putting this book together?
First, Jakarta is huge, so it took me years to locate the entire city to find suitable places hundreds, activities, sites, etc. I bicycled miles crisscrossing Jakarta. Next was photographs, not every day is good for shooting while Melanie and I had to visit and re-visit many areas. Another was to find historical information and exact coordinates. Finally, I put my life in danger a few times, like riding on the roof of a train where I almost lost my head on an electric wire.
After spending so much time traveling the streets of Jakarta, what have you learned to love most about the city?
The people are the friendliest I've encountered anywhere in the world. No matter how poor or how poverty, they treated me with respect, with humor and with open arms. I've never had a security problem or was abused and believe me, I went in really dilapidated places. I also like the maze layout of this city. I feel like a mouse in cardboard maze of a child, running, trying to find the price.
Are there things you hate about the city and what would be your advice to overcome the negative aspects, such as the traffic?
I do not like the noise and pollution of traffic. My biggest advice is to go as soon as possible and stay off the main roads. Driving on main roads, Jakarta often looks like hell, but step of a block or two off the main road and you can find the sky.
Andrew Thank you! To contact email andrewingeorgia@yahoo.com