A nasi goreng is treated like its counterpart in England the chicken madras

A nasi goreng is treated like its counterpart in England, the chicken madras. Otherwise, sushi has arrived in force.What’s the latest stuff on TV?It seems like the only thing on television is Big Brother, the Dutch version of MTV’s Real World, where people have to stay in the house for a couple of months with a camera in every room The last one to leave gets a nice big money prize. That’s plain cheesy to the likes of you and me.What’s the cool drink to order?Other than the ubiquitous vodka and Red Bull, which has muscled its way into Dutch bars with a vengeance, a drink called Mojito. This is a deliciously efficient Cuban cocktail with double shot of rum, fresh mint, brown sugar, lime juice and crushed ice.What are people eating?Dutch people are fundamentally deprived of positive culinary experiences They eat deep-fried meat in a variety of guises Indonesian food is the equivalent of a late-night curry. Reputed to fill local stadiums for those looking for a laugh His act has a reputation for being a bit “Edamish”. Public transport: clearly complaints come only from those who have never tried to travel anywhere on English soil using the privatised rail networks or London Underground The Dutch have a fanatical perspective on public transport.

They are obsessed with efficiency and time-keeping despite it being one of the best public transport systems in the world. That’s amusing when looking at the decaying English infrastructure.Who’s the talk of the town and why?Herman Brood, rock star/artist and the Netherlands’ answer to Lou Reed. Herman is in his 50s and is often known for showing up to gigs in a variety of states (mental and physical). Excessive fouling of the streets by the wholly inconsiderate urban canine population. There are also a few simple guesthouses in the villages of Toya Bungkah and Kedisan, in the caldera itself.FURTHER INFORMATIONIndonesian Tourist Information Centre (tel: 0891 600 180).. What’s the weather like?

Amsterdam weather is predictably unpredictable: you can enter a restaurant on a clear evening and by the time the main course has arrived, you’ve missed a torrential, freezing rainstorm which has, in turn, fully dissipated by the time the tiramisu and coffee appear.
What are the locals complaining about?Parking restrictions – it takes up to four years to get a parking permit if you live by one of the famous canals.

Plenty can be found in the caldera village of Toya Bungkah the day before your intended ascent.There is a large number of very pleasant hotels in Ubud, the nearest large town to Batur, with prices to match almost any budget. In the Batur area, there is simple accommodation at Penelokan, on the caldera rim. Between 1 January and 31 March 2000 a return flight costs from pounds 384 including tax Call Flight Centre (tel: 0990 666677). Alternatively Trailfinders (tel: 0171-938 3366) has daily flights from Heathrow to Denpasar with Quantas changing in Singapore from pounds 562.30 from 1 January to 30 June 2000.The best way to get around is to hire your own vehicle. In the main tourist resorts of Kuta, Sanur, Ubud and Nusa Dua cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles are easily hired.Do not attempt to climb Batur without a local guide. This price includes return flights with Singapore Airlines, two nights’ accommodation (one either end of the week) in a superior suite at the Amanusa (Bali), along with five nights in a jungle tent at the Amanwana (Moyo), full board, a waterfall excursion, a massage for two people, guided trek, 25 per cent discount on dives, and round-trip charter plane and boat transfers from the airport to Moyo Island (one and a half hours). This trip can also be combined with the Amanjiwo hotel (in Java) and Bali’s two other Aman hotels: the Amankila and the Amandari.MOUNT BATURGaruda Indonesia Airlines flies three times a week to Denpasar, capital of Bali, from London Gatwick.

Singapore Airways has return flights to Bali via Singapore from pounds 585.Steppes East tailor-make itineraries to destinations throughout Indonesia A one-week holiday would cost pounds 2,470 per person. I stayed around the Batur area for another day, feeling pleased with my climbing efforts and relaxing in the cool mountain air, lodging in Penelokan, a village perched on the caldera rim and with a superb view of that volcanic scenery. It was a very different view of Bali from the usual one of sun, sand and surf.INDONESIA: MOYO AND MOUNT BATURMOYOSarah Barrell travelled to Moyo Island as a guest of Singapore Airways (tel: 0870 6088886) and Steppes East (tel: 01285 810267). Around these humid holes the sparse grasses became a profusion of life; rich lichens at the outermost limits, replaced by increasingly luxuriant growths of mosses, ferns and shrubs further into the steamy atmosphere. But for the most part the mountain’s slopes were parched, infertile volcanic rock, stunted trees planted on its slopes struggling against the twin attacks of a harsh environment and local firewood collectors.The hike ended with a scramble down a steep slope, back to a green and pleasant village, back to my car and a drive up a winding lane and out of the caldera. Scarred, smouldering holes stretched westwards away from the main peak, with lava flows fanning menacingly outwards across the western caldera.”That flow was 1974,” explained Jero, pointing to a jet- black river of petrified lava.