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Author Archives: ianburnet
The Mystery of Pulau Cendana, Sandal Bosch Eyland, Sandalwood Island or Pulau Sumba.
Sandalwood is heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and, unlike many other aromatic woods retains its fragrance for decades. Both the wood and the oil produce a distinctive fragrance that has been highly valued for centuries and it is often cited as one … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged cendana, dutch east india company, ian burnet, sandalwood, spice islands, sumba
9 Comments
Searching for Sultan Sayfoedin of Tidore
When I was researching the book Spice Islands I came across an arresting image used in a pamphlet to advertise an exhibition at the Rijksmuseum. After more research I found it was from a painting of Sultan Sayfoedin of Tidore … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged ian burnet, maluku, moluccas, rijksmuseum, spice islands, sultan tidore, tidore
4 Comments
King Willem III of the Netherlands – Abandoned and Forgotten in Pulau Banda
Willem was the son of King Willem II and Anna Paylovna of Russia and on the death of his father in 1849, he succeeded as king of the Netherlands where ruled until his death in 1890. William III was a … Continue reading
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Tagged banda, east indies, ian burnet, King Willem III, pulau banda, Queen Sophie, Queen Wilhelmina
3 Comments
Joseph Conrad’s Singapore
In Conrad’s time the Post Office, the Harbour office, the offices of the ships chandlers and various shipping agents were situated along the harbourside with a view of the ships lined up in the Straits of Singapore. A rambling two-story … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged ian burnet, Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim, pilgrim ship jeddah, riau islands, singapore, Singapore straits
6 Comments
The Portuguese Church in Oecussi, Timor Leste
Many people will not know where is Timor Leste – and where is Oecussi? Oecussi is an enclave of Timor Leste (East Timor) located within the territory of West Timor, which is part of Indonesia as shown on this map. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged east timor, ian burnet, Oecussi, Pante Macassar, sandalwood, timor, timor leste
5 Comments
When the Australian Lillipilly Collides with Asia
You’re probably familiar with the sight of a lillipilly bush. This hardy Australian staple – a glossy evergreen bearing powder-puff flowers and clusters of bright berries – features in many a garden hedge. But you may not know this humble … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged cloves, dutch east india company, ian burnet, lillipilly, maluku, moluccas, spice islands, ternate
2 Comments
Flores – The Portuguese Church in Sikka
Like the Portuguese Church in Batavia this is actually a Dutch Church built in the grounds of a former Portuguese Church. This becomes evident when you look at all the Portuguese names on the gravestones in the adjacent cemetery, such … Continue reading
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Tagged flores, ian burnet, maumere, Portuguese Church, sikka, spice islands
8 Comments
Joseph Conrad’s Eastern World – National Geographic, March 1924
The Earth is a stage, and though it may be an advantage, even to the right comprehension of the play, to know its exact configuration, it is always the drama of human endeavour that will be the thing, with a … Continue reading
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Tagged east indies, ian burnet, Joseph Conrad, joseph conrad's eastern voyages, Macassar, Tanjung Redeb, Vidar
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The Struggle for Indonesian Independence – Hatta and Sjahrir in exile in Banda
Mohammad Hatta ditangkap oleh Pemerintah Colonial pada 25 Februari 1934, dan dipenjarakan di Penjara Glodok. Sebelum ia di berankatkan ke Boven Digul, Hatta diizinkan keluar selama tiga hari untuk mengepak buku-bukanya dalan enam belas peti. Pada salah satu hari itu … Continue reading
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Tagged banda, ian burnet, soekarno, banda neira, hatta, indonesian independence, sjahrir
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Singapore – Saint Joseph’s (The Portuguese Church)
I )used to spend a lot of time doing research in the National Library of Singapore. From the upper levels I would look down on the church across the road without knowing of its significance. However, one day I wandering … Continue reading