Category Archives: Uncategorized

2013 – 2023 The top ten posts of the decade

Posted on January 21, 2024 by ianburnet

After 10 years of blogging there have been 152502 views by thousands of followers and here are the top blogs of all time. Please go to the search button to find the blogs you may have missed. Thanks to all … Continue reading →

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The Makalamau Drum is shattered in Museum fire

Posted on December 17, 2023 by ianburnet

The largest Dong Son type drum found in Indonesia is the Makalamau Drum which was discovered on the island of Sangeang off the island of Sumbawa. The Makalamau Drum is 122 centimetres in diameter and in the centre is a … Continue reading →

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The Glass Islands – Book Review

Posted on November 12, 2023 by ianburnet

THE GLASS ISLANDS, by Mark Heyward Published by Monsoon Books Reviewed by Ian Burnet Mark Heyward in his book ‘The Glass Islands’ tells the story of building a family home on the Indonesian island of Lombok. However, he has achieved … Continue reading →

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Joseph Conrad at the Ubud Writers Festival

Posted on October 8, 2023 by ianburnet

https://www.ianburnetbooks.com

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Max Havelaar and the Path to Indonesian Independence

Posted on August 12, 2023 by ianburnet

From the 19th Century, coffee grown in Java was traded across the world and was so popular that in the United States that a ‘cup of Java’ was America’s favourite beverage. In its original state, Java coffee is 100 percent … Continue reading →

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The Makalamau Drum of Sangeang Island

Posted on July 23, 2023 by ianburnet

The Đông Sơn drum is a type of ancient  bronze drum created by the Đông Sơn culture that existed in north Vietnam. The drums were produced from about 600 BCE or earlier until the third century; they are one of the … Continue reading →

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Minyak Kayu Putih, Cajuput Oil, Tea-Tree Oil

Posted on June 19, 2023 by ianburnet

Minyak Kayu Putih is found in every household in Indonesia in the form of ointments and liniments for all sorts of aches and pains. It is also used as a fragrance and freshening agent in soaps, cosmetics, detergents and perfumes. … Continue reading →

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The Mystery of Pulau Cendana, Sandal Bosch Eyland, Sandalwood Island or Pulau Sumba.

Posted on May 15, 2023 by ianburnet

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 →

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Searching for Sultan Sayfoedin of Tidore

Posted on April 11, 2023 by ianburnet

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 →

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King Willem III of the Netherlands – Abandoned and Forgotten in Pulau Banda

Posted on March 13, 2023 by ianburnet

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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