Tag Archives: dutch east indies

East Indies — Book Reviews III

Some more ‘East Indies’ book reviews have come in Ian Burnet journeys through the East Indies, from Calcutta and Goa to Timor and Malacca, as far as Nagasaki, Canton and Hong Kong. Europe’s desires for goods from the East —- … Continue reading

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‘East Indies’ —- Book Reviews II

Some more ‘East Indies’ book reviews have come in. Armed Enterprise – Competition and Monopoly in the East Burnet tells of the struggle between the Portuguese Crown, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the English East India Company for … Continue reading

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The Manhattan Transfer

  This is a story that never ceases to fascinate. Whenever I give a ‘Spice Islands’ book talk, I am always asked “Is it true that the island of Run was exchanged for Manhattan?” Manhattan is often referred to as … Continue reading

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Nederlandsch Indische

The Nederlandsch Indische is no longer with us, but more than fifty years after the end of that era there are still some visible remnants. These I found on a recent trip across Java and I am sure there are … Continue reading

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Hotel Majapahit — Surabaja

Built in 1910 by the Sarkie Brothers the Hotel Majapahit exceeds their Eastern and Orient Hotel in Penang, and their Raffles in Singapore in size, style and elegance. Lovingly restored, it is absolutely amazing and a nights accommodation costs one … Continue reading

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Spice Islands Sailing Adventure — 2013

This year we had a multinational group of 5 Canadians, 6 Australians, 3 English, 2 Dutch and 2 Germans making up our passenger list, we were ably led by our guides Jennifer and Arif, and the whole crew of the … Continue reading

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Ian Burnet: The Spice Trades’ untold stories —— from Tempo Magazine, September 8 2013

Very early on in his life, Ian Burnet knew he was destined for a life of adventure. Growing up in a small isolated country town in his native Australia instilled in him an obsessive ambition to get out of town … Continue reading

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Spice Islands Sailing Adventure

It is time to stop procrastinating (The act of postponing, delaying or putting off) The Ombak Putih departs October 24 for its voyage around the Spice Islands Only 3 cabins left, the voyage of a lifetime awaits. Follow the link … Continue reading

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‘East Indies’ —- Spices, Gunpowder and Opium

Copies of ‘East Indies’ have arrived and there is nothing more exciting than holding the final result of five years work in your hands. The books should be going out to the bookshops in the next few weeks and there … Continue reading

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East of India – Forgotten trade with Australia

A reminder to those in or near Sydney that the current exhibition – East of India- Forgotten Trade with Australia, at the Australian National Maritime Museum will end early on August 18. I had hoped that the book ‘East Indies’ … Continue reading

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