One of the reasons I originally started writing this blog was to deconstruct some of the myths and misconceptions I have encountered when talking to people about life in Indonesia. I wanted to show you the Indonesia I know: the relaxed, good-humoured people, smiling in the face of adversity.

So far all I have really written about is corruption and an insensitive government disconnected from its electorate. There’s nothing particularly Indonesian about that!

What happened? I got a bit distracted by all the news over the past two weeks.  I haven’t had a chance to write about Ramadhan, preparing for Idul Fitri, the trials of buying a new car or my new experiences in “dispute resolution”. Next week, I hope, will mark a return from the dark side...