Taking the waters, and making a wish, at Guci hot springs Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Tegal, Central Java Guci in the regency of Tegal is known as a major tourist destination in Central Java for its mountainous landscape, cool air and natural hot springs believed to have healing and supernatural powers. "The hot springs have become Guci's main attraction.

The Spice Garden: A proxy clash of civilizations Rich Simons, Contributor, Jakarta The Spice Garden Michael Vatikiotis, Equinox Publishing, Jakarta, 2003 253 pp Not too long ago (about four years, to be exact) and not too far away, there was an idyllic tropical isle called Noli, where the gentle fisher folk lived in almost perfect harmony and peace, with nature and themselves.

New York City: Shining bright as a place for all the family Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, New York City, New York Fall in New York City is a romantic season, and probably the best time to visit the most dynamic and culturally diverse city in the world. The city also glitters in the Christmas and New Year holidays as it holds a series of splendid events to celebrate the festive season.

Smart shopping tips Shopping can be a pleasure or a chore. If you know the secret, shopping can be fun, and more importantly, with good planning, you can guard yourself against the temptation of goods that you don't need. Below are some smart shopping tips that you can you use while shopping for clothes or other necessities for Idul Fitri or the Christmas holidays. - Shop with a plan. Know exactly what you need and how much you can spend. Write it down and create a budget.

Idul Fitri Keeping it fun and festive in the home Maria Endah Hulupi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Hotels and restaurants may try their darndest to get people out to sample their wares on the special days of Idul Fitri, but tradition dies hard. For most Muslims, there is nothing more joyful than celebrating the end of the fasting month in the home, feasting on the same delicious savory dishes and snacks remembered from childhood amid the warmth of family and friends.

Ayu, Liu meet in ITF junior finals Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Liu Wan Ting and Ayu Fani Damayanti lived up to the billings to meet in the finals of the 2003 ITF Junior Tennis Championships after defeating their lower rated opponents in the semifinals at the Bung Karno tennis courts here on Saturday.

Probe continues into abuse of housemaids despite move to settle amicably P.C. Naommy and Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police have refused to drop charges against an employer accused of abusing her housemaids, despite efforts made by the victims' families to settle the matter amicably, an officer said on Saturday. Kebon Jeruk Police Subprecinct detective First Insp.

Sculptors carving out their place on the arts map Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta Amid the vibrancy of an art market dominated by works of painters, sculptors find themselves marginalized. Even large exhibitions and biennales only include a few sculptors, not to speak of their scant appearances at auctions and award competitions. In an effort to break through such domination, sculptors throughout Indonesia joined forces to establish the Association of Indonesian Sculptors (API) in 2000.

Installment of governor opposed Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Opposition is mounting to the decision by the central government to install Brig. Gen. Abraham Octovianus Atururi as the acting governor of the newly established West Irian Jaya province. By installing Abraham as the acting governor, President Megawati and Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno had violated an important principle of law, a democracy activist said on Saturday.

'Republika' told to use its right to reply The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) called on Saturday for the Republika daily to exercise its right to reply instead of resorting to legal action in response to a report run by The Jakarta Post which it says has damaged its image. In a statement released by AJI chairman Edy Suprapto, the alliance said Press Law No.

Sculptors carving out their place on the arts map Carla Bianpoen Contributor Jakarta Amid the vibrancy of an art market dominated by works of painters, sculptors find themselves marginalized. Even large exhibitions and biennales only include a few sculptors, not to speak of their scant appearances at auctions and award competitions. In an effort to break through such domination, sculptors throughout Indonesia joined forces to establish the Association of Indonesian Sculptors (API) in 2000.

Speaking in tongues: That ain't no way to treat a language I was at a coffee shop with a couple of friends, catching up on gossip before we had to return to our dreary offices, when a young woman at the next table turned to us and asked in American- accented English whether she could have a light. She was Indonesian -- as are we -- which was apparent not just from her physical appearance but from the conversation she was having with her companions.

Kimchi: Korea strives to keep tradition on the menu Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Seoul A cloyingly sharp smell hung in the air at the aT Center's exhibition hall here, site of Kimchi Expo 2003 last week. Rows and rows of stalls displaying Korea's famous fermented dish, made with a spice rack full of different ingredients, took up the two floors of the modern building.

Feeling the heat at the Ciater hot springs T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Ciater, West Java A row of people sat at the side of a shallow lake with a small waterfall that stands amid a beautiful natural setting. They took off their shoes and dipped their feet in the water while chatting and enjoying the cool, fresh air. "Wow, it's really hot. I can't stand it," one of them said after she had put her feet in the water for a few minutes.

Onno build bridges across the digital divide Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta When Onno Purbo walks into a room, it immediately lightens up. Relaxed, easy going and gregarious, strangers might assume he is a grad student meeting old friends. In reality, he is a former university professor who is fighting to bridge this country's increasing digital divide. It has been said that more and more people are being left behind in the Information Technology revolution.

Mob burns down courthouse after priest sentenced Jemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Thousands of local residents set ablaze a district courthouse on Flores Island on Saturday, shortly after a judge declared guilty a local Catholic leader in a defamation case. The angry mob also set fire to several buildings belonging to the Larantuka Prosecutor's Office. No fatalities were reported in the incident.

Shoppers start flocking to shopping malls Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Not even bomb threats can stop shoppers from flocking to Indonesian malls during the months of November and December, as their only concern is to get everything they need to celebrate Idul Fitri, Christmas and the New Year. The third and fourth weeks of November are expected to be the peak of the shopping season, as this is the period when people will be frantic to find everything they need to celebrate Idul Fitri.

Hypermarkets offer special incentives to attract buyers Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta Shopping can be exhausting sometimes, especially if you are fasting and you have yet to pick up all the items on your shopping list for the Idul Fitri holiday. However, it can be great fun if you do it in an air- conditioned hypermarket, full of soft music and a lot of special prices, facilities and prizes.

Getting there Ciater is located 32 kilometers from Bandung, the capital of West Java, and 185 kilometers from Jakarta. If you are driving from Jakarta, take Cikampek toll road. Exit at the Sadang Gate, proceeding in the direction of Subang, passing the small town called Kalijati. After you arrive at Subang, go in the direction of Bandung. Ciater is located between Subang and Bandung. It takes about three hours to get there.

JP; ANPAc..r.. JP/19/R00 TV today JP/19/TV.TB.30" .90" TV Program: Sunday, November 16, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Utama 7:00 Cartoon 8:00 TV Drama: Mat Angin 9:00 Children's Program: Bando 11:00 Variety Show: Maskum Show 12:00 p.m.

Fasting: How to do it safely during pregnancy Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Being pregnant and fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan are blessings for Muslim women, but they may find themselves confused when the two come together at the same time. The question is whether they can fulfill their religious obligation, because they fear that the fetus may suffer nutritional deficiencies.

Rebel leader jailed for 17 years Teuku Agam Muzakir, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam The Lhokseumawe District Court sentenced on Saturday a commander of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)'s armed wing to 17 years in prison for treason, illegal arms possession and extortion. It was the first time since martial law was imposed almost six months ago an armed rebel leader has been convicted and sent to jail.

Idul Fitri: Keeping decorations fun and festive Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hotels and restaurants may try their darndest to get people out to sample their wares on the special days of Idul Fitri, but tradition dies hard. For most Muslims, there is nothing more joyful than celebrating the end of the fasting month in the home, feasting on the same delicious savory dishes and snacks remembered from childhood amid the warmth of family and friends.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, November 16, 2003 Exhibitions * An exhibition of over 100 terracottas from the Majapahit Kingdom period, 13th-15th century, East Java and other parts of the archipelago. The Royal Treasures Room, Dharma Mulia Galleries, Jl. Ciputat Raya No. 50 (Tel. 7492850), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Dec. 15. * Photo by Stefan Moses, GoetheHaus, Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15 Central Jakarta (Tel. 23550208), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Nov. 17.