If You Go ... Getting there: Garuda flies from Jakarta to Banda Aceh twice a day. The flight takes 2.5 hours with a 30-minute transit stop in Medan, North Sumatra. Visitors can proceed directly from the airport to Ulee Lheue port in Banda Aceh by taxi (Rp 45,000). A fast ferry departs to Sabang for the 45-minute trip at 3 p.m. (Rp 35,000 economy class). If you have hired a car, then take the ferry from Malahayati port in Banda Aceh to Balohan, a trip of about two hours.

Heritage trust races against time The Sumatra Heritage Trust (BWS), in cooperation with Netherlands Management Cooperation (NMCP), is putting together an integrated plan to preserve the Kesawan and Merdeka Square area in Medan. With their plan not yet completed, however, the Medan administration has already implemented its own on Merdeka Square and Kesawan. Founded in 1998 by a group of concerned young people, BWS has been involved in a number of projects.

Martha's labor of love Martha Gunawan, the owner and director of Galeri Mon Decor, has been instrumental in the publication of the book telling Renato Cristiano's complete life story. In recruiting one of the best writers and the most outstanding publishers, obviously no cost was too much to obtain the best results. So, of all painters, why did she select Renato Cristiano?

Majority rules: Let get into the spirit of tolerance When it comes around every year, Ramadhan is a special time to contemplate, when we can work on promoting good deeds and do away with sinful ones. For me, another thing to put away this fasting month has been my alarm clock, which I planned to use to wake me up for the predawn meal. It proved unnecessary, as my neighbors will not let it -- or me -- rest.

The renaming game: For many, it's still Bombay Talwar Badam, Associated Press/Bombay, India You say Bombay and I say Mumbai. You say Calcutta and I say Kolkata. The old song about pronunciation -- "Po-tay-to, po-tah-to; to- may-to, to-mah-to" -- could be the refrain of most Indians, as well as other citizens of former colonial territories who are bent on dropping the Westernized versions of city names.

Indonesia suffers 3rd defeat in chess Olympiad The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian men's squad had their third defeat in the chess Olympiad when they lost to the Czech Republic while their female compatriots triumphed over Lebanon in Calvia, Spain, on Friday. The men lost by 2.5 - 1.5 points in the four-game match. They held their Czech opponents to draws in three games but lost in the other with Dede Liu being the unfortunate catalyst.

In the spotlight with a celebrity neighbor This fasting month is different for Cikeas residents in Bogor, West Java. For this year, observance of Ramadhan in Cikeas, home to new President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is being done with full media coverage. The small suburb near Bogor has suddenly become a household word, just like the other places -- Cendana, Ciganjur, Kebagusan -- where former leaders live.

King of reinvention Iwan Tirta strikes again Sherry Samtani, Contributor, Jakarta The many faces of Iwan Tirta include professor, international lawyer, author, the country's leading batik designer and now a designer of silverware. But regardless of his line of business, one title reigns supreme -- his perpetual enthroning as the "master of the art of batik".

Short is sweet in local publishing Although the novel has not been completely shut out of the picture, there has been a growing number of short story collections published in the past few years. Aside from noted short story author Seno Gumira Ajidarma, new names including Linda Christanty, Djenar Maesa Ayu and Oka Rusmini have published their works.

In the media glare with observer Veven Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Amid the grandstanding and clamoring for position in the colorful media jungle, Veven S.P. Wardhana stands out as a voice of understated reason. From the issue of press coverage of the May 1998 riots, to the broadcasting bill, government-press relations and the glut of TV gossip shows, Veven can tell it like it is.

Buyat suspects released, put under city arrest Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police suddenly released the five suspects in the Buyat case on Saturday after PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (NMR) embarked on a media campaign to secure their freedom. The director of the National Police's special crimes division, Brig. Gen.

In with the old in a nod to tradition Maria Endah Hulupi, Contributor, Jakarta Everyone has their dream house; for one home owner returning from living in Europe, it is in the form of an old-style house that blends in with its surroundings, is in harmony with the tropical climate and offers an inviting garden full of the sound of birds. Architect Bambang Eryudhawan's task was to come up with a design that would suit the climate and fit in with the other buildings in the neighborhood.

Magazines reach out to well-heeled Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While browsing through a local society magazine, "Johan", an Indonesian who has lived in the Netherlands for most of his life, pored over the parade of photos of people hobnobbing and partying. The 33 year old, who rarely makes trips to his homeland, finally came across a face he recognized, a man striking a pose at a trendy club. "Hey, I know this guy! He works at a bar in Amsterdam, carrying kegs of beer!

Antasari's culinary legacy lives on Suryatini N. Ganie, Contributor, Jakarta Those living near Kemang in South Jakarta will probably be "familiar" with a legacy of South Kalimantan's royal dynasty. They are bound to have been caught on Jl. Pangeran Antasari, notorious for its traffic jams. It is named in honor of the heroic leader of the Kingdom of Banjar in the 19th century. "Poor Prince Antasari," said a friend who hails from Kalimantan.

Yusra keeps to his true colors Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There are artists who feel they are commanders of the universe, the judge to put matters in black or white through their works. With no such pretensions to knowing what is best, artist Yusra Martunus would rather stay true to himself. Some artists perform their own song and dance about the wrongdoings of the world as others paint our shared sorrow and dark moments.

Heritage trust races against time The Sumatra Heritage Trust (BWS), in cooperation with Netherlands Management Cooperation (NMCP), is putting together an integrated method to preserve the Kesawan and Merdeka Square area in Medan. With their paper not yet completed, however, the Medan administration has already implemented its own agenda on Merdeka Square and Kesawan. Founded in 1998 by a group of concerned young people, BWS has been involved in a number of projects.

Short is sweet in publishing Although the novel has not been completely shut out of the picture, there has been a growing number of short story collections published in the past few years. Aside from noted short story author Seno Gumira Ajidarma, new names including Linda Christanty, Djenar Maesa Ayu and Oka Rusmini have published their works. Some, like Djenar, whose works are known for their shocking themes, have even been able to parlay their short story writing into careers as celebrities.

In the media glare with observer Veven Hera Diani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Amid the grandstanding and clamoring for position in the colorful media jungle, Veven S.P. Wardhana stands out as a voice of understated reason. From the issue of press coverage of the May 1998 riots, to the broadcasting bill, government-press relations and the glut of TV gossip shows, Veven can tell it like it is.

Sabang: Out of harm's way Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh A victim of circumstance, the once thriving tourist area of Sabang was inevitably affected by the strife in the rest of Aceh. Slowly but surely, visitors are starting to make their way back to sample it gorgeous coastline. Sabang always has its special place in national geography classes as the westernmost tip of the far-flung archipelago.

Untuk tanggal Oct. 31. nvn In the eye of the tiger Brian McDermott, Guardian News Service/India You'll need patience, warm clothes and a certain amount of resilience, but the rewards of a tiger safari in India are worth the effort. We clung on as the elephant thrashed around in the undergrowth a few metres from a young female tiger baring her teeth in what was either a genuine threat or a world-weary yawn.

Linda Christanty: The need for critical thinking Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Winning a prestigious literary prize provides more of a burden than pride and joy for writer Linda Christanty, who frets that her works still lack much in quality.

A romantic dining spot in Yogyakarta Christina Schott, Contributor, Yogyakarta Sunset here is one of the most precious moments of the day. When the muezzin calls for the evening prayer, the heat and bustle of the day seems to vanish with a refreshing bath, a deep breath and a sip of tea or iced juice. And all the better to do this in lovely surroundings. If you reside in Yogyakarta or are visiting, a perfect place for this kind of chilling out is the restaurant Omah Dhuwur at Kotagede.

Medan's heritage falls by the wayside Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Medan The third most populous city in the country, Medan is changing fast, with much state-of-the-art construction planned. But it seems that in putting its new, modern face forward, the North Sumatra capital is turning its back on its preindependence legacy of old buildings.

TV Program: Sunday, October 24, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 3:30 a.m. Variety Show: Sahur 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:30 Koran Reading: Iqra 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Documentary 7:30 Children Show 9:00 Music: Delta 10:30 Sports: Antar Gelanggang 11:00 TV Drama 12:30 p.m.

Other tempting bites Bladok Restaurant, Jl. Sosrowijayan 76, Yogyakarta. Maybe the calmest restaurant in Sosrowijayan, but that does not mean that it is empty! The Indonesian and Western dishes are a little bit more expensive than other places in the area, but its salads, pasta and excellent pizza are worth it. Bu Tutik Lesehan, Northern Ringroad, right beside the parking space of the Yogyakarta Kembali Monument.

Roof of council building collapses INDONESIA: The roof of the Pekalongan municipal council building in Central Java suddenly collapsed around dawn on Saturday, but no fatalities were reported. The incident has forced a council committee to shift an official function, slated to be held on Saturday night, to the nearby Wanita Building.

A taste of South Kalimantan Singkong Goreng Sambal (Cassava in Chili Sauce) Singkong (cassava) grows easily and abundantly in southern Kalimantan and is made into many regional snacks, mostly enjoyed mid mornings or late afternoons.

Seven more arrested in Mamasa Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar Some of the 1,500 refugees in Mamasa, South Sulawesi, began to head home on Saturday, as the situation has returned to normal in Aralle and Mambi districts, which were recently rocked by violence. Security was given a boost when police arrested seven more people suspected of provoking clashes in the two districts, which claimed at least three lives.

Let's get into the spirit of tolerance When it comes around every year, Ramadhan is a special time to contemplate, when we can work on promoting good deeds and do away with sinful ones. For me, another thing to put away this fasting month has been my alarm clock, which I planned to use to wake me up for the predawn meal. It proved unnecessary, as my neighbors will not let it -- or me -- rest.

The artistic escapades of painter Cristiano Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta Renato Cristiano: A Journey through Painting Bruce W. Carpenter Published by Mon Decor Gallery, Jakarta Designed and produced by Archipelago Press An imprint of Editions Didier Millet, Singapore 150 pp (77 plates) Earlier this month saw the launching of one of the most comprehensive and well-written books examining an artist who lived for more than a decade on the island of Bali.

Medan's heritage buildings fall by the wayside Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Medan The third most populous city in the country, Medan is changing fast. In a bid to live up to its recently obtained metropolitan status, the North Sumatra capital has much state-of-the-art construction planned. But it seems that in putting its new, modern face forward, Medan is turning its back on its preindependence legacy of old buildings.

Police vow to stop illegal raids on nightspots Leony Aurora and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Police deployed 600 Mobile Brigade members and 500 officers to patrol the streets on Saturday, as a preventive measure against more raids on nightspots during Ramadhan. Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said on Saturday that chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani had ordered that legal action be taken against people conducting raids, as their actions were in violation of the law.