Lover's eyes Kirk Coningham It wasn't something of which he was particularly proud. David told himself it was just a bar, but when the beautiful girl smiled and started walking his way, he new it wasn't. He could feel himself blushing and wished he wouldn't. David Majors was married to his work. He was in Jakarta for a month to arrange a venture between an Indonesian factory and an Australian car manufacturer. He had been celebrating the first milestone with his Indonesian partners, but by 10 p.

Garut: Taking the waters in West Java Hera Diani , The Jakarta Post/Garut, West Java ------------------------------ Cradled in a ring of mountains with water, water everywhere, the cool climes of Garut made it West Java's answer to the Swiss alps for Dutch colonists. While much has changed since way back when, Cipanas subdistrict offers a sedate Sundanese respite at a hot- springs resort. --------------------------------- What does it mean to be an ethnic Sundanese?

Finding educational toys for your kids Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta When it comes to choosing toys for their children, most parents buy them not only for fun, but also for educational reasons. A wide range of learning toys that are designed to encourage creativity and thinking skills are available in many supermarkets and malls across the country.

The search for nurses with a better bedside manner Ratih Sayidun and Santi W.E. Soekanto, Contributors/Jakarta Rahma has worked for the past two years at a small medical clinic in Depok, south of Jakarta, as well as taking patients at home, despite not having a license to open a practice of her own. The mother of three has nothing but complaints about her even younger colleagues.

Sabang: Out of harm's way Nani Afrida The Jakarta Post/Banda Aceh ---------------------- INTRO: 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 its gorgeous coastline. --------------------- Sabang always has its special place in national geography classes as the westernmost tip of the far-flung archipelago.

Can local fashion designers look beyond these shores? Kylah Brown, Contributor/Jakarta Given its access to outstanding textiles and cheap labor, Indonesia should be at the forefront of the fashion industry. But, unfortunately, it is not. It isn't even close. Many industry professionals have offered explanations as to why talented Indonesian designers are having difficulty penetrating the international market. The reason certainly isn't due to a shortage of talent.

Taking the waters in West Java Hera Diani The Jakarta Post/Garut, West Java ------------------------------ Cradled in a ring of mountains with water, water everywhere, the cool climes of Garut made it West Java's answer to the Swiss alps for Dutch colonists. While much has changed since way back when, Cipanas subdistrict offers a sedate Sundanese respite at a hot- springs resort. --------------------------------- What does it mean to be an ethnic Sundanese?

Jakarta History Museum Daytime tour (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.) Nov. 28: Bandengan Mosque Dec. 19: Sion Church Evening tour (7 p.m. - 9 pm) Nov. 28: Jakarta History Museum Dec. 19: Museum Taman Prasasti The museum will creat private tours to the client's specifications. For more information, tel. 692-9101 or e-mail musejak@indosat.net.id --------------------------------- Sahabat Museum December: Trip to Ranah Minang (Padang, Bukittinggi, Batusangkar, Padang Panjang and Pariaman).

Jakarta: On history's trail in Jakarta Susanna Tjokro, Contributor/Jakarta --------------------------- INTRO: Most of us give little thought to the history on our doorstep. But you can forget those stodgy history lessons from school when you hit the pavement on a historical tour of the city. -------------------------------- "I never knew history could be such fun!" said a participant of a Sahabat Museum (Friends of Museums) cultural tour.

Susilo calls on nation to exercise restraint The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on all groups in the country to put their individual interests behind the greater cause of helping the nation. In his speech delivered at the commemoration of the Koranic revelation day at Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta on Saturday, Susilo said people should exercise restraint in their conduct and refrain from imposing their will on others.

Troops kill 17 rebels in Aceh INDONESIA: The military said on Saturday soldiers killed 17 rebels in the latest clashes in Aceh province, where security forces are waging an all-out offensive against separatist rebels. The killings on Friday and Thursday were among the biggest casualties suffered by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in two days of clashes since the government launched the major offensive to crush the rebels in May 2003.

Arts and crafts showcased INDONESIA: End-of-year shoppers can take their pick of the wares available at a couple of events in Jakarta. A bazaar featuring products from Pakistan, ranging from handmade embroidery to antique jewelry, is being held at Hotel Kemang on Jl. Kemang Raya, South Jakarta. The bazaar, opened on Saturday and continuing on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., also has stands with Pakistan's famous carpets and rugs, wall hangings and artifacts.

Greysia, Rizal advance to Richmond finals Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Mixed doubles pairs Greysia Polii and Muhamad Rizal are the only Indonesia's medal contenders at the 2004 World Junior Badminton Championships in Richmond, Canada. Greysia and Rizal defeated Lee Yong-dae and Park Soo-hee of South Korea 15-5, 17-15 on Friday to book a ticket in the final against third seeds He Hanbin and Yu Yang of China on Saturday evening (Sunday morning Jakarta time).

More open spaces urged for healthy hearts The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Heart Foundation (YJI) has urged the new government to provide more open spaces where people can exercise and pursue a healthy lifestyle. With cardiac problems still topping the list of killers in the country, the foundation raised concern that a lack of public spaces was contributing to the overall decline in people's health.

Leaving the big question hanging Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta -------------------------------------- Apakah Soekarno Terlibat Peristiwa G30S? (Was Soekarno involved in G30S?) Kerstin Beise Ombak, Yogyakarta September 2004 494 pp ------------------------------------------- Is it really relevant to know if the country's founding president, Sukarno, was connected to the abortive coup of September 1965?

TV Program: Sunday, October 31, 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.

Sabang: Out of harm's way in Sabang 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.

Empowering people to become survivors Compounding the challenge of cultural diversity in treating trauma in the country's far-flung archipelago is a linguistic factor: No word exists in Bahasa Indonesia for "survivor". "An alternative is korban, but this means 'victim' and carries a negative nuance in that it suggests passivity and powerlessness," said Nelden.

On history's trail in Jakarta Susanna Tjokro Contributor/Jakarta --------------------------- INTRO: Most of us give little thought to the history on our doorstep. But you can forget those stodgy history lessons from school when you hit the pavement on a historical tour of the city. -------------------------------- "I never knew history could be such fun!" said a participant of a Sahabat Museum (Friends of Museums) cultural tour.

Empowering people to be survivors Compounding the challenge of cultural diversity in treating trauma in the country's far-flung archipelago is a linguistic factor: No word exists in Bahasa Indonesia for "survivor". "An alternative is korban, but this means 'victim' and carries a negative nuance in that it suggests passivity and powerlessness," said psychologist Nelden Djakababa.

A culture of death lives on Jacqueline Mackenzie, Contributor/Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi Whatever travel agents may say, there are not many places in the world where cultures have survived the tendrils of travel and telecommunications, or where the visitor does not feel traditions have been tainted by the tourist dollar.

Thaksin frees some 'innocent' detainees Alisa Tang, Associated Press/Bangkok Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on Saturday that hundreds of Muslims detained after a riot in the country's restive south would be freed, in a bid to ease tensions over the deaths of 85 accused rioters -- including 78 who died in military custody.

Elly taking nursing off the sidelines Ratih Sayidun and Santi W.E. Soekanto, Contributors/Jakarta Countless parents want their children to become doctors, but they would be less than enthusiastic -- probably downright angry -- if the latter wished to become a nurse. Maybe they should meet Elly Nurachmah, the first Indonesian nurse to become professor of medical surgery nursing at the School of Nursing, University of Indonesia, of which she is now the dean.

Having fun at shopping malls T.Sima Gunawan, Contributor/Jakarta Malls have become more than shopping destinations. People go to malls for relaxation, to meet their friends -- "to see and to be seen" -- to dine or to drink coffee. For many children, malls also provide them with somewhere to play. In the corner of a children's game center in one of Jakarta's shopping malls, a little girl fiercely clenched a rubber hammer. She eyed the target, then ...

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.

More RI migrant workers arrive home The Jakarta Post, Samarinda/Batam/Pekanbaru A trickle of Indonesian migrant workers made their way home from Malaysia as an amnesty program for illegal workers entered its second day on Saturday.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, October 31, 2004 Exhibitions * Photo Melting Point by Kenji Sasaki, Koi Cafe and Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 10 A, South Jakarta (Tel. 7195707), until Oct. 31. * Painting Story Along the Street, by Totok BS, Gallery Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta (Tel. 71790008), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Nov. 6. * Painting Retorika Pe(r)sona by Pratomo Sugeng, Nadi Gallery, Jl. Kedoya Raya 53, West Jakarta (Tel. 5818129), until Nov. 2.

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.

Better nurses means better health care The meeting hall of the orphanage in the Yogyakarta district of Gunung Kidul -- one of the poorest districts of the country only a decade ago -- was full of men and women in brown uniforms. They were doctors and health officials, directors and heads of the local hospitals and public health centers (Puskesmas), gathered to be informed by several experts that their nurses and midwives were woefully below professional par in their standard of service.

Irene gets silver at chess Olympiad The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Irene Kharisma secured a silver medal at the chess Olympiad in Calvia, Spain, while fellow young star Susanto Megaranto helped Indonesia's men's team improve their rank from last season.