You are all amazing

To all the staff of The Jakarta Post, I wish you safety, peace and a brighter future. I want to let you know how I admire all of you and the newspaper as a brave and glittering example of Indonesian ingenuity, generosity and intellect. I have seen cameramen take risks with their lives and humor presiding over terror. I think you are all amazing.

To all of you, take care, stay safe and see you in three weeks. It just so happens that this riot coincided with our longstanding holiday plans -- you may be amused to know we are going to Sri Lanka -- however I am a bit ashamed of thought of as running away as it's not my style. After all, I survived the Philippines coup so I insist I am not deserting the ship. Like Gen. McArthur I will return (but without the troops and the aviator shades).

Let us all get what we need...

MELODY KEMP

Ubud, Bali