The Attractions of the Dutch East Indies

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 173, 25 July 1939, Page 5

The Attractions of the Dutch East Indies

THROUGH A PALMSRSTONIAN’S EYES Arriving back in tho Dominion last week to find the country in the severe grip of winter was in striking contrast to the blue skies and tropical heat that had been the lot of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Spencer, of Palmerston North, during a pleasure cruise of two months to the Dutch East Indies. Airs. Spencer told the “Times” that it had been the perfect holiday, travelling on a very comfortable boat with excellent service from Chinese boys (there being only ono stewardess) and never any necessity to lock one’s treasures away. Visiting .Sydney for the first time was the commencement of a series of thrills for Mrs. Spencer and after a busy round during two and a-half days the travellers proceeded on their way sunwards, Port Moresby being the next port of call and its lovely approach duly admired. Military activity has been greatly increased at this important point by the Australian Government and the heavy fortifications that wif e proceeding were the only signs of reaction to world unrest the New Zealanders came up against on the trip. Calling there on their return they passed the sister ship to the Tasman, also the Strathaird, on a pleasure cruise from Australia. The Route Followed. Sourabaya, Sainarang, Batavia, Singapore and Saigon was the order on the outward journey, each town having its own particular interest and attraction, the skill of the Javanese natives in their crafts providing never ending amazement. A good idea of IndoChina was obtained on the five-hour trip up the river to Saigon, passing a French passenger boat of 22,000 tons providing a little diversion. Airs. Spencer thought the women in that part of the world dressed very smartly but in the little time spent in the shops she found most things very dear. After lunch the travellers found the heat unbearable and to add to their discomfort had to return to their boat in rickshaws during a severe thunderstorm. Singapore was a thrilling place in which to shop and at one large silk store there were 20 tailors employed turning out beautifully tailored frocks in 24 hours. A visit was paid to the gardens ablaze with lovely tropical flowers and shrubs. Through Java. Returning to the fine city of Batavia Mr. and Airs. Spencer decided to make tho journey to Sourabaya overland, which had been a wonderfully interesting experience, taking four and a-half days motoring 700 miles over fine roads with a well-informed driver. Airs. Spencer had been struck with the happiness of the people, who seemed to want so little. Everywhere was there evidence of their industry and in aIJ that long drive was a constant stream of natives carrying their goods to market. Wherever a road was made trees were planted and so the travellers’ way had been lined with tne fragrance of frangipani gardenias, bouganvillas flaunting their colours everywhere, a hedge of yellow, red and purple being particularly lovely. The fertility of Java had impressed the Palmerstouians, cultivation extending half-way up the mountainsides. Forty miles from Batavia was Buitenzorg, the permanent resident of the Governor-General, whose palace is surrounded by tho famous ootanical gardens. Avenues of beautifully shaped kanary trees are a feature, also rare orchids, insect-eating flowers and gigantic lianas which pass from one tree to another over distances of more than 100 yards. Lunch at the heights of Punchak Pass made a pleasing break and an opportunity of a splendid view of the countryside. At one table Airs. Spencer noticed a lady with saxo blue hair to match her frock. Leaving this favoured week-end spot for Bavarians and continuing on the way, rice terraces were noticed and a wonderful irrigation system which keeps the sunwarmed water high up the slopes of the mountain, then tea plantations. Bandoeng, which is the newest city of Java, was visited and found to bo modern and delightfully cool and from this centre trips may be made to craters (which the Spencers did not choose to do), also to placid mountain lakes and into tho virgin forest full of orchids. Sunkissed Fairyland.

“Sunkissed Fairyland” is tho description applied to tho plains of Garoet which are surrounded by five volcanoes, and with, beautiful valleys every now and then rising to tho heights provided amazing variety in tho passing scene. It was at Djocja that much was learned of native life and its arts and crafts, tho visitors seeing the genuine silver, copper and batik work in the making. Ten miles from this centre the famous Parambanan Temples wero visited, now being rapidly reconstructed, and then on to Sourabaya, a commercial town which has suffered from tho depression. In the zoological gardens the animals are shown in their native state. After Port Moresby a short call was made at the lovely island of Samarai in tropical setting, pretty bungalows clustered on the hillsides and surrounded with beautiful gardens. There were only 140 white people, mostly officials, and half an hour’s walk took the visitors right round the island. An even temperature made this a desirable spot, to say nothing of the fact that tho residents had neither rates nor taxes to pay. Samaroa, the base for airways into New Guinea, was passed and u close view obtained of the island blown up two years ago, and finally Rabaul in New Britain was reached, the final port of call, before setting off on the last lap of a most delightful holiday, and home.