There's no such thing as a free lunch...Or is there?

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It's official. The next president of Indonesia is former army general Prabowo Subianto. Quite how the next five years will pan out is anyone's guess but hopefully the foreign pundits who always bring up his dodgy human rights record will be proven wrong. Nonetheless, on policy making, Prabowo's popularist move to literally offer the poor 'a free lunch' every day of the week does not augur well for the future. Such a policy - if it ever came to fruition - would cost a phenomenal amount of money and likely lead to huge inefficiencies (food waste) and poor incentives (make people lazy). Another concern is Prabowo's strong nationalist bent. Thus, in the possible event that he finds himself with his back against the proverbial wall in the face of stern economic challenges, there is a big chance that he will simply scapegoat foreigners. But he will have to be careful. Construction of the new capital city, Nusantara, for example, is highly dependent on foreign in
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The Yogyakarta Royal Palace (Kraton)

Yogyakarta is the only functioning sultanate in Indonesia and in the royal compound (the Kraton) you will come across ancient Hindu motifs, Buddhist lotus flowers, and Islamic calligraphy.

 Most of the paraphernalia within the Kraton are gifts from the royal families of other countries.

The best way to reach the Kraton is by bicycle, as this makes it easier to explore the sleepy kampong surrounding the Kraton where the pace of life proceeds almost in slow motion.

 Admission is more expensive for foreigners than locals but, if you can live with that shameless discrimination, make sure you come fairly early in the day as the opening hours are from 8am until only 2pm. A guide will attach themselves to you, but there is no obligation to use one, so if you don’t, just let them know – but politely of course – this is Yogyakarta after all!

Kraton yogyakarta

Kraton yogyakarta

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