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From Jarrow to Java on a Beer Scooter
A record of some of the unique characters and situations encountered in the course of a large construction project in East Java during a crucial time in Indonesia's history.
Centered around the building of an Independent Power Plant consisting of eight coal-fired power stations, distribution systems and extensive infrastructure with over ten thousand employees at the height of construction activities.
The anecdotes are based around the job and its impact on the area, the people, the ladies, the pubs, the problems, the preconceptions and misconceptions.
An introduction to Javanese customs and culture and their effect on interaction between expats and locals including the often weird and wonderful way that Indonesians view foreigners.....and how some Westerners behave when given the "keys to the sweetie shop"
The timescale covers immediately before, during and after the downfall of the Soeharto regime.
The cast includes all the usual suspects Europeans, Australians, Americans etc. but the starring roles are all Indonesians.
Centered around the building of an Independent Power Plant consisting of eight coal-fired power stations, distribution systems and extensive infrastructure with over ten thousand employees at the height of construction activities.
The anecdotes are based around the job and its impact on the area, the people, the ladies, the pubs, the problems, the preconceptions and misconceptions.
An introduction to Javanese customs and culture and their effect on interaction between expats and locals including the often weird and wonderful way that Indonesians view foreigners.....and how some Westerners behave when given the "keys to the sweetie shop"
The timescale covers immediately before, during and after the downfall of the Soeharto regime.
The cast includes all the usual suspects Europeans, Australians, Americans etc. but the starring roles are all Indonesians.
212 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2013
4 people want to read
About the author
Joe Writeson
15 books5 followersBorn in the North East of England in a solid working class environment, escaped the desolation of redundancy and limited opportunities by traveling the world building oil related 'stuff'. Worked in South America, North and West Africa, The Middle East, and, lastly South East Asia, finally putting down roots there and now seventeen years on still resident here.
On the journey, had a beer or two, took part in many cultural exchanges, had a couple of beers, fought a few tigers, quelled a revolution or two, advised some world leaders, fell in love and had a few more beers, all without leaving the pub.
Age caught finally caught up with me and during an extended stay in hospital for chronic osteoporosis, as well as physical, I found I needed mental therapy. I began writing out anything and everything I could recall about my travels, the people, the places, the ladies, the beers and of course...the tee shirts...here's the results.
On the journey, had a beer or two, took part in many cultural exchanges, had a couple of beers, fought a few tigers, quelled a revolution or two, advised some world leaders, fell in love and had a few more beers, all without leaving the pub.
Age caught finally caught up with me and during an extended stay in hospital for chronic osteoporosis, as well as physical, I found I needed mental therapy. I began writing out anything and everything I could recall about my travels, the people, the places, the ladies, the beers and of course...the tee shirts...here's the results.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 3, 2013
Very readable collection of tales, quite a page turner. Not as corse as "Don't Tell My Mum......" but certainly amusing and a great insight into working as an expat in SE Asia.
May 22, 2013
From Jarrow to Java is an interesting account of the author's time working in Indonesia on a construction site.
It's in the mould of Don't Tell Mum I work on an Oil Rig.
The book has more about local customs and the way Indonesia and the ex-pat community there work than the Oil Rig books.
But there are still enough laughs to make it a fun read.
Worth a read for anyone interested in a fun read about what it's like being an ex-pat in South East Asia.
It's in the mould of Don't Tell Mum I work on an Oil Rig.
The book has more about local customs and the way Indonesia and the ex-pat community there work than the Oil Rig books.
But there are still enough laughs to make it a fun read.
Worth a read for anyone interested in a fun read about what it's like being an ex-pat in South East Asia.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews