Walking through Jl. Benesari this just after dark I stopped into a used book store opposite Warung Brasil. The books were stacked to the ceiling, arranged by language.
I scanned the English language section looking for anything that stuck out. Right after me a young guy from Switzerland came in looking for books in Italian. Is that different from French? the lady who owned the shop asked.
One book I have meant to pick up for a while is the Indonesia Handbook by Bill Dalton. It is acknowledged to be the best guidebook for Indonesia. Seeing a copy under other guidebooks I put down my can of Pocari Sweat and asked the lady how much. The book was printed in 1991, making the sections on guest houses obsolete. Ini berapa harga? I asked. Lima puluh (50) she replied. Fifty thousand rupiah was too much but I got her down to 35,000rp and did not feel like wasting more time so we had a deal. Good history book, she said, and she was right. The 1074 pages Bill wrote are packed with info that stands the test of time. He covers culture, geography and the fact that he did all the research by going there himself, without the aid of the internet is amazing.
In my opinion the best Bali guide book is Rough Guides, but Moon takes it for an Indonesia guide.
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Hey, Nick,
You made a considerably good deal (About US$ 4,50?). The 1995 edition at amazon.com is for US$ 25, though it comes with 1380 pages.
After reading your and Barries’ recommendation, I’m going to buy it.
Regards.
I am really getting into Bill’s book and its great. His insights and descriptions totally fit with my own on the places I have been to. He has so much background info and history its like a crash course on Indonesia.
G’day Nick,
Defintely agree with you on that one. Dalton writes with a no-bullshit punch. He also wrote the Indonesia Guidebook. Very thick and very informative for those travelling around the other islands.