Compromising Eden: part II

There may be no place better in the world that illustrates this tropical imagery better than the Republic of Indonesia. It is a geographically immense, culturally complex archipelago nation that borders the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Some of the most well designed and attractive brochures in the world have their resorts based in this Southeast Asian tropical nation.

There are many reasons why this tropical chain of islands attracts the attention of "special clients" in search of a five hundred dollar a night "hideaway" on the beach. The various islands are steeped in rich cultural traditions, the natural world still dominates here, especially in the southern and eastern islands and the place is ideal for sailing in comfort through some of the most splendid places left on the planet. This "Eden" of an environment had been romanticized for centuries by Europeans who had never laid eyes upon the place. The stories circulated far and wide, but most came from Arab spice merchants that were bringing their precious cargo into Europe through Venice. Imaginations ran wild in the parlors of medieval Europe about the "exotic east" and although many circumstances have changed over the centuries, in many respects the images in the minds of 21st century urbanites are still fueled with curiosity and wanderlust.

Mike Hillis is a writer and an ethnologist living in Indonesia. He is also the Marketing Director of Unexplored Adventures, a diving and Eco Travel Company based in the Spice Islands of eastern Indonesia.