I have a good time as a tourist here

After abruptly having had to cancel our plans to travel to India in December, my mother and I were fortunate to have changed our holiday itinerary to include a five-day visit to Indonesia. Five days of sights, sounds, tastes, smells and smiles that far exceeded our expectations!

Admittedly, a sense of worry began to brew in the days prior to our arrival after I read a letter to the editor in the online version of The Jakarta Post that harked about the deplorable immigration procedures at Soekarno-Hatta Airport; a story in Singapore's Straits Times about the government's concerns about possible Christmas Eve terrorist attacks; and even comments by two Jakartans we met in Macau who asked -incredulously - why we planned to visit Jakarta? I am happy to report that all were proven wrong! I've visited nearly 50 countries on four continents, and can honestly say that the Indonesia we experienced is one of the world's best-kept secrets.

Immigration at the Jakarta airport was very efficient - and made all the more pleasant by the first of many smiles we would encounter everywhere we went. Security was tighter than we were accustomed to, but it has clearly served its purpose.

We felt safe and welcome as we ventured to Yogyakarta (and the wonders that are Borobudur and Prambanan!) and throughout the fascinating, pulsating and contrasting streets and neighborhoods of Jakarta! True, no country is perfect. But Indonesians should feel rightfully proud of their wonderful country.

We will always cherish the memories of a truly unique, warm and welcoming country!

Olaf A. Carrera-Qui*onez
Mexico City