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‘A Geek in Indonesia’: Tim Hannigan’s alternative guide
Journalist and writer Tim Hannigan came to Bali for the surf, endured dangdut music and fell in love with punk rock. His was never going to be your average guidebook.
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The author: Tim Hannigan poses with his newly launched book at Periplus bookstore in Jakarta. (The Jakarta Post/Evie Breese)
C
ornwall is thought of by some as the Bali of Europe. Strong waves and hidden coves make the long peninsula in the Southwest of England a surfer’s paradise. But the grass is always greener on the other side.
Growing up in Cornwall, Tim Hannigan and fellow surfers would work throughout the summer in hospitality, construction or – as in the case of Hannigan – as chefs, saving up to spend their winters surfing in Bali.
“At that time Indonesia still had a reputation that you could go for nothing, there were warungs (small restaurants) where you could stay for free if you ate two meals a day,” he told The Jakarta Post.
In town for the launch of two books he wrote – A Geek in Indonesia and photo book Journey Through Indonesia – at Periplus bookstore, Hannigan also authored Murder in the Hindu Kush (2011) and Raffles and the British Invasion of Java (2012).
Deciding to venture away from the familiar beaches of Bali, Hannigan and his friend Russ found themselves on a slow boat to Labuan Bajo, Flores, sharing the small space with an enthusiastic but unpolished dangdut band that “treated” the passengers to a 24-hour gig.
Upon arrival at their hotel at the port, he heard some familiar music from another room, and his distaste for dangdut was formed.
