Indonesia can – and should – host more seafaring guests, and the annual Indonesian Yacht Show is putting the archipelago on the luxury map. It’s a logical connection to make – with over 17,000 islands in our vast archipelago, Indonesian waters ought to be swarming with yachts from the four corners of the world. But data from the Riau islands’ department of tourism – the province shares a border with yacht haven Singapore – shows that although there are an estimated 50,000 yachts sailing in … [Read more...]
Bordeaux rendezvous
Early last month French fine dining restaurant Amuz, alongside wine distributor PT. Dwimitra Sukses Perkasa, held what could be easily called the wine dinner of the year. 200 guests enjoyed 26 Bordeaux Grand Cru from the 2001 to 2003 vintages. Here’s a look at some of the Bordeaux trade’s most important components. The 1855 Classification There are approximately 10,000 chateaus that produce wine in Bordeaux today and in particular, the Bordeaux 1855 Classification singles out 58 of the … [Read more...]
To go beyond telling time
Azimuth watches ask an important question: Why shouldn’t inspiration for fine watches come from fast cars, World War II tanks or the roulette table? It doesn’t take long to realise that an Azimuth watch looks nothing like what you are wearing on your wrist right now, or that the company’s message to create unique timepieces is clearly an understatement; in some cases, you’ll need someone explain to you how to read the time on one of its creations. It is, however, due to this super … [Read more...]
Sizzling Your Passion
Aulia Rachmat discovers that the simple glorious red meat can make up a great dining at the Jakarta’s top steak houses. One of the finest destinations in culinary journey is to visit a steak house. But finding the best steakhouse is impracticable. Each of the greats offers different unique recipe. Menus such as the classic Western cowboy certified Angus Rib Eye of beef, Japanese’s buttery-rich Kobe beef, the best grade of Australian Wagyu beef, Argentinian prime cuts and even surf and turf … [Read more...]
My Jakarta-Amalia Wirjono
Amalia Wirjono is more than just a restaurateur. The owner of Koi Restaurant and Gallery (the distinctive fine dining with gallery restaurant concept in prime Jakarta area) has since last March been appointed by Christie’s International – the world’s leading art auction house- as its representative in Indonesia. WHY DO YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN JAKARTA? The vibrant cosmopolitan of the capital city really lures me. The city’s ethnic diversity has made the city unique. Jakarta is also a sleepless city … [Read more...]
Leading A Spa Empire
Involved with the family business since childhood, Kilala Tilaar is rapidly conquering the global market in spa products and services. Aulia Rachmat met him for a chat. Known by his friends by the nickname “Kiki”, the down-to-earth figure still in his late 20s looks rather laid-back yet his seriousness and high degree of motivation in developing spa products and services under the umbrella of the Martha Tilaar Group have undoubtedly borne the fruit of success. Upon his return from the … [Read more...]
Staying the course
En route to becoming the first Indonesian chief operating officer (COO) of one of the largest foreign banks in Indonesia, Endy Abdurrahman has had to cope with setbacks along the way. He spoke with Aulia Rachmat. Sitting relaxed on the verandah facing the back garden of his antique-filled residence south of Jakarta, Endy Abdurrahman smiles benignly. Endy, one of the longest-serving employees at HSBC Indonesia, now leads some 1,000 staff at the company in his position as COO. The bank has … [Read more...]
Reckoning on success
Ronald Mullers is not the only thriving foreign businessman in the country. But he is one of those who want to see Indonesia becomes a much better pro-business nation. He tells Aulia Rachmat what it takes to reach a success. Born in Pekanbaru of Dutch and Sundanese ancestry and had lived there until he reached five, the American Ron is indeed the pioneer of Pizza business in Indonesia. Not only has his Papa Ron Pizza chain stores become bigger throughout the archipelago, but he was also the … [Read more...]
Picking instruments
With more investment instruments available, reaching the peak of financial success is closer than ever to reality. Aulia Rachmat reports. Wealthy Indonesians have so far relied on three instruments to manage their wealth; time deposits, mutual funds and life insurance, says Jens Reisch, president director of Allianz Life Indonesia. Time deposits alone are valued at 336 trillion rupiah (around US$ 37 billion). "Majority of Indonesian people prefer to play it safe since putting the money in … [Read more...]
Going Beyond the Plate
To city's best restaurants outdo each other in presenting their best dishes by doing up entire rooms and attracting the right crowd, as Aulia Rachmat finds out. At Oasis, the doorman escorts guests through a lamp-lit entrance hall to their table. Ladies are offered a corsage, and a large gong is struck to announce the party's arrival. Sundanese music floats through the air, highlighting an experience that begins as one steps into a grand mansion that has housed the restaurant since … [Read more...]