I’ve always wanted to try it – the world’s most expensive coffee at $100 a pound and passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet. Known locally as Luwak, today was my chance as we embarked on a cycle ride to Penelokan, the crater rim of an active Volcano known as Batur.  It was good, but to be honest I wouldn’t pay for a bag of it, although I only had ‘female coffee’.  As the sign suggests you’ve really got to go for the ‘male coffee’ – it’s better, they say (and more expensive).  For some strange reason the enzyme in the male civet’s digestive tract reacts differently with the coffee bean and when it has been passed it doesn’t split into two as it does with in the female poo.  The wonder of creation!   What puzzles me though is who first decided that they’d like to try the taste of civet droppings – I wonder what inspired them? 

Sorting out boy and girl coffee

Today we were working at Heartline, a small community radio station serving the community of Tulikup on Bali, the second most populated island in the Republic of Indonesia.  The station is having a positive impact on the health and social needs of the community with its effective communication strategy for health and social development.  

http://www.heartline.co.id/

I arrived a short time ago in Bali, a picturesque island in the Indonesian archipelago, where, in a predominantly Muslim country, 93% here practice Hinduism.  Driving from the airport in Den Pasar, we came across many statues, like this one, demonstrating that Balinese Hinduism is deeply interwoven with art and ritual.  Our driver however is a Hindu follower of Christ, and he told his story of how, about ten years ago he was deeply attracted by the person of Jesus.  He is now very active in helping orphans on the island, saying that there are many others like him.