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Free tour

Bittersweet Walk to Dutch Colonial Heritage and Legacy in Lombok

Duration: 2h and 15min
Languages: English
Guru: Tiarma
Registered on January 03, 2024

Hello everyone, my name is Tiarma. I am a storyteller, theatre performer, and a humanitarian worker. I was born and raised in a small town in North Sumatra, Indonesia. I speak English, Indonesian, and currently learning Dutch. I enjoy sharing and exchanging inspiring life stories and experiences, as well as engaging in thought-provoking discussions on topics that are matter to me: histories, cultures, traditions, colonization, slavery, inclusion, diversity, and global challenges. I love doing it whether it's on stage through my storytelling and theatre performance, over a drink or dinner, or while travelling around and enjoying the beautiful landscape. I am always eager to connect. If you share the same passion, come and join me on a journey through the historical landscape of the Lombok neighborhood. Let’s walk, talk, and connect.

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  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Lombok is a very diverse, and multicultural neighbourhood. it was built between 1886 and 1920. The name of 'Lombok' is taken from the Lombok island in Indonesia. In Javanesse Lombok means chilli pepper. Lombok is located in the centre of Utrecht, a five-minute walk from Utrecht Centraal Station.

There was an era called the Dutch Golden Age, from 1588 to 1672. During this era, the Netherlands reached significant achievements in trade, making the Netherlands become a leading economic and superpower country, thanks to the succesful of colonialisation in East Indies, the modern-day of Indonesia.

This walk is the adaptation of the self-guided bittersweet route (bitterzoeteroute) of De Grauwe Eeuw, an organization that against the glorification and romanticizing the Dutch colonial past through landmarks and colonial street names. The aim of this walk is to shed a different light on the Dutch colonial legacy and heritage. 

For two and a half hours, I will take you on a journey to 7 stops symbolize different times and places around Lombok that connected to Dutch colonial history in Indonesia, my home country.

as we walk through Lombok, we will visit different places, and i will share historical, personal experiences and stories behind every stop and the connection to Dutch colonial history, its impact on Utrecht, and why it still matters today. The idea of the walk to give complete view of Dutch history, especially parts that are often ignored and forgotten. 

I will take you the meet Jan Pieterscoen, the Governor General of VOC that responsible to genoside 20,000 indegenious Bandanesse in Maluku, the modern-day Indonesia.

Get ready for a storytelling guided walking tour that engage dialogue, new perspective, that will take us return to our shared humanity.

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Molenpark , İngang, Floresstraat 3, 3...
    Molenpark , İngang, Floresstraat 3, 3531 ET Utrecht, Netherlands
    View on map

    Molen de Ster (Windmill the Star) is a 10-minute walk from Utrecht Centraal Station. Take the Beatrix Theatre/ Jaarbeursplein exit. Walk towards Westplein. Cross the street. Pass the bridge. Turn left onto Timorpad. Walk along the water on the cycle path. You will already be able to see the windmill. Our meeting point will be the grass area next to the cafe. I will be standing there waiting for you with a sign that says "Bittersweet."

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Molen de Ster

    Molen de Ster is one of the few preserved windmills in the NL, it was built in 1739. The windmill is often regarded as a quintessential Dutch symbol and source of pride. On 15 May 2017, a group of activists and residents hosted a human rights café at Molen de Ster to discuss what should be done about Lombok's colonial street names. It was decided that, rather than campaign for their removal, a different light should be shed on them. This is the birth of bittersweet route.

  • 2
    Outside visit
    Timorkade

    Timorkade (Timor Quay) is taken from Timor island. This is an island in modern-day Indonesia. The western part of the island was colonized by the Dutch, while the eastern part was colonised by the Portuguese. Indonesia gained independence in 1945, while eastern Timor gained independence in 1975. 10 days after independence, Indonesian army invaded Timor Leste.

  • 3
    Outside visit
    Ceramstraat
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Van Heutszstraat
  • 5
    Outside visit
    Jan Pieterszoon Coenstraat
  • 6
    Outside visit
    Kleine Max
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Abel Tasmanstraat

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

3 ratings
5.0
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Professionalism
5.0
Fun
4.33
Expression
5.0
Quality
5.0
Route
5.0
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Gabrielle 21 Apr 2024

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
This walk was very interesting! I learned a lot and it's made me see the country with a different regards. Tiarma is very open minded and she entertained a conversation with me. I hope everyone could have this kind of tour while visiting a place. It's an acknowledge bonus!
Seth 09 Apr 2024
Mexico City

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
Muy bien
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 5 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
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