Intro

For over a decade the author, Renée, and her husband Eric, have made their home in Australia.

She documents her travel experiences and adventures through written accounts and visual media.

What does being Indisch mean to her?

She is of Indisch descent; both parents were born in the former Dutch East Indies. New Guinea, then a Dutch colony, was Renée’s place of birth.

Her heart holds a deep affection for her Dutch East Indies heritage. Her discussions with her parents and family have further enhanced her understanding of her Indo identity; an identity that surpasses limitations of geography and history, enriched by every shared experiences and lessons learned.

She feels a strong connection to its extensive cultural and historical background. Culture, in this context, embodies the aspects of food, music, artistic expression, interpersonal relationships, and a sense of warmth. For her, it represents the enduring and unifying ties between Indisch people across continents and generations. 

How about other interests?

Alternatively: Her passions include both genealogy and spiritual development. She is a Reiki Master. She also has a keen interest in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming).

She actively pursues self-improvement and the exploration of new opportunities. She cultivates self-knowledge through consistent participation in courses, lectures, workshops, and independent reading. 

And what about her professional life?

Moreover, her credentials include certified Project manager, Customer Relationship Management Professional and English language teaching qualifications for non-native speakers.

Tell us something more about the book

The Dutch edition of her book was released earlier in the Netherlands.

This work marks her entrance into the literary world and is accessible to a wide readership, encompassing those with an interest in Indisch history or the Dutch colonial era in the East, regardless of prior knowledge.

Now she has rewritten the book and chose to write it in colloquial English. 

Although primary source materials were a considerable asset in her writing, their integration into a coherent narrative presented an immense undertaking.