Barack Obama kicks off tropical holiday in Indonesia's Bali

Straitstimes ^ | June 24, 2017

[COUNTrecount]

UBUD, Indonesia (AFP) - Barack Obama has kicked off a 10-day family holiday in Indonesia that will take in Bali and Jakarta, the city where he spent part of his childhood, officials said on Saturday (June 24).

The casually dressed former president arrived in the resort island of Bali with his wife Michelle and their two daughters, a local military commander said.

"They arrived late last night and went straight to the hotel in Ubud," a local military commander, I Gede Widiyana, told AFP.

Obama woke up early and did some exercise in the lush green riverside resort, Widiyana said, but it was not known how the family would spend their time in the quiet and artsy Ubud area. Get The Straits Times newsletters in your inbox Sign Up

Next week, the family is slated to depart for Yogyakarta, where they are expected to visit ancient Borobudur temple. They will spend two days there before flying to Jakarta.

Obama spent four years until 1970 as a boy in the then sleepy capital of Indonesia after his divorced mother married an Indonesian.

Many Indonesians felt a strong bond with Obama because of his exposure to Indonesia and its culture, even making him a 2m bronze statue that was placed in his former school.

The statue of "Little Barry" - as Obama was known to his Indonesian school friends - depicts the boy Obama dressed in shorts and a T-shirt with a butterfly perched on his hand.

Indonesia's foreign ministry said Obama's visit to holiday in Indonesia came after several invitations from President Joko Widodo.

While in the capital, Obama will meet the president on June 30 and give a speech at an Indonesian diaspora convention the next day.

[COUNTrecount]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ pick up, intelligence drop.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Does he still have his Indonesian passport?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Be a shame if there were a spontaneous tsunami.

[henkster]

So glad he cares about his carbon footprint.

[I am Richard Brandon]

As we said before, Grifters.

[hoosiermama]

Any extradition agreements with areas he is visiting and the U.S.?

[Parley Baer]

“Does he still have his Indonesian passport?”

Probably still a citizen.

[The_Media_never_lie]

So glad he cares about his carbon footprint.

---

That carbon footprint thing is only for the little people.

[AndyJackson]

Who is this guy again? Oh isn’t he the guy who is identified as the escort of the world’s most fashionable woman?

[riri]

This pr*ck has been on vacation (in really, really, really nice places) since he left his Teleprompter Reading Post.

Hm, I wonder what he's doing on these jaunts? Shade of Larry Sinclair? Except now he's the creepy old guy.

[SaveFerris]

[ Next week, the family is slated to depart for Yogyakarta, where they are expected to visit ancient Borobudur temple. ]

Is Donna Chang gonna meet them there? She could give them some wisdom from Buddha.

[humblegunner]

WOOHOO!

Where all the lady-boys at?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The Indonegrans can have him.

[morphing libertarian]

tell me it’s a one-way ticket.

[COUNTrecount]

He’s personally collecting $$$$$$$$$$$ because FedEx can’t transport pallets.

[samtheman]

The Indonegrans can have him.

---

Too bad he won’t stay there. It is where he grew up.

[WKUHilltopper]

He likes those Polynesian weeners?

[SaveFerris]

[ Obama has been on vacation (in really, really, really nice places) since he left his Teleprompter Reading Post. ]

Gee, I feel like posting an old Wings album....

[VRWC For Truth]

How can we miss the bastard if he won’t go away permanently ...

[x1stcav]

Is he dining on the Wagyu Dog?