Barbara Bahtiar has travelled extensively through Europe and Indonesia. Rose Petals and Jasmine Flowers, a Journey through Authentic Indonesia, is her first book about her beloved country Indonesia, its customs, religion, culture, nature and kindhearted people. She has visited her family in Indonesia several times, but taking part in a traditional wedding ceremony rich with religious and culture significance, inspired her to write Rose Petals and Jasmine Flowers, a Journey through Authentic Indonesia.
Siraman, as the ceremony is called, is at the heart of this book, taking her from Bandung to Bali, Kalibaru and Jogjakarta. In Kalibaru old friends met again after many years and the love and kindness of these people touched her heart.
Barbara Bahtiar has previously published Rose Petals and Tea Leaves, roses of the Alhambra and other stories (2018) and Roses of the Alcázar, a rose garden in Seville (2019). Her next books will be about the roses of England and the roses of Lisbon.
