TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made her first visit to Indonesia in April 1985. Thatcher died at the age of 87 after battling a stroke, Monday, April 8, 2013.
The April 20th 1985 edition of Tempo magazine described Lady Thatcher's admiration when visiting the Sasono Langen Budoyo hall at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta. Maggie and her husband Denis Thatcher was received by the President. For countless times, Thatcher chuckled in amazement when she saw the Javanese carvings that adorn the walls of Sasono Langen Budoyo.
"(It's) beautiful and amazing. I cannot imagine how to make this carving," Margaret said as she traced her fingers on the artwork depicting the epic Mahabharata. "What technology is used to carve this?" she asked.
Her first visit to Indonesia lasted for three days. It was one of her series of trips to various countries in Asia. During her time in Indonesia, Thatcher had quite the schedule. Among other places, she visited the Bandung Institute of Technology and PT Nurtanio. Despite the tight schedule, there was no trace of fatigue in her face; a true "Iron Lady".
