I only had a few scrawled down notes to refer to while boarding the plane to head back home to South Africa. My whole Indonesian experience really marked one of the best times of my life. I can leave a few Indonesia travel tips.
Highlights included meeting fellow travelers, many of which had truly inspiring stories. They really cemented the idea of traveling as much as one can. The friendships that were made along the way, including the wonderfully accommodating locals, was also an absolute treat. Learning to scuba dive takes the cake as far as highlights go. I also felt like I really managed to do so much with such little time.
First prize in the Lowlights category, goes to losing my flipping bank card on the very first day!! What a nightmare… My family ended up sending me money via Western Union, which meant having to trek into the busy city center and queue for ages before filling out a multitude of forms. You won’t believe that the replacement card eventually arrived the DAY BEFORE I left Indonesia!
Getting Traveler’s Cholera was also a shitty time, not to mention the panic attack I experienced. I also got sick the day before leaving, so had a long and snotty flight home. The constant pestering for being pale and assumingly wealthy, also falls into the lowlights category, despite being literally penniless at one point. You are just believed to be flush with cash.
In the Reflections category, learning about the laidback lifestyle of the Balinese in general, was something to enjoy. The lack of crime is also something mind-blowing to someone who is from a country where you can’t leave anything valuable unattended for a minute without it disappearing.
The incentive given to locals to get freebies in exchange for brining tourists to places, is also something that I believe should be done all around the world. This included the private driver, professional surf instructor, the buffet lunch near the volcano, and the visit to the coffee and spice plantations.
Finally, dress and act like a local, and try to look as brown as you can.
Previously: Indonesia 2013: Unda Da Sea
Next: I would find myself back in Indonesia one decade later
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