Indonesia 2013: Magic Mushrooms

A Frenchman, a South African & a Balinese Sat on the Beach

We arranged to meet Andre later on the beach after showers and supper. I had a new French companion which gave me the confidence to have my first taste of Bali nightlife. The streets were full of grogged-up tourists and live music was in the air. Happy Hours are on offer everywhere, so Stephane and I enjoyed a light meal with half-priced beers.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned how I met Andre. It was on the eve of witnessing my first Bali sunset. I was sitting alone on the beach and noticed a young Asian couple trying to balance a camera on a bag in order the capture the two of them in the moment. They were struggling to get the balance right, so I offered to take the photo. Andre had been standing alone nearby smoking a clove cigarette. After seeing me photograph the young couple, he came over and said, “I see you. You a good guy”, while giving a smile and a thumbs-up.

The first night spent on the beach with Andre and Stephane happened the following day. Andre had brought his guitar and proposed that we have a magic mushroom experience. I have a fascination with psychedelic drugs and believe that there is a time and a place for them. This seemed like the perfect time and perfect place, so I was in. I had tried magic mushrooms once before, which was a fantastic experience, so I knew that I would not lose control and felt like I was in good hands.

The experience was thrilling! We played guitar on the beach for about an hour as the effects slowly kicked in. My favourite moment was lying on my back in a meditative state, feeling totally relaxed and at peace with the world. Eyes closed, I listened to the sounds of the ocean, Andre playing and singing a Balinese song, and groups of foreigners laughing together and chit chatting in different languages. It was pure bliss.

A little later we began toying with the idea of going to a midnight beach party happening a few kilometers down the sand. It was Stephane’s last night and he was keen for a bit of a jol. I insisted that the two of them leave me on the beach while they went to go drop off Andre’s guitar and for Stephane to exchange some dollars. This was my golden opportunity for some serious reflection…

Leaning comfortably against a palm tree, staring at the ocean and feeling supremely relaxed, I took a moment to reflect. The realization that I was halfway around the world, travelling alone, and not knowing what the future held, filled me with enormous excitement. I felt fantastically alive! The ocean had never seemed so vast and I thought about how much more there is to see and do in this big, beautiful world during this short life. I also thought about the typhoon occurring just next door on the map (in the Philippines) and how lucky I was to be alive. Psychedelics can really provide great perspective.

I reflected deeply on how I believed, that coming here by throwing myself right into the deep-end, would somehow force me to become more self-confident. I concluded that it can (and hopefully will) if you simply let it. Travel has the amazing effect of changing one’s perspective on life and can help you grow in such positive ways. But as with everything, it is how you choose to let it affect you. For some inspiration on that, check out 6 Lessons Travel Teaches You That College Never Will.

I have been reading some great philosophies in a book I bought just before coming to Indonesia called “The Philosophy Book”, and the one quote that keeps coming to mind is the following:

“He has the most who is most content with the least” – Diogenes of Sinope.

I decided not to join my friends for the beach party in the end, and instead trundled home and slept so peacefully that night in a warm, comfortable bed with a fixed smile on my face.

I hope you are all well and eternally grateful for what you have.

Next: Indonesia 2013: Welcome to the Jungle!

Previously: Indonesia 2013: Bali Lifestyle & People