Indonesia

Indonesia is one of my favorite countries. I’ve been there twice, for a total of four months, mainly around Flores, Bali, and Java.
Did you know that the Indonesian archipelago is the largest in the world, with about 17,000 islands? And to travel from the easternmost part to the westernmost, it takes a full six-hour flight. That’s roughly the same as flying from Rome to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia!

First time in Flores

My adventure started with a cruise in the Indian Ocean, all about diving. And that's where I had an unforgettable encounter: I swam with a whale shark. The guide said he hadn’t seen one for eight years. You can imagine the excitement and the luck!
The cruise departed from Flores island, in an area better known as Komodo. This is, in fact, where the famous Komodo dragon lives. The name sounds like something from a fantasy film, but in reality, it’s a gigantic lizard. And it truly is scary: think about it, it could even devour a child!

First time in Bali

After Flores came Bali: temples, culture, crystal-clear sea and… some slightly mischievous monkeys.
The island really has a thousand faces: from wild parties to the most peaceful areas.

From here, I also set off for the Gili, three small islands, each very different: one is lively and party-loving, one perfect for families, and one dedicated to pure relaxation.
Fun fact: in Indonesian, “Gili” means “island.” So when we say “Gili Islands”… we’re actually saying “Island Islands”!

The sea is spectacular: just a few steps from the shore you can swim with brightly colored fish and turtles — all in water that doesn’t even reach your knees.

A tip: if you suffer from seasickness, think carefully. The boat trip can be quite intense. The boats are small and often crowded, the sea isn’t always calm… and if, like it happened to me, the engines decide to stop halfway across, even the sailors start to worry! 😅

Plus, the jetties aren’t always real jetties: sometimes you end up climbing straight into the water with your backpack on. It’s a unique experience, but not really for everyone.
At this point, it may be better to enjoy the beaches and seaside resorts on easier-to-reach islands, like Bali and Lombok.

Java and its volcanoes

The third stop was Java. Here I saw one of the most incredible volcanoes ever: Mount Ijen. Imagine blue flames coming out of the earth. To reach the top, you need a gas mask: the sulfurous fumes are incredibly strong. Inside the crater there’s a lake of acid water. Spectacular, but dangerous. But the sunrise from the summit makes it all worthwhile.
In Indonesia, as a tourist it’s pretty common to wake up in the middle of the night to climb a volcano and watch the sunrise with a spur-of-the-moment coffee. When there aren’t any clouds, the show is second to none.

Second time in Flores

The second time I decided to stay longer in Flores, especially in Labuan Bajo. Here I experienced village life and got to know the local culture better — that of the Manggarai, a mostly Christian community with truly unique traditions and dances.
For example, greetings are exchanged with a handshake, then bringing your hand to your heart, as a sign of respect and brotherhood. Or, when passing very close to someone, you stretch your arm down towards the ground: a gesture of kindness to “separate” and not invade someone’s space.

In Labuan Bajo I became friends with several Indonesian diving guides, and almost every evening ended with a guitar in one hand and a glass of Sopi in the other.
Sopi is a sort of homemade gin, sold by families from makeshift street stalls in recycled plastic bottles. Careful though: it must be made with quality ingredients and a very precise process, otherwise it can cause poisoning and illness. Better to trust and let the locals choose it for you!

💡Fun fact! On those same roadsides, this time in glass bottles, you’ll also find bottles filled with fuel. These are real improvised mini gas stations, super handy for a scooter pit stop and for not risking being stranded even in the most remote places!

An experience I hold close to my heart

In Labuan Bajo I also met Trash Hero, a non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning beaches and promoting recycling. I took part in several initiatives: from using water bottles to picking up litter alongside local children. Every week we organized a cleanup competition and in the meantime exchanged words in English and Indonesian.
They were simple moments, but ones that filled my heart.

If you’re thinking of passing through that area, feel free to write to me: I’d be happy to share the contact of the local coordinator. A couple of extra hands always make a difference when it comes to caring for the planet 🌍💛

And if you want to explore the Indonesian archipelago in a way that truly reflects your interests and your pace, book a chat with me: together we’ll create the itinerary of your dreams!

CONTACT ME