Soulful Solitude & Lasting Imprints

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

My journey of self-discovery continued beyond the padel courts, often with the gentle nudge of the Timeleft group. One memorable adventure led me to Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) in a different part of Jakarta, a place where mangroves are artificially grown. I arrived knowing absolutely no one among the 20 people gathered for the kayaking event, even though the Timeleft Jakarta group boasts 500 members. Ariel, a super kind soul, immediately took me under his wing, walking me through the instructions and translating for me.

Kayaking in the mangroves

Balancing the kayak was tough at first, a wobbly dance between water and paddle, but eventually, I found my rhythm. The landscape of the mangroves held a certain, almost mystical charm. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with fiery hues, we kayaked through the tranquil waters. It felt like a scene from an Anaconda movie — minus the anaconda, hopefully. I definitely didn’t want to linger to find out! The memory is so vivid, in fact, that I’m already signed up for the second part of that kayaking experience on August 2nd.

Another adventurous Timelefter meeting pulled me out of Jakarta’s sprawl and into the lush landscapes of Sentul, Bogor, about 80 kilometers away. There, I found myself embarking on yet another one of my many “firsts”: canyoneering. It looked deceptively easy from afar, a series of descents through natural gorges. But as my turn approached, a familiar knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. Ten minutes later, after facing the initial trepidation head-on, I actually did it! It was a truly lovely, exhilarating experience.

Canyoneering

But the true essence of solo exploration, of discovering a new version of myself, awaited me further afield. Karimunjawa stands out as a place not many tourists venture to, demanding serious commitment: a six-hour train from Jakarta, a two-hour bus, and then a four-hour ferry. Yet, once you reach it, only one word suffices: Heaven!

The water is crystal clear, revealing vibrant coral reefs beneath. There are beaches where you can be the only person for miles, a profound solitude that allows for deep introspection. It was a trip dedicated to personal rediscovery, a space where the noise of the world faded and my inner voice grew clearer.

The nights were capped with the most incredible grilled lobster at the night market; its buttery taste is something I still think about and literally salivate over. It elevated my entire seafood experience — I doubt anything will ever beat that taste.

Before Karimunjawa, my solo explorations took me to Yogyakarta, a city that possesses an inexplicable “it” factor. Many cities have a unique charm you can feel but struggle to describe, and Yogya is one of them. Its culture and outlook are distinctly different from Jakarta’s urban hustle, radiating a calmer, more artistic vibe. The food here felt universally fresher; you could truly taste the vibrant herbs in every dish. The Soto in particular was out of this world.

It was in Yogya that I stood on the top floor of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, watching the world unfold beneath me. The sheer history and scale of it were overwhelming. Standing at the summit, I called my parents — they had visited a couple of months prior — and their smiles, even over the phone, were the icing on top of the cake. I was there on the eve of Waisak, and the entire experience felt truly magical, almost otherworldly.

Reflecting on my year, I realize how deeply Indonesia has imprinted itself upon me. The beautiful memories I’ve created are countless, from the business triumphs of understanding the market, whether it was through Shopee or Lazada, to the simple joy of daily es jeruk and es teh rituals. The food, from nasi goreng to sate and all the sambals, became a delightful staple. And, of course, the pijat culture truly blew my mind. Every time mind or body had “saket” or pain, a Javanese pijat was the answer — the cheapest, yet highest quality, solace.

But perhaps the most significant takeaway is the philosophy of Santai Santai. Coming from a high-pressure world, embracing a proper 9-to-6 role and learning to manage stress better has been transformative. This year has been about recognizing the inherent kindness of Indonesian people, finding connections beyond just work through communities like Padel and the Timeleft group, and allowing myself to be open to serendipitous discoveries, even to the point of contemplating base jumping.

As my time here in Indonesia comes to an end, a part of my heart will forever remain here. I leave with a high happiness quotient, a collection of invaluable learnings, and a deep appreciation for the time, the people, and the unforgettable adventures that defined my year. Eh udah.