#32: Postcard from Indonesia
Our editor’s reflections from a recent trip to Indonesia, and what it means to be inspired by nature, culture, and entrepreneurship
👋 Hey there, it’s Zhan Tiam here.
Two weeks ago, I spent a few days in Indonesia, touring heritage and cultural sites in Bandung, and attending the Tech in Asia conference in Jakarta. Our writer Phoebe and mentor Julian were on the trip with me, and we had a great time there!
I thought it would be great to share some highlights and reflections from the trip in a special edition of SEAmplified today. The trip has inspired us to bring events and programs to you – do keep a look out for them in the near future.
For now, let’s go on a trip to Indonesia together!
Reading time: 9 minutes
Returning
As the plane began its final descent into Jakarta airport, a slightly hazy sky and a stretch of sandy white reclaimed shoreline came into view.
Sitting by the window seat, my first reaction to the view was: “The air doesn’t seem too bad today.”
I first visited Indonesia last year for a three-month internship in Jakarta, a city infamous for its terrible air pollution and traffic jams. I’m not kidding when I say that I’ve experienced haze that effectively shielded me from sunburn.
Many foreigners who’ve lived in the Big Durian would come to stand on two polarizing ends of a spectrum – either they hated it very much, or loved it – there’s no in-between.
Yet, not only did I fall in love with Jakarta, but also the rest of Indonesia through my travels to other cities. From the amazing people I worked with in Jakarta, to the cool weather in Bandung and the cultural heritage sites in Yogyakarta, the country blew me away with its diversity and warmth that I’ve never experienced elsewhere.
Not to mention that these cities are all on Java Island, which is just one out of 17,508 islands*. I’m half-serious when I say you’ll never finish exploring Indonesia in a single lifetime – the country is just too big.
Returning to Indonesia also felt like a homecoming. It just felt great to be back.
After landing in Jakarta early, we whooshed our way to Bandung, a highland city that’s now only 45 minutes away from Jakarta via the high-speed rail.
I had mixed feelings about visiting Bandung again.
I first visited the city last year via a three-hour coach ride from Jakarta and stayed in a villa that locals found hard to access. I loved the cooling weather, but I suffered bouts of diarrhea after trying some sate** there, and became car sick after numerous rides up and down the mountains.
So I wasn’t exactly sure how my second time in Bandung would turn out. Little did I know that the ride on Whoosh—the name given to the high-speed train—would begin to reshape my perception of the city.
As a fan of trains, I’ve wanted to try out the high-speed rail since it opened in October last year. It is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, and it’s always cool to travel across cities at top speeds of 350 km/hr!
The train and stations were clean and modern, the ride was super smooth, and it was a reflection of the rapid growth and development of Indonesia and Southeast Asia in recent years.
Nature
After a restful night, we got up bright and early and set off for a hike and meditation activity.
A trip to Bandung is only complete with a visit to a nature site. That is why the activity was first on our checklist.
I initially thought that it would just be another hike up a hill, with a simple meditation session at the summit.
But when we arrived at a local village called Kampung Cireundeu, we were told to remove our shoes, as the hill and surrounding forests are considered sacred by locals.
Hiking barefoot up a hill was unimaginable for city dwellers like us, who are used to walking with shoes on.
So it felt weird when my feet touched the ground covered with rocks, grass, and broken branches. But it was refreshing at the same time.
Along the way, the hike was steep and slippery at certain sections, and my feet hurt from the sharp rocks. I had to be more mindful of what I was stepping on, looking out for support in case I slipped. My feet were scorching whenever I stopped for a while because the sun was getting hotter.
As someone who's not very good with balance, I wondered if I would lose my balance and slide down the hill midway. Wild scenarios of myself getting injured flashed in my mind—which I would find ridiculous at the end of the hike.
But I knew I had to stay focused and keep moving, as an unspeakable force pushed me forward. Bamboo railings were there for support along the steepest path.
We managed to reach the summit and were treated to a scenic view of Bandung. I always find it cool and satisfying to climb up a hill and soak in the atmosphere.
I thought the hike felt like a reminder of what life is about—one filled with worries and challenges, but somehow you'll overcome them and turn out okay. And even if you're faced with one of life's biggest challenges, there are people and support around us whom we can tap on to weather through the storms.
We then visited a local farm and got up close with corn, mushrooms, and vegetables. The farm had a picturesque view of the mountains in the background. Pair that view with the constant gentle breeze—it was simply amazing.
The guide kindly got us to try some fresh produce like Hokkaido sweet corn, crystal lettuce, and snacks made from the farm’s shiitake mushrooms. I think that they were the freshest food that I’ve eaten so far.
They tasted so good that we all bought some of the snacks home. Phoebe even decided to buy the corn because they were really sweet!
But what stood out was how all of this produce had taken weeks and months to grow and harvest. Our host also made a remark about how the farm tour reminded us not to waste food.
Food waste is a huge problem in Southeast Asia. It is estimated that about 17% of the total food produced in the region is wasted each year.
I thought: what if we bring more youths to farms in Indonesia and Southeast Asia to encourage them to reduce food waste while exposing them to the idea of sustainability?
I’m not sure what this would look like for now, but exposing youths to the multiple facets of issues that bind us together in Southeast Asia is something that I’m exploring. If you’re interested in this, let me know!
Culture
After reconnecting with nature through the hike and farm visit, we were exposed to Sundanese culture through dance and music. The Sundanese are an indigenous ethnic group native to West Java, where Bandung is located.
We tried to learn how to dance, but it was apparent that we were no match for the young ladies who had already mastered the art of the dance with their flexible moves. Dancing is an integral part of their culture, and many of them have been dancing since childhood.
As someone who’s not good with coordinating my body movements, I totally lost it halfway.
But I thoroughly enjoyed myself at an angklung performance later. Angklung is a Sundanese musical instrument made of several bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame.
We were treated to a musical feast as an angklung band played to the tunes of Indonesian folk music, and we had a hand at playing the instrument to the tunes of familiar Western melodies like Que Sera Sera.
We also visited a batik-making workshop to learn how batik is made. Batik is a form of traditional art that involves decorating cloths through repetitions of dyeing and waxing, and it is considered a national attire of Indonesia.
While waiting for the guide to arrive, we entered the workshop’s souvenir shop to check out the designs on offer.
“400k rupiah (SGD 32) for a Batik? That's expensive!” I muttered, after looking at the price tag of a batik outerwear. After all, I bought a batik elsewhere which cost one-third less than that.
But I’d quickly learn that the art of batik-making is a tedious process, and I’d soon regret making that statement.
Picture this:
First, a design is hand-drawn by an artist who remembers the motif by heart. Next, a batik “stamp” is handmade using copper based on the drawing. The “stamp” is used to print the motif on a piece of cloth using melted wax. The cloth is dyed with a selected color and will be waxed and dyed repeatedly until a desired outcome is achieved. Finally, additional touches are drawn by hand using dye where necessary.
Does this sound tedious to you?
It only made sense for us to demonstrate our appreciation for such a traditional craft. And yes, I ended up buying that batik outerwear.
Be it the dance, angklung, or batik, I thought it was amazing to witness the community’s effort to ensure that local culture and heritage are preserved and passed on to the next generation. In a time of rapid change and advancements in technology and society, the act of keeping traditions alive is truly a commendable effort.
Coming from a rapidly changing city-state, I’m wondering if there’s anything more we can do to preserve our heritage and culture, beyond museums and conservation areas.
Entrepreneurship
One thing that has often surprised me is the entrepreneurial spirit of Indonesians. They can range from self-appointed traffic wardens and owners of streetside food stalls, to youths starting businesses in industries one would not think about.
When we visited a local private university in the heart of Bandung, we were surprised to learn that many startups incubated there are focused on the F&B, agricultural, and creative industries like design and fashion. The university has also incorporated entrepreneurship into its graduation requirement, requiring students to have a viable project or business by the time they graduate.
I’m not sure if any of these things would make sense in Singapore, since we are very much focused on tech startups when we talk about starting a business.
But what I saw in Bandung opened my eyes to more possibilities beyond tech in Southeast Asia, which is now in the midst of a funding winter with rounds of layoffs.
Despite that, industry experts painted an optimistic picture of the region’s tech startup ecosystem at the Tech In Asia Conference in Jakarta.
They described how growth may be slower now as everyone is more cautious, but it doesn’t mean there are no opportunities. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) will also be transforming the industry and region.
Overall, I was super stoked to meet old and new friends in person. I enjoy connecting with people in real life because establishing a physical connection just feels different from virtual ones.
And the feeling was awesome when I learned that they’re also making an impact on Southeast Asia. There’s indeed so much that we can do together and create catalysts for growth and collaboration in the region!
Leaving
When it was time to return home, my heart sank as I made my way to departure immigration at Jakarta airport. I told Julian that I felt sad knowing that I had to leave.
"Probably because this is where your inspiration and motivation is," Julian guessed.
That statement—that Indonesia has become a source of inspiration and motivation for me—has never been made clear to me before.
But when that statement was put into words, it suddenly made a lot of sense.
Looking back, my internship experience in Jakarta planted a seed in me to start SEAmplified, and I always find myself inspired by the archipelago every time I make a trip back there. This trip was no different.
Beyond that, I knew that my lifelong connection with this country had just begun to grow.
As my Indonesian ex-boss put it, “You can just come again next month and we can have soto*** together”.
—
Note:
*Official statistics suggest that Indonesia has 17,508 islands. Estimates range from 13,000 to 25,000 islands – depending on how people define what an island is.
** Sate (or satay) is a dish of seasoned, skewered, grilled meat that’s popular in Indonesia, as well as Singapore and Malaysia.
***Soto is a traditional Indonesian soup dish made of vegetables and meat.
Enjoyed today’s article? Follow SEAmplified on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for more exciting and exclusive content, hit the subscribe button, and tell us how we did in the poll below!
Have a new idea or lead for a story, feedback on our work, or just want to say hi? Email us at hello@seamplified.com.