Page 57 - SU AIT Magazine

away by the genuine, open, and laid back behaviour of outlets, commuting in public transport and engaging with
people and I can’t even begin to explain how refreshing everyone along the way trying to soak in the most of the
it was. I liked to believe that everyone was so open, kind, island. I chose travelling on public transportation instead
genuine, and just overly awesome because these person of Taxis, Uber or Rental Cars. because I believe this helps in
was exactly where they wanted to be. They did not experiencing the country more closely. During my whole
wake up each morning fretting over their assignments trip, the only thing that bother me I was the agents near
or classes. They woke up each morning, and did exactly on the Bus Stations, they bugged me through out. Due to
what they wanted to do that day, and go wherever they lack of any planned itinerary and non-availability of online
wanted to go, which amazed me. New experiences, new reservation system in Indonesia, I was at their mercy to get
friends, and freedom available to me was truly astounding. to my next destination. But I would count it as a learning
Taking suggestions from various sources, I decided on a experience as well.
rough itinerary, Jakarta – Bandung –
Yogyakarta – Surabaya – Mt. Bromo – The next few days in Jakarta Being out there on my own also gave
Mt. Ijen – Ubud – Kuta. me opportunity to introspect my own
were awesome. I believe, solo thoughts and be honest with myself.
The next few days in Jakarta were travelling is more fun because When you talk to 6-8 new people per
awesome. I believe, solo travelling is day from different nationalities. You get
more fun because solo travelers are solo travelers are approached to learn a lot more about the differences
approached more freely by fellow more freely by fellow travelers, first and then you finally realize you are
travelers, offer help more frequently offer help more frequently all the same, having the same fears, same
and harness more interest from others. problems. This trip also helped building
I befriend with such amazing people and harness more interest up my confidence and trust in myself as I
on every destination that I hated from others. I befriend with figured out things on my own and found
moving to the next place, leaving such amazing people on my own way in an unknown country. I felt
behind those friends. I preferred going like I experienced and remembered more
to less traveled spots and avoided every destination that I hated in 30 days than the previous 5 years of my
main tourist attractions, which gave moving to the next place, life. It was magical.
me chance to know to connect to leaving behind those friends.
more people. Even at some instances, I The people of Jakarta, natural springs
felt like a celebrity when people asked in Bandung, amazing temples and food
to click selfies with me. During the course of this thrilling in Yogyakarta, army time in Surabaya, Sunrise in Bromo,
trip I made acquaintances with a German lady, a French amazing lights of Ijen, peace in Ubud, the activity in Kuta
couple, a Japanese, a Brazilian, an American, a Russian, a and most importantly the friends I made along the way, the
Brit and countless others over the course of the journey. memories of this trip will stay with me forever. What was
We travelled together, shared tips and stories, hiked supposed to be a short trip ended up becoming a 5-week
up all the way to viewpoints, had drinks and explored trip, thanks to amazing friends I made along the way. But I
neighborhoods. Conversations over food were interesting, had to return when reality struck and classes have already
I got to know many interesting facts and tried to pick started back in AIT.
up the language from locals. Indonesian people loved
Bollywood (Indian Movies) and Indian artists. It was always I’m getting carried away here, but I could literally write an
a conversation starter. I will cherish those moments forever. entire book on just the one month of travel with the many
experiences, and memories I created along the way.
Throughout the trip, I was staying in hostels, eating at
local hangouts instead of fancy restaurants or fast food

A solo traveler.

SU Magazine: In Harmony 57