Beyond Indonesia

Meet me in Jakarta – our jumping off point to this spectacular trip with 15 incredible women, one remarkable man and umpteen (22) in crew who shared a hidden paradise to somewhere over the rainbow where no average traveller ever roams. This is a place you not only need permits and permission, but a real adventurous spirit to survive. With 5 new STATtripers on-board experiencing everything for the first time with incredible enthusiasm, it was beautiful to witness their eyes wide-open, old souls in awe of this special journey. 

This particular group was nothing short of extraordinary in every moment. Everyone held their own between a tumble in Jakarta leaving one with a bloody cut above the eye to a threesome succumbing to sea sickness on our opening sail. Taking it all in stride was the daily motto. Not even a hint of a whining (except for mine) on our most uncomfortable overnight commuter flight to the jungle with 2 stops and a 7 hour layover in Wamena leading up to the bumpiest car ride ever to the jungle lodge. My head spun with thoughts from Where are we? to Can anyone find us? But that’s exactly what these trips are all about… getting lost in order to be found.

 This was a jaunt through Indonesia’s remote corners revealing paradisiacal archipelagos teeming with vibrant stories and this is just another one.  It’s a staggering country comprised of more than 18,000 islands unfurled across 735,000 square miles, stretching between the Indian and Pacific Oceans with 274 million people calling it home. Some 250,000 Dani tribes are still living in the central mountains in small villages among the steep mountain slopes in West Papua New Guinea and are among some of the most isolated people in the world.

 They grew root crops, raised pig and used polished stone axes like their ancestors did 50,000 years ago. After hiking in the jungle for 2 hours, we were greeted and welcomed in to meet and spend the day with one such tribe. Being that one of the main festivities in Dani culture is the Pig Feast, held for weddings, funerals or other important occasions, it was decided that this or rather “us” being there was an important occasion. It was an unforgettable day in the life of this particular Dani tribe. We watched as they slaughtered the pig, built the fire to roast the pig, and gather the tribe to carve the pig. We were one with the tribe as we mingled in awe in their village taking pictures and playing/singing with the kids. And then like Dorothy in the wizard of Oz, we clicked our heels (2 planes and another layover later), we arrived onto our luxurious wooden phinisi yacht, a stunning example of indonesian craftsmanship, for the next 6 days island hopping in magnificent Raja Ampat surrounded by the most luminous turquoise waters. These small uninhabited and incredibly picturesque islands is like dropping into wonderland with Alice and it’s no wonder it is referred to as the “last paradise”.

The days were filled like the days of wine and roses, a bygone era of innocence. Morning yoga on the deck was followed by a choice of water sport activities like diving, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming or just lounging, reading and bonding on board looking forward to wellness treatments and gorgeous sunsets and delicious meals.

 We even had a deserted island dinner destination dream under the night stars complete with a full moon lit bonfire.

 Gilligan’s island comes to mind as we continued to look for Maryann and the Skipper too. These waters are a divers heaven, just ask any skilled diver! I expected to enjoy (my first time) diving-what’s not to love about warm, tropical, clear waters? But after the first try, I was anxious. But then, my guide took my hand in the water which instantly calmed me… never letting his hand go for the rest of the trip! He pointed out every distinct shape and exotic colorful fish naming them later. But the close up of the giant turtle eating a marshmallow like substance is still with me.

It was a whole new powerful enlightening experience for me and as I watched this new underwater world, my fear faded into quiet awe. Breathe is the definition of our boat’s name, Prana. It is a practice here and in life. The fish are not looking for universal perfection, they are swimming in. As we all connected to this special place and to each other, we indulged in accepting what is and trusting the current as we are all swimming life together. Ceremony turned out to be a deep dive into the unknown with a common thread running through everyone’s intention to embrace change. It was the perfect outcome being that this journey was out of everyone’s comfort zone… far far away from home. This is at the core of why I do what I do. The welcoming smiles of strangers on the road and the kindness of people from different cultures keeps me coming back for more. Honored to have experienced this part of the world with this unforgettable group of humans as we learned together about dwell time…slowing down enough to enjoy every moment. Until we all gather again in another glorious place on earth, I will embrace and hold on to these memories forever.