I arrived in Indonesia for a one month motorcycle road-trip across the archipelago but ended up getting hooked. I learned the language. Co-starred in a film. Competed on a nationally televised game show. Started doing modeling work. Even fell in love. (With a local Javanese lady, not the country. Okay, the country too…but you get my point.) ;)
Yes, silly me. It was 2013 and after five years of traveling the globe, Indonesia seemed perfect and I thought that it would become my new home. Unfortunately fate had different plans for me, as you’ll see below. It’s amazing how quickly you can go from celebrity to pariah with just one tweet…
Life in Indonesia often goes at a slow pace, whether it be a result of bad traffic or the fact you’re relaxing on a beach. However no matter where you may be there is always a way to “chill” Indonesian style — this week’s FriFotos theme. How To Chill In Traffic Traffic can be bad … Read more
Indonesia is a vast and diverse archipelago that continues to impress and surprise longtime expats and even locals. To think that because you’ve seen Jakarta and done Bali then you “know” Indonesia is to be sorely mistaken. There are 17,508 islands here! How can I even summarize that much information and Indonesia travel advice in … Read more
I grew up acting then gave it all up for a career in a cubicle. Fun stuff, right? NOT! After five years of the Office Space-lifestyle I had a midlife crisis at 24. That is why I started traveling and what has led me to where I am today. Those of you that follow my … Read more
Located in Surabaya, the House Of Sampoerna is museum and active factory, as well as a popular tourist attraction. In 1913 Liem Seeng Tee, a Chinese immigrant to Indonesia, started what would become one of the biggest cigarette businesses in the entire country. Despite the ridiculously high number of smokers in modern Indonesia, tobacco is … Read more
This is part two documenting my first film in Indonesia — Be sure to read the beginning before continuing on. Those first few days in Siak were 16+ hour workdays with only 2-4 hours of sleep a night for most of us. In fact on the third night while filming the office scene we … Read more
I had just finished breakfast one morning at EDU Hostel Jogja when a lady came up to me. “Hi, you’re Derek, right?” “Yes I am. What can I do for you?” Little did I know the entire course of my life in Indonesia was about to shift directions! As we talked she showed me a … Read more
That’s right, I’ve been living out of the same hostel for nearly four months. But in my defense if you saw this place then you would understand why. Located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, EDU Hostel is the premier hostel of Jogja. Not only is it the biggest and cleanest but it is also located in one … Read more
From the moment I first saw this traditional game being played a few days before August 17th, Indonesian Independence Day, I knew I wanted to participate! It was so different from anything I’d ever seen before yet the enjoyment and comradery among not just the participants but also the spectators was undeniable. Luckily after being … Read more
In my quest to explore the non-touristy side of Indonesia I recently took a day-trip out to Banyusumurup, a small village located southeast of Yogyakarta and home to dozens of skilled craftsmen that still produce the renowned keris. Although the village itself is well off the beaten path, the keris themselves — despite their rich … Read more
What Is Wrong With This Photo Of Surabaya, Indonesia? Welcome to my first ever FriFotos post, thanks for stopping by to take a look. To have a little fun with the day and in honor of my debut FF post, let’s turn this into a contest. The winner will become a HoliDaze featured blogger and … Read more
Indonesia has no shortage of mountains to climb and volcanoes to explore. Many require long hikes to reach but others are also accessible by car or motorcycle via road. This one happens to be one of latter. Plus after my last rather depressing post on Kebun Binatang Bandung it was time to highlight the city’s … Read more
Zoos, although an educational and inspiring experience for children, often caused mixed feelings among adults. It is rare that I visit them nowadays but a couple weeks ago while in Bandung I did happen to pass through Kebun Binatang Bandung Zoo. Only after traveling and being forced to stop does one truly realize how the … Read more
