Mirella Pandjaitan
Sep 10, 2025
The Earth beckons with stories waiting to be lived. To see the world is no longer a mere solitary wish; it’s a collective dream stitched into the fabric of our shared humanity.
There’s no denying it—we are exposed to galore. Galore of beauty, of culture, of contrasts that stir the soul. In every sunrise over a new skyline, in every unfamiliar flavour tasted under a foreign sky, we find pieces of ourselves scattered across the globe. And so we chase horizons—not to escape, but to feel more deeply connected to this wide, wondrous world we all call home.
Instead of chasing distant shores, Keke deems choosing to stay close is quietly powerful. A portion of her life kept it local out of love, not out of limitation. Because here in Indonesia, splendour is right beneath our feet, with plenty left to witness yet still unfolding in silence and kaleidoscope. Indonesia’s beauty is revered, after all.
Stretching from the western tip of Sabang to the eastern shores of Merauke is a living mosaic of 17,000 islands that encapsulate Indonesia as a true gem of natural wonders. To travel across this archipelago is to rediscover home again… and again. It's in the warm smiles of strangers who feel like family. In landscapes that humble and heal.
Keeping it local isn’t about staying still—it’s about going deeper—and in Indonesia, that depth is endless.
“Extraordinary” might be an understatement to some when it comes to the lush rainforests, majestic volcanoes, crystal-clear beaches, and radiant coral reefs in every corner of the country. “One word to describe travel in Indonesia? Surprises,” she gushed.
Keke’s exposure to the tales of Indonesia, as well as overseas, ignited due to her father’s constant relocation while growing up. She’s no stranger to the glitz and glam of major cities, nor areas untouched by the rush of modern life. She decided to relocate once again, this time to a city where dreams rise with the sun and shimmer on desert sands: Dubai. Nonetheless, her days of traversing the oceans and hillsides of her roots through one sunrise at a time are forever etched in memory.
“I’m the type of traveller who says ‘let’s go!’ to my friends’ spun-of-a-moment suggestions,” she admits.
Adventure breathes in every wave, trail, and breeze of Indonesia, based on little Keke’s lens and even more so as she matured to become the poised and multifaceted woman she is today. Her escapades involved getting in touch with Mother Nature, which for her is profoundly humbling. Here, nature doesn’t just exist—it thrives, inviting every soul to witness its boundless charm and timeless marvel. Keke is no exception; having “nothing but love for Mother Nature.”
No journey repeats itself—each destination Keke’s visited in Indonesia carries its own heartbeat. Even so, she finds a sense of familiarity wherever she travels, as if she is still at “home”. “Indonesia has a lot of places yet to be discovered!” she exclaimed.
When the world felt bigger and Keke didn’t rock heels to work, life in the quiet coastal charm of Tarakan prompted monthly boat rides to the Derawan Islands alongside her family. Tarakan itself will naturally invite one to slow down, breathe in the ocean zephyr, and connect with a community shaped by resilience and warmth. But if it wasn’t for the gentle lull of waves and the joy carried on salty winds, her adventurous side and her adoration for everything related to the ocean would have never flourished.
The coastlines are one of Indonesia’s crown jewels. The Derawan Islands are gradually reaching their global icon status for their whispers of white sand cradled by shimmering, translucent seas. Meanwhile, beneath the surface lies an underwater wonderland teeming with life.
“On the island, we would go swimming in the open sea from sunrise to sunset, visiting local villagers selling crafts and jewellery made from seashells, watching turtles lay eggs, eating food you wouldn’t normally eat, and so many other things!” she recalled.
The ocean is beyond water; it becomes a part of who Keke is. Her sacred bond with the endless horizon was naturally ingrained since her mother calls the coast of Maluku home, and the navy runs through her veins by virtue of her father. The sea taught them courage, patience, and a quiet kind of strength.
Yet, magic extends surpasses the shoreline. Indonesia is often dubbed the "Lungs of the Earth”. Indonesia’s mountains rise like ancient guardians, cloaked in mist and lush green, where towering trees breathe life into the air and hidden creatures thrive in an emerald sanctuary.
Keke cultivated friendships with wanderlusters in the bloom of her womanhood. Having the right travel buddies is absolutely vital because, to her, it makes the experience so much better. But, travelling with less than a handful of people remains her ideal sort of travel.
“I love going to a destination loaded with historical and cultural spots to visit. Amazing dining scenes are a plus,” she revealed.
In early 2019, a group of girls with zero hiking experience blindly tackled Mount Prau, tucked in the highlands of Central Java. This sleeping giant is where many take their first step into the world of mountain hiking, including Keke. “To be honest, it was a decision made on a whim. My travel style tends to revolve around meticulous plans. Being friends with this one person dearest to me makes me embrace spontaneity more,” she remarked.
Mount Prau’s trails are gentle and welcoming, making it one of the most beginner-friendly hikes in Indonesia. In just a few short hours, first-time trekkers like this crew can reach the summit without the strain of more demanding climbs. The path meanders through serene pine forests, open meadows, and fields dotted with wildflowers, especially during the dry season, when the landscape bursts into soft hues.
What truly draws people to Prau is the sunrise — Keke’s ultimate high from this trip. At dawn, the sky comes alive with deep purples that melt into gold, and a sea of clouds blankets the valleys below. The girls were gifted a stunning view of Mount Sindoro, Sumbing, and Merbabu in the distance.
Keke was among the many who ventured to Prau for a peaceful weekend escape by camping under the stars. However, her night turned sour at the campsite. She suffered from a detrimental gastric episode as soon as the temperatures dropped.
“Good God! It was halfway through the journey. Bless our guides (they were the best), but they kept saying ‘a couple of kilometres more!’ on all pit stops. Hangry [hungry and angry] me was not having it, and when we reached the summit, some of the food served was what I don’t eat.
“I was set on being as minimalistic as possible, preparing for this trip. But one non-negotiable was my trusted thermal sleeping bag,” she gasped. Even with the comforting warmth, the gastric pain twisted and clenched her stomach relentlessly, turning every attempt at sleep into an unsettling battle with the night. “Lessons learnt: don’t restrict your food, bring your medicines, and be mentally prepared.”
Keke survived in one piece, trailing down Prau’s summit. Trekking somehow became the theme of her 2019 escapades. Next stop: Baduy Dalam.
The Baduy Dalam dwell like whispered secrets of the earth in the emerald cradle of West Java’s hills, a glimpse into a way of life that embraces patience, humility, and deep connection. This journey was a contrast to the mountainous adventure earlier in the year; it was a delightful trek through the forest and up the hills together with splendid company.
“The Baduy people are some of the nicest, most thoughtful people I have ever met. Halfway, we stopped before a bamboo bridge that served as a divider between Baduy Luar and Baduy Dalam, and we were told to put all ‘worldly’ technology off and into our bags. There was an air of excitement as we crossed the bridge,” she yearned.
Voyaging to Baduy is synonymous with witnessing a living tradition, where simplicity is a way of honouring the earth and community. To visit Baduy Dalam is to step beyond the clamour of modernity and into a sacred breath of stillness. Here, barefoot footsteps trace the stories of ancestors, woven in simple cloth dyed by the hands of tradition. Their world is a quiet poem of nature and spirit entwining, and each day unfolds a delicate bloom that’s patient, pure, and unhurried.
She learned to live a simple life in Baduy Dalam, albeit for a mere day. It entailed no technology, disconnecting from the outer world, eating simple food, and doing business in the river, to name a few. Nonetheless, it was one of the most humbling experiences for her. Disconnecting, moreover, served as the fascinating part of this trip while she reconnected with herself, the land, and a timeless wisdom that’s a remembrance of what it means to live gently and fully.
“Can you believe that Baduy Dalam is less than a five-hour drive from Jakarta? When you come from a fast-paced, globalist metropolitan, you realise how much we depend on technology, and how we over-sophisticate things that can be done right in a simpler way — no fuss and all that,” she detailed.
Would she ever return to any of these destinations? Two out of three is a yes, “and you know which one I would not go back to!” she chirped. “Ensure you are aware of your destination and pack accordingly when visiting Derawan, Prau, and Baduy Dalam. Medicines and something to munch are a must!”
Travel has a way of whispering lessons into life; some expected, others may take one by surprise. Wherever it may be, each new place stretches you gently, asking for growth and adaptability to see what’s out there and yourself a little differently. To Keke, it’s to be mindful of your surroundings and be present in the moment.
Indonesia offers more than just a view. “My travel bucket list in Indonesia includes Sumba and the entirety of the Maluku Islands,” she added. So, pause, reflect, and rediscover the rhythms of a slower, kinder world across Indonesia.