THE HAIRY GIRAFFE… IN INDONESIA
After a month in Indonesia, it’s time to reflect. How did we experience this journey? What were our joys, disappointments, questions, doubts, and discoveries? This is not merely an assessment of a country but rather of a trip—how we perceived it individually and subjectively.
 We are François and Benjamin, Canadian and French giraffe hairstylists and travel enthusiasts. On this blog, discover our travels, tips, moods, and everything you need to become a giraffe hairstylist and embark on travelling the world. An honest blog with photos guaranteed 100% unfiltered and untouched. |
François’ Travel Reflections
I will remember my time in Indonesia for a long time. And let’s be clear right away, not necessarily for the right reasons. I think I missed out on what the country has to offer. After all, Indonesia is known (and recognized) by many travelers and influencers as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. For me, Indonesia remains a country of disappointments, frustrations, and wasted time.
It must be said that my visit to this country was part of a world tour. It was the eleventh destination we visited. So, it’s certain that the fatigue caused by this long journey influenced my experience. In 5 months of travel, we had many memorable experiences. We moved from one country to another, visiting numerous places. Unfortunately, we also accumulated a certain amount of fatigue from getting up every morning, visiting, moving around, and adapting to all these cultures.
While we were constantly on the move in Japan and had extremely busy days during our stay, the country’s modernity helped preserve my morale and mood. At no point did I feel this fatigue and exhaustion.
In Malaysia, it was the same. Despite the fact that Borneo is not as modern as Tokyo, I still felt good there, and the stay went smoothly. In Indonesia, it’s different.
The arrival in Yogyakarta was marked by the precariousness of the country. This precariousness first manifested in a decline in our daily quality of life. Rooms with basic comfort. The lack of potable water. The constant chaos in the streets. The very high risk of food poisoning. All of this inevitably affected my morale. This time, I could no longer count on a comfortable bed, a splendid view, or an excellent meal to try to counteract this fatigue.
Moreover, the constant harassment is really annoying. Getting off the plane and being swarmed by a horde of vendors is not very welcoming. Walking in the streets of Bali and being offered a taxi, a massage, a look in a shop, or some cannabis every ten meters is very frustrating. At times, I felt like I was reliving my stay in India, which, in my case, is not good news. I remembered being constantly approached by tuk-tuk drivers or scammers who insisted we follow them because they were the only ones who knew the way to where we were going. Naturally, my first reaction was to ignore these Indonesians and adopt a very closed-off demeanor. Because of this, for me, the cordiality and kindness of Indonesians do not exist. Once again, I only saw commercial and monetary interests.
For these reasons, the beginning of my stay in Indonesia was challenging. Unfortunately, because of this, I had a lot of difficulty appreciating the activities we did there. I found the temples in Java somewhat insignificant (especially after visiting Siem Reap in Cambodia), even though they are fundamentally beautiful and well-preserved. I found the nighttime excursion to the viewpoint for Bromo difficult and pointless, even though in reality, the view is indeed magnificent.
I found the train journeys in Java difficult because I felt like I was in a cattle car, even though I’ve experienced worse conditions before.
This negative attitude persisted. In Ubud, the tours we did with drivers left me cold. I found the prices exorbitant, the sites uninteresting, and the guides ridiculous. Looking back, I’m aware that some sites were actually quite nice, but at the time, it just annoyed me. I was sulking and became grumpy. As a result, I missed out on experiencing what little Balinese culture I could have encountered.
The end of the trip wasn’t any better. Contracting dengue fever in a poor country with a catastrophic healthcare system is no small matter and did nothing to reconcile me with the country. Being bedridden for 4 days, feverish, and filled with muscle pains just made me wish I could teleport back to my living room. Dealing with deeply incompetent doctors and nurses for three days was also frustrating. Naturally, it irritated me.
The cup was already full, but this week of dengue fever made it overflow. I’m fed up with Bali. I’m fed up with Indonesia. I can’t wait for the next destination.
Is Indonesia Worth Visiting?
Yes, unquestionably. It may seem strange to read, especially at the end of my assessment, and I am aware of that. However, despite my experience in Indonesia not meeting my expectations (especially due to a week of illness), I am convinced that the country has beautiful things to offer. I believe that a dedicated 2-3 week trip here would have changed everything. I could have enjoyed the nature, landscapes, and culture more. The absence of accumulated fatigue and, especially, proper pre-trip preparation would have allowed me to have more enjoyable moments and fully appreciate the various visits and activities. I would also have likely been more relaxed and open-minded.
Certainly, not everything is rosy in Indonesia. The country’s image is clearly exaggerated by the (often too many) influencers who live there or spend time there. Indonesia does have real issues that inevitably impact the experience of the average tourist. The risk of food poisoning (and dengue fever) is indeed present. To fully enjoy the travel experience, one must remain cautious and vigilant. However, there are ways to have enjoyable moments as a couple or family there.
Knowing this, is it possible for me to return to Indonesia? Probably not. I believe this experience has left enough of an impression on me that I won’t be going back. Besides, there are still so many places in the world that deserve my attention. I would tend to choose new destinations rather than give Indonesia another chance.
Check out Benjamin’s Travel Reflections:
Find all our other articles on Indonesia:
