Exploring Indonesia beyond Bali
Bali might be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Indonesia—but it’s just a fraction of what the country has to offer. Beyond the beach clubs and tourist hotspots lies a side of the country that few travellers really see—one of beauty, kindness, and adventure.
In this issue of In Conversation With, we speak to Sacha (@cel.uii) about his journey through the country—hitchhiking across Bali, sharing tea with strangers in a remote village in East Java, and how going beyond the tourist destinations led to some of his most memorable experiences.
Read on for the full story.
Shot by Sacha sailing across the Flores sea
What made you want to travel beyond Bali?
I think a big part of it was wanting to experience the country beyond the usual tourist spots. Everyone goes to Bali, but I wanted to see what Indonesia was really like outside of that. When you step away from Westernised environments, you open yourself up to more meaningful interactions, unexpected conversations, and places you wouldn’t normally find. I wanted to let things unfold naturally.
What was one moment that really changed your perspective?
One day, I had no plans—I just wrote down six places I wanted to check out, rented a dirt bike, and started riding. I stopped in a tiny village to fill up on fuel, and before I knew it, this old couple had invited me in for tea. We ended up sitting together and having a conversation entirely through Google Translate.
Being invited into someone's home was quite a culture shock for me because back in London, that’s never something that would happen. There are so many little moments that you just don’t get in Western culture, and for me, it’s these small experiences that become the most memorable ones. It showed me that even in the most remote places, people aren’t just welcoming—they’re genuinely curious and eager to share their culture with you.
You took a few risks traveling off the beaten path—how did that shape your experience?
Yeah, I think the word 'risk' is important to acknowledge. For me, these risks felt manageable, but I also recognise that travelling solo as a guy is different from what many others might experience. I never felt unsafe, but I know that’s not the case for everyone.
That said, taking small risks—like choosing to hitchhike when my transport plans fell through—led to some of the most rewarding moments. One time, I’d just got off a boat and needed to get from one side of the island to the other. A guy immediately approached me, claiming he could get me there, but after paying and getting onto the bus, I realised it wasn’t as he’d promised, leaving me stranded with no other options. So I thought, why not try and hitchhike?
I can’t have been waiting for more than a minute with my thumb out before the first car that passed pulled over to ask where I needed to go. Next thing I knew, I was sat in the back with three guys, and we set off on our journey.
We stopped along the way, and despite me insisting on paying, he covered my breakfast. When I asked him why, he simply said, “I believe in giving without expecting anything in return.” Up until that point, I was a bit sceptical about his actual intentions, but as we continued the journey over the next five hours—stopping off a few more times to meet his friends and grab coffee—it made me realise that it all came from a place of genuine care.
Check out the reel highlighting Sacha's hitchhiking journey here.
What do you think exploring beyond tourist spots taught you?
It forces you to be present. When you’re in touristy areas, everything is set up for you—Western food, English speakers, familiar comforts. But when you step into places where people aren’t used to seeing travellers, every interaction feels more significant. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, even just a little, expands your perspective massively. It makes you realise there’s so much more to life than staying comfortable—and that fear holds a lot of people back from experiencing it.
Before my trip, people kept telling me how “dangerous” certain places were, but when I actually got there, I found nothing but kindness and hospitality. Of course, you need to be smart and aware of your surroundings, but if you approach places with respect, you usually get that respect back. More often than not, the reality is far different from the fear people project.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone who’s planning a trip to Indonesia?
Don’t just stick to the usual spots—go beyond Bali and see what else the country has to offer. Some of the most incredible places have barely any tourists, and that’s where you’ll find the real beauty of Indonesia. Take East Java, for example—it’s a predominantly Muslim region, so it’s not really a place for partying, but that’s what makes it special. The pace is different, the experiences feel more raw, and the people welcome you in a way that stays with you long after you leave.
And at the end of the day, that’s what travel is really about.
Closing notes:
Sacha’s journey highlights the side of Indonesia that many travellers don’t see. Beyond the beaches and bars of Bali, there’s an entire country waiting to be explored—one filled with real connections, unexpected adventures, and a deeper understanding of a place beyond the tourist lens.
Follow Sacha here and check out his photos from his trip here.
