Hello, and How Good It Feels to Catch Up!

The internet’s out, which means we finally have some quiet time to sit down and catch up. So here we are, coffee in hand (no coffee for Hayden—he’s off it!), jotting down a few updates to share once we’re back online. :)

When Did We Last Catch Up?

Can you believe it’s been since July? So much has happened since then! Back then, we’d just wrapped up a busy season, were clearing out digital clutter, and were gearing up for our next adventure across Asia. We also shared a hint about a special project waiting for us when we returned to Australia—a road trip job with a new 4WD car company. Well, not only did we do everything we set out to do, but we came back with a lifetime of stories.

Two Months, Five Islands, and a Lifetime of Memories

We spent two incredible months travelling through Indonesia—surfing, exploring, and soaking in the culture across Rote, Sumba, Bali, Java, and even West Timor (no surfing here—croc country!). We had the most amazing time, met some absolute legends, and didn’t want to come back. But with an exciting job waiting in Australia, we eventually had to pack up. Here’s how we’d sum up each island we visited:

• West Timor: Far from a typical tourist destination. Even locals in Bali warned us to be cautious, but we ended up having a fantastic time. During the day, it was pretty quiet, but at night, the whole place transformed! Markets opened, neon lights flashed, and buses decked out in lights filled the streets. A highlight was visiting an underwater cave with crystal-clear water, guided there by local kids. West Timor had its own magic.

• Rote: Quiet, untouched beaches and incredible surf, with some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met. We fell in love with the place and were seriously tempted not to leave!

• Sumba: Sumba was gnarly—raw, with stunning beaches, waterfalls, and a proud cultural heritage. The people here are deeply connected to their traditions, which often include intense rituals and festivals. One of the most unique is the Pasola, where tribespeople face off in dramatic battles, having fights with rocks taped to their hands or riding horses with poles to draw blood, which they believe nourishes the earth. It was fascinating to witness how these traditions remain so strong.

• Bali: While Bali is a favourite for many, it's not really our scene. Uluwatu was decent, but Canggu—where we went to see what all the hype was about—felt pretty underwhelming. We found it extremely crowded (like crazy crowded) and quite dirty (we even had a dirty nappy float by while we were surfing!). To top it off, we both ended up getting really sick. Bali clearly has a lot of fans (and we’re not here to spoil anyone else’s experience), but for us, the quieter, off-the-beaten-path places are much more our style.

• Java: We made our way to G-Land, a famous surf spot located in a national park. The waves here were phenomenal, but the place has some wild energy too—lots of monkeys roaming around, who seemed as mischievous as ever. G-Land had a raw, untouched vibe, making it one of our favourite spots on the trip.

Indonesia: More Than Bali

This trip opened our eyes to the true depth of Indonesia. We’re all guilty of thinking of Bali when we hear "Indonesia," but in reality, the country is a collection of over 17,000 islands, each with its own charm and quirks. In some remote spots, the locals were genuinely surprised to see us!

Sure, there were some challenges—getting out of sticky situations, language barriers, and adapting to new customs. We had to be on our toes more than once, like when some people in remote areas didn’t exactly respect Lily’s personal space. But we reminded ourselves:

"The difference between a tourist and a traveller: Tourists fly home with suntans and trinkets; travellers return with tales of unexpected encounters and uncommon experiences."

– Bonnie Steele, shared by Jack Steele on The Inspired Unemployed podcast

There’s a big difference between a holiday and travelling, but both have their place. For us, this trip was about travel—experiencing, learning, and growing. And while it wasn’t all smooth and easy, it was exactly what we hoped for.

We had some rough moments—tears, a bit of robbery, a few uncomfortable encounters, stinging nettles, and even some injuries and sicknesses. But the ride was worth it!

🔼 Hayden thought this Snapchat filter was fun. 🙄

A Job to Come Back To—With Jeep, Baby!

After our time in Indonesia, we honestly didn’t want to leave! But with a Jeep project waiting for us in Australia, we were excited to return to tackle a road trip adventure. We had a blast working on this project and got to put an amazing Jeep through some serious off-road adventures.

The project is scheduled to go live in December, but if you’re curious, you can check out some of our images in this We Are Explorers article. And if you’re up it, you can enter the competition to win a Jeep Gladiator for three months!

Returning Home with a New Lens

Now that we’re back, everything feels the same but somehow different. This journey changed our outlook on everything, even if we can’t quite put it into words. It’s like we’re seeing life through a new lens—or maybe just a clearer one. Our experiences in Indonesia shifted our perspective on what really matters, and it’s sparked a fresh approach to everything, from how we work to how we appreciate life’s simple moments.

But as clear as that new lens may be, it’s also telling us one thing loud and clear: it’s time to get back to sea! ⛵ We’re so ready to head out again, though of course, the saying “BOAT = Bring On Another Thousand” is very real! We’ll be taking the next month to tackle some maintenance and upgrades on our floating home, and then we’re aiming to be back on the water.

Speaking of Travel…

For our Australian friends—did you see this competition?

• Stone and Woods Explorer Fund: Five $10K prizes up for grabs! Stone & Wood Adventure Fund

We’re not affiliated with this, but it sparked some serious wanderlust, so we had to share. Good luck to any dreamers who enter!

A Few Last Tidbits from the Last Few Months

We’re constantly saving quotes and snippets that inspire us. Here are a few favourites from the last few months:

P.S. It’s Nearly Lily’s Birthday!

Just a quick side note—Lily’s birthday is coming up on the 17th, and while we’d have loved to celebrate it at sea, we don’t think we’ll be ready to leave just yet. It’s usually amazing weather on her birthday too, so it’s a bit of a bugger not to be out there! But we’ll get out there soon after and do something nice on the mainland. :)

If you have any questions about our time in Indonesia or just want to say hi, feel free to reply—we’d love to hear from you!

Until next time,
Lil & Haydo