leave on a high

September 21, 2023

After living seven weeks in Nusa Penida, an island part of Bali, but located 30 minutes away with the boat from the main island, it was time to leave. 

During the past 3 years, while having a nomad lifestyle, this is the most at home I've felt since. 

Having things organized in a room for a more extended period, having the freedom to come and go with the scooter as pleased (without needing to inform anyone of your plans), a type of routine with the favourite coffee shops and places to eat - those places where they know already what you're going to order and get surprised if you choose to "adventure yourself" with something you haven't tried on the menu yet. And where you may meet someone you know (something like the Friends' coffee shop).

Having built a circle of friendships, where each individual contributes to a different identity of yourself - those you can talk about anything. With someone else, you get more to the philosophical exchanges or work-related topics, with someone else sharing frustrations about the love life or getting excited while brainstorming together about future projects or how to make ideas and dreams become reality. With others, the exchange might be about a specific shared passion. 

Anyhow...With time in one place, you get the chance to create a network of individuals that contribute to your social experience. 

The first four weeks on the island life were very focused on the freediving development - learning and growing into the sport. The throat injury I got, though, got me by surprise, but it was pivotal to opening new doors.

I started exploring the island in different ways. 

I had time to dig deeper into the local traditions. 

I asked around and got the contact of a local who opened a whole new world. Nyoman (the local connection) invited me to join him and his family at a Hindu cremation ceremony (one they do only every two to three years) - a special occasion to be part of. 

The ceremony lasts more than a week. I joined for two days (there will be a post soon with all the details about it).

Nyoman is a well-connected businessman active in various projects on the island. Through him, I also visited a seaweed farm, observed a coral planting project, and participated in a Hindu wedding ceremony. 

All of that, combined with continuing the exploration of the island (trying to experience as many sunrises and sunsets as possible), having a glimpse into underwater photography, and continuing some freediving training while also working remotely on some projects.

It was as if a whole new world started opening up in the last week of my stay. 

I started better comprehending the local traditions, meeting more people (locals and non-locals), understanding the connections and dynamics of the island, and feeling engaged with the local projects. 

The social connections were also getting tighter. 

I was feeling at home, and the thought of leaving was one I didn't want to think of. A big part of me wanted to stay longer.

It reminded me of being a kid again. When I went to a birthday party (as an introvert), it usually took a long time before I started enjoying it. When it was getting really good, my parents arrived to pick me up, and I didn't want to leave. Can you relate?

In this process of considering staying a few days longer (and procrastinating my departure), an insight from one of my fellow freedivers helped me with the decision to move on: "Leave on a high".

He was experiencing fantastic development in his freediving growth but was also considering leaving the island for a bit - a hard decision to make - leave or stay a little longer. The instructor gave him the wise knowledge of going while it felt good. Like this, you will keep the good memories and feel energized to continue later. 

This thought helped me immensely and gave me a good feeling about leaving. 

I made great friends, connections, memories, and experiences. It is a place I could imagine going back to in the future. 

The spark the last week created will be taken with me, and now I understand I left at the perfect time. 

The smiles and positive memories are how I will look back to this little piece of paradise that felt like home.

Thank you to everyone who made this experience an unforgettable one. 

(and I dare to say this feeling extends to Bali in general, since after leaving the Nusa Penida, my journey took me to Amed and the feeling of being at home prevailed).