Monthly Log July and August 2025: Indonesia and a Touch of Singapore

 

This summer, I went back to Indonesia for my longest vacation ever—three full weeks, with my family. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could really take that much time off, but seeing colleagues go on month-long breaks made me a little envious. So I decided to give it a try, applied for the time off, and actually managed to got it approved without any trouble at all.

We started our trip in Bali, enjoying its famous beaches. My brother-in-law, who used to visit the Banjar Buddhist Temple in Singaraja as a child, guided us there as well. I had never heard of it before, but it turned out to be one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. The Borobudur-like stupa was stunning, and with so few visitors around, the atmosphere felt calm and soothing. To enter, we had to wear a sarung, which we could conveniently borrow for free at the counter—a thoughtful detail. I can only hope it stays just as serene and uncrowded the next time I go :)

Another highlight of our trip was visiting Nusa Penida Island. From above, both Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach looked absolutely breathtaking, but actually getting down to them was a different story. Reaching Diamond Beach was tough but still manageable for me and my family, and the effort was definitely worth it. Kelingking Beach, on the other hand, proved far too difficult, so we had to admire it from the cliffs instead.

That being said, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Nusa Penida just yet. The roads are in terrible condition, and our car ride to the beaches was painfully bumpy—the kind of bone-rattling ride where you imagine the worst, and that’s exactly what it feels like for hours. On top of that, the boat ride from Bali to Nusa Penida felt far from safe, with safety procedures that were, at best, questionable. But that’s a story better saved for a chat over beers :)

After exploring temples and beaches, we decided to switch gears and head to Waterbom, a water park that’s basically a roller coaster paradise in pool form. The slides were thrilling, the rides kept us laughing, and we spent hours racing down twists and turns. It was the perfect mix of adrenaline and fun, and a refreshing way to cool off after our sightseeing adventures, especially after the previous visit to Nusa Penida ;)

After several days in Bali, I traveled to my hometown, Surabaya. A visiting friend staying at the Westin Hotel kindly invited me to their lounge, where I managed to take the photo above. The vibe was really pleasant, and I hope I get invited there again by someone :)

Beyond that, it was wonderful catching up with relatives and old friends, sharing stories, and reminiscing about the good old days with a healthy dose of laughter—perhaps too much at times :)

Lastly, we had a few hours during a transit stop in Singapore, which gave us the chance to explore Arab Street and stroll through the Gardens by the Bay before heading back to Japan. It was a nice little bonus to our trip—a perfect way to stretch our legs and take in a few more sights before returning home.

Alright, guys, that’s all for now and see you next time !