Stepping off the plane I was confronted with a gush of hot sticky air and a smiling face holding up an umbrella. “Welcome to Sorong!” I said excitedly to myself, almost in disbelief.. Hallelujah!!! I was so overwhelmed with relief and happiness to finally have arrived. It was raining and humid. But so hot!! I think I had been awake for a good 35 hours, transitioning between long flights all the way from Italy to Indonesia.
I was running on adrenaline after such a long journey through the clouds. I couldn’t wait to see my beautiful sister Josje, and of course the rest of the Delos crew, Braidster, Breon and Kazza. After a little bus ride to the tiny airport of Sorong I was able to greet them all with a giant hug! I still find it hard to believe that I’m actually here. I remember trying to find the Sri Lankan Airlines check in counter at the airport in Rome and then feeling like the odd one out at the end of a long cue of passengers with beautiful dark skin and smiling faces. I definitely felt like a foreign traveller now. And my heart sang out in joy at the unknowingness of it all.. There’s something truly amazing about letting go of your own cultural conditionings and being open to a new one. And I welcomed it in like a cool glass of water, quenching my thirst for new beginnings. Leaving Europe and entering Indonesia within a time frame of about 40 hours is intense! I didn’t have the slightest clue of what to expect; the country, the people, the culture, the food, the weather, the toilets! Oh and not to mention the sailing!! I was on my way to live on a boat for two months and all I knew for certain was that it is going to be absolutely amazing.
