It’s funny how so many expats bolt from Java as soon as they have a chance.

As soon as we have vacation time, where do they run off to? The tropical beaches of Bali only an hour’s journey? Beautiful islands of Thailand nearby? Shopping in Singapore?

Not a chance.

Most of them return to the very place they were so eager to leave. It’s understandable that they would wish to see family and friends, but think about it – they spent their life in the same country with the same surroundings, dreaming of tropical beaches and the “exotic” life. Now that they have the chance to actually realize those dreams and easily explore these breathtaking islands – they return to the safe harbor of their home.

Fortunately my job affords about 3 months of vacation time a year. That’s a wonderful chunk of time to really sink into a place and get a taste of the lifestyle beyond the average tourist. In my opinion if we’re already here in Southeast Asia, why not make the best of it by experiencing things that we may never see again?