What does materialism really mean? This question mingled with my thoughts while I absorbed the Indonesian culture. I was overwhelmed with the amount of smiles and embracing personalities that we came across. They live so simple, yet seem so rich.

How might a city boy like me see life in the same way? Who must I be grateful for? Do I value my life based on the tangible items I own? Or by the minimal lifestyle I choose to have? There are no persons I respect more than those who disregard social status.

These Indonesians know exactly what they need, and what they do not. The only lifestyle they want to know of is that of simplicity. Nothing flashy. And hence, they are able to derive happiness within themselves. To witness this in person was so humbling.



Please forgive me, but I am on some National Geographic shhh right about now.

Banda Aceh. Jantho. Medan. These Indonesian cities were emotional to capture.



Girls. Girls. Girls. Barefoot. Slippers. Peace sign. Unforgettable moments in time.

Chick peas. Bali dog. Hand-washed laundry. The cutest children on planet Earth.



An iconic ritual for older Indonesian women is chewing on those betel nut plants.

They ooze with red juice, get messy, and are so bad for your teeth. But who cares.



Droning thru one of many animal markets. A woman’s sitting pose that is to die for.

The true definition of organic. Produce, straight from the ground dirt and tree limbs.



Moped city. Everyone and their pet duck has one. Because, cars are super pricey.

The most people I saw on a single moped was six. Oh my, why so conservative?



Learning about the negative effects of palm oil deforestation on our ecosystem.

Orangutans. Elephants. Countless species are being impacted by this ingredient.



“How You Livin’ Biggie Smalls?”

It turns out that month-long process of getting all those medical tests done for this trip was worth it. Thank you and much respect to Katie Zacarian for your support and everything you are doing in Sumatra Indonesia. Another one.

With so much beauty in this country, we went beyond just capturing the streets. One way to unlearn materialism is to live with Indonesians. In the rainforest. So we did. Bathing in the river. Mosquito nets. Leech guards. Hardcore.

Series 39 embarks on our journey with Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme. We documented orangutans in their own habitat. And got reallly close to them.