Morning with Generosity
On February 15, in the southern part of Banyuwangi, I woke up to the voice of my host: “Hiro, let’s eat breakfast.”
I walked to the dining area on the property, and to my surprise, a large spread of squid dishes was waiting. It felt almost too much for the morning, but I was grateful for the abundance and the welcome it represented. After finishing the meal, Devin told me he would show me around Banyuwangi city. We got into his car and started the journey.
A Parade and the Road Ahead
As we drove out, we came across a parade group. I had seen several of these during my travels. What impressed me here was that children were allowed to practice their parades in the middle of the city streets. It gave the town a sense of pride and community.
After thirty minutes on the road, the scenery began to change. The city gave way to dense forest. I lifted my eyes to the tall trees and suddenly felt how different the world could look with just a shift in perspective. It made me realize that what I usually see in daily life is only a small fragment of the whole.
Searching for Wildlife
Our first destination was a protected area. I was told that cows, deer, and other wild animals lived freely behind the fence. On this day, however, I only saw one deer in the distance.
The guard managing the fence apologized, saying, “Sorry, not many today.” But I didn’t feel disappointed at all. In fact, I thought it was better this way. Wild animals should not always be visible or controlled for human convenience. Their absence reminded me of the natural order of things, and even stirred curiosity—“Maybe they are somewhere nearby.” That, too, felt like a gift of nature.
First Sight of the Sea
We continued driving, and soon the landscape opened up to the sea—the first ocean view of my journey through Indonesia.
The waves were much stronger than I imagined, powerful and roaring. I asked Devin if there were any unusual foods from this area, and he told me that people sometimes eat grasshoppers.
The beach was also full of monkeys, moving about freely. Since they didn’t attack, I found them charming to watch. Walking along the sand, I learned that this area was unsafe for swimming because of strong currents pulling people out to sea. But simply standing there, watching the waves, was breathtaking enough.
Crossing to a Sacred Island
Our next stop came at low tide, which allowed us to walk across the sand to a sacred island. In Japan, many places like this would be off-limits to the public, but here, I was allowed to walk.
I felt lucky, because who knows—next year it might be restricted.
From a distance, the island seemed close, but walking took longer than expected. Finally, I arrived. The island’s forest stood in almost perfect symmetry, creating a sense of mystery and reverence.
Small Surprises Along the Way
During the drive, Devin told me I could rest if I was tired. I closed my eyes, and when I woke up, he had even done some shopping. In the car, he shared a rice-based dessert with me, sweet and delicious.
By evening, rain poured heavily, and we returned home for dinner. I ordered a drink called “SUSU something.” Since “susu” means milk, I thought it would be simple. But it came with an added liquid of a strange, artificial color that made me hesitate.
When I took a sip, the flavor was oddly familiar. Suddenly it came back to me—it tasted like grape-flavored Calpis soda, with an extra chemical twist. At first, I felt fear in not knowing what I was drinking, but the excitement and curiosity of trying something new quickly won over.
