A Summer of Highs, Lows, and Unexpected Journeys

[ Take a deep breath.. ]

This summer was a busy one for many people, myself included. Since my family and I live in different parts of the world, the summer holidays are one of the few chances we get to spend time together and enjoy a family trip.

After months of waiting and planning, we finally had a wonderful time together. But joy gave way to worry when my dad was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital. My first thought was, “God, no. Please—not yet.”

In less than two months, I experienced both highs and lows. Thankfully, I also had the chance to visit a continent I had never been to before, meet my friends, and partner. All in all, my summer holiday ended happily.

• • •

While I was enjoying those bright summer days, a different kind of heat was affecting parts of Indonesia. Aside from the earthquakes, forest and land fires have been burning for months, especially in West Kalimantan, where residents have been living with thick smoke and haze.

The fires have disrupted daily life, affected people’s health, and put wildlife at risk. Rescuers have found orangutans injured or stranded as fire and smoke spread through their habitat.

As someone who works in travel and feels closely connected to nature, I feel my eyes well up and my heart sink whenever news about the fires appears in my feed. It is too much. Way too much. My heart is shattered.

If you have ever seen orangutans in their natural habitat, you may feel especially fortunate. Tanjung Puting National Park—the home of orangutans and many other wild animals—may never be the same again. The same concern applies to the rainforests of Sumatra and Papua.

As an Indonesian, I feel ashamed and heartbroken that fires in my country are harming people, wildlife, and forests—and affecting our neighbours too. When I think about the many things happening here that often go unspoken, I find myself questioning whether I can still feel hopeful about our country’s future.

I may not have the answers, but I hope we can keep paying attention to what these fires mean for the people, wildlife, and places affected. Indonesia’s forests are part of our shared home.

I hope the rain comes soon, the fires are brought under control, and these forests have the chance to recover.

As for whether Kalimantan can once again be called the “lungs of the Earth,” no one knows.

Until next time for a more joyful news.

Stay hopeful.