Gas gas the new month but same road from Sungai penuh we pushing forwad towards Jambi where friend Lukman waiting for us. Few days spent in Jambi, where Su had to recover a bit his tiredness of the road is not normal, but probably also some of his best times in life indeed.

July began with movement, Gas, the same endless road. From Sungai Penuh, we pushed toward Jambi, welcomed by our friend Lukman. Days there were slower, giving Su time to recover from the weight of travel, which had drained him but also given him some of the happiest moments of his life. We joined a pageant competition, shared laughter, and tasted calm before the road called again. In Palembang, rain caught us, and sickness followed. Yet kindness arrived too: Miss Caca and her mother offered warmth and support. Still, tension brewed within the team. I had put everything at stake for this project, but Anna felt lost, and Su struggled to film in crowded chaos. The problem was no longer outside; it was inside us. Su left to visit his love in Semarang, leaving Anna and me to continue alone. Hitchhiking again, we arrived in Pagar Alam, where Wawan opened his small house to us. Beauty bloomed in simplicity, even as the road remained harsh. From Bengkulu to Lampung, then across to Java, the journey carried us to Jakarta and back to Bonas's familiar home. Here, Anna said goodbye, leaving for Australia to build her future. Her departure hurt, but her presence will remain in the story of Tanah Airku.
Su returned, and together we moved forward, passing through Banten to live with the Baduy luar tribe days of deep learning, raw and unpolished. Then to Sukabumi, Sukaratu, Kawah Putih, and Bandung, where we worked like an entire crew of two: filming, traveling, backing up memories. In Ciamis, light returned. New friends, angels in disguise, guided us. With the help of the local government and Mr. Budi Dalton, we captured culture, music, and belonging. For a moment, the road smiled back.

OTR | Sumatra TO Java