My journey to Indonesia – An adventure between craftsmanship and chaos

At the end of January 2025, I travelled to Indonesia with a clear purpose: to personally meet our suppliers, visit the workshops with my own eyes, and check the quality of our furniture. At Vibes del Mundo, everything revolves around authenticity, fair production, and craftsmanship. And to truly uphold those values, I wanted to see how our pieces come to life – and above all, meet the people behind them.

A Bumpy Start in Jakarta

The journey began in Jakarta – or more accurately, a bit of chaos right from the start. I had no cash on me, which quickly led to a mini-adventure. My hotel was only 40 km from the airport, but it took hours to get there. At the airport barrier, I got stuck because my parking ticket had expired. Then came the first toll gate on the highway – same story: only payment with a local digital toll card was accepted.

I ended up – on the back of a local's scooter – searching for cash and one of those elusive cards. We stopped at no less than five supermarkets. Over an hour later, I finally had what I needed, and the toll gate opened. And then… I still needed to refuel. That required a local QR code, which I didn’t have, in the middle of the night, in a place you’d really rather not be after dark.
Welcome to Indonesia.

700 Kilometres Into the Heart of the Country

A day later, I was back on the road – this time driving 700 kilometres inland in my rental car. To the locals, this was unthinkable. “Why would a tourist do that?” my first supplier asked. But for me, it was simple: I wanted to really get to know the country, be able to stop wherever I wanted, and feel what was happening along the way.

That drive took me to three workshops where skilled artisans were working with wood. It was impressive. The working conditions were good, the atmosphere felt like a family business, and the quality of the furniture exceeded my expectations. Everything was done with passion and precision – exactly the kind of spirit we want to reflect in our collection.

Bali: Paradise on Wheels… Or Not Quite?

From Java, I flew to Bali. And of course, I thought: “I’ll drive there too.” I rented a car and immediately got asked by the rental guy: “Are you sure?” Of course, I laughed.

Two hours – and a decent dose of nerves later – I arrived at my hotel in Canggu. The 30 km from the airport had been sheer madness: scooters shooting out from every angle, chaos as the new normal, and horns blaring nonstop. Traffic rules seemed optional, and I didn’t have enough eyes to keep up.

Thankfully, I was welcomed into the calm haven of Amar Boutique Hotel (see picture in banner): a peaceful oasis with a lovely pool, a warm and attentive host, and a team that immediately made me feel at home. From there, I visited Ubud, the heart of rattan lamps and boho decoration. Another 30 km, another two hours. But meeting the local lamp makers made it all worthwhile. It’s fascinating how much craft goes into a single lampshade.
And the drive back… well, let’s not talk about that.

That evening, I told the hotel owner about my road trip. She looked at me, confused: “A car?! Here, you rent a scooter, or you hire a driver. Europeans don’t drive themselves here.” Fair enough. The next morning, I called the rental company: “You can come pick up the car.” He laughed and said, “I told you so.”

A Day Without Stress

After the car was picked up, I spent one last day on the road – this time with a driver. What a difference. No stress, no traffic-dodging, just enjoying the scenery along the way.

I visited workshops filled with teak furniture, rattan pendant lights, ceramics, boho wall decor, and more. Honestly, I wanted to buy everything. My excitement was through the roof – so much creativity, character, and craftsmanship in one place. It felt like a feast for the senses.

I ended the day with a beautiful sunset

Honest Craftsmanship as Our Compass

The rental cars may have become a bit of a running joke during this trip – but at its core, the journey was incredibly meaningful. I met wonderful people, built strong new partnerships, and most of all, saw firsthand the passion and skill that goes into each of our products.

I’ll definitely return next year. Just not with a rental car. But with even more excitement to keep building collections that are not only beautiful, but honestly made.