For the past three months, I’ve been lucky enough to explore the tropical islands of Indonesia, chasing waves I’d only ever dreamt of surfing. My journey took me through incredible places – from a 10-hour car ride and three-hour boat trip to the secluded Banyak Islands, to a four-hour scooter and ferry adventure across Southeast Java. I even spent time in a small village north of Bali, where I got to truly immerse myself in the local community. By the end of my stay, the village felt like family, adding a whole new layer of connection to my adventure.
Originally, this trip was all about surfing. But that changed when I stumbled upon a tiny second-hand store in a remote village in Southeast Java. My friends and I were spending a night there on our way to the famous ‘G-Land’ in Alas Purwo National Park. Known for its world-class wave, this spot is a dream for surfers, and I was excited to hit the surf the next day. The small village had no tourists, and the locals greeted us with curious stares. But that little second-hand store was a gem! I uncovered 80s surf brands, vintage denim and a few 90s sweatshirts. It was then that the idea hit me: I had to find more spots like this and see what other vintage treasures Indonesia had to offer.
The following week, after some incredible waves in Southeast Java, I made my way back to Bali and planned a trip to some flea markets I’d heard about outside Denpasar called 'Pasar Kodok'. I packed a backpack, strapped my surfboard to my scooter (in case I spotted some waves), and set off on a 1.5-hour ride across Bali to find these markets. After catching some waves at Balian, I continued scootering for another 40 minutes, weaving through traffic and navigating Bali’s busy streets with only my AirPods and maps for guidance. When I finally arrived at Pasar Kodok, it felt like I’d stumbled into sourcing heaven: rows and rows of second-hand clothing stretching as far as I could see. Every corner I turned, I found an alley leading to even more racks of clothes.
The 30-degree heat and humidity was intense, but every second was worth it. That day, I spent hours digging through Pasar Kodok for unique pieces, from 80s floral maxi dresses to crochet statement items and rare vintage surf brands. Since sourcing wasn’t my original plan for this trip, I had to get creative with space. I was living out of a 7'2" double board bag, which I’d only packed with one surfboard, leaving just enough room for my belongings. The limited space turned out to be a blessing in disguise – it forced me to be extra selective about what I took home. I focused on the best of the best, carefully curating one-of-a-kind pieces with amazing quality and unique flair that I knew you wouldn’t find anyone else wearing in Australia.
The end result? A collection of timeless finds, each piece carefully chosen and brought all the way from Indonesia to Australia. Every item carries the spirit of this journey, and when you purchase one of these pieces, you're not just buying a piece of Indonesian history – you’re becoming part of the story. Each garment holds the essence of where it came from, ready to bring that sense of adventure and culture into your life.
Water Photography and Film by @trist.e
Additional Film by @chloekonstek