Visions of Sumatra

As one of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, Sumatra stands among its largest—a land split by the equator, suspended between restless volcanoes and dense, breathing jungle.

Its culture pulses with life: the wild spectacle of Pacu Jawi, where bulls charge through muddy fields, and Pacu Itiak, the local take on ‘jeu de boules’, played with ducks and laughter.

Here, an Orang Ulu guide may lead you through the forest to meet his “best friend,” the Orang Utan, while beyond the trees, the relentless labor of palm oil plantations tells a different story.

Travel with me to Siberut, where the Mentawai people live in a delicate, enduring balance with nature—one that feels both ancient and urgently present.