SOLO — 10 Years in Bali (book release and review)

I am happy to announce the birth of my third child (books), SOLO — 10 years in Bali.

Based on 10 true stories and an afterword the book navigates across sensitive and inspirational topics such as murder, heroes, magic, and living abroad.

Available ebook and print at Amazon.

Launch a free audio version.

#1 Indonesia Travel

#6 Best 2-hour travel read

#8 Best Adventure memoir

The following review was written by editorial staff for the Jakarta Post.

Cultural information-packed book — Jakarta Post

With seemingly no way out, and with a ‘nothing could be worse’ mentality, Hennings grabs the only light in the tunnel. This is what we Indonesians call ‘nekat’, a daring act done with no consideration of potential consequences. As many westerners perceive, Bali appears to be the dream island in Hennings’ eyes.

Only, he forgets that nightmares are dreams too.

Despite the witfully-crafted words in the paragraphs, readers can sense Hennings’ anxiety, anguish, and rage. Imagine how isolated one must feel when one resorts to escape to an illusioned interaction with an innocent ant.

And, as if being alone in a foreign country isn’t demoralizing enough, Hennings also must deal with communications and cultural gaps.

Indonesia, like other eastern countries, adopts this widely accepted humble practice. Although it is a normal system for us, it could seem self-degradation or hypocrisy to outsiders.

Fortunately, Hennings displays an amicably open mind throughout his stay in Bali.

This has been proven true through his encounter with invisible beings.

Eastern culture deeply embraces spirituality as part of our day-to-day activities and even to direct our life choices. The superstitious said that spirits or ghosts appear where their existence is acknowledged.

Maybe that’s how Hennings has unexplainable experiences.

Those mild teasings to the heavy ones, one that pokes at your innermost heart, especially when you have lingering negative emotions.

Many believe that evil spirits consume dark emotions, such as sadness, rage, and guilt. This is parallel with the metaphor often used in psychology — monsters within us.

In the science of the mind, monsters refer to the detrimental emotions we bear and cannot let go of for various reasons. These emotions eat us away. The longer we hold on to it, the more damage it causes us.

Hennings, after going through the ordeals and endless misfortunes coming his way, naturally has wounds.

A spiritual guru blames suppressed emotions for attracting demons. The battle with the demon might as well be a battle against himself. And before he could heal, he must first acknowledge the pain.

Hennings told not only the story of his life in these stories. He also shed light on the overlooked aspects of living in Bali. Since the island is mostly associated with parties, beaches, beautiful women, and all-year sunshine, it’s easy to discount the drawbacks.

However, Hennings didn’t shy away from baring it all. The misconceptions Indonesians have toward foreigners (bule) and the hardship of running a business in the tourism industry.

This cultural information-packed book will give you real insights into the struggle of an outsider trying to fit in a faraway utopia.

Elisabeth Giovanni, Jakarta Post

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Excerpt -

Every seed contains everything required to become whatever is to be.

Watered by the rain, warmed by the sun, nourished by the earth, and transformed into something more without ever losing its seedness.

Something so tiny and insignificant as a fragile drop of water changes the very structure and design of the Earth.

Likewise, something so insignificant as a seed contains all the knowledge necessary to become a rose, an oak, a worm, a cat, a man.

Like the seed that seems so insignificant.

Incapable of anything of consequence until exposed to water, sunlight, and nourishment.

In those moments of being, the eternal now — profound clarity.

Wherein the boundaries of consciousness stretched.

That we may continue becoming something more. And grow into the potential of our design.

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