The Chosen Path ⋆˚✿˖°. Pt 2

Every sunset told its own story. In the first week, the sun would disappear quietly, without colour or sound. Then one night, it lit up the sky — the kind of sunset that stays with you. The kind that reminds you why you’re here. I’ve seen a lifetime of WA sunsets, but that one was different. It filled me up — sitting beside strangers, feeling time slow, and being fully present in the now.

Every moment in Krui felt stretched in time,  like each day held a week’s worth of living. Forgetting what day it was felt like freedom itself.

The jungle and villages of South Sumatra breathe gratitude. Palm trees sway above monkeys and cows, turtles glide through the waters. Life moves with such ease here. The thick jungle hums with the beauty of existence. My favourite moments were watching the children play — full of imagination and wonder, something I don’t see as much back home. Every local smile carried a quiet joy, a reminder that happiness can live in the simplest things.

Having these moments shared with my best mate — but not just my best mate. A person who truly understands me. Someone who carries the same level of froth and stoke for life as I do. Someone who’s seen me at my absolute worst and my absolute best. I’m endlessly grateful for the honesty, laughter, and love that makes our friendship what it is. We’re such a strong team — and now I know we can take that same energy on the road and make it work beautifully.

Going from only meaning to stay for 9 days in Krui, to not getting on that return flight back to Bali. To them staying 3.5 weeks, really showed the happiness that carried through us and how much joy we had. The words that Gracie said I won’t forget she said to few people “ that she’s actually glad her car blew up” words that I never thought would come out. It really shows how much happiness and froth she was having and that everything really does happen for a reason.

In the hard times, you see what really matters — even when you’d rather not. Not long after getting back into the surf, I found myself injured again. It sucked. I went from frothing to watching from the sand. It was the same shoulder I’d already had surgery on, the one I’d worked so hard to fix.

Shoulder injuries, like knees, are never simple. They take time, patience, and persistence to return to full strength. Last time, I did everything right — the rehab, the strengthening, the discipline — and before long, I was back in the water feeling strong and free.

So when it happened again, I couldn’t help but ask why. Maybe I stopped my strength work too soon. Maybe my posture’s still off. Or maybe… it was just meant to happen — a nudge from the universe to rebuild stronger, not just in my shoulder, but throughout my whole body. To surf better, move better, and become the best version of myself in and out of the water.

Stay tuned for the last part of  my story of Indonesia and  get excited for us to actually leave WA in the troopy. Whop whop!!