Lombok, Beaches, and Dengue Fever: My Wild Introduction to Asia

In January 2016, I set off on my first big trip to Asia with my long-time friend who had been backpacking through the region. We started with an overnight stay in Jakarta before catching an early flight to Lombok, Indonesia. As soon as we landed, she showed me her entire world. This was her happy place, and I was about to experience it firsthand.

We stayed at Honeybee Homestay, where I met the most beautiful local family. They welcomed us with open arms and made the most delicious banana pancakes. I’ll never forget that breakfast! From there, we explored the stunning beaches of Lombok—Tanjung Aan, Seger Beach, Pantai Kuta, and Selong Blanak. The town of Kuta Lombok was still pretty undeveloped back then, which made it feel surreal—untouched and so naturally beautiful. It was like stepping into a different world.

We dove into the local culture and cuisine, trying all kinds of Indonesian dishes (some better than others, haha). One night, we partied at Shipwreck Bar, where we definitely had one too many Bintangs and extra Joss shots. Needless to say, we experienced the worst hangover of our lives the next day. But nothing could take away the memories we made. We spent days getting massages, chilling in Berugas, and watching the best sunsets of my life (seriously, rainy season sunsets are next level).

One of the highlights was being invited to a traditional Sasak village wedding, where we got to dress in local clothes and learn about the Sasak culture. It was an incredible experience.

As the trip came to an end, we made our way to the Gili Islands—Gili Air and Gili T. These tiny islands were pure paradise: no cars, no scooters, just bikes, horses, and the occasional walking tourist. It felt like a perfect, idyllic escape.

But then, things took a turn. I returned home and immediately started feeling sick. Like, REALLY sick. Body aches, fever, chills—honestly, I thought I was dying. The worst part was that I had no idea what in the world I had.

I spent a few days in the hospital, developed a rash, and felt pretty miserable. But once I started to recover, they confirmed that I had dengue. I got better fairly quickly, with the medication and fluids they gave me. It wasn’t the trip’s ideal ending, but it definitely added a dramatic twist to my first taste of Asia.

Stay tuned!

This trip may have ended with a hospital stay, but it was an unforgettable introduction to Southeast Asia. From stunning beaches to culture-filled experiences, I couldn’t wait for more. And trust me, there’s more to the story… including my second round of dengue (yep, you read that right).