Sumatra Challenge

Joost and I were bove graduated and want to do something special with our life.
I did my graduate project about the Sout Sea pearl marked of Indonesia so I spent a few months around different parts of Indonesia
and really loved everything about it so going back was not a question.
The part that I didn’t go Sumatra was one of the most fascinating ones because of the people, history and the perfect waves
that brake on the west coast shores. So with this in mind we came up with the creasy idea to kayak
around this 5th largest island of the world.

“Everything where we feel curiosity and passion for is in this project.
By adapting to the environment and live in harmony with nature is for us a fascination and a challenge in one”.

– Robert and Joost

We started the expedition on the east side of Sumatra, nearby Singapore.
Besides a physical and psychological battle with the elements and themselves,
we were selfsufficient in their water and food supply.

Adaptation to local environments and communities is a must.

“Our goal is to inspire people and get more attention on biodiversity,
in particular local indigenous communities and nature.
Different conservation and social projects around the coast,
to help and get more attention for these initiatives.”

Throughout the expedition, we plan to establish contact with the local communities on the island,
such as the Mentawaii or Kubunomads. local people have lived in isolation for thousands of years.

By temporarily staying with them, we learned local customs and traditions for survival, which we later apply
to be selfsufficient during our expedition.

We will be collecting our own food and water and will be dealing with natural risks and dangers.