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Nearly 12,000 kilometers from Germany, a young man known on Instagram as Elesan.cc is pedalling with hise his camera and surprises his social media followers with impressive snapshots from his Indonesian homeland of Lombok. Now he's produced a must-see film titled "Wheels to Waves." Time for a one-on-one chat.
DWW: Hello Haetam! Your first film, "Wheels to Waves," will be released in a few weeks. Tell us a little about this project...
Haetam: Hi Max! "Wheels to Waves" is essentially a crew of eight cyclists from Indonesia dedicated to all-terrain cycling. For the film, we embarked on a 600-kilometer journey across the island of Lombok in Indonesia, a paradise of clear beaches, spicy cuisine, a relaxed lifestyle, and the impressive Mount Rinjani. Our 9-day tour on Lombok was an attempt to immerse myself in the charm of the island, which I have been curating since August 2020. My goal was to enjoy the wonders of Lombok at a deliberately leisurely pace.
You cycled a total of 600 kilometers across the island. Did you stay in hostels or camp under the stars?
We chose youth hostels for comfort. Still, we wanted to keep things simple. Luxury wasn't an issue for us. What really mattered was the incredible fun we had together! The chemistry and sense of camaraderie we shared were absolutely crucial during our trip.
In our last conversation, you said that you want to use your photography to tell people the stories that make Lombok such a magical place. Did you achieve that with the film as well?
I hope so! My approach to this film doesn't necessarily reflect my photography, as this film was made by a team and not just by me, but the goal is still the same: to show the beauty of the island of Lombok. I hope people can see that through the film.
Your photography is characterized by a cozy calm that the viewer can lose themselves in. You also bring this aspect to life in "Wheels to Waves." Would you say that this was deliberately directed, i.e., scripted?
During the tour, I deliberately chose not to have a specific plan. I didn't want to control anything, but rather leave much to chance. I wanted everything to be as natural as possible. The script for the film was written during and after the tour in the form of diary entries, which resulted in an authentic and captivating experience. During editing, I made many changes to ensure the story was put together correctly and fit the narrative.
The filming of "Wheels to Waves" is very professional, as is the editing and the entire post-production. Who did you work with on this film, and how large was the team behind it?
Yes, we had a film crew that accompanied us for nine days. They're Josh Edwards as cameraman, Praditya Kurniawan as drone operator, and M Fenno as photographer. This was my first experience working as a team, and I think the key is our chemistry and mutual respect for one another.
You mentioned in the last interview that a cycling adventure on Lombok requires an open mind and a strong sense of adventure. Was this also the case for the participants?
In some ways, yes, but in some ways not. Each rider on the "Wheels to Waves" team possesses important skills acquired through extensive long-distance cycling experience. This was certainly an advantage. Culturally, the journey through Lombok was a new and enriching experience, as many of them had never been to the island before. And despite this unfamiliarity, they ended the adventure with a deep appreciation for Lombok's beauty and expressed a desire to return for more rides in the future.
Lombok is truly a special gravel biking destination. But which spot or route did you enjoy most during this adventure?
I was particularly drawn to the southeastern region of Lombok, where extensive off-road trails connect some of the island's most beautiful and remote beaches. I've been to this area on my own a few times and every time it was an absolute blast!
On some climbs, you can see the riders wearing long-sleeved jackets. Are there big temperature fluctuations on the island?
It's not that bad, because it was 12 degrees Celsius at higher elevations. But we felt the cold immediately, having come from one of Lombok's hottest areas, on the beach, to the foothills of the volcano.
How bad do sand and salt water damage the bikes? I imagine this could be a problem on Lombok...
You know, people have asked me this question a lot. But I haven't had any problems so far. I understand some people have doubts here, but if you keep your bike in good condition, you won't have any problems. I clean my bike regularly, especially after a long ride.
From a European perspective, Lombok isn't exactly a typical destination for a cycling holiday. However, the impressions in Wheels to Waves prove that it could soon become an exciting destination for cycling holidaymakers. Will Lombok soon become the next finale?
That might be going a bit too far. I don't think the island of Lombok will become a typical popular cycling destination anytime soon due to its lack of infrastructure. Imagine Lombok as a wild, pristine place where almost every trail remains unexplored, especially by bike. A place where a sense of adventure is in the air. On Lombok, I think it's important to do some in-depth research beforehand; to get in touch with local cyclists to ask them about routes or recommendations for food, sights, etc.
If someone sees the film and decides to set off on their own bike ride to Lombok, what would you recommend?
You should definitely prepare in advance, do some research, and maybe even interact with the locals. And you have to be open to the culture and new experiences.
The film is also a culinary journey of discovery. What's your favorite Lombok dish?
Oh, there are so many! But if I had to choose, it would be either taliwang grilled chicken or rembiga satay (marinated meat skewers with red chili – editor's note). Spicy, rich in flavor, and delicious!
What's next? Will there be a sequel?
There are no concrete plans for that yet. We want to explore one more location and then decide whether to make another film.
Interview: Max Marquardt / Photos: M. Fenno