An interview with Mr.Andreas, The Owner of Palm Beach Garden

Summary

In this interview with Mr. Andreas, a German expatriate who has lived in Lombok for 25 years, he shares his journey of falling in love with the area and settling down. He reflects on his experience as a hotel owner, running bungalows for 15 years, and overcoming challenges such as earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Andreas discusses the serene lifestyle, his connection to the local community, and the importance of good neighbors. He also opens up about his travels, his Muslim faith, and his commitment to staying in Lombok, which he calls home.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mr. Andreas has been living in Palm Beach Gardens for 25 years, originally coming as a tourist and falling in love with the area.
• 😀 He bought land in the area around 1995, after traveling around the world as a 'travel policeman'.
• 😀 He loves the peaceful, quiet nature of the place, which is far from the crowded main roads and offers a relaxing environment.
• 😀 Originally from Germany, Mr. Andreas found not only the location but also the people in Lombok, Indonesia, to be welcoming and special.
• 😀 He opened his bungalows 15 years ago, which have been successful despite setbacks such as a major earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 Mr. Andreas offers various tourist activities at his business, including snorkeling, barbecue fish, and motorbike rentals.
• 😀 He keeps his accommodation affordable, charging around 200,000 pennies (approximately 200,000 Indonesian Rupiah) per night to maintain a balance between survival and providing a good life for his children.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of having good relationships with neighbors and the local community, which is key to a peaceful and happy life.
• 😀 Despite being 57 years old, Mr. Andreas feels young at heart, attributing his youthful spirit to humor and enjoying life.
• 😀 Having married twice, he now enjoys life with the local people and expresses no desire to return to Germany, as he feels at home in Lombok.
• 😀 Mr. Andreas shares that Lombok, particularly the island's quiet areas like Gili, is the most beautiful place for him, and it is where he met his first wife.

Q & A

How long has Mr. Andreas been living in Lombok?

Mr. Andreas has been living in Lombok for 25 years, having first arrived in the 1990s.

What made Mr. Andreas fall in love with Lombok?

He was drawn to the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful beaches, and the quiet, less crowded environment away from the main roads.

What was Mr. Andreas's profession before he moved to Lombok?

Mr. Andreas was a traveling policeman, traveling around the world before settling in Lombok.

What type of business does Mr. Andreas run in Lombok?

He runs a bungalow business, which he opened 15 years ago. The bungalows provide accommodations for guests looking for a peaceful stay.

What challenges has Mr. Andreas faced with his business?

He has faced difficulties with natural disasters, such as a major earthquake, and more recently, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected tourism.

What is Mr. Andreas's vision for the future of his business and Lombok?

Mr. Andreas hopes that his place will remain peaceful, far from the main roads, and continue to offer a serene environment for visitors to relax and enjoy their time.

What tourism activities does Mr. Andreas offer at his bungalows?

He offers snorkeling trips, barbecue dinners with fresh fish, and other outdoor activities to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

How much does a room at Mr. Andreas's bungalows cost?

A room at the bungalows costs around 200,000 IDR per night, which Mr. Andreas considers an affordable rate for guests.

What is Mr. Andreas's perspective on living in Lombok compared to Germany?

Mr. Andreas feels at home in Lombok and has no desire to return to Germany. He considers Lombok to be his place, his land, and where he wants to spend the rest of his life.

How does Mr. Andreas maintain a youthful spirit?

He stays youthful by joking around and maintaining a positive attitude, believing that good relationships with people, especially neighbors, are key to happiness.

Where else has Mr. Andreas traveled, and what is his favorite destination?

Mr. Andreas has traveled to many places, primarily across America, but he considers Lombok, especially the area around Kuta, as the most beautiful place in the world.

What is Mr. Andreas's religious background?

Mr. Andreas is Muslim, and his Muslim name is Muhammad Andreas. He converted from Christianity after moving to Lombok.