I had the opportunity to conduct a site visit in Indonesia and to deliver equalities training to staff at the Embassy in Jakarta, and also attending a regional climate conference. While yes, it is a long way to travel, it is important to note the importance of some in-person, closed doors events. I was happy to be there to fly the inclusion flag but equally to finally meet Dwi from Disability Rights Fund. She and I have been conversing over months virtually about disability rights activism in Indonesia and the Pacific region. She works with grantee Organisations of Persons with Disabilities advocating for their rights in their own countries, regions and municipalities. Dwi and I delivered the training together before I met UK funded partners working on disability inclusive climate projects such as transitions to sustainable and accessible electric public transport systems. The trip to Jakarta was eye opening enough, but equally, my trip to Bali afterwards was incredibly powerful. I went to a sustainable resort on an island off Bali, and stayed in the jungle whilst returning to scuba diving nearly 19 years after I first learnt to dive. I have never dived in the sea, and my Padi open water licence was woefully out of date, but not one to give up, I recommitted to refresh my skills and with the help of my incredible and inclusive buddy Jurek, I spent 4 dives surrounded by gliding manta rays, sharks, turtles and an abundance of fish and rays. Many times I had to be dragged back up to the surface even when my air was low because under water is genuinely where I belong. My confidence is next level under water and yet on land, it all feels so cumbersome and tiring. Watching a manta swoop past you and observing this powerful, natural world, how can you possibly not want to protect it with every bone in your body? I do what I can to raise awareness as an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society in the UK, but in Bali, I observed coral regrowth projects live underwater led by scientists and realised, we all must do more as tourists to not leave litter, plastic or damage this stunning underwater world. It feels impossible at times and we all get caught out by what we can and cannot do, but basic things like respecting the marine life, not littering and seeing trips like this as a once in a lifetime luxury rather than a regular holiday.
