Last week, I was reminded that it was already a year ago that I was standing at Schiphol airport with two backpacks and a smiley face like a pillow (see below). Saying goodbye to my family and friends and starting perhaps the biggest adventure of my life. With some savings in the bank and a few potential clients already in my backpack, I saw my chance: Ready fort he adventure!

A year later now and I’m still in Bali. I do leave now and then for a new visa; see my previous blogs. But whereas in previous years I drove through Europe in a leased car, I now drive all over Bali on a Honda scooter. That really gives a wonderful and good feeling of being free. Especially because the people here are hospitable and happy to see you.

My goal was to financially keep my own shorts high which will allow me to stay longer in Asia. Of course to continue to fully enjoy all the beauty here and make new stories.

To realise this financial basis, I started looking for assignments in ICT in the Power Platform/Dynamics 365 field last year. I had been working in this field for the past five years. It really felt like a football transfer market at times, being my own agent and offering me everywhere. So he came with offers from Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. But the click was always just not there. I often got back from potential clients that they would rather look for someone who could work hybrid; for example, 2 days in the office and the rest at home. Of course, that was not an option for me. Didn’t really seem sustainable to fly up to Bali all the time😉. But at the end of the year, it was hit: a transfer!😊. Through LinkedIn, I got in touch with a company that focuses on supporting large SMEs by fully leveraging Microsoft 365. Together with the company, I am now developing Power Apps for their customers. Nice detail is that the owner was already working remotely in the early years of the internet. So my profile was a good fit! So good match from my agent😉. But I would also like to thank the people who helped in my search for a nice assignment. Thanks!

Looking back on last year, I quickly realised that I had to work hard to get a good assignment. Beforehand, I thought about this a bit easily. Especially since I did receive many semi offers via LinkedIn to come and work for parties. But mostly that turned out to be somewhat vague ‘recruiter talk’.

Privately, I learned that you have to watch your health and hygiene while travelling. Fortunately, ailments were quickly overcome😉. But above all, I realised that the most important thing is to have a nice group of friends/community around you that you can fall back on for advice and when things get tough. For instance, I am quite active in the Outpost(Co working) and Bachata community in Bali.

And a look ahead!

In 2025, I want to put a bit more routine into the daily routine. I noticed that can quickly sink in because of the dynamic and warm life here. Putting a bit more structure into daily life to be properly productive and achieve set goals. To become a little less dependent on LinkedIn, I want to launch my own website soon. My own website on which I can describe and visualise in more detail what life is like here as a digital nomad.

As a digital nomad, in addition to your IT skills, it’s a good idea to do something to generate a second source of income. Have you already thought of something fun yourself😉. More on this next year. Is sure to be another special and educational journey. And, of course, I will take you back through my experiences.

Of course, there are still more plans to implement in the new year. But not too many goals, because simply enjoying life is also part of it and there are already enough busybodies.

To all my active followers, I wish you all the best for 2025 and a relaxed meaningful life.

With happy Balinese greetings,

Sander