The Naked Traveler Trinity on Writing, Travel, and Culture

Ask any Indo-millennials whose name comes to mind when mentioning Indonesian travel writers, and I bet the answer will be the Trinity of the Naked Traveler.

A pioneer in igniting curiosity for travel and a passion for writing among millions of Indonesians, Trinity has been leading by example with the number 1 travel blog in Indonesia. This success is complemented by multiple best-selling books, earning her the right to be recognized as the icon of an Indonesian travel writer and (mostly solo) female traveler.

I discovered Trinity through her second best-selling book, ‘The Naked Traveler 2,’ which I picked up from the Jakarta airport bookstore on a whim. I read it from cover to cover on the short flight to Singapore and was delighted to learn that she was a fellow blogger. Once I reached home, I typed her blog, The Naked Traveler, into my laptop and binge-read it until the early hours, even though I had work the next day. It’s safe to say I became an instant fan.

Trinity’s writing shines for its authenticity. She keeps her writings “real,” weaving herself and her stories into the pieces she shares with the readers. It serves as an antidote to the typical travel bloggers’ articles that often seem to be generated by ChatGPT – you know, the generic “10 Must-See Things…”

She writes in a conversational tone in Bahasa Indonesia, making it her niche and distinctive writing voice. This approach renders her blog, The Naked Traveler, more accessible and easier to digest for many Indonesians, myself included.

She also paves the way for safe solo female travelers and shares stories on the less glamorous side of travel, from the not-so-fun stuff to the true mishaps.

When I made a writing goal for this year to feature more (female) creators on this blog, Trinity was the first name that came to mind. So, I reached out to her, uncertain whether she would reply, assuming she must be busy. Not only did she respond, but she replied promptly and graciously accepted my request.

Culture Chat with Trinity of The Naked Traveler

KK: Hi Kak (“Kak” is sister in Bahasa) Trinity, what inspired you to start travel blogging, and how did your journey into travel writing begin?

TNT: I love writing and traveling and I have written personal diaries since I was a kid. I was a journalist for school newspapers from primary school until university, and then I started to write for newspapers and magazines.

In high school, my first travel writing was published in a top teen magazine. I liked it a lot because it had many pages, was colourful, and showed my pictures (including my face :p).

So I started writing stories of my travels and sent them to my friends. In 2005, a friend said it was better to post my writings on a blog. I didn’t know what a blog was, so he made it for me.

I deliberately created the first travel blog in Indonesia because writing and travelling were my advantages (rarely did Indonesians travel independently back then), and other blogs didn’t have a specific theme (only personal diaries online).

KK: How does your writing process look like?

TNT: I write daily only when I’m home for my book, blog and social media content (tho it’s only sometimes posted) and some writing jobs.

When I’m on an assignment, of course, I research, take notes/record the interview (on my phone), and take photos/videos. When I travel with my own money, I don’t research much, and I’d rather enjoy the moments. I write only the most memorable ones; it can be places, people, mishaps, etc.

KK: What is a favourite hidden-gem in Indonesia that you’ve discovered through your travels?

TNT: I don’t believe in “hidden-gem” (if it’s in social media, it means it’s not hidden anymore), but my less-known favourite place is Banda Islands in Maluku.

KK: Indonesia also has a rich culinary heritage – what are some of your favourite local dishes?

TNT: Tempe and Tahu (tofu)! When I travel abroad, I always miss those two.

KK: When you travel overseas, what Indonesian food or products would you pack for yourself or your Indonesian friends living abroad?

TNT: Indomie, coffee and sambal.

KK: What is the most interesting market that you have been to so far?

TNT: The weirdest market I’ve been to is El Mercado de las Brujas in La Paz, Bolivia. It’s the witches’ market where the witch doctors sell dried llama fetuses, dried frogs/turtles/snakes, potions, amulets, etc. You can even consult the sorcerers with the price list!

KK: Is there a travel experience that empowered you as a woman by challenging societal norms or breaking gender stereotypes?

TNT: The fact that I’m an Indonesian unmarried female (mostly solo) world traveller & travel writer is already challenging societal norms or breaking gender stereotypes in Indonesia 🙂

KK: What do you consider to be your most significant achievement related to your travels, kak?

TNT: When I traveled for one year around the world with an Indonesian passport, when I reached the 100th country last year (it was Honduras), I targeted to travel to 100 countries, but I already passed it. Now, I have 103.

KK: An advice would you give to someone about to start travel blogging or blogging in general:

You really need to have a passion for writing because you need to be consistent.

KK: What (writing project-wise) and where (destination) to next?

TNT: I’ve been writing a new book, a nonfiction book, but not about travel. Hopefully, it will finish this year.

My next destination is Singapore next week to watch a Coldplay concert 🙂 I haven’t planned the rest, but I will most probably go to some countries I haven’t been to.

KK: Lastly, where can we find your books, and where can we watch the Nekad Traveler?

TNT: In Gramedia book stores, marketplace (Tokopedia, Shopee, TikTok Shop), the e-books on Google Play Books, and the audiobooks on the Storytel app. My movies can be watched on movie streaming apps, i.e. Netflix Indonesia and Viu.

Kak Trinity has shaped a tiny part of my world over the years through reading her books and blog, to which I keep returning whenever I seek inspiration or comfort from travel or writing. She inspires me to be curious (I too want to embark on a round-the-world trip) and ambitious (I too aspire to travel to 100+ countries). Her travels and ongoing ‘commitment’ to travel and writing influence me a lot, and I hope they have the same effect on you as you read her writings.

She currently resides in Jakarta and shares a part of her life and travels on her blog, The Naked Traveler, which you can auto-translate to English using Google Chrome for non-Bahasa speakers.

You can also follow her on various social media platforms below:

Blog: naked-traveler.com – Instagram: @trinitytraveler – Twitter: @TrinityTraveler – TikTok: @trinity.traveler – Facebook: TrinityTraveler – YouTube: TheNakedTraveler –
Linkedin: trinitytraveler

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