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| Trouble in Pariaman, West Sumatra |
Once I felt our touring gear was finally complete, I sat down to add up everything we had spent. The total came to more than ten million rupiah. The equipment for a long-distance ride, it turned out, had truly drained our pockets. Parcels kept arriving in Banda Aceh one after another, and relatives who learned how much we had bought could only shake their heads. That was understandable, since this was an experience we had never attempted before. Normally, a sum that large would have gone toward buying new books to enrich the collection at the KBA Library.
The most crucial part of preparing for Touring Indonesia Harmoni was the finances. Logically, I had to prepare two things at once: first, the cost of departure; and second, the cost of caring for the children we would leave behind for months in Banda Aceh. Money mattered enormously, because we had never taken a months-long journey while leaving the children at home. Usually, whenever we went on a road trip, we would bring them along—circling the province of Aceh, for instance, or driving overland through North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Riau before returning to Banda Aceh.
All five of our children attend private schools, so there were monthly tuition fees to pay, plus pocket money. On top of that were the daily needs of our two children living at home, Qyara and Qinar. There was no way we could leave them in an uncertain financial situation. Moreover, our three children at the Islamic boarding school—Qatrin, Qaishar, and Queen—also had to be provided for, so that no problems would arise while they were away.
Financial Preparation
Likewise, the journey itself required no small amount of money. Some expenses were non-negotiable, such as fuel, food, and various other needs along the way. This is precisely where careful planning and a sound financial strategy became essential.
In addition, before departure the house also needed to be secured for the children’s safety while we were far away. We built a perimeter wall, installed CCTV in several corners of the house, and modified the gate to make it safer and more comfortable. The budget for this renovation was also considerable. In total, there were three major areas we had to prepare financially for the sake of Touring Indonesia Harmoni: the cost of the journey, the cost of the children at home and at the boarding school, and the cost of repairing the house.
Our situation was of course different from bikers who are still single or those who have passive income. For that reason, the proposal we prepared had to be realistic. We approached several colleagues to share our plan for this journey around Indonesia. Some asked for a proposal so they could help as far as they were able. After the Deputy I of BNPT mentioned an estimate of the travel costs, we quickly sought additional funding from a number of sponsors.
Sponsors
We sent the proposal to several institutions and prospective sponsors we believed could support the journey. Usually, I would only send research proposals to funding bodies or government agencies. This time, however, I had to prepare a proposal for a touring expedition. From that experience, I learned to draft a proposal with a very different Budget Plan (RAB). Whereas a research proposal focuses on methodology and academic output, a touring proposal covers items such as fuel, daily meals, lodging, ferry crossings, motorcycle servicing, telecommunications, and other tactical needs. Once it was drafted, we selected the prospective sponsors most likely to offer support. Some sponsors never responded, while others provided funding of a certain amount.
As the funds began to come together, we refined the concept and the logo design that would be placed on the motorcycles. During the search for sponsors, there were some unusual experiences—such as when we sent a proposal to Kawasaki Motor Indonesia. Our letter never reached the relevant party because the company’s security procedure only accepted letters addressed to a specific named person. As a result, we ended up entrusting the letter to a courier to be discarded, rather than paying to have it shipped back to Banda Aceh. Even so, we are deeply grateful to the several individuals who genuinely helped make this journey possible.
Throughout Touring Indonesia Harmoni, the help we received did not always come in the form of money. Many people provided free lodging and meals, easing the burden of the journey. On some ferry crossings, we were even given free passage thanks to the support of certain parties. This experience taught us that long-distance touring does not rely on money alone, but also on the ability to build friendships and networks that smooth the way. In other words, social capital often determines the success of a journey more than financial capital does.
Administration
On the administrative side, I also applied for an Official Assignment Letter from BNPT so that the journey would carry official status. This letter was very important, given that touring during the PPKM period posed its own challenges, especially in areas under Level 4 restrictions. The Assignment Letter served as legitimacy and secured support from various parties and institutions for a smooth journey. The letter was ultimately signed by the Director of Prevention at BNPT, Brigadier General R. Ahmad Nurwahid.
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