Thursday, 12 February 2015

Eko G., Freelance Photographer, Indonesia


On one of the many days I have spent at my favourite café Anomali in Ubud I saw this really cute little girl being massaged and put to sleep by her lovely father. The next few days I kept seeing them and last night we finally stroke a conversation. Eko is from Sulawesi and is married to a Swiss lady who is from my city of Basel and together they have one little girl who is absolutely adorable and funny. It was great to speak with Eko as already before I met him I could sense that there was something about him that is very interesting and fascinating, maybe its the way he looks or the way he was so kind to his child. I think it was the positive aura he has, a centred and happy man that can give you an answer to any question, no matter how brain draining it is to get asked certain questions on the spot. Thank you Eko. 





What is your name? My name is Eko G.

Where do you come from? I am from Sulawesi. A bigger island than Bali, to the north of Bali. Near the Philippines. 

As a little child, do you remember what was your dream job? I wanted to become a christian priest. I did become a christian priest for 2 years and then decided after a long struggle and thought process to exit the church.

What is your profession now? I am a freelance photographer and have a few other things that I do.

Are you happy with your work life? I am happy, yet I am also starting to learn how to be DJ. I really love music. 

If you could relive your life what advise would you give yourself? Be good in IT (information technology) because it is now so important and also to focus on music production. I loved music and singing in the church. I had an acapella group in the christian college. 

What does happiness mean for you? Happiness prevails where I can do whatever I want to do and then when I am able to live and appreciate my passion without any interference or negativity from external sources. Free to do whatever my passion is and do the things I really want to do that is happiness.

Was there a moment of doubt or darkness in your life? If so how did you manage to overcome this negativity? Whenever there is a big problem I tend to isolate myself to be alone. This way I am able to think and arrange myself again to what I really want and find my inner self. Of course a bit of beer or vodka helps as well when you are sad :-) 

If you could grant yourself one wish, what would it be? I wish to be born in a system/world where everybody has just a farm and is self providing and is their own boss. There wouldn't be any large corporations that own everything and have someone working for them for a little wage and no freedom. Everyone should be their own boss, there would be more care and sense of community.

What is the most important thing in life? Freedom and of course my daughter and wife. 

What advise for life can you give me? Like Bob Marley said " Stand up for your right". If you feel that something is right and true then go for it and stand up for it. Honesty to yourself and to others is critical. Always be open to learn new things and be open to anybody. Don't judge something before trying it. Be brave to question any knowledge brought to you, be open yet critical. BE sceptic of every knowledge thats the way to be mature and wise.





 Of course I had to drink some coffee at Anomali which does the BEST espresso I had in a very long time. A must for coffee lovers. They have stores in different regions of Indonesia, in Bali they have a store in Ubud and Seminyak. Awesome staff and products. (Later we used this cup to give coffee to the imaginary baby and cat when I played with the daughter of Eko)


This little cute girl that is full of energy and creativity is the product of Switzerland and Indonesia combined. Good combination I think. I played a lot with her with our imagination and had a great joy whilst doing so. I guess one of my new best friends here in Bali. 

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