I travelled into the Baduy region on foot from the outer area near Bojong Manik, after arriving from Rangkasbitung. The early part of the journey was demanding enough to leave me wet from the drizzle and muddied from a slip, yet the cool air, the sound of the river, and the gradual quiet of the landscape soon made the fatigue recede. Crossing the long, narrow bamboo bridge into Baduy Dalam felt like passing from the clamour and pretence of the outside world into a place of striking stillness and restraint. 

We continued through Cikertawana and then into Cibeo, where I stayed. What impressed me most was the order and simplicity of the village: the houses stood in neat rows, uniform in form, and daily life followed clear customary rules. Even washing had to be done with care for the surrounding water, as soap, toothpaste, and shampoo were prohibited. By evening, darkness fell quickly among the hills, and the only proper occupation left was conversation indoors. 

What remained with me above all was the warmth of the people. Although many prohibitions shaped life there, I found the residents of Baduy Dalam notably courteous and welcoming. The visit became more than a journey through an isolated community; it felt like an encounter with a sincerity of life set in sharp contrast to the artifices of the modern world.