The green atmosphere of nature with its towering mountains, the sound of birds chirping in the shade of large trees, clearly offers a very different feel from the work atmosphere full of busy agendas. The traffic that fills the streets between skyscrapers, the residual fuel fumes that fill the air, can add pressure to daily work.

This is what makes Sigit Priawan Djokosoetono, Deputy President Director of Bluebird Group, have his own way to maintain a balanced life. 

In an exclusive interview with SUAR earlier this week, Sigit felt that nature was his place to unwind, test his guts, and learn how to understand the meaning of self-control in his life. 

The man who is the second generation owner of the number one taxi in Indonesia admits that he likes to ride mountain bikes because it is challenging and draining the adrenaline in the body. 

According to him, mountain biking (MTB) - especially downhill mountain b iking - not only offers physical challenges, but also provides an opportunity to be one with nature. 

For Sigit, downhill mountain biking not only offers a physical challenge, but also provides an opportunity to be one with nature. 

"Since I was a kid, I've loved outdoor activities. Playing bicycle, exploring nature, it's more fun than indoor activities," he said, opening the conversation. 

From simply riding in the Puncak area in the early 2000s, the hobby has developed into an activity that he often pursues. MTB bike routes usually traverse off-road trails, such as forests, mountains and hills that offer stunning natural scenery.

Initially, he said, he just followed the invitation of a school friend to try MTB. The track in the Puncak tea garden became the first arena. "There weren't many people playing at that time, but it was fun. I routinely ride every week, sometimes to Lembang, Banten, or even Central Java to East Java," he recalls.

Together with friends in the community, he covered dozens to tens of kilometers on uphill and downhill paths full of obstacles. 

"Adrenaline rushes, as well as the satisfaction of finding fresh air and new scenery. The difference with road bikes is that a mountain bike ride of 15 kilometers-20 kilometers is enough for a whole day. Because there are many obstacles, it requires energy and self-control," he said.

"Adrenaline is stimulated, as well as the satisfaction of finding fresh air and new scenery," said Sigit.

This hobby led him to collect four bicycles, complete with specifications for downhill and light riding with his family. He was even trusted to lead a cycling community for almost four years.

But the pandemic changed everything. Biking activities slowed down as activities were restricted. The street food enthusiast's hobby then shifted to diving.

Diving with family

While mountain biking is synonymous with speed and challenge, diving is the opposite. "Diving is calm, not chasing activities quickly. We just have to be calm, control ourselves and not be in a hurry," he said.

He enjoys diving too because he gets to see a different side of nature.

She has visited Manado, Bali, Wakatobi, Halmahera, Komodo Island and Raja Ampat. The last two destinations he even said were never wrong to choose. 

"When you go there, the underwater variations are extraordinary. Colors, fish, coral reefs, all different from other places," Sigit recalled.

There was a funny experience that he told the SUAR team when he was hesitant to try diving. At first, he thought diving was just "diving around". 

But the encouragement of a Dutch relative made him try. 

"He said, Indonesia has the best underwater nature, but why do local people rarely enjoy it? I thought, yes too. Overseas people come all the way, how come we here never dive?" he said.

Since then, he has fallen in love. Not just enjoying the sea view, he also channeled his photography hobby in the depths of the sea from photographing coral reefs to colorful fish, which he usually only saw in aquariums. 

"At 10 meters-20 meters, the colors of the sea are still alive. That's the most beautiful. Deeper than that, the color usually decreases," explains Sigit, who likes to take his wife and two children diving, enjoying the beauty of the underwater world.

Hiking and life lessons

Climbing the mountain became a new chapter for Sigit who recognized that the hardest part was not the long climbs, but accepting the simplicity of life in nature. 

"At first I was reluctant to go camping. I imagined how difficult it would be if there was a call of nature. But I got used to it over time. Everything returns to nature, as long as we don't destroy it," he said.

He has climbed Mount Prau, Sindoro, Sumbing, and Rinjani. He admits that the summit is not just a matter of height, but a battle with oneself. 

"It feels satisfying to stand on the summit, to beat yourself, to prove that you are still capable, despite your age and limitations," he said, adding that reaching the summit can also give you a better sense of confidence. 

"It feels satisfying if you can stand on the summit, beat yourself, prove yourself still capable, despite age and all limitations," said Sigit.

Similar to mountain biking, the lesson learned is to be able to control yourself and be careful in every obstacle. 

"It's more about the satisfaction of achieving through the challenges, yes. Sometimes through jumping or steep roads, yes, drops that are quite high. Yes, it also trains motor skills and others," he said. 

In addition, nature also makes it more frequent in interacting with existing friends or the surrounding community.

"Nature sports cannot be done alone. You have to have a friend. If you have an accident on the mountain or sea, there is no signal, no one to help. So we have to take care of each other," he said.

Not infrequently, the moment of togetherness continues into casual conversation, even office matters. "Sometimes even meetings become more fluid when done while walking in nature. It feels good," he adds.

There are certainly risks involved in nature sports. He said he once fell and broke a bone while cycling in Bali. 

But for him, that's part of the consequences. "If you fall and are asked because you were hit by a motorcycle on the street or fell in a ditch, it's embarrassing. But if you fall on the mountain, it's because you were going too fast or hit a tree. Both hurt, but falling because of a hobby is cooler," he says with a laugh.

Both mountain biking, diving in the high seas, and climbing mountains provide their own value for Sigit. Mountain biking teaches self-control of every action and decision taken so as not to be harmed in the future. While hiking trains patience and the value of simplicity, while diving brings peace of mind.

All of this was considered useful when he returned to the office and led the company. Decision-making, he said, can be clearer and look at all aspects.

And, this is Sigit's outlook on life:

"Life is short. We must be able to provide benefits, both for ourselves and others. That's actually why I chose the nature hobby. Because the world of Indonesia is quite beautiful and our life time is short, take advantage of it for people to see, at least help them to see from what I do," he said.

Ardian Taufik Gesuri and Ahmad Afandi contributed to this article.