In this green valley, the light poured down silently.

Most travelers head east from Jakarta to Yogyakarta and then to Bali. They don't even glance at such small towns. No one stops here. There are no Japanese people, of course, nor even Western backpackers.
But I wanted to go where no one else goes. With that small feeling of challenge in my heart, I came to this place.

Pangandaran, a small town on the south coast of Java, Indonesia.
Here, there is a mysterious canyon where green water flows, called the Green Canyon. As I am rocked by the motorboat, I fill my lungs with the heat-laden air.

From the jungle on the riverbanks, I can hear the voices of various birds. High-pitched chirps. Slow, hooting calls. Those tones rang out vividly under the tropical sun. Before long, massive rock walls towering on both sides appeared before my eyes.

The rock walls depicted complex patterns, as if carved by the hands of giants. Thick tree roots hung down from the wall surfaces, touching the green water. I got off the boat and proceeded by swimming from there. The cold water instantly stole the heat from my entire body.

Surrendering myself to the flow of the river, I simply moved deeper, seeking the light. The rocks on both sides pressed in, and the sky became a thin line. The surroundings were wrapped in a deep green darkness, and only the sound of the swaying water echoed.

At that moment, droplets—not rain—began to fall from the tree branches. Bathed in sunlight, each one sparkled, filling the area with fantastic light. It felt as if I had wandered into a Sea of Corruption, stepping into another world.
The very same mystical scene I had seen in 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind' was unfolding before my eyes.

Time stands still in this canyon.
It must have been flowing with this green water and holding this light since long ago. Long before travelers like me ever visited, this natural process had been repeating itself, quietly and powerfully.

I gently touch the rock wall. A cool sensation travels to my fingertips. That is the memory of this earth. Yes, this canyon is not just beautiful. It is a magnificent work of art created by nature over an unimaginably long time.

With a splash, a child jumped into the water from a high rock. The spray sparkled in the light. This canyon accepts everyone. It gives deep peace and just a little bit of courage.

Like the boy who made a splash, the me of that day was also able to jump without fear. That is what connected me to this green valley today.

—Ah, once again, a soliloquy in a strange foreign land.