Kang (“Brother”) JJ, also known as Jeffry Polnaja, doesn’t like being called a “living legend”, but from my brief interaction even that undersells the man. Warm, friendly, generous, understated; Jeffry has welcomed this rain-soaked stranger with open arms.
Let’s wind the clock back for a moment. Faisal is an adventure rider who happened to stop by to check if I was ok when I crashed in West Timor a few weeks back. We exchanged numbers and have kept a little in touch. Faisal inquired about my route and said I absolutely must stop by to meet Jeffry if I’m able, but that he would have to check first if he could broker an introduction. Since I got to Darwin I’ve been practicing following life’s bouncing ball, and learning to be less suspicious and less self-reliant. So of course said “yes”, I’d love a worthwhile introduction to someone on route in Central Java.
In my ignorance I had no idea then who Jeffry is. It turns out for those who know about international motorcycle adventure riding (which really doesn’t include me – I didn’t even know it was a “thing” when I set out!), Jeffry is one of the world’s preeminent achievers, speakers, experts. There is a brand of bike riding gear that bears his name. He is on the world speaking circuit with motivational talks. It goes on.
”Stay ordinary even though you be extraordinary,” Jeffry warns, explaining that “this means more than just ‘humble’”. It speaks to the rhythm of life and the pattern of living.
To give a little context on Jeffry, I’ll briefly wind the clock back even further. Jeffry’s kids were so upset in the immediate aftermath of 911 that they challenged their dad to do something about it. “Why don’t you ride your motorbike around the world for peace?” they asked. Very long story short, it took five years to find sponsorship for bike and expenses, and then Jeffry took off. 6 years of riding, 99 borders crossed, many life lessons learned, life posture improved. I asked Jeffry’s wife, Myer, how it was for her having a husband away for so long. She explained that she knew the journey would make her husband a better man, and therefore it was only a win-win. Myer likewise worked on her own self during that time. From an outsider’s brief welcome into this extraordinary couple’s world, they have a deep, beautiful, mutual relationship from which I and many others could learn.
Jeffry’s own road trip is of course replete with stories, and with Myer’s help is now published, with a sequel in the works.
When Faisal encouraged me to reach out to Jeffry, I had no idea about any of this. In retrospect my reach out will have therefore been clumsy and presumptive, even though paved by Faisal’s kind introduction. Despite an ongoing stream of requests of Jeffry’s time and conversation which are consistently turned down for practical reasons, he and Myer have welcomed me generously and graciously included me as if I were part of their family.
Jeffry and Myer’s home is a veritable museum in itself. There are a range of vintage motorcycles and push bikes, various timber furniture and artefacts that class as art works in themselves, and the home itself is a collection of three traditional Singaporean structures that were deconstructed, moved to site and rebuilt. The latter range from 120 to 175 years old. The bed on which I’ve slept at the house is 150 years old. Jeffry’s collection of the unusual doesn’t include only the inanimate. He has a salamander, and turtles including a tank of babies and two (very virile!) adults.
The first night with the Polnajas I stayed on their second property, at which a retreat is nearly finished construction. It has been orchestrated with thoughtful design every bit as much as the family home, with a similar open plan, traditional Singaporean structure as the centrepiece set in a simple, elegant garden brimming with rare plants each with its own story and reason for inclusion. 200 trucks of rock were part of the elaborate reshaping of the steep hillside. Countless hours of design, of curated gardening, of stone terraced retaining wall construction, of water-feature installation has produced a wonderful, peaceful oasis. The completed project will include a public restaurant, and I’d love to be back for the opening of that one!
While these properties caught my eye, it was the creative and productive mind behind them that intrigues me. Jeffry has unstoppable energy and world-class list of achievements, and yet keeps a down-to-earth and accessible manner and demeanour. He is also connected globally to all the top bike world tourers. It is funny to think now that when I first planned this trip I had imagined I was the only one on the planet crazy enough to contemplate something quite like this. There’s a whole community. A band of brothers. And I have been welcomed despite my lack of knowledge or experience. As Myer said – that welcome happens the moment talk turns into action and you’re on the road.
I’ve been further challenged at Kang JJ’s to travel metaphorically with the currents of life (“course-correcting with the occasional dip of paddle in water”). Jeffry has encouraged me to carry a thankful demeanour for what I have without focus on what I do not have, to remain positive, and to carry a positive expectation of doors opening as I travel. There may have been a few helpful technical hints and tips, too.
We planned to head out together on a ride through the hills, but that went by the wayside as it was teeming down with rain and the battery on Jeffry’s bike had gone flat. I aim to set off towards Jakarta tomorrow morning, with a plan to stay on the southern coast along route.