Surfer riding inside a green barrel wave in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, with spray and palm-lined jungle behind. — Surfing at the Mentawai Islands. ©James Donaldson

‘Our Island Life’: An Indonesian-Belgian Couple Building a Dream in the Indonesian Mentawai Islands

Marjolein and Adrianus aren’t just playing island life — they’re living it, day by day, challenge by challenge. Adrianus is from the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, while Marjolein left Belgium to build a life with him in one of the most remote places on earth. Their YouTube channel, Our Island Life, offers an unfiltered glimpse into what it really means to live off-grid — from spearfishing to building a home.

Hanan • 2 minutes read • 21 February 2025

A House Like No Other — Mentawai-Style

Click on 3.5 Years OFF-GRID: Timelapse of Building Our Dream Home from Scratch on a Remote Tropical Island, and you won’t find a polished travel vlog — you’ll see a home take shape from nothing. No shortcuts — just raw dedication.

This isn’t just a shelter; it’s a Mentawai-style home, built with traditional techniques and a few personal Western touches to make it their own. Every beam, every wall, every detail tells a story of resilience and adaptation.

No Supermarkets, No Easy Ways in Mentawai

Life here isn’t about convenience. If they want to eat, they catch it, harvest it, or grow it. If something breaks, they repair it. No running to the store, no quick fixes. Every video captures the realities of their island life and embracing the unpredictability. It's not always easy, but it’s always real.

The Raw Side of Mentawai Life

This isn’t a romanticised escape with endless beach days and picture-perfect moments. It’s raw and real. But that’s what makes their story compelling. They don’t sugarcoat it and they don’t stage it. Their journey isn’t about leaving modern life behind — it’s about thriving in a world where every moment is earned.

‘Our Island Life’ — Watch It for Yourself

No scripts, no staged moments — just real life, raw and unfiltered. Our Island Life isn’t just about watching; it’s about experiencing what it means to build, adapt and live in one of the world’s most beautiful and challenging places.