I just arrived back in Bali, and it was the first time I used my residency permit to come back to Indonesia from another country.

The first very enjoyable thing is that instead of queuing with 1,000 tourists, you go to the same line as citizens, so there’s no waiting time.

But what I enjoyed the most, and what will seem insignificant for most of those who read this, is when the immigration officer checked my passport and said: “Welcome back home, Thomas.”

Home.

After 3 years living in Bali and a few episodes of struggles with the immigration in the past, being welcomed this way today felt amazing.

And above all, it actually feels like coming back home.