NEED TO KNOW

• Gianna Merian shared her viral experience of budget backpacking through Indonesia’s Komodo Islands on a $210 boat trip

• The sleeping quarters featured tightly packed mats with minimal bedding, sparking mixed reactions from over 9 million TikTok viewers

• Merian says budget travel allows her to explore remote places, meet people worldwide and create unforgettable stories

One woman was left speechless after arriving at her accommodations during a recent trip through Southeast Asia — an experience that quickly went from dream adventure to unexpected reality.

Gianna Merian, a 24-year-old travel content creator, was solo backpacking through the region when she met a friend who recommended a boat trip in Indonesia. Eager to take advantage of the opportunity, she signed up without doing much research.

The experience promised an unforgettable route through the Komodo Islands, with stops at remote beaches, snorkeling, meals, accommodation and national park fees—all for about $210 per person.

“It sounded like such an incredible experience, traveling through the Komodo Islands, stopping at remote beaches along the way and exploring places I otherwise never would have seen,” Merian tells PEOPLE exclusively.

But the reality didn’t fully set in until she stepped aboard the boat for the three-night, four-day journey. As she entered the sleeping quarters, the experience took an immediate turn.

Inside, more than a dozen thin blue sleeping mats were tightly packed side by side in a single cramped room. Each mat had only a pillow, with no additional bedding, and the space was lined along a wall of windows covered by a green curtain.

“I immediately went into full resource mode and started thinking, ‘Where do I even sleep? How do I pick the best spot—middle or edge?’ ” she recalls. “I was also hoping my friend wouldn’t be too upset once she saw the accommodation too.”

She quickly chose a spot, still processing the reality of the setup, and later decided to document the experience.

Shortly after, Merian posted a video of the sleeping arrangement on TikTok. Over the clip, she wrote, “May have budget backpacked a little too hard.” In the caption, she added, “Currently laying in bed SHAKING and will be all night .”

The video quickly went viral, surpassing 9 million views and sparking thousands of mixed reactions online.

Some viewers joked about the situation. “Saving money is never this serious,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Get a corner spot or one up against the wall quick!”

Others were more surprised by the setup, while a few who had taken the same trip defended the experience, calling it memorable and social. “One of the best experiences actually… met so many people!” one user shared.

Speaking to PEOPLE after the video’s spread, Merian reflected on the wide range of reactions.

“Most people were absolutely horrified that anyone would ever sign up for something like this,” she says. “The wildest reactions I’ve gotten are people saying it looks like either a homeless shelter or a hostage situation.”

Still, she says the experience fits the kind of travel she seeks out. “These kinds of trips are genuinely so fun for me,” she explains. “I love meeting people from all over the world and exploring remote places — it’s honestly my favorite way to travel.”

She continues, “Budget backpacking is what makes it possible for me to keep doing this long term. A yacht would definitely be nicer, but it wasn’t in the budget. And honestly, these situations always end up making the best stories anyway.”

Read the original article on People