Mimpi dalam Selembar Voucher Tiket

Saya ingin pergi. Saya tak tahu saya mau pergi kemana, tapi saya ingin pergi melihat dunia. Saya ingin melihat dengan mata kepala saya indahnya Indonesia, dan ingin merasakan seperti apa di negeri orang. Mungkin ini efek tinggal di pulau kecil dan memiliki pekerjaan yang (lumayan) monoton, mungkin ini efek tekanan keluarga atas status single saya, mungkin ini efek kesetressan saya menjadi single sekian lama, tapi saya benar-benar ingin pergi jauh. Dulu-dulu saya tidak perduli, dulu-dulu saya sudah cukup senang 'mengunjungi' tempat-tempat eksotis tersebut hanya lewat bacaan, entah kapan perasaan saya berubah dan hasrat untuk bepergian semakin menyeruak. Sayangnya mimpi hanyalah mimpi. Pelesir itu   butuh uang, dan rasanya tidak masuk akal membuang uang untuk tamasya beberapa hari saat uang tersebut bisa dialokasikan untuk hal yang lebih penting, uang sekolah adik atau cicilan motor misalnya. Paling tidak, begitulah alasan saya bila ditanya teman. Alasan yang sebenarnya adalah saya pengecut. Saya tidak berani meninggalkan zona aman saya.

Hijaunya kaki Gunung Merapi

Lalu saya memenangkan voucher tiket AirAsia senilai Rp 500,000. Saat itu saya belum pernah sekalipun naik AirAsia, walaupun tiket murah dan promo-promonya sudah melegenda. Rasanya seperti menang golden ticket-nya Willy Wonka! Hitung-hitungannya dengan voucher ini saya bisa membeli tiket PP ke destinasi wisata seperti Jogja, Makassar, bahkan Singapura atau Thailand dengan hanya menombok Rp 500,000 saja, bahkan kurang. Selama beberapa minggu setelah saya menerima voucher tersebut via e-mail, hampir tiap hari saya membuka e-mail tersebut dan tersenyum-senyum sendiri. Sumringah rasa hati ini. Sekarang saya bisa pergi, pikir saya. Saya bisa melihat dunia (atau setidaknya tempat lain selain Jakarta dan Bali). Saya bisa bertemu dan berkenalan dengan orang lain. Saya bisa menjadi petualang sejati dan bukannya wanita kantoran yang membosankan. Walau nominalnya tidak banyak, voucher ini membuat saya 'mampu' untuk melihat dunia, dan alasan ketakutan saya menjadi tidak valid sama sekali.

Hari berganti dan bulan berlalu, namun voucher tersebut masih belum juga terpakai. Berbagai alasan saya kemukakan pada diri saya sendiri: mulai dari susah mendapat cuti, banyak hari raya, sampai (lagi-lagi) biaya. Bisikan-bisikan pesimis pun muncul, “Sudah tidak usah dipikirkan, menangnya juga kebetulan dan kamu tidak rugi apa-apa. Kamu juga sudah dapat pengalaman yang menarik dan teman baru saat memenangkan tiket ini. Jangan rakuslah.” Untungnya sifat keras kepala (plus irit) saya bersikeras dan tidak mau begitu saja melewatkan kesempatan melihat dunia. “Ke Singapura saja,” kata si keras kepala. “Beli tiket PP diskon ke Singapura, cukup satu malam atau bahkan pulang hari saja. Paling tidak kamu bisa melihat bandara Changi dan jalan-jalan via MRT tanpa harus membayar hotel. Tidak seberapa memang, tapi setidaknya kamu tahu rasanya terdampar di luar zona amanmu.” Cukup masuk akal menurut saya, dan jadilah saya mulai bermimpi dan merencanakan petualangan saya.

Birunya laut Sulawesi

Kalau di buku novel, pastinya saya sudah terbang ke Singapura dan setelah itu menjadi petualang sejati dan hidup bahagia selamanya. Sayangnya ini bukan buku novel. Tiga minggu sebelum masa berlaku voucher ini berakhir saya bertemu seseorang istimewa di internet, dan dia akan ada di Jakarta hanya dua hari sebelum pulang ke negaranya, Amerika Serikat. Pertanyaannya, apakah saya sebodoh dan seputus asa itu menggunakan 'golden ticket' saya untuk bertemu pria ini? Saya baru berkenalan dengannya hanya dua hari di internet waktu ia menawarkan untuk bertemu muka, bagaimana kalau ternyata dia psikopat atau jaringan trafficking? Apakah satu-dua jam bersamanya setara dengan petualangan satu-dua hari di Singapura atau Jogjakarta? Apa iya saya akan rela membuang begitu saja kesempatan saya untuk melihat dunia, yang mungkin tidak akan bisa saya dapatkan lagi, hanya demi seseorang yang mungkin akan mematahkan hati saya lagi? Saya sudah capek berurusan dengan romansa, dan ini juga salah satu alasan kenapa saya ingin 'pergi', saya ingin bebas menjadi diri saya sendiri. Tapi saya kesepian, dan saya tak ingin melihat dunia sendirian. Saya akhirnya menggunakan voucher tersebut untuk membeli tiket ke Jakarta dan bertemu dengan prian ini hanya 4 hari setelah kami pertama kali berkenalan dan berbincang di internet. Saya tahu saya pengecut, saya tahu saya mungkin telah menutup kesempatan terakhir saya untuk melihat dunia, tapi saya telah memilih. Petualangan terbesar adalah petualangan bersama seseorang yang kita kasihi, dan saya menginginkan seorang belahan jiwa lebih daripada saya menginginkan melihat dunia.

26 bulan kemudian saya asyik memandangi gedung-gedung tinggi Singapura dari kolam renang di lantai 57 hotel Marina Bay Sands saat suami saya berseru, “Ary, smile!” dan menjepret foto selfie kami berdua. Yup, dia pria yang temui dengan menggunakan voucher AirAsia tersebut. Secara tidak langsung, voucher tersebut sudah 'menerbangkan' saya ke The Getty, Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, Very Large Array, Tombstone, Singapura, Malaysia, Toraja, Bromo, Pura Gunung Salak, Surabaya, Pare-pare, Makasar, Lombok, dan area-area di Bali yang belum pernah saya jamah sebelumnya. Namun itu hanyalah bonus bagi saya. Voucher tersebut memberikan saya hal yang paling saya inginkan: pasangan hidup yang mencintai saya, teman berpetualang yang super asyik, seseorang yang mengisi relung kosong di hati ini. Berkat voucher itu pula saya menemukan sahabat sehati dan keindahan Bali yang sebenarnya. Saya harus membayar Rp 10,000 dengan kartu kredit untuk menggenapi harga tiket tersebut, sementara saya tidak memiliki kartu kredit sehingga harus meminta bantuan seorang sepupu. Kami menjadi dekat setelah itu dan menemukan bahwa kami memiliki banyak kesamaan terutama dalam kecintaan kami terhadap Bali, yang akhirnya terkulminasi dalam proyek pertama kami "Journey To Bali: The Best Festivals and Events in 2014". Oh ya, dan saya pun menemukan hasrat dan cita-cita saya: saya ingin menjadi penulis.

Besarnya Very Large Array (total 27 antena satelit) di New Mexico

Berawal dari sekedar harapan untuk melihat daerah/negara lain selama satu hari, saya malah menemukan pasangan hidup, mendapatkan teman-teman sehati, berpetualang ke daerah-daerah yang belum pernah saya kunjungi sebelumnya, menerbitkan buku, dan mengetahui panggilan hati saya. Semua berkat sebuah voucher tiket. Kedengarannya lebih ekstrim daripada cerita di buku novel bukan? Ternyata ada benarnya saat orang berkata “hidup manusia lebih aneh daripada fiksi.” Dan petualangan kami baru saja dimulai. Terimakasih AirAsia!

Finding Mr. Perfect - Indiana Jones Way

"She looked at the steep black sand dune below her feet and it's long way down which ended on a sprawling bed of smooth volcanic rocks. She looked up and see the same black sand dune stretched for a good way till it reached the rim of the caldera. She realized she was trapped, perched like a bird with broken wings on the steep slope of the volcano. The sand beneath her feet kept getting loose, and she could feel herself sliding down with every move she made.

"I can't do it." She said with a tremble in her voice. The only way down for her is sliding down the steep sand slope, or perhaps even rolled like a log all the way down. Standing up and walked down with dignity was no longer an option in her mind. She was scared. She was frightened.

"Ary, look at me." He said. "I am here. I won't let you go. You can do it. I will catch you and help you if you slipped or fall. I won't let you go.""

As a normal 30-something woman, I have scoured numerous articles in magazines and blogs and books on what defines a perfect man. I have also heard advices, both requested and unrequested, of what virtues "Mr. Perfect" should have. To name a few: He should be affectionate. He should be considerate. He should be thoughtful. He should give you freedom. He should be able to provide for the family. He should be able to support you emotionally. You could say that Richard Gere's character in Pretty Women (complete with the inexhaustible credit card limit) is the epitome of the perfect man.

And thus, every woman search far and wide for their Prince Charming, the Mr. Perfect of their life based on this criteria, without a stop to realize that the core values for the perfect man are how much she can trust him and how well he proved his words and feelings towards her. All the other 'virtues' are nothing but a facade. Yes, that includes the white limousine and no-limit-credit-card.

I have lived all of my adult life believing in these virtues: ending and starting a relationship based on them, wanting so bad to have the perfect man. Even after I am married, I have had heated arguments with my husband over whose turn doing the dishes and other menial tasks/petty issues. I considered my husband's reluctance and/or delay on completing these tasks a great offence and a sign that he does not honor me or think of me as an equal. I know I'm not the only one like this though, because it is such a staple for women's jokes and memes. Sad isn't it?

Yet when you are grasping for air 250 meters (760 ft) from shore with a badly functioning snorkling mask and a fear for the unknown sea without a single soul nearby those arguments don't matter anymore. Or when you find yourself in a foreign country at night with very little chance on returning to the other country you know of on the same day. Or when you found yourself stucked in the mountain slope and lost all hope for a safe (and dignified) way down. Or when you are tunelling in a cave filled with caskets and skeletons of long deceased people with. Or when you have to navigate your way on a slippery clay barely-there path that hugs a stupendous karst hill. Or when you walked and hiked over river banks, waterfall (which has taken 40 people's lives with its strong undercurrent), sharp rocks en route to an ancient cave with its fast underground rivers, battling humidity and slipperiness of tropical forest and its vicious ants just to see a secluded lake. Or when you walked in a seemingly never end vast cave and afterwards the ever exhausting climb down.

Those arguments really doesn't matter on moments like these, when all you could think of is how to get to your comfort zone ASAP, or at least to reduce the fear and agony you felt for your dear life. And when you realize that your man is the only person you can rely on (since there was only two of you in the ordeals), and not only he managed to calm you and encouraged you, he also lead you and take you back to safety, you will feel those arguments are downright foolish.

Throughout our 3 months self-finding journey in Indonesia I have been subjected to a fair share of adventures thanks to my ever-enthusiastic husband. Within these 3 months I have been pushed to my limit, both physically and mentally, more than I've ever been pushed before in my whole 30-something life. I have succumbed in fear, broke in agony, trapped in hopelessness; yet at the same time I have been told over and over again that I could do it, I have been held so tightly and guided both by words and by sheer physical strength of my husband, and I have came out victorious in all ordeals, and a better, stronger person than I was before. More importantly, I have seen undisputed evidence on how much my husband loves me and care for my well being, on how accurate he knows my mental and physical ability, on how trustworthy he is with his words. And how he never, ever let me go.

Our trip will soon come to an end, and we will have to go back to 'reality'. But my reality is, I have found my perfect man. Others will have different experiences in this matter, it may take less glamorous occasions or more extravagant events to find it, but the truth stays the same: you will know what something (or somebody) is made of under pressure. I have the luxurious experience of knowing what kind of man my husband is, and I couldn't be happier. When jealousy and insecurity attacked, when doubt and ego overwhelmed me, I would close my eyes and remembering his encouraging words in the dense forest of Indonesia, in its dark caves and sprawling oceans, in its cold mountains and steep hills; words that were laced with love and strong desire for my comfort and happiness. I would close my eyes and remembering the strong grip he had on my arms and waist as he lead and guided me to safety, and his unbroken promise that we will conquer the challenge together. With that, I'd be at peace.

This knowledge, this trust, it is a big deal for me because knowing the man my husband is strengthen our bond even tighter. I wish all the people in this world would have this epiphany about their partner, and those who have had this knowledge will forever remember it. People change, they always do; human's actions and thoughts are always tampered by their surroundings and can change accordingly. But the soul within is a different territory, and once you get a glimpse of it from a person you know it will be like that forever because a soul seldom change. Thus, if you like what you see under the pressure, you might want to make an extra effort to keep it, and more importantly, to trust it.

The night have fallen and morning will soon come. My husband has stirred in his sleep and rolled over to hug me in his sleep. I can feel his warm sweet breath on the nape of my neck and his comforting arms around my waist, spooning me in a fetal position. It is time to end this note and to be lost in dreamland with him. I took the trust fall, and we both won. People can write long complicated essays about Mr. Perfect, but I've found mine; not in the swanky city scene, not in the homey daily-life scene, but in the magical wilderness of Indonesia. I hope you will find yours too, dear readers. I hope you'll find yours too. Goodnight :)

Sometimes Dreams Do Come True

I remember holding on to the AirAsia voucher for so long. It worth only Rp 500,000, but to me it was my greatest treasure. To me it's a gate to a new life, the life of an adventuress that I've always longed for. I have always wanted to travel and see things other than Jakarta and Denpasar, but I never did because I always thought I couldn't afford it. Then a friend - someone whom I submitted some articles to - connected me with a gig, a request to cover a special one-day bank promotion in Bali. I made friends, touring Bali's tourist district by bike, won the voucher, and get to experience a very impressive fancy dining. The next day I had my first white water rafting experience with the bike team, and after that the adventuress in me is officially awaken. I want to go to Jogja and pray at Prambanan, I want to experience a day at one of Indonesia's remote island, or even go to Singapore just to get a stamp in my passport. I know the voucher is probably only enough to pay a one way ticket, but it is a good start. I will go somewhere, I keep telling myself, I will go somewhere.

Days past and turn to weeks, which in turn turns into months. And I was still lodged where I was. The expiry date for the coupon was fast approaching, yet not a single trip has been made, nor even planned. The adventuress in me had calmed down, yet I can feel her silent seething frustration. Life, said the pessimist in me (which called herself Logic), is too complicated for adventures. The adventuress made one final bid though. See the world, she said, go to Singapore and see the world. I have loathed people who prefer going abroad than experiencing my own beautiful country, but I understand why the adventuress in me wanted to go to Singapore. Jogjakarta can still be considered as my comfort zone, and it is far too costly to go to Labuan Bajo or Raja Ampat; yet I can easily do a day trip to Singapore and it will only cost me less than Rp 1,000,000. It is crazily affordable now. A round trip ticket to Jakarta cost about Rp 800,000, which is roughly the same price that I have to pay for a non-promotional return ticket to Singapore thanks to the voucher. I made up my mind and start saving hard to make that day trip come true.

About a month from that day and a mere 3 weeks before the expiration date I looked at the voucher again. It was decision time, and I have to make one really fast. I met a special person online, and I wanted to meet him in person. The problem is that he will only be in Jakarta for 2 days before returning to US. I could use the voucher to buy a ticket to Jakarta to meet him, but that means I wont be able to use it to go to Singapore. What will it be? An hour in Jakarta with a man that I think I have fallen in love with or a day in Singapore to established myself as an adventuress? I had enough heartaches and dissappointment already, why waste my chance of adventure just for another heartache and dissappointment? I wanted to see the world, I really do. But I was lonely too, and world is so grey and dull when you are lonely. I booked the ticket to Jakarta an hour later, fully realizing that I am not an adventuress and I'm just a meek lame commoner. It hit me hard when I held the Jakarta ticket, and I silently say goodbye to my Singapore adventure.

Fast forward 26 months later, and I am standing on the edge of a swimming pool 57 stories above the ground, looking at the vista of Singapore below. My husband, the man that I decided to meet in Jakarta with that voucher, called out my name and as I faced him he grinned and snapped a picture of my smiling face. As I rested my head on his shoulder I realized how far that voucher had took me. It initially took me to Jakarta, but then it took me to Arizona, California, remote islands of Gili in Lombok, Lombok island, other places in Bali that I've never been to, and eventually Singapore. The voucher has allowed me to tick off a vast majority of my travel bucket list, even those that I didn't know I wanted to go to. And yes, it has also given me the thing that I wanted above all else: a travel companion, a lover, a life partner. You see, sometimes dreams do come true, and mine come true because of that little voucher. Life is unpredictable, life is harsh; yet in life dreams can come true. So believe in life, and enjoy it to the fullest :)

The Real Reason Why People Should Travel

There are, you know, other countries. Ones with different rules and cultures and food, ones with different laws and norms. And you might missed them. You might missed them if you just sit around in front of your computer, or living your life without ever going anywhere. You might missed them if you did get around but too busy admiring the scenery or communicate with your inner-self (or social media) instead of observing the people around you. You might missed them if you choose to close your eyes and block your mind from anything "new".

I found a post about a modern-day slavery in US that intrigued me. A few people commented that the victim should just go to the police and reported them. As one person stated:

"NO ONE "lives a slave life" unless your stupid enough AND want to do it. Look at every instance that's made it into the press...IF your stupid enough to believe that walking out that door is bad then you deserve to be where your at and should be an economic unit." 

To me this sounded like a very good example of living inside your shell, and why you should travel even if it's a virtual travel through the internet.

My sister and son. 

There is more story in this to admire than just her elegant traditional dress

As painful as it is for me to admit, law in Indonesia are shaky at its best. If you were up against someone who had more money/power or a more 'respected member' of the society you might find yourself at the deep end instead. Take Prita's case, who was sued for libel defamation just because she posted her complaints about a hospital in her mailing group. Authorities are not really fond of helping you out too, it's easier to just slip an extra Rp 20,000 to an office clerk that you know at the police station when renewing your vehicle's license than to do the whole shenanigans by yourself (which will end up costing you both time and money). Even though not all authority/government staff are like this, the overall situation conditioned us to distrust and become very reluctant in dealing with authorities. I can't imagine how the slavery victim can just go and report to the police, because even with my husband constant assurance and complete documentation I still found myself nervous and reluctant when I have to deal with US authority. He kept on saying that they couldn't harm me, yet it was not easy to just change my mindset. 

This fact is mind baffling for country citizens where laws are upheld and their authority/government are set to help them in every part of the way. But as I said: different countries, different rules. And this is why travelling is important for you, because ignorance and indifference could hurt. 

So many people returned home from their travel with only pictures and videos on their SD cards, or the story of that excellent night of rave partying, or about their new-found conscience and re-uniting with God. But travelling should be more than that. It wasn't always about what you experienced, but it's also about what you learned. It's not about 'visiting' a place, it's about 'learning' that place. It's about discovering and understanding another part of the world, and realizing that that's what make the world is so awesome. Travelling should be about humanity in general, because even in the most desolate deserts or the highest mountain top you would need to interact with human to be there. 

Indonesian's carnival game: Duck ring toss. 

Because tossing a ring to a bottle would be too easy :p

In a world where hate and destructing 'criticism' are freely given through the mask of internet, travelling might be a way to world's peace. Understanding is basically accepting, and if we learned to accept that there are things 'different' than what we know we wouldn't be in constant "you offend me! No, YOU offend me!" situation. This is basically a cheat sheet for those who couldn't (or didn't have to patience to) find the great karmic peace within them. And it sure is nice to get more peace and have less people complains about getting pissed off from other people's pure indifference and ignorance. 

Do the world a favor. When you travel, even if it's just cross-country for the thanksgiving, observe the people around you and how they live their life. Places where people live shaped their character and their view in life, and you might surprised on how refreshing it is to see a new point of view. Some you will disagree with and some you will hate, but remember that you are not there to judge. You are to observe and (hopefully) to understand, but never to judge; and to realize what a vast, diversified, and beautiful world we have. This appreciation would be a valuable memento of the trip, and the real reason why people should travel. 

Pursuit of Happyness

My husband did his little victory dance last night. It involved a lot of hip-thrusting, arms raising, and various smug expression which all said: "Yeah I did it!". The reason? Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

It is hard to believe this is the same man that only a year ago was a chain smoker and went bar-hopping to forget how much he hate his life. This is also the same man that a mere 6 months ago was in a constant debate on how ridiculous living in California was, that the same amount of money he paid for his huge house in Arizona was only enough to pay the rent of our small apartment here in California. And this is also the same man that a mere 2 months ago would come home and sat and watch video in the internet all night long, completely oblivious that I was also in the same house with him. He is still the same man. The only difference is that he's happy now, and he knows that he's happy.

So often I hear people say: Happiness is a choice. It was as if we can easily choose to be happy, just as easy as deciding to have pizza for dinner instead of pasta. But if you never had a pizza before, how do you know you'd prefer that over pasta? And even if you do know pizza, how do you know which would make you happiest: with pineapple instead of jalapeno, or pepperoni instead of ham? When my husband went into depression, it's one of the things people would almost always say to him: You need to be happy. Sure, but how? It's not that he didn't want to be happy, it's not that he didn't choose to be happy, it's that he didn't know how.

Happiness is not a choice. It's a state of recognition, a degree of awareness. You need to be able to see your life or your current condition objectively to find happiness, to realize whether your life was in fact really that sucks (or not). My husband got the cheat sheet. He went to Indonesia and got himself both a wife and a life changing experience. His trips to Indonesia change his whole perspective of life, and made him appreciate the perks and the infinitely easier life in the US. When I came to US, I was enthralled with all the little things that he was so accustomed to, and that in turn made him appreciate the life he lives in even more. It's the little things that counts.

Yet in a way, happiness is also a choice. In one of our heated argument during his depression period I told him: I need you to be happy because I deserve to be happy with you. As selfish as it sound, it worked. He acknowledged the things he would miss if he kept being depressed. He found things he like, and he pursued them. He laughed more. On rare occasions where his depression coming back with a vengeance, he would hold himself in tight check and wait till it went away instead of succumbing to it. He would smile even when it's difficult for him to smile. He wanted to be happy, and now that he can be happy, he choose to stay happy.

As I said, he got the cheat sheet, the (kind of) easy way to find happiness. It was by far an impressive feat, but he had his life experience and a perfectly compatible partner to help him found it. A lot of people don't have this privilege. A lot of people spend their life with the nagging emptiness inside them, which can not be satiated even with the fanciest cars or biggest houses, and even with the self-improved articles or advice from life-style gurus still couldn't see how they can be happy. As my husband put it: "I spend my youth thinking that I would be happy if I have a better car or house than my friends'; and at times I would have that urge, that insatiable craving that I just have to have something, like a designer shoe or latest gadget which I just can't rest until I have it. I don't feel that anymore."

Happiness is about being grateful, it's about accepting your situation and make the best of it, it's about self-control and desire to be better. Happiness is about loving yourself, and thus the life you live. It is not a constant condition and its intensity (or even its existence) may differ from time to time. But if you had more sunny days than rainy days, I think you did pretty good :).

My husband and I love to eat, and therefore we really enjoy our grocery shopping trips. We'd high-five when we found a good deal at the supermarket, or a simultaneously "Yes!" and arm pumping when we do price-checking and noticed we have previously bought the same item at another store for a better deal. A pizza toast on a bolilo roll for late-night snack is enough to made us grin with happiness. A trip to Santa Monica pier or a walk at The Getty was our idea of fun, but so does hanging out at the library or watching a concert in the park, or even our daily evening walk around the apartment complex. His (not-so) secret desire was to once again swing on a rope at Bali's waterfall and do a dangdut dance at the local carnival in Indonesia. Finding hidden geocache in the middle of a desert or in a busy park excites us. And yes, peanut butter and jelly sandwich for snacks. Those are the things that made us happy. What made you happy?

So What's Next?

Exactly one month ago today I decided to follow my whim and decided to take a 2 days adventure to Jakarta. Eat a lot, talk a lot, wandered a lot, those were my 2 days adventure plan. Little that I know that God decided to extend that adventure to an unknown period and to a much higher level. I fell in love.

It does sound like a plot from a cheap Hollywood flick or a lousy paperback novel, doesn't it? A man meet an exotic island girl, they fall in love at the first sight, and live happily ever after. You can insert jealous lover, doomsday thingy, or even alien attack to spice up the plot, all happened within a 48 hours time frame and voila, an instant box office or a B-type movies at the very least. If it were made into a book it can either get into bestselling list or become a book that was so bad you will never admit you read it. However it's real life, and things can be stranger than fiction. There definitely won't be any "happily ever after in the ending" because baby, things are just getting started. And Love just have no ending.

Thus my (or should I say our) new adventure started, in a 24 hours fast food joint in Jakarta (move over Elizabeth Gilbert, this is "tha new thang"!). Love to some would be as beautiful and as romantic as a picnic in the prairie during the spring bloom, it would be as devastating as joining a free-style boxing club (and even with the same physical effect) for others, or even as fancy as showing off your new Louboutin. To us, it's a river rafting adventure. Neck-breaking speed, plenty of combined efforts, everyone got dirty and wet, totally fun and richly rewarding. There will be time when all we can do is focus on how to overcome and get safely passed through a dangerous rapid as a team, but there will be time when all is calm and we get to marveled on how beautiful the nature is and how lovely it is just to be together. And then another rapid will ensue and so on, all that brings us even closer to each other. An adventure of a life time.



If you are somewhat inspired with what I wrote, don't. I wouldn't sanely suggest falling in love and be committed with a man or a woman you known and met just for 48 hours without thinking straight. First because Hollywood celebs been doing that for years and it hardly works. Second because it would be like advising someone to do a rope-less bungee jump or a shark-swimming experience: can be fatal and somewhat useless. What I do suggest is to open your mind and embark in your own adventure.

Too often we become a victim of the rules that society have build for us in the name of protection: be wary, thread your way carefully, patience is a virtue, and all that jazz. They can very much protect you indeed, but they can also rob you of what the world can offer, what life can offer. We are too busy becoming a prominent adult (with all the complications that follow) we sometimes forget how liberating it is to be a child: to do things simply because you are curious, and to do it (and liking it!) without any restraint from the society (children are pure enough to know none). Yes, one would argue because children don't know what's best for them. Well, do you [know]? It's not a matter of know or do not know, it's simply because children are more open to pain, they believe it wont last. And the fact is, it wont. Pain can't stay forever unless you nurture them, and time heals what reason cannot. It's like taking a plunge in an icy cold water: it's painfully cold, but the cold will ebbed away and you'd be so proud of yourself for daring to take the plunge. Congratulations, you've just experience life.

That night in Jakarta, as I look into his eyes and his into mine we put all reasons and notes of wisdom aside, and we found faith in each other. We decided to take the plunge, or the raft to be exact. And the trip has been both life changing for me and no less than wonderful: the childlike wonder prevail, and the adult perseverance keep us in track. One day when we finally hit our goal, finally arrive in our destination, we'd be walking hand in hand, all dirty and drenching wet and aching from the excursion. We'd smile and look into each other and say, "So what's next?". Life is too grand for just one adventure.

The Phone, The Flight, The One-Night Cinderella

Was it the phone you decided to buy
Was it the flight I decided to take
Whatever it is, I become a one-night cinderella

The world is a large mask-party
And we are it's unassuming guests
2 people from the end of the world to the other
I found myself dancing with you in the light

The phone that rang
The plane that flew
And me a cinderella that wish the night will never end

It was a night of magic and light
Where words come alive
Where feelings are melodius like songs
Where I become what I've always dreamed to be

Yet the phone'll stop ringing
The reverse flight will need to be taken
And cinderella will be alone again,
Broken shards of glass shoes in her bloodied feet

But behold!
The night is young, the moon is full
Let's worried not with the uncertain future
And let us dance, dance, dance!

Let me be lost in the music, drown in your warmth
And let us thank the phone and the flight
For I've become your cinderella

Kuta Karnival 2011

It’s the sun, It’s the sea, it’s the wind that breeze and the huge kites that flew (and some huge beer-bottle balloons that I just adore), it’s Kuta Karnival 2011 in full spirit!!



Yup, one of my favorite event of the year has return, and it returns with such full throttle, no less than the OktoberFest as its theme!! Okay, the official theme was: Light Up The World. But still, with all those Carlsberg, Heineken, Storm and Bintang (and along numerous other import/local beer that I just only knew at the event, including the fabled Kuda Putih), it’s difficult to remember the original theme was not about beer festival. Anyway, it was anything but boring ;)





Kuta Karnival (along with Sanur Festival on November and Denpasar Heritage Festival on December) is definitely my favorite Bali event. This laid-back style carnival/festival allows yours truly to wander along all day long on the beach, relieving my thirst and hunger from various drink and food stall (not many food stall this year though, shame), run and play with the cold water/wave when I felt bored (or slightly intoxicated), and just sit dumbfounded watching the majestic sunset. Best parts: nobody cares what you did during the event as there are so many people loitering around anyway. Oh yeah, I got to dress whatever I want (I choose “polite” clothes this time, as I’m in the “age self-conscious” period) and get to see some really nice guys. Mmmm…. This is what girls should do in their free time… Having fun, that is. What else? What are you thinking about??



Some friends of mine, a delightful couple from South Africa, came on the last day. We talk and laugh and basically just chatting away (a bit nonsense-ly I presume) and the next thing I know we’ve been hanging around there since 2 – 8 pm. Wowie! When I visit the event on the first day, they have an opening parade, and it was pure beauty. Especially as it is set against the setting sun, it was both breathtaking and most memorable. On the last day, however, my friends and I get to see the closing band parade. Some are good (especially the metal ones, and my friend manage to get a picture with the lead singer), some are so so, but one strikes gold: A children band (local Bali children, yeaaah!!) who just know how to swagger, how to pluck the guitar, and how to leave me and my friends dancing and clapping feverishly for them. Yup, they’re THAT good!!



I was more than a bit upset when it ended, I felt like Cinderella at 11.55 pm (or something similar). But no worries, I still have Sanur Festival to look forward to in another 2 weeks or so, and Denpasar Festival in less than 2 months, and of course, Kuta Karnival next year :). Love Love Love Bali!!!



View the Parade Video here, And more photos here.

Bike Tour Kuta Style: A day like no other

Excitement was mounting. I gaze warily to Kuta Bex parking lot, where numbers of bike are parked neatly, ready to be used by AirAsia HSBC bike tour. Cameras were flashing, we grin and smile and took turns to capture our each other in camera and videos, and not a glimpse of anxiousness to be seen though deep down I was rather nervous. After a short warm ups, we were told to get the bicycle we feel comfortable with. Fingers were brushing against the bikes, hands firmly set upon the handles as we’re trying to make ourselves comfortable with the saddle. And what seems to be just a fraction of a second later our guides give orders, and off we go!

When I was contacted by AirAsia HSBC to join their bike tour, I was ecstatic. The promise of seeing to all-too-well-known Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak in different point of view (i.e. bike) leaves me so excited I can barely work straight days before the event. It was when seeing all those bikes that realization suddenly hit me: It’s been years since I took a full blown bicycle ride, and I’m not talking about 4 or 5 years, the last one I took was approximately in my elementary school. Of course, being a motorcycle driver for the last 3 years help with my balance, but even so I’m still having difficulties in navigating through the traffic. Luckily it only lasted a while. A tour companion drove past me gracefully, videoing us while he’s still on bike (a feat that if done on motorcycles and/or cars will earn you some well-deserve shouts and regal middle-finger salutes, not to mention some heavy bruises if you happen to hit other vehicles while doing this stunt; where as on bike, people will just smile and the only thing that might get heavily damaged if accident happen is your ego and self-esteem); the traffic congestion dissolve at certain point of our route (5 minutes later to be exact); and the best of the area began to unravel. I broke a smile. This is gonna be fun.
 

As promised in their tagline (Experience Bali Like No Other), the tour provides us with satisfying view and ample surprises when we discover the unknown area along the route. The first area was the beach in front of Padma Hotel and even my companions, the seasoned-tourists that claimed they had seen enough of Kuta-Legian-Seminyak, was surprised to see such well-kept pedestrian along the Padma hotel and beyond, stretching all the way till the Double Six Street. It was in fact, close for public and only opened upon request for the tour and during the last 2 Kuta Karnival (but it’s covered with booths and people, so even though I know the road exist I had no idea how gorgeous it is during the day). Cheers and laughter was heavy on the crowd when we pass this area, as it was the first time most of them ever saw the famous night club area during the day (party on fellas;)). But on we continue our journey to the Champlung Tanduk beach (though some of us seriously considered to take a break at Cocoon… Just kidding :D). During our few minutes break there we take group shots, and several journalists that joins us takes loads of shots because the location was just so good. Pillows mounting for a nearby beach bar, also a small stage and neatly rows of chairs and tables for their crowds. Hawker sells beautiful beads and small Balinese kites (and other knick-knack you could think of). And throughout the break time my fellow journalist, a contributor for Jakarta Post, keeps saying: “I don’t know Kuta has this kind of beach!”

Leisurely strolling on the beach with our bikes was definitely a refreshing experience, but to stroll along the cool yet quiet Seminyak was another thing altogether. The route through Drupadi Street that we took on our way to Kayu Aya Street was filled with nice shops and restaurant and quiet villas, but without the vivid display. This is where you go if you want to spend some cool and quiet shopping time. Trees and ivy on the wall poking out and pleases our eyes, and also some patches of rice fields. People might not notice how beautifully quiet the area is, but on bike, we can almost smell the sweet frangipani fragrance en route, and can see the details in the leaves and flowers. The quietness was almost magical, I got into semi-shock when we hit Kayu Aya Street where it was filled with cars and motorcycles. Here the display was more edgy and tantalizing, and I spend some precious second absorbing the details of a certain white lace dress from the window display (which I can never did on motorcycles), and spend some precious minutes reminding myself to not de-tour to the shop and purchase the said dress (hey, I get to park wherever I want or even carried my bicycle in front of the shop’s door instead of trying to park through the jungle of vehicles, a true advantage indeed!). I was already filled with all the beautiful and unique details of the shops and restaurants (which some considered finest in Bali) when we stop at Seminyak Square for refreshment and shopping time. The media team sat together at Aviary Restaurant, sipping our cold drinks while getting to know each other; needless to say I am saved from shopping madness though I have to confess they kinda wrestled me out from Periplus afterwards. No worries, I already got my copy of Bartimaeus by Jonathan Stroud by then.

But cycling does not only give the opportunity to view everything in more details; it also gives opportunity to get to know each other during the trip. Not long after we depart to Petitenget beach I already engrossed with conversation (on our bikes) with a member of AirAsia HSBC team, and find ourselves talking about everything: my writing, his thoughts, the AirAsia HSBC program, should we make that de-tour to Ku De Ta (which I’m sorely tempted, even though it’s just to annoy the security guard). It’s a thing that we probably won’t do when we just sat in a café or in a car. And to my heart’s annoyance (and my legs’ euphoria) we arrive at Petitenget beach. Being Sunday and almost sunset, the beach was crowded with Balinese. I am quite used to it, but it was really nice to see my tour companion excited about the local view. Jagung Bakar (Grilled corn on the cob), Balinese kelepon, musculous men in tattoo and Sarong, and even a number of people who practice Falun Dafa. When we were gathered back to the parking lot a few minutes later, the draw for the souvenir and surprise gifts was on. I have never really believe on this kind of drawing, and am never tempted to join events just for the door prize because I think they are all rigged. But when I saw that iPhone 4 being handed to a lucky contestant as the main door prize from AirAsia HSBC tour I vowed to myself: I definitely going to join another event.

I did hear snippets that AirAsia HSBC will do more bike tours like this in another area. If it’s near your area, by all means join it. Cycling is really an excellent way to view things differently, and if you’re already a seasoned biker, getting to know more people is quite fun actually ;). Now all I wish is that iPhone 4… (joking, I already got AirAsia voucher during quiz time at Champlung Tanduk Beach, so I shouldn’t grudge over the iPhone LOL). All I wish is travel organizers starts to think and arrange more bike tours in the future. Us city dwellers really enjoy the trip, and with more bikes and less motored vehicle we can minimize the traffic congestion and the pollution as well. Besides, everyone wave cheery hands during our pass, so it is fun for everyone. In Bali right now? Go bug your travel organizer to arrange a bike tour through Kuta-Legian-Seminyak. Have fun!

Note:
- Many thanks to Lukman Simbah from HiFatLoBrain Travel Institute for allowing me embed their fun video!
- Another great story (and more photos) of the event can be found at Triski Nurani's blog
- And yeah, thanks to AirAsia HSBC for the invitation and the doorprize. I'll fly away soon!!!

How big is the world?

How big is the world?

If you can look away from your self and stop thinking you're the main hero/heroine in this life, you'll find that the world is amazingly big. So definitely big.

One Day on Earth - Motion Picture Trailer from One Day On Earth on Vimeo.

Song of a Beast

I wanna be free
With wind in my hair
Blowing through the window of my car
Laughing, smiling, enjoying life
Music throughout the journey
With sunshine pouring through
And clear greeneries around
While we're singing the songs to the top of our lungs
I wouldn't care about anything else
Just you and me and this wonderful journey
I wanna be free

I wanna let lose
With sand in my feet
And wave caressing me, crashing through the beach
I wanna toss my head gaily
I wanna laugh triumphantly
As I take you to dance on the beach
Dance together with the thumping music
Under the moonlight and stars
And the beautiful sea around us
I wouldn't care what the world would think
As long as I'm dancing with you
I wanna let lose

Instead of chained in this office
Locked in my room
Caught in my dead routines
One day the tiger will be free
Roaming through the green woods
Dancing on the sandy beach
One day I'll be free

Nyepi, Balinese Day of Silence

Prologue from Wikipedia: Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to Bali's calendar (in 2011, it will be on March 5th). The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

5 March 2011

7 AM Bali Time: It's quiet. Absolute quiet. I can hear the sounds of the rain, the sounds of the birds chirping, the sounds of silence. This day it is prohibited to make loud sounds, so no dangdut or melayu music this morning, no motorcycle sounds, no children or any kind of unnatural sounds. As the neighbors around my house have conveniently leave for their friends and families houses, there are no sounds of human whatsoever.

The silence engulf me, leaving me awestruck and amazed. All of my days were seemed to be filled with noise from the outside: friends, families, strangers, TVs, music. Today, all TV or radio is off, I couldn't communicate by phone or internet without the risk of embarrassing myself as unfaithful (after all, I were specifically told to meditate and contemplate myself on this day, not leisuring around). So there I was, sitting on my porch, hearing myself and my conscience (I finally found her again after so long), enjoying the silence. The rain slowly starts to fall again.

9 AM Bali Time: My little brothers and sister already woke up and huddle with me in the living room. As they were only teenagers, I let them blast zombies on the computer. However, I strictly confiscate the modem and also hide my mobile phone (after put it in silence mode) to prevent any "Social Media" temptation. They were not allowed to venture outside the house as well, though several of their friends were seen wandering around (shortly before the Pecalang came).

At first, they were restless and agitated, however we manage to smooth things and end up laughing and talking about everything. Just like my new found conscience, this is also new for us. It is a rare thing to sit together and have a quality time with my family, as they all have their own agenda even in holidays (just like all "modern" people, I guess). I never realize how pleasant my brothers can be, and they were not God-sent annoying little critters. Not always. And yes, they see me in new light, not the ever-busy-angry-easily-miss-touchy. We're family, after all.

2 PM Bali Time: Time seems to stop. I felt like I've been living almost a week, perhaps even a month swayed in the silence. My brothers and sister have all but sleeping around on sofa and carpet, playing with my dog and cat, and then cuddle up with Mahabharata and Ramayana (they're running out of books and comics. period). It amaze me to see the clock barely strikes 2.

I can't tell you how enjoyable it is for me. Even in my holidays and leaves, I always manage to get "What?? It's this hour already??". But today I can't go out, not even to buy snacks from the nearby stores, or to wander around doing (un)essential things. Thus, my confinement makes the time stops ticking. And there are no TV or radio or other means to check with the time on the outside. I also don't need to ruin my emotion by reading or commenting rude remarks that so often exist in the internet. The outside world just doesn't (seem to) exist.

7 pm Bali Time: Darkness fell. No lights of whatsoever. But stars shining brightly, so brightly I lost my breath upon seeing them. No flashy neon lights, no over-bright house light, no light in any kind of form to distract the brightness of the stars. But no moon as it was new moon.

But I'm scared, dreadfully scared. I'm afraid of the dark, and Balinese horror stories pop up in my mind. The silence and total darkness engulf us and depressed us. We huddled together in my bedroom, all of us sleeping on my little bed, trying to calm each other and in time, pray to God that nothing will befall us till we fall asleep. So if I manage to find myself and my family through out the day, at night I found God. Quite productive for a day's work isn't it? :)

6 March 2011, 7 AM Bali Time.
The air and the world look so clear and beautiful. So pure. Cars and motors are back, people are back, but they looks much nicer. Perhaps not only the world has change and have time to purify herself, I have also purify myself, and perhaps also people around me. It's New Year already.

I know and fully aware that what we Balinese do at Nyepi is probably considered as "Impossible", and images of the horrid day probably sprang to mind. But we did this every year, and without hesitation or exemption. For nay-sayers, please consider these for a minute:
1. Silence is golden. In fact, it worth its weight in gold. Do you know how much major hotels and resort charge for their "exclusiveness", or in another word to keep as silence as possible for their esteemed patrons? In Bali it can range thousands of dollars for a night, yet at Nyepi we got it fairly free.

2. Finding Neverland. Discussing and have a quality time with yourself, your family, and your Creator may be quite like finding Neverland. It's there, but not everyone can find it. Of course, one may differ in this matter, and the so-called social creatures will never approve a day without their friends and peers (even in internet). But think about it, we use to have the quiet time in our mother's womb and it was quite good I think (have you seen an evil baby? Evilness don't come later, and I tend to think it as disease which is infected through other people. We learn to be bad). A bit of silence won't hurt you, just like a bit of fasting. You can always indulge later ;).

3. Earth's day off. Yes, this goes to you vegans and Greenpeace lovers and (so-called) green living addict. What better ways to help our ailing earth than to release her from her daily dose of pollution (sounds, lights, land, water, air, any kind of possible pollution in short). It's just one day, it's only in one area (Bali), but it helps a lot. Bali's Electrical Department (PLN) said they save almost USD 900,000 (IDR 8 Billion) for just one day, and they could have save a whole lot more if the electric-guzzling hotels and resorts join the silent celebration and turn off their lights.

We have "Earth Hour", but Balinese have "Earth Day". It is my sincere hope that the Indonesian government can preserve this beautiful and unique holiday, as there has been increasing urges from the non-Hindu and non-Balinese to make exceptions. If seen from religion point of view, it is understandable. Why should non-follower join the ritual of Hindu Bali? But let's see it in clear light. See what it has to offer for Earth, for your self, for people around you. Be honest with yourself and believe me, you will see it really worth the effort. Come join us next time will you, and indulge in the unique celebration of beautiful silence.

Nyepi 2011 (Ina)

Prologue: Untuk merayakan Tahun Baru Saka masyarakat Hindu Bali melakukan ibadah Nyepi, dimana mereka menjalani satu hari dengan 4 pantangan: Amati Geni (tidak menyalakan api/cahaya); Amati Karya (tidak bekerja); Amati Lelunganan (tidak bepergian); Amati Lelanguan (tidak bersenang-senang). Apakah anda berpikir ini horor? Tidak juga :)

5 Maret 2011

Apa yang berbeda pada hari ini dibandingkan hari-hari lainnya? Yang pertama saya sadari (dan yang paling signifikan) adalah kesunyian. Pagi ini rasanya semua begitu sunyi dan damai. Tumben banget bisa dengar kicauan burung, ga tenggelam sama musik dangdut (or worse, the melayu's) atau suara-suara aktivitas lainnya. Bahkan udara di sekitar rasanya lebih ringan, lebih damai. Kesunyian ini bukan hanya karena ibadah Nyepi yang dilakukan masyarakat Bali, namun juga karena tetangga disekitar rumah saya dengan manisnya pulang kampung/menginap di rumah sanak famili lainnya. Saat saya masih setengah sadar menikmati kedamaian pagi itu di teras rumah saya, hujan pun turun. Pagi itu saya tak mampu berpikir, tak mau berpikir. Hanya ingin duduk dan meresapi indahnya hujan dan kedamaian yang ada.

Ini mungkin terdengar aneh dan tidak penting ya, bengong sendirian. Tapi buat saya ini sungguh sangat melegakan. Dalam keheningan ini saya mampu "berdiskusi" dengan diri saya, apa yang harusnya tidak saya lakukan dan apa yang harusnya saya lakukan. Biasanya ga ada waktu untuk tenang sendiri, saya selalu merasa saya dikejar waktu, dan dikejar keriuhan yang ada di sekitar saya. Kapan anda pernah memiliki waktu tenang, dan maksud saya benar-benar tenang untuk mengambil sebuah keputusan? Biasanya kita harus selalu mengambilnya dalam keadaan cepat, dan dengan berbagai masukan/pertimbangan walau sebenarnya nurani sudah menyalakan sirene bahaya.

Itulah yang berikutnya yang saya sadari, bahwa waktu seolah berhenti. Larangan keluar rumah membuat saya tak bisa melakukan aktivitas apapun. TV yang tak siaran dan DVD player yang rusak (thank goodness!) membuat saya terpaksa duduk diam dan menikmati hari itu. Untungnya HP saya sudah saya silent dan saya sembunyikan dari malam sebelumnya, sehingga mengurangi godaan untuk nge-tweet dan update status FB. Akibatnya? Waktu berjalan begitu lambat. Hujan yang turun pun berhenti, lalu disambung hujan berikutnya. Adik-adik saya bangun dan kami menghabiskan waktu berbincang-bincang, bercanda dan menikmati kehadiran satu-sama lain. Ini juga suatu berkah, karena biasanya kami nyaris tak bertegur sapa, di hari libur sekalipun, karena semua memiliki agenda masing-masing.

Saat gelap menjelang, harus diakui keheningan menjadi semakin mencekam. I'm afraid of the dark. Kami bertiga bersama dalam kamar saya yang kecil, berdesakan sambil menghibur dan menenangkan satu sama lain. Sebenanya tidak ada yang harus dikhawatirkan, namun manusia pada dasarnya tidak menyukai apa yang tidak mereka ketahui. Dan kondisi yang begitu hening, gelap dan mencekam sedikit banyak mempengaruhi mood semua orang. Yang kemudian menghasilkan efek yang dimau: berdoa sepenuh hati pada Tuhan agar dilindungi :). Kami berdoa, kami menghibur satu sama lain, dan pada akhirnya, terlelap dengan damai bersama. Dan sebelum tidur, saat saya menyempatkan diri mengintip keluar, Bintang-bintang tak pernah terlihat sedemikian indahnya, sedemikian terangnya. Keindahannya benar-benar sempurna karena tak harus berkompetisi dengan lampu neon dan lampu buatan lainnya.

Mungkin tulisan saya ini terdengar sangat kikuk, tapi saya benar-benar tak mampu mendeskripsikan betapa indah dan menyenangkannya hari ini buat saya. Satu hari ini membuat saya merasa jauh lebih segar daripada cuti 2 minggu penuh yang saya ambil akhir tahun lalu. Sangat mudah mencaci hari unik ini, apalagi bila bukan pemeluk Hindu Bali dan/atau bukan berasal dari Bali. Namun seperti saya jelaskan, hari ini membawa berbagai faedah: keringanan untuk bumi dan lingkungan, kedekatan anda dengan diri anda sendiri, kedekatan anda dengan keluarga, kedekatan anda dengan Tuhan. Saya yakin banyak orang yang menganggap ini horor, tapi percaya deh, it's really worth it.

Sekedar informasi, hal yang paling dihargai/dibanderol dengan mahal di resort-resort Bali adalah kesunyian. Semua hotel/resort yang dibandrol ribuan dollar per malam menjanjikan 1 hal yang sama: ketenangan dan eksklusivitas. Dan di hari Nyepi kita mendapatkan hal ini dengan gratis. Buat para pencinta Green Living (atau paling ga mengaku demikian), apa lagi cara paling baik untuk menyelamatkan bumi (dan Manusia) daripara membebaskan bumi dari beban polusi (listrik, cahaya, suara, etc) selama 1 hari saya? FYI, PLN Bali menghemat 8 MILLIAR rupiah selama Nyepi 1 hari ini, dan harusnya bisa jauh lebih banyak kalau saja resort dan hotel ikutan mematikan listrik.

Di saat semua orang sibuk promosi "Earth Hour", Bali memiliki "Earth Day". Masyarakat dalam dan luar negeri (yang beradab) juga sangat menghargai hari raya ini. Atas alasan-alasan diatas saya sungguh berharap tidak akan ada perkecualian-perkecualian selama Nyepi karena cuma di Bali yang bisa melakukan hal ini. Mau minta New York atau London melakukan ini? Jangan mimpi... :)

Nyepi, Sesusah Apa Sih?

Bayangkan hidup tanpa listrik (well, setidaknya tanpa lampu), tanpa keluar dari rumah anda, dan yup, tanpa TV...


Ok, ga usah panik LOL. Saya sudah bilang belum kalau Internet juga mati?


LOL... :D
Tapi serius lho, hal ini bisa dilakukan. Masyarakat Bali mengambil cuti sehari dari, ehm, dunia, untuk merayakan Tahun Baru Saka (Internetnya masih nyala sih). Walau terdengar horor, ini bener-bener terjadi dan merupakan salah satu hari yang terbaik di Bali. Penasaran? Stay tuned, will keep you posted ;)

Acknowledgment: Brewster Rockit comic strip by Tim Rickard

Nyepi, How Hard Can It Be?

Imagine living without electricity (ok, at least without lamps), without stepping out of your house, and yes, without TV...


Ok, no need to get panic LOL. Did I tell you that internet is off, too?


LOL... :D
Seriously, it can be done. Balinese take a day off from, well, world, to celebrate Balinese New Year. (the Internet is still on, though). You think it's impossible? Nope, it can be done, and it is one of the best day of the year. Will keep you posted, so stay tuned ;)

Acknowledgment: Brewster Rockit comic strip by Tim Rickard

Old Bali at Sanur Pejeng, Ubud

Did I tell you I was having a blast on a relative's wedding reception at Sanur Pejeng? I did. and the trip there sure worth the time as well! Sanur Pejeng is located in Ubud, already near to Tampak Siring area. It is said that it is called Sanur Pejeng because they were originally come from Sanur area (yeah, that Sanur with gorgeous sunrise near Denpasar). Correct me though if I'm wrong though, I can be such a dunce with details :). One thing for sure, their love for art was amazing, just see the wedding offering below!



The road that we took was the road to Ubud area. Sukawati, celuk, passing all those beautiful rice fields and old (or should i say ancient) houses and Banjars and many Pura. On the way, the road become more and more narrower and also winding, so if you
get carsick easily you might want to bring some refreshment. However, the view was become more and more lush and greener on the way, so it really compensate the winding road. When we reach their Grya (main house) it was like transported back to the old Bali, with no tourist or hawker or even any signs of modern civilization (yes, I meant those pulsa dealer, PlayStation rental or worse, Cafe and bars).



You can see the moss over the rocks and structures, the thick green forest beyond and the soft sounds of the river below. Some would say I'm mentally ill and absorb too much in tourist-mode. It is , after all, just another deserted Balinese village. Well I lived my life in Jakarta, and travels around the world by means of books, news and literature, and yes, I didn't found any big cities interesting (except for the food). Big (and so-called modern) cities are like coming from cookie cutter or one of mass Chinese product. The "modern" style leaves one so cold and it's really doesn't feel nice to see nor touch. I'm a city girl through and through, but traces of old civilization has always been my secret love. This village is a gem.

Back to Topic, the first picture above was the entrance of their praying place (Merajan). The little statue on the right was a Bali Style Ganesha (I think. See below). I can't resist myself to swept my hands over the soft moss and the cold rock of the statue, thus the nice ladies who were in charge to help on the wedding consequently staring at me with odd look hehehe. Sorry ma'am, it won't happen again.



The trees were also awesome. The one that you saw below is actually a Champaka tree. The tree can grow extremely big, however they did a fabulous job on trimming it so it is still alive but not too big. Among others are Frangipani (of course!), Sandat/Ylang-ylang, Bougainvillea and several others which I don't know the names.



The feast was excellent. period :)
The wedding was nice as well. It is always so great to be with family, sharing stories and gossip (yup, I'm officially a girl). And soon enough, it's time to return home.

The road that we took back to Denpasar was different from the road we took to get there. Fine by me, I'm not driving and get to view the wonderful scenery to my heart's content :). Among other things, I saw a great Pura called Pura Pengukur-ukuran. I was so excited to see it and told my mum it's gotta be a really old Pura. I was right, it was made in year 1194. There are other pura as well in the area. Too bad I'm not at liberty to stop and visit them one by one :(

It was a great trip all together. I would recommend you to visit this beautiful village yourself, but unfortunately there aren't any lodging that I saw there (though I did see a couple of foreign tourist walk backpacking with their guide. Not sure where they stay.)But then again, with lodging and stuff it'd get polluted wouldn't it. If you happen to visit this area, make sure NOT to leave traces that damage the purity of it (over tipping, over whining, over anything!). Enjoy!

A taste of (old) Bali in Sanur Pejeng

I honestly don't know why people in the city (e.g. Denpasar) prefer the generic Capcay (Chinese style vegetable stir fry), Ayam Goreng (fried chicken), or Western-style Cream Soup for their wedding menu. What's wrong with local Balinese food?? Okay, actually I (think) I know. It is more affordable, way easier to make, and it's not easy to get ruin. Plus, you can just warm it up so menu for "lunch reception" can easily be menu for "dinner reception". Another reason is that (sadly) some people thinks it's just not fashionable. And even though the people that held the event might think it's ok to have Balinese food, the guests might think otherwise, thus the western-whatever-style menu. But is it really unfashionable?



True that Balinese food can be difficult to make and quite time consuming. The curse of living in (big) city is that you (or anybody else) don't seem to have enough time to do things beyond our scheduled life. In the old Bali days, when somebody held an event such as Pawiwahan (wedding) or Ngaben (cremation) all the men gathered to cook for the event and all the women help with the Banten (ceremonial offerings). It is a perfect measurement of how your community think of you. A rich or well known family might end up of getting little or even no help at all if they act snobbish and never help on other family's event(s). Like wise, an average or even poor family can get mountains of help if they always help other family. Of course, this tradition is becoming extinct as, like I said, nowadays everybody concern about their own business. Now we got caterings, and people who sells complete Banten, so why bother? Especially that more and more people seemed to be more appreciative on how rich you are, not how nice or helpful you are. It's an awful disease caused by commercialism and easy money (good thing some people are immune!).



That's why when I got the chance to visit the lovely area of Sanur Pejeng in Ubud for a relative's wedding I was literally enthralled. (yeah, I finally manage to get in the heart of UBUD!).It was a feast for the senses, especially for my poor tasting bud. After countless fast food servings and mass-made dishes in the polluted city, it really is something to eat real Balinese delicacy in the cool surroundings of Ubud, with thick forest trees and the sound of river nearby, sat in the antique Bale with moss that crept on the rock. Did I mention the ingredients was fabulously fresh? And no, it wasn't even an insanely lavish or difficult feat like a whole Babi guling (suckling pig) and stuff. It was really the kind of menu that a common household would prepare, and that my friends, makes it even more superb.

The menu (for 2 days set of food) was an array of Telur Pindang Kecap (egg broiled in sweet soy sauce - 1st pic above), Sayur Kacang Panjang (String bean in turmeric and and a dash of coconut milk), Shredded Duck (I don't know how they cook it, but it was awesome!), Sayur Nangka (jackfruit in pork broth), Gulai Ikan (fish in coconut soup),the Famous Sambal Matah with ground nut as a twist (see pic. of Sambal Matah without the ground nut on 2nd pic above. It was so delicious it was gone from the table before you know it), Cucumber and soy bean (I think it was like a kind of pickle thing. Whatever. It's GOOD), Satays and many other dish. But my favorite was Bali Style Babi Kecap (pork stew in spicy soy sauce - see pic below). The pork fat was literally melt in your mouth, and as they use really fresh produce (I wouldn't be surprised if the pig was butchered just the morning before the event) it tastes so sweet and succulent. The only thing stopping me from rising up and getting another portion (okay, several) is definitely not my diet (it's a rare feast, baby!) but the relatives and guests that presents that day. It sure wouldn't help my eligibility rating to eat pork like a pork-to-be LOL.



All in all, I am so thoroughly happy to attend the feast, umm, the wedding I mean (U & B, if you're reading this I'm REALLY happy for both of you. I really do!). I kinda wish that one day original Balinese feast will return to their rightful place of honour on reception table, perhaps even as a symbol of wealth. I mean, which Balinese wants Lobster and Caviar anyway, it's not even native Balinese food (not that I object, but then again I'm Batavian hehehe). I think most Balinese will be surprised to know how expensive their daily dish could fetch when it is served in fancy joints/restaurants exclusively for foreign tourists and even more when it is serve in foreign country even though it tastes so-so or lame . Trust me, a plate of Babi Guling can costs way more than a KFC complete package in Balinese Warung in Jakarta. And darlin', it aint even taste good. So, if you're in Bali and stuck with a mass-made hamburger in your hand, start looking for a genuine Balinese dish and enjoy the feast.

Note for pictures:
telur pindang kecap was taken from resepmasakansabina.wordpress.com
sambal matah was taken from http://resepmasakanindonesia.info/
bali style babi kecap was taken from http://serdadoedapoer.blogspot.com/
My mum forbade me to get picture of the food in the reception table as it was quite impolite (and I agree), and I was so absorb in tasting everything I didn't remember to take any picture of the food in my plate. At least until it's already half empty. I may be foodies through and through but I sure am a dreadful food blogger hahaha.

(The Art of) Getting Lost

I.Crave.Ubud

I really do.

Intoxicated by my previous success on (re)discovering Kutuh Beach and a trip to Tabanan, I was eager for more adventures and Ubud looks like a perfect spot. Loving the lush greeneries, the art, and the ancient touch of Bali. I picture it as a pilgrimage, back to the Bali before time (and commercialism). But my so-called bright idea was denied flat by my Mum :p.




Many Balinese would think my mum's refusal to allow me on a motorcycle trip to Ubud (by myself) is a complete nonsense. After all, most Balinese did this trip regularly, some even go waaaaay further during Holy Days and some do it in daily basis. But then again, I can understand her reason as well. Though it may sound sissy and spoiled, but my mum's refusal is based on the fact I hardly know Bali. And hardly able to drive motorcycle properly. And inability to tell left from right too. And that I simply manage to got lost on almost every solo trip.

I personally will not allowed my friends or relatives to wander around in Jakarta by themselves, with all those busses and pickpockets and everything. Nevertheless, I can go perfectly well by myself there :). But when in Bali... Let's put it this way: last night I was busy building up an argument for my mum while driving to Meatball seller (tukang bakso), when suddenly it dawned me that I just took a wrong turn and end up at nearly the same spot where I start. Got lost just by going to Tukang bakso. Talking about street smart.

But no, it shall not stop me! (Drama mode on)...
All I need to do is take it easy, going a little further and further in separate occasion/trip. Not only to assure my Mum that I am reliable and understand the road and will definitely reach my destination, but also to assure my self that I can do all the above :). So be patient with me, I'm very much looking forward to write about my next adventures!