And if you want to seek the sun, it is always around you. To watch it closer, go to an Island.  An old theory stated that earth is flat, the moon, the stars and the sun are revolving us. Quite an egocentric thought I supposed back then. Nevertheless, I understand how it feels being surrounded and spanned by the moon, the stars, and the sun when I spent some times in an island of Lombok.
The Edge of RinjaniOh Rinjani, how why aren't we becoming a soulmate yet? The first aim of me visiting Lombok was actually to climb this beautiful mountain, but due to the bad weather in December and safety, I gotta delay it to other time and arrange another visit around March until August. Last visit in August 2013, Sendok Hotel has impressed me to come back and stay there. I would say, they serve the best breakfast in Senggigi, Lombok. We arrived in the middle of the night on December 26, Pak Putu, our best friend slashed amazing guide had been waiting for us at the airport and drove us all around the island with stories and good times. He brought us to food stalls that most tourists never visited before, and I have to say, I would take away those food. Even though we didn't get to climb Mountain Rinjani, it was quite cheering me up to see it from far, and to stand closer to it. Sedanggile waterfall is a must visit when you are in Lombok, but you will have to gear up for a bit of hiking. I do not know why do they name it Sedanggile, because it is translated to be 'while crazy'. However, when I jumped to the swift water that fall down from above, I kind of understand what they mean by that. You just get crazy showered by the coldness from the waterfall, you'll start jumping around and splashing water everywhere.
Ring The White Horse Gili Trawangan has always been in my wildest fantasy honestly speaking. A tiny bit of world is made here. This small island, just magical. From the dusk to dawn, sunrise to sunset. We would never get enough of the heat, would never get bored of the sunrise, would never stop meeting new faces, and would fall in love again and again. I wouldn't mind getting tipsy, stay up the whole night, and wait for the sunrise on the white sand carpet. Last August 2013, I visited Gili Trawangan and had 2 nights stay at Tropicana Villa. The hour was never been my concern every time I visited Gili Trawangan, I just simply enjoyed every moment I had, and live. I felt like I have been given freedom and youth. I felt like I was blindfolded, and let the wave whispers, and the sunbeam leads. Live to no plans plan. We wander, side by side, till the sun hangs low in the west. I know, I know, too much fantasy. But man, you gotta live it! :) Don't we love the feeling when we go down from the boat, and our feet greeted by the white sand and tickled by the soft ripple? Then we are stunned and get lost in what we see, we run and be free. I can't deny that the spell was just too strong. I fell in love again. when I had a day visit to Gili Trawangan this December 28, 2013. I was surrounded by the feeling I have missed since the last visit. We cycled the island, we don't mind the heat and the hunger. Sadly I did not catch the sunrise like last August, but it was good enough. Cycling the whole island took about 3 hours, included the time you might be spending to stop and take photos of the scenery. Don't worry of the sound from your stomach, because there are lots and lots of cafes and bars along the stream with great hospitality and quality. If you see scallywags cafe, blue marlin bar, and tie na nog bar, yeap! That are the most crowded spot, days and nights. The sun shines beautifully everywhere, you might need to wander to find the best spot to watch the sunrise and the sunset. Mine is 500 meters walk from tropicana Villa for the sunrise. The best side to swim and snorkelling is the one near the middle of the island, where you'll find lesser cafes, crowds, and corals. Besides, there are so many things you could possibly do in Gili. I always wondered the existence of police officer in this small island, as I cycled the island, I saw it on the west side, but it seemed abandoned. So, you're right, there are no cops! But that just amazed me to know there are very little case and problems here. So welcome in an island where everything is legal! :)
Galang Kangin
Pak Putu parked his car in front of Sendok Villa early morning on December 29 before 5am. I woke up to the third alarm, straightaway jumped from the bed with eyes closed, gargled, took cameras and left the hotel to watch the sunrise. We were accompanied by traditional music that came out from the disc in the car. I was unconsciously couldn't stop moving, on the other hand, I felt like I was on the zen mood by listening to it. Pak Putu noticed it and told me, "Galang Kangin." I stared at him, confused. He repeated, "The title of the music is Galang Kangin, the rise of the sun." and smiled. Ah! I understood. Batu Layar is widely known in Lombok for the most beautiful sunrise spot, but not really well-known by tourists. I was lucky to be brought here by Pak Putu, even though climbing and hiking rocky roads might not be pleasurable, but hey, it was worth payed by the beautiful shots and view. We spent almost one and a half hour hiking, I kept asking Pak Putu whether we would be able to make it on top of the hill before sunrise. He answered me calmly that we can see the sun from everywhere, it is always around us. But, but, the moment, the pictures? well, I guess I understand what he means now :) Still catching the sun,
Liv
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I have grown with the idea of play everything safe, so that you'll perish peacefully on your bed in your old age, sent to the grave by those people who love you. Your children and grandchildren will send you roses every end of the months. In spite that, I want to have something to tell to my grandchild before they burry my body.
Let's walk on the warm sand, swim before sunsets. Let's tell stories you've never told anyone, and no one will be left upset. Go out, enjoy every season, for one to seek happiness need no reason. Come back to those places that once make you feel alive. Perhentian Islands
P.S: You know that you don't need to explain how great your companions are, when they are the people you always see and be beside you every time your mood changes or shit happens :) Happy Nearly Summer Time,
Liv The sound is loud enough in my head, let me stay another day, I'll come back when I get stronger.  Here's for those time when we were reckless. When we walked out from the crowds, climbed the highest peak as we felt closer to those stars, woke up to see sunsets, wore our wet clothes over and over again, went to bed few moments before sunrise, and stayed awake silently while hearts couldn't lie about what we felt.
Batu Ferringhi
Ka wai and me always have the same mind of how to enjoy a good vacation. The idea is simple, stay at a very low-cost place, and spend the rest of the budget on food and traveling beyond. A night drive to Batu Ferringhi from George Town left me wondering, how does the beach actually looks like in the day, so there comes the extended one night stay at Batu Ferringhi. I had always been a fan of long beach, where we can have a walk to the other end no matter how far the end is, which Batu Ferringhi doesn't offer that experience. However, after I had a talk with an Australian guest who stayed at the same guest house, she got me amazed by her experience of how homy a small beach can be, soft shore, lesser tourist, and far from night time buzzing sound from the clubs.
Ka wai and me.. well, as I said, always have the same idea of how we should spend the best vacation. However, he is the GPS, the Agenda, the mind of the whole travel plan, and keep us go back home safely. I am very thankful to have such a friend who has proven the idea of 'Best friend got your back.' It was quite sad knowing that the last day came so fast while we were still enjoying the whole trip, but for me, a good trip is not measured by how beautiful the place that we are going to. What makes a trip worth it is that companies, that surprise that you have along the way, and those talks. These you will never forget till you grow older. What is a trip when you only spent it only with gossips and tequila? I prefer a mind to mind conversation and go back carrying new ideas beside our dirty clothes :)
Have a good start of summer,
Liv |
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