217: Lombok, Indonesia: Day 2+

First, I apologize I do not mean to bombard this with my updates. But, I try to be detailed as I can so I can remember exactly what happened on my trips. I hope FB will stay long enough to keep these pictures for the next few years.

Anyway, second day. As much as I can, I try to savor time when I am in abroad. I wake up early and stay late at night hoping I could pro-long the moment. I guess each of us has that "I hope this moment never end" sentiments while on vacation, hoping in vain that time would slowdown. Relativity, yes, Einstein you were right.

On our second day, we went to the local community, visited the place where the locals work doing pottery, and weaving. It's amazing that the women are hired to do this kind of work simply due to the attitude needed to get the job done right. The tour guide even said that the reason why it's the women who do these kind of jobs is because of their patience, and their attention to detail. The dichotomy of work category based on gender is observed on this place. But what was amazing though is the patience and imagination that these people needed in order to get the job done. Weaving, for example, is not an ordinary job. It requires a technical understanding as to how to put a design by knowing where to place a certain thread. It's just beyond me on how they do it.

Next, we went to Kuta beach. The Kuta beach is popular place for surfers. Although unfortunately we were far where the surfers surf. We were on the low-tide part. But man, the view is extraordinary. Kinda makes you think about paradise. lol.

Last, we went on the Sasak village. Sasak village is the place where the indigenous lives. Like certain indigenous tribes, it's normal for them to marry their cousins. There are also certain tradition observed when they marry: men paying a number of goats or cows to the family. Weaving and farming is what they also do for living.

We ended the day by having a red themed party (w/ costumes!). We got to interact with people who are in World Ventures too. It made me feel like we were a one big family. Since, it was my first Dreamtrip, I made sure that I am going to win the most creative costume, and I did. I brought my CAT hat, but I sure looked like I belong in the airforce. lol.

All in all the trip was amazing. It taught me a lot about life in general. Also, it's a bonus that the people I am with are business minded, optimistic, and fun loving people. It was so easy to get along with them. This Dreamtrip would not certainly be my last one as the experience was totally a bliss.


You should be here!

The beautiful Kuta Beach

Jon's legs, and my sister walking ...

The Sasak indigenous granma weaving out of cotton 

Painting collection in the weaving house we went

Look! I got to try weaving too :)

The local women weaving

The party after the visit on the locals :)

The awards, the music, the party!

See the rest here

215: Travel: Bali/Lombok, Indonesia: Day 1

They say that airport plays a significant part to let you know what awaits you on the country that you are visiting. Seeing the Denpasar International Airport (DPS) upon arrival excites me because the exterior has an exotic-asian touch. If I am a westerner, the airport itself would let me know that I am indeed in an asian place. Unlike (probably) some asian airports that's heading to modern style. But what was the huge let down was that: DPS is actually small inside. There is no way that you can hang around. It's certainly a 'pass-through' place.

First, flying to Indonesia alone is daunting. I blame my paranoia over little things. But I have been traveling alone and I'm pretty much confident with my instincts and my capabilities with what I should do if things do not come as planned. But things went smooth, and my sister and I saw each other without any problems (she flew from Singapore).

The trip was basically part of the Dreamtrips. We stayed at the Senggigi Beach Resort at Lombok. The resort had surpassed my expectations. First, it's not crowded. Second, the hotel was very good, although rustic (i'm not sure if this is part style). Third, the buffet/food was amazing. Fourth, the place is just ideal for people who wants to have a wonderful time, and rest. Fifth, the service was excellent. 
Sixth ... I can go on, lol. I am actually impressed that for a cheap price we got so much. World Ventures stayed true to their promise and gave us a trip worth remembering. 

What I really enjoyed was that we were able to enjoy the culture, and local information about place. We learned about the Chinese people who got into that place first because they were mining for coals and silver. Also, I have learned about the Dutch intervention, and etc., There were so much to learn! The pottery, the women in the place, the culture, the locals, the community. The itinerary was already provided by World Ventures, and all we had to do was lay back enjoy the wave, information, party, and have fun.

They say that in life the only ones that we remember are the experiences, and the memories, and this is certainly one of mine.

A welcome for us Dreamtrippers!

Someone is so happy at that moment.

Our trusty plane! :)

This is the place where people hangout: listening to the waves, the reggae songs, and chilled beers and wonderful foods.

Quite a view right?

Our view. We can hear the waves crashing on this area:

Some chilled beers for the long flight.

Romanticizing the night with some Bob Marley songs, great food, and wonderful company.

The reception area: quite a view eh?

The infinity pool. I love swimming here. It's a wonderful pool.

See the rest of the pictures here

195: Birthday Month!

Picture from Epsos.De

What do you look forward to this month? Seriously, I never had an exciting month as far as I can remember. You see, first, March is my birth month. I usually dread it ~ not because I'm ungrateful ~ but because of the obligatory birthday celebrations. I must admit, I'm heck stingy so yeah I feel obligated treating everyone I knew. Plus, I'm a trying hard entertainer! I feel like I have to entertain every guest I have, in which is one of my weakest. I know you must think, why give in? The thing is I feel bad about not celebrating ... so yeah, March usually is a love/hate month for me.

But this month, is one of my firsts! This is the first time that I will be going out of the country on my own! It's actually a bit of a surprise. I thought that my sister would accompany me going to Singapore, when I had booked everything for myself, she then announced that I'll be on my own. You cannot imagine how much I have ranted about going out of the country on my own.

Honestly, going out without a company is a little intimidating considering that I easily get threatened to unfamiliarities. But since I've been telling myself to 'go, enjoy life at its fullest' I thought why not. It will be a heck of an adventure to travel alone. It must be.

Aside from my travel adventure, I took the opportunity to join my sister's Worldventures travel club. I'm not much of a travel geek but then travelling seemed to be essential in our life. If I really wanted to rally discovery and exploration in my life, travelling the globe should be in my top list. Who knows, I might end up being a travel writer. That sounds good, right? And going out of the country every now and then, enjoying the different environment should be good for my soul. So why not?

I've never been this excited looking forward to my birthday celebration, because I can feel there's a lot of things to discover ... a lot of things to look forward to come my 24th birthday.

So you my faceless reader, have you tried going out of the country on your own? If you do, what are you experiences? Let's talk!