The 3 Musketeers

Let me open this post with a photo. 

And now, let me switch to Indonesian.

KARENA GUE MAU BANYAK NGOCEH DAN APALAGI INI OCEHANNYA BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN ORANG-ORANG BAHLUL DI ATAS JADI YA LEBIH ENAK PAKE BAHASA INDONESIA GAK SIIIIIHHH???

Oke.

Ini kisah perjalanan tiga bujang ke Pulau Dewata. Sebuah trip yang telah menjadi wacana berwindu-windu lamanya, yang akhirnya kesampean juga. Trip bersama bagi mereka, untuk pertama kalinya.

Wk sedih amat. Tapi emang iya, gue, Werdhi dan Ocit gak pernah jalan-jalan bareng sih. Seinget gue ya, maap kalo ternyata udah pernah. Ini juga baru kesampean karena Werdhi mau nikah. Jadi mau ala-ala Bachelor's Trip gitu deh. Soalnya pas Willy kemaren kan ada Bachelor Party semalam suntuk yang berakhir dengan tewasnya seseorang -gatau siapa, dan jangan tanya- dan ditutup dengan deep, sexual talk di apartemennya -siapa lagi kalo bukan- Natasya. Plus si Mpi ulangtaun, dan karena dia di Bali, ya pas banget gak siiiii?????

Long story short, akhirnya bisa terjadi juga trip ini. Cuma 4 hari karena susah cari jadwal yang bener buat semuanya. Itu pun hari terakhir gue masih keganggu dengan miting-miting gak penting yang mengharuskan gue untuk existing. Jadi kalo ditotal-total ya cuma 3 hari dah quality time-nya.

Anyways, gue gak hadir pada kesempatan kali ini untuk menjelaskan satu per satu apa yang kami lakukan dan kunjungi selama di sana. Seru kok, beneran, dan mostly belum pernah gue lakukan juga -ke beberapa secret beaches, nonton kecak di Uluwatu, sama ke Nusa Penida. Tapi again, bukan soal itu yang mau gue bahas lebih dalam.

Tapi soal kebersamaan kita.

Jijik gak? Jijik sih, kayak, orang-orang ini gak cocok gitu gue "so sweet"-in wkwkwkwkwk. Tapi kali ini gue mau serius dulu deh. Karena jujur, dari kurang lebih 10 taun kenal sama orang-orang ini, gue belum pernah merasa jadi sedekat ini sama mereka. Traveling does show us the true colors of people, right?

Dan gue mau mengakui sesuatu, tapi semoga manusia-manusia yang terlibat di dalam pengakuan ini gak pernah sekalipun menemukan postingan gue ini sehingga mereka gak kepedean sianjir males banget kalo udah pada kepedean.

Oke fokus.

Ini pengakuan gue.

Dari sekian banyaknya trip gue ke Bali, trip yang satu ini, bersama Werdhi, Ocit, dan sekilas ditambah Mpi dan Dindut juga, menjadi salah satu yang paling berkesan yang pernah gue lewatin. BUKAN BERARTI YANG LAIN GAK BERKESAN YA, WER, CIT, JADI SEKALI LAGI, JANGAN KEPEDEAN. Lantas kenapa?

Karena gue merasa kita semua rooting for this trip.

Semuanya semangat, semuanya gak ngikut-ngikut aja atau terserah-terserah aja. Gak ada yang males-malesan -bayangin seorang Ocit bisa excited tuh apa bukan sebuah pencapaian!?!?- dan gak ada yang berpangku tangan. Ya mungkin karena cuma bertiga anyway ya, jadi gampang buat saling mengingatkan -dan saling menghajar kalau-kalau ada satu yang mulai kurang ajar.

Well jujur Aries-nya gue mayan keluar sih di trip kemaren, di mana gue bertindak sebagai ibu kos yang ngumpulin duit semua orang buat kita belanjain bareng-bareng. Jadi gak sebentar-sebentar itung-itungan karena semua udah gue yang pegang dan gue yang bayar. Dan untungnya dua begundal itu mangut-mangut bae. Gue juga yang mastiin kita harus bergerak dan serba tepat waktu biar gak ada plan-plan yang miss HAHA maaf ya jiwa solo traveler gue kadang emang gak bisa dibendung, padahal lagi traveling rame-rame :">

Alarm yang gue pasang tiap malem biar kita selalu jojing selama di Bali.

Trus ya, gue juga ngerasa trip ini lancar banget.

Gak ada drama, gak ada sungut-sungutan, all smooth sailing and flawless. Ujan gak masalah, yang ada malah joget-joget berdua Ocit di depan stage Finns bareng bule-bule sok akrab. Kehalang odalan on the way ke Sanur gak masalah, meskipun deg-degan yha karena kalo ketinggalan boat ke Nusa Penida berarti besokannya mesti do it all over again padahal hari itu udah sampe Sanur trus bingung mau ngapain.

Siapa pun yang ngasih ide, yang lain pasti hayuk. Nyanyi-nyanyi kecak sepanjang perjalanan dari Uluwatu ke Seminyak, hayuk. Turun 100 lantai ke pantai bawah Kelingking, hayuk -meskipun Ocit kayak udah mau tewas. Beli minuman, hayuk -yha ini mah emang doyan. Ciwik-ciwik didrop di lobi hotel trus cowok-cowok bye langsung ke pantai, hayuk. Gue disuruh bawa motor melintasi rimba Nusa Penida meskipun beberapa kali mau kepleset, hayuk -gila ye seorang Vicky Amin disuru motoran di pulau yang masih 80% alam, sadis emang GAK LAGI-LAGI!? Werdhi disuruh boncengin gue yang udah setengah tidur jadi mesti nyetir sambil jagain biar gue gak jomplang dari motor, hayuk. Ocit disuruh traktir gue makan Subuh-Subuh karena dia yang bikin kita meninggalkan La Favela jam 2 malem, hayuk -lagian siapa sih orang di dunia ini yang masih pagi udah pulang!? Mpi disuruh nyamperin ke villa atau makan ikan di Sanur, hayuk. Dindut disuruh jangan flight pulang dulu trus extend satu malem bareng kita, hayuk. OCIT DICENGIN KARENA TIBA-TIBA PULANG BAWA BINTANG RADLER 0%, HAYUK -HAHA NGAKAK BANGET SIH INI UDAH RADLER 0% PULA MENDING MINUM UC1000 ANJIRRR BERFAEDAH ADA VITAMINNYA.

Ini... apa karena kita udah dewasa atau gimana dah jadinya pada legowo gini? Gampang amat padaan wkwk. Ya dari dulu juga emang gampangan sih kita, main culik menculik jaman SMA udah bukan merupakan sebuah hal yang patut dipertanyakan. Tapi ini beneran deh, orang kan kalo udah traveling pasti punya agenda masing-masing ya, ini kok lagi pada luvly banget???

Well.

Sepertinya gue tau alasannya.

Yang mana juga merupakan alasan terakhir kenapa menurut gue trip ini berkesan banget.

Karena kita tau, mungkin ini gak bakal keulang lagi.

At least buat gue. Gatau deh Ocit Werdhi pada mikir gini apa nggak. Tapi ya coba diinget-inget lagi. Trip ini aja terjadi buat celebrate Werdhi yang mau nikah. Which means after this dia udah bukan lagi manusia lajang. Which means cari waktunya dia udah hampir impossible karena bakal udah punya keluarga. Willy aja akhirnya gak ikutan trip ini kan.

Ocit pun diem-diem udah punya gandengan -jir siapa sangka. Gada yang tau kapan dia nyusul Werdhi. Kayaknya sih very soon. Ini orang dari jaman kapan tau selalu bilang dengan gaya sotoynya, "gue sih walopun udah kawin tetep bakal bisa kumpul-kumpul" cuman ya tau apa kita heyyyyyy anak muda?? Manusia boleh berencana tapi Allah yang memutuskan -- Hadits Qudsi.

Well kalo ketemunya ketengan sih gue yakin masih bisa kejadian. Kayak gue sama Ocit only, atau sama Werdhi dan keluarganya, atau janjian sama Dindut pas lagi sama-sama di Bali. Kalo sama Mpi sih yaudah lah paling gampang ini wkwkwkwkwkwk. Tapi buat bisa ramean kayak gini, gue rasa bakal susah sih. Ngumpulin buat ketemu sebentar di Jakarta aja ujung-ujungnya kembali jadi wacana. Apa lagi trip yang harus commit begini?

Yah, mungkin karena itu kita jadi lebih rooting dan semangat buat trip ini.

Jadi lebih lepas, lebih ikhlas. Biar jadi penghujung yang manis buat masa muda kita.

Suka banget versi ketawa karir ini bangsat :')

Paan si.

3 Musketeers kan vibe-nya harusnya macho, penuh aksi, penuh ambisi. Di Bali kemaren udah kayak gitu, tapi napa di postingan jadi mendadak mellow gini wk.

Ya gapapa lah sekali-sekali.

Dari awal juga udah dibilang ini bakal jijik so...

Here's to complete the jijik-ness of the 3 musketeers.

Tuh bonus Mbok-mbok genggeus.

Well now you guys know.

That one of those Musketeers,

Is actually soft on the inside

Fratelli d'Italia, L'Italia s'è desta

It's a bit too late to start talking about this, I know, but I just can't let it go.
Because this, could've been one of the best moments in my life.

Oh, "could've"? No.

This is, one of the best moments in my life.

[pics coming soon]

Dancing with a Stranger

Imagine that you meet somebody you know at heart.

But this time they're acting different. Stranger different.

You went to this club you've always been to, danced the moves you've always danced. And that was it. No talks, no exchanges. Just dances to the music, as strangers usually do.

It's exciting, yet on the same time, confusing.

Because they seem to be ignoring you. Yet they want to connect with you. You seem to know exactly what you need to do. But still they're playing hard to get. Their moves, their signals, make you think about the things they do. Until they left, without saying anything. You know they want you to come, because basically you know them. So you come. To their place. And they light the fire. And now you know exactly what you have to do. You take control. Start dancing again the way you danced inside the club. This time more intimately, more warm, as if the stranger in them had gone, and that somebody you know at heart finally come back.

Crazy how they play with you like that.

But this stranger feels addictive.

That when you wake up the next morning, you feel like you're clearly not over them.

That when the night comes back on, you feel like you don't want to be alone tonight.

Look what you made me do, Bali.

I'm dancing with somebody new.

Your new you.

It's still you, yes,

But it's like dancing with a stranger

Two Sides of A Coin

I've been to Bali for, too many times.

But never once in those "too many times", did I visit the island as

A solo traveler.

Crazy how I've never been there alone! Because I always travel solo. Vicky Amin equals solo traveler. Yet Vicky Amin never been solo traveling to Bali? Yea I myself don't know exactly why. It's always been with my friends, or my family, but never with just myself.

So it just felt so weird to treat Bali this time as I treated any other travel destinations. Because all these years, I've always traveled Bali differently. Nicer hotel, nicer dining, car rentals, not too ambitious itinerary, because well, I was always with somebody. Now that I was alone, it's always the cheaper local foods, and going here and there by ojek, and packed schedule, and even a hostel with sharing dormitory! Something I always do when I solo travel abroad, but never even once in Bali!

I even made new friends during this super short trip. A French, an Australian, and a numerous locals. One was my dorm roommate. One I met at the club. The rest were everywhere else. Exchanging stories, exchanging contacts, listening to each others small talks and brags. Something I always do when I solo travel abroad, but never even once in Bali!

It's so weird to be for once a traveler in this place, and not a tourist.

But it's even weirder because I was bearing one other role there.

Also a new one, a role I never did while traveling to the island.

A business traveler.

Yes. The reason why I dragged myself and forced my ass to do this semi-urgent solo trip to Bali, was partly because I had this article to cover. For a Singaporean news portal. What it was about, and who I was contributing to, it's still a secret because I'm currently still cooking it.

I don't know which part I enjoyed the most: solo traveling part, or this article covering part. Because I'm actually living life as a travel contributor here! Making appointments with sources, coming down to multiple venues to gather information, holding a freaking interview with each informants, getting completely-new insights while trying to dig some other completely-different things, pivoting through my plans and making last-minute changes, discussing the topic with my editor remotely, starting to write down anything that came up my mind, laying down restlessly thinking about how I could nail the final article, dang! Can I stay like this forever??

With the fact that this was also my first solo trip to Bali, turned this trip to be wholesome despite the short duration. At some point I even felt like the 3-day trip brought way richer experience than any of my previous Bali trips, combined.

Just a hint of the article I'm covering.

Mandatory solo traveling memento: Vicky Amin's selfie.

Imagine.

It was just only two of my faces, two sides of me which colored this trip.

What if I came here also as an explorer? Or a content creator? Or an investor?

And what if I came here for a week? Or six months? Or even move in here?

There are many other Bali adventures waiting for me to uncover.

So maybe next time I must arrive here with my other side.

Which one?

Barcelona y Madrid

With lots of places visited and tons of amazing things happened, it would need a dedicated, separated medium to tell all about my Iberian Peninsula journey. Yea, it's still about that. Sorry not sorry, but I just can't get over it yet.

But this one is different.

This needs a special place in my blog.

Because this is what made my Spanish trip, Spanish.

Football.

Yes. Yes. YES!!!

Would I not talk about it?? I'm a lunatic if I don't. This is Spain, for the love of God, the place where football runs in everyone's blood. The site where stars were born, nurtured, and sky-rocketed to the highest rank of football empire. And ultimately, the home of the world's two biggest football giants!

Even if I'm the biggest arch-nemesis of both clubs, I'd still seek for their presence anyway. Spot the people wearing their jerseys, buy any unnecessary tidbits, or come to their official stores—I definitely would! But hey, it's not Vicky Amin if he didn't do it all out. And so, he was not just spotting the people wearing their jerseys, buying any unnecessary tidbits, or coming to their official stores.

He paid pilgrimage to the stadiums.

Freaking both of them.

I didn't even think twice. The second I arrived in Barcelona, letting all the city's atmosphere came rushing inside of me, I bought the tour already.

I just, cannot NOT to. This is Barcelona we're talking about. Just listening to the name reminded me of all the maroon-blue-covered players with their first-class La Liga vibe. Some people even know the football club more than the city itself so... I'd be damned if I leave the city not visiting

Camp Nou.

So it was December 26th, 2018. I left to the stadium so early, because I know I'd need more than 3 hours for this tour. It was cold, but I didn't care. I had to walk a bit from the nearest train stop, but I didn't fvucking care. Because even from the front gate, passing under the majestic signage of the football team, and entering the outer precinct of the stadium which was still like 500m away, I felt like all the struggle was paid off already. It was also still empty. Because opening hours was not yet there. So I had to wait, in cold crisp air, alone, while others were in either couples or groups. But still I didn't care, and just breathed the air as much as I could because hey, that was the air that Lionel Messi usually breathed in!

When finally visitors were allowed to enter the front building, walked through the aerial tunnel connecting the front hall and the main stadium, the air of wonderment came rushing in. Museums of the club's history was the first to welcome me, with tons of amazing stories I never knew much from Barcelona FC before, about how it all began from the grassroot, from commonfolk, and how it became a vessel for the proletariats to shout their voice. Amazing stories which really made me subconsciously in love with the club. Then came the trophies. The wall of fame, the jerseys from time to time, all those elements that made Barcelona FC like it is today. Until finally, of course, came what everyone there came there for.

Now I know that THAT motto has a deep meaning.

The Pitch. The Heart of Camp Nou.

I swear all the hair in my body stood up like spectators celebrating a goal in the stadium, while I walked out of that outer museum edge, through the opening double door into the bright winter light, when wind blew and the colors of blue and maroon filled my eyes. I'm no fan of Barcelona FC but I'm a human. With emotions. And appreciation of something colossal. So I have to claim that, it was one of the most amazing experience I ever felt in my entire life.

It took me more time in this place than the museum, to just stay there by the spectators seats, just sit, watch the greenery blend well with the club's colors above it, enjoy the magnificent historical view with some strangers that were also blown away. I made some small talks with other visitors, shared our common amazement towards the whole stadium, took photos of others and asked others to take photos of me, and it all just add up to the whole package.

I walked out of the stadium thinking that I would not ever felt the same shit towards a football stadium like this, ever again. Because this was Camp Nou, for God's sake, home of the world's biggest football club. Of course the feeling is grand, and no other would ever beat that.

But of course I was wrong.

For whenever we talk about Barcelona FC, we cannot forget the fact that it has its eternal rival that will shadow their every moves whenever they go. And that includes a trip to the stadium.

Yes. Real Madrid FC.

And its home which I also visited,

Santiago Bernabeu.

December 31st, 2018. With a not-so-high expectation, and this motive of "alright I'm in Madrid let's get this over with and visit the HQ of the club because if I don't I'm an idiot" I found my way to the stadium. It was located right in the heart of the city, not somewhat near the outskirt like Camp Nou. The path towards the building was dodgy, because visitors had to climb some sets of outside stairs, all concrete and grey-like, wasn't at all grandeur like its Barcelona counterpart. Got welcomed like this, in such non-dramatic fashion, really, I underestimated it at first. Until I reached the end of the stairs, and got to see the pitch from above.

It was quiet unexpected. I was hoping to arrive at some appetizer part of the stadium, like museums or what not, but here I was, on top of Santiago Bernabeu, with the whole view of the stadium in front of my very own eyes. I must say that I loved this surprise, and I actually spent so much time here in just the very first part of the tour. After this, the route suggested us to explore the top part of the stadium, including its commentators' box, VIP visitors seats, and cameramen corners.

After that, we went down the stairs again to enter the museum. And here, I had my second surprise. No, none of the stars of Real Madrid was there. And no, none of the inside of the museum was outstanding. The collections was more or less similar to Camp Nou. It was how they showcased it though, that took me by surprise. Because it showed how Real Madrid sits on a different level. It showed class, it boosted  pride and sophistication, it screamed "Royal" as their name suggest. Barcelona might be a club that's owned by people, but Real Madrid appears as if the club OWNS people. I always take granted on how people boasted Real Madrid as the richest club in the entire globe until today, when I actually felt how expensive they are as an entity, and how proud they are of that. And the glorious anthem of "Hala Madrid" repeatedly playing throughout the galleries oh God, I swear I never got goosebumps that real!

Museum sections slowly faded, replaced by the actual stadium facilities. Baths, showers, massage rooms, locker rooms with the players' actual stuff hanging around their spots, and, finally, the tunnel. The actual tunnel where them players always run to battlefield. The actual tunnel that led us, players and visitors, to the main section of Santiago Bernabeu.

Losing words.

And my underestimation simply just gone.

Crazy. Crazy how I started the tour with "meh" yet ended it with "fuck". Again, I'm not a fan of this club, yet I felt like one just by visiting its home, and not even seeing them in action nor at least meeting one of the players. I felt so bad for underestimating the whole experience even before it started.

So was it better than Barcelona's Camp Nou?

The answer is, I can't tell.

Barcelona and Real Madrid, along with their headquarters, sit on a different level. Both have prides so high I'm sure real fans wouldn't ever want to even think of getting near the rival's basecamp. But those prides are totally different. One is bound by common struggle, the other is bound by common interest.

Fortunately, I'm neither one of their fans.

Fortunately.

Because having this privilege,

I got the chance, and the guts, to see both their homes.

I got the chance to role play and imagine if I was their fan.

I got the chance to explore them in totally neutral way,

Without having the pressure to answer the question of

"Barcelona or Madrid?"

Hola, Loca

No, I didn't get a job in Spain.

Well I kinda wish to have a job abroad, though.

But no, I didn't go to Spain to get a job there.

So I left Ogilvy. But you didn't think that I left my precious job with no offers waiting for me around the corner, right? I'm a man of plans, yes, but this time, no, I haven't got accepted anywhere by the time I left Ogilvy.

Es muy loca. Crazy.

For other human being's standard, it's bad.

For Vicky Amin's standard, it's crazy.

But it wasn't like I didn't have any plans at all. I was on an interview stage at some other company, big one, and by the time I left Ogilvy, it was down to my last round and then salary offer -lol yea of course I was still employed when I did the first two interviews. Was it really worth trying? To leave a job while the next one is not even confirmed yet? Well, yes and no.

Yes because it killed me inside.

No because, it was one of the best decisions I ever done. To have an indefinite free time, most of which was spent on one of my longest abroad trip -21 days in Spain and Morocco!- without having to worry much about submitting my annual leave and dragging my team down for my absence, and all that was done when I was on top of my burnout stage—that was a priceless experience.

Es muy loca. Crazy!

But the craziest thing happened just before I flew to Spain. That big company I had been interviewing with, offered me the role. With salary almost twice as much as I got in Ogilvy. I was like... I don't know. When the recruiter delivered the news, and the number, I didn't even think about negotiating because it was all beyond my expectation. And it's not just about the number.

It's the company itself, which I could relate a lot like, A LOT, because one, it's in the traveling industry.  TRAVELING! And two, it's a startup, which will definitely suit my flexible self. And the fact that now I'm no longer on the agency side, with all its typical corporate perks but covered in a youthful startup culture. And last but definitely not the least, it's the hugeness of the company. It's famous, it's popular, and I just can't state how much I'm excited to announce to everyone that now I'm a part of

Traveloka.

 

¡Es muy loca!

It's been a week now, and so far so good. Too good, if I can be honest, because everything is just so different in this part of the world. I don't want to spoil how much different -and how I'm so grateful of these differences- because hey, Ogilvy had its own goods and I used to make a living from them so of course I ain't gon talk bad of them.

Plus I don't want to jinx anything yet. It's obvious that new joiners will always feel like this new world they just stepped in is the most beautiful thing they ever experienced. Well because they don't know yet what's in it. So yea, no, no jinxing yet.

Let's just enjoy this new craziness first dulu.

And then see what kind of craziness it has...

Kemudian.

Around The World: Complete

Long ago,

Well, not that so long ago though.

Back in 2017 I think, I discovered a book that I’d consider as the “Best Book Ever” at least for myself. It was not really a new, novelty book with breakthrough approach or what not—no, really, it’s an old one. A title so popular, I didn’t even realize I was so much exposed to it yet I took it for granted.

A true classic,

“Around the World in 80 Days”

Even until today, I’m still amazed by the book.

The 80-day trip done by the protagonist throughout Europe, southern Asia, a bit of southeast Asia to the east, and finally back to America, well, it might sound just, normal. But realizing that the book was written in the 1800s, and the fact that the author hadn’t ever actually been to those places he wrote, dang, it just blew my mind!

It was only natural that the book really inspired me to do the same. Obviously I couldn’t do the 80 day version because while Phileas Fogg had all the leisure of time -and money- to accomplish his ambitious goal, I’m here just a regular Joe who has a job to be responsible to, works to do, and limited money to take care of.

And so I did improvise a little, and twist that “Day” element from the book to something more realistic to achieve: “Around the World in 80… Months”

Lol seriously this is such an imitation to my similar previous post, but I just achieved a milestone and so here I am telling you guys this shit again.

So back to the project.

80 months.

It all began in January 2013,

My deadline is supposed to be August 2019.

Throughout those time span, up until I made that very goal of mine, I’ve been to literally so many places: Bali and Singapore for so many times, Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, then Thailand’s Bangkok, then amazingly jumped to the US, to New York and Washington DC, then back to Southeast Asia again in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Nha Trang), Cambodia (Siem Reap and Angkor), and Philippines (Manila and Cebu), Hong Kong and Macao, Japan (lots of cities!), and Australia (Gold Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne).

It wasn’t until the end of 2017 that I finally unlocked my fourth continent, where I got the chance to visit France in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, Nice, Cannes, as well as a bit of Monaco and Italy. In addition to those collection, I added South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Jeju) by the middle of last year.

72 months passed.

4 continents done.

Then came the end of 2018.

Another plan of big yearend trip came, and you knew the story. It was Europe again this time, with whomping number of six cities across two countries lining up my agenda. With Spain I was planning to go to Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada, while in Portugal I felt like it’d be enough with just the capital Lisbon.

But then, I thought of something else.
Something crazy that I knew this was the time to do it.

My plan was to start from the north, so I could spend Christmas and New Year on the more Christian side of Spain. Afterwards I'd move down south, to Andalusia and around, where it's more Islamic. Then it came to my attention that, the southern part of the peninsula, is really close to more Islamic states. Only across the strait, and there it lied, just another country—Morocco.

It was really tempting. The country itself is really exotic. I wouldn't think twice for it would be crazy prestigious to be the first among my surroundings to visit Morocco. Plus, Indonesians don't need a visa to enter. Although, those weren't the main reason why I decided to switch to Morocco. You know why.

It's in fucking Africa.

This was it. This SHOULD BE the call. This could be the only place closest to Africa that I'd ever be. And it was there, just before my very eyes. I had the tickets to Spain already, it was happening, and I'd be a fool if I didn't use this opportunity. And for God's sake I had the leisure of time as I was currently jobless... THIS WAS THE CALL!

I'd do anything to make this happen, so I omit Granada from my plan to make space for Morocco. And I didn't have to be ambitious about it, just make it like Portugal, visit only one city and that should be it. But which one!? Well let's see... its capital might seem boring, its largest city sounded really crowded. So Marrakech it was: the country's ancient capital, and tourist haven.

The verdict? Possibly the best decision I ever made.

Morocco might sound intimidating for some, including me, too. But Marrakech was surprisingly international-minded. Its Arabic touch, with its rich dessert vibes, and massively famous riads, souks, and plazas, blended nicely with safety, enough comfort, and reassuring presence of international tourists everywhere. I didn't feel like stranded, yet I could still taste the authenticity of the place!

But then it was the feeling of achievement that poured over me throughout my visit to Morocco. The sense of self-satisfaction, pride, and glory, that weirdly enough, no one seemed to care or even be aware about it—but still, it was between me and myself, and I nailed it.

I visited my fifth and last continent.

Wow. Never had I imagined that Morocco would be the one championing my dream. It was always either Cape Town, or at least Joburg, where I could still be civilized even in Africa. And I actually had plans to make either one of them as my annual trip for 2019, visiting there on either June or July this year so I would dramatically accomplish my goal on last minute gig.

You just never know what God had planned for you.
All you know is that, you're the one in control of your dream.

I'm so glad I read that sacred book just in time. And I'm so glad I took the best of Phileas Fogg, not seeing him in negative, pessimistic air, that I got inspired instead—something I rarely feel towards other figure, let alone a fiction one.

It was just meant to be.

So here I am officially stating that, 
My ambitious dream project of traveling
Around the World in 80 Months, is finally

Completed

The Iberian Tales

Once upon a time,

Back in the end of December 2018, there lived an I imbecile boy saying that his "rEsIGnATIoN m4RkeD ThE eND oF 2o!8". Well that stupid guy knew nothing much about his own life, as the milestone didn't really mark the end of that year. No, not even close.

Because little did he know, little DID I know, that the trip following my resignation would turn out to be the yearend's highlight.

I B E R I A   2 0 1 8

Yes, I made it.

Spain, oh mi dios! I've been learning the language for years -though on and off, hot and cold, cheering for its national team for some times, dreaming of visiting its amazing cities, savoring its finger-lickin-good foods, and I finalmente actually freaking made it!

And the timing couldn't be more perfect. A year end trip to celebrate not only the uh, year end, but also to celebrate my freedom after working my ass off and bleeding at the agency for two and a half year straight!

That being said, I had all the time I wish to explore. Fvck those jatah cuti I've been crazy saving and strategically distributing throughout the year, fvck those dreads of getting permissions from my bosses, fvck those guilt for leaving my team to work, FUCK IT ALL HAHA! So yea I kinda lost it.

21 days, for God's sake.

21 fucking days, 3 countries (+2 transit countries), 6 cities (+3 transit cities LOL WTH!?), 10 flights (FUCK I JUST REALIZED HOW OUT OF HAND THIS WAS HAHA), 3 interstate and intercity trains, 1 ferry ride, 7 hotels and AirBnbs, LORD! I must admit that this was a fucking ambitious trip but HEY I DON'T CARE, I'M NOW FREE!

Those facts alone are just enough to make this trip THAT fantastic eh? Well, as ambitious as this trip was, the answer is no -- there were lots more spectacular stuff happened during the trip.

The Itinerary

It began with Barcelona. Gosh, even typing the name makes me feel good. Now can you imagine how I felt to start this amazing trip here? THAT Barcelona, with its beautiful Gaudi things here and there, with its strong Catholic vibes, its ultra-giant-world-class football team, and its intriguing internal problems, oh how I couldn't believe myself throughout my stay. And to be here during Christmas, spending the day inside Sagrada Familia which soon would be the world's largest church, I don't know what else would be the best way to do this...

Then on to Lisbon. Western Europe's other giant. With its classic European beauty, its amazing histories about itself, about its exploration around the world, done by big names I usually just read in text books, then its vibrant seaside life, fish dishes, trams, hillsides, and pastries and on top of all, its OVERALL PORTUGUESE VIBES! Man I've been to Macao three fucking times already, exposed to the claims that they had the authentic Portuguese atmosphere but of course, it was nothing compared to the REAL visit to Portugal. It might only be five days, a rather short time to experience a whole country, but believe me, it was uncanny. I was so attracted to stay longer for the new year celebration, but I couldn't. Because I wouldn't ever miss the party in

Madrid. My next stop, and probably the one that left the biggest impression for the first leg of my trip. Because why, it's the capital. Okay Lisbon is too, but Spain is the bigger country. And so Madrid had it all. From history with its amazing buildings, squares, and old Toledo charms, to nature with its parks and hilltop views, then the city life, the night life, the sporting life with Spain's other gigantic football club, and finally the new year celebration that wrapped it all, WHOA! Someone please stop me otherwise I'll literally write second-by-second details of my visit to Madrid...

Okay the NY celebration was actually my last gig in Madrid -which details I'd tell later down below. Exactly the next day, first day of 2019, I moved to Cordoba, entering the second half of my Iberian Trip which would now be less Christian and more... Moslem. Seriously, I never thought I'd discover such strong Islamic vibe in the country so strong of Catholic that is Spain. Cordoba changed my whole perspective of the country, and during my stays there, I must admit that I felt like I wasn't in Spain at all. It was like a whole new world. Peaceful yet striking at some points. Serene yet keeping a very dark, breathtaking stories under its historical sleeve.

Just when I thought I was totally blown away by Cordoba, Seville resumed its sister city. This was yet another sweet Islamic surprise I really didn't anticipate at all prior my departure for Barcelona. Palm trees, sunshine, Arabic-like palaces complete with Islamic histories, all blended way too perfectly with typical European promenades and efficiency! And oh please don't get me started on the foods because I must say that this round was one of the best compared to the other cities!

Finally, it all ended in Marrakech. The real taste of an Arab world, with no more Spanish touch and European safety, because now I was in Africa. AFRICA, FOR WHOEVER'S GOD'S SAKES! This one turned out to be very emotional because, not only it marked the last stop of my trip -not so last, because after this I'd have to return to Seville only to catch the flight back to Barcelona, because that's where I'd fly back to Abu Dhabi AND NOW YOU KNOW WHY I HAD THE SUM OF 10 FLIGHTS IN THIS TRIP EH? :)- and not only because this was the fifth and final continent I had ever landed on, but also because the whole stay in Marrakech was so full of surprises that every corner seemed to be so freaking amazing! The souks, the tajines, the teas, the desert vibes and striking sunlight despite its winter wind, the modern sides I thought I'd never spot in an African country, the international tourists crawling about the place I thought would be dodgy, OH GOD STOP ME!

The Tours

Lol no, it's not that tour bureau where I was escorted here and there by a guide for my whole trip.  I will never want to engage with those. So by this "Tour" I meant, the additional tour I joined in almost all cities I visited! Mainly, the walking tours.

The free walking tour -that most large European cities usually have- led by real locals, yes, that kind of tour. I did that in Barcelona, in Lisbon, Madrid, and Seville, let myself soak deeper to each respective amazing back stories, got exposed to places most typical tourist would miss. Uniquely, those tours were run by the same operator called Sandemans -whom also ran the one in Paris, which I also joined last year- and they had this amazing deal where I could get a free tour if I collected stamps from doing the free walking tour in at least... four cities! What are the odds, eh!?

So four stamps I got, from those four cities, which I redeemed with this amazing food tour in Seville which is believed to be the origin city where most Spanish culture flourished. And speaking of Seville as Spain's cultural city, I also did the bullfighting stadium tour which was a bit random, but yea full of cultural stories! I didn't get to see the real match though, which I'd say no to anyway if I actually could because, well, I'm a bit against this animal cruelty thing... but anyways!

That wasn't it. Additionally in Barcelona and Madrid, I did some other tours. Not about traveling this time, nor historical not culinary either. It's of course, the sports tour. Yes, say no more, I did the stadium tour in both cities. Because hell yea it's the homes of the world's two LARGEST football club ever! Even if I am not the fan of the club, which no I am not, OR, even if I am the fan of the clubs' arch nemesis, STILL I'D GO! I must say that I had to pay quiet a lot for these experiences, but really, it was all worth it! But you know what, I guess I'd just spare it for now. I'm going to write a dedicated post about these amazing tours so, let's get back to the trip!

The Celebrations

One sole trip, passing through both Christmas and NYE, well, could anything go wrong in this amazing timing? The real-time Christmas celebration took place when I was in Barcelona. Spent the whole evening getting myself swayed by street-choir performances, and half the Christmas day at Sagrada Familia, and then for the rest of the trip -save Marrakech, of course- Christmas vibes and trees and bells and lightings lingered all along here and there and everywhere!

Then came the New Year's celebration. I was in Madrid during this time. Madrid. En la Puerta del Sol. One of those places the media always cover every year for its iconic New Year celebration, aside New York's Fifth Avenue and Sydney's Opera House and Taipei's Taipei 101. Yes I was there, along with thousands other people, mostly, thankfully, were locals. Starting from 9PM the access to the square got filtered with security -of course!- so I got stuck for almost 2 hours just standing in the middle of the alleys, waiting for the gates to open and for those people in front of me flowed in.

9PM, I made it to the square. It was so cold but everyone seemed to be very excited, so I got worked up too! Those locals were ready with their 12 grapes, which based on their tradition should be eaten one by one along with the twelve-ring of bells jingling at midnight. And yes, I had mine too! I was aware about this tradition and so I bought my own grapes just before going to Sol.

12PM. Bells rang, and people started eating their grapes. It was really amazing that, at other places, people would go crazy on the first bell but here, it was so dead quiet for 12 seconds, people busy focusing to sync eating one grape at one ring. 12th bell rang and there it was, the craze of a new year hype, with people cheering, trumpets blowing and of course, fireworks cracking -- one of the most beautiful I ever seen so far.

Wanna hear something amazing? Spain has two time zones: GMT+1 for the main peninsula areas and some other major cities, and GMT+2 for the Canary Island. Being a good capital as it is, Madrid ALWAYS celebrates both time zones and so, one hour after midnight, which I was still amazingly there at the Sol, the clock rang its 12 bells again, people started eating their grapes again, and new year finally came to the region of Canary Island. And it's crazy that the fireworks happened too! Afterwards, music came and the whole square turned to be a city-wide dance floor. Gosh, I don't know if I'd ever experience such thing (again) somewhere else!

The People

Well, this is probably what made my trip reached its pinnacle of being such a wonderful journey. From the very first second of my departure to the very end, I encountered so MANY amazing people from all walks of life! Some relationships with them only lasted for as long as our conversations went, while some others stayed even until I returned home.

The biggest portion came from the tours. Of course. Each of the walking tours consisted of a very big group, maybe 30 people tops. It was just so nice to have a small talk with them, exchange itineraries, encourage each other to visit each other's countries, and so on and so on! Some of them I met twice, I remembered it was an American family of three, which father was the active Teacher's Pet of the group -he always asked question, answered trivias sent by the guides, made jokes, you know, that typical alpha dad, the mother was as active, and their daughter was so so. We first met in Lisbon, then parted ways then apparently took the same tour in Seville!

But the most intimate one was the food tour in Seville -the free one I told you about. It was originally a paid tour, so only a few people joined. There were I think only 5 of us, and it was such a pleasant evening going around from one restaurant to another to try Spain's less popular food and tapas, and getting to know each other even better because there were not so many distractions!

I also had a chance to meet some Couchsurfers, which I made real friendship with, both in Spain and in Morocco. One of which asked me out for a nightclub in Madrid, an opportunity I would NEVER MISS for anything! It started really humble, only me and that guy from London, and then apparently there were others too, some Spanish girls and a Georgian girl -not American Georgia, please take note, and a Croatian guy. We then moved to a bigger club with better music, and the gang got bigger too, with an additional Croatian guy, some Germans and Frenches, even a Taiwanese!

We danced and danced and drank and drank, talked and talked and showed off our moves. I was so secretly filled with joy because, hey, three hours ago I didn't even know these people exist in this world, and now I was standing in a line to one of Madrid's hottest nightclub, talking with a Croatian guy about our shared love towards Taekwondo and letting myself be convinced to visit his country for the famous setting of Game of Thrones! It was so hard to leave them, and they seemed bummed when I said I had to leave, but it was almost 5 already, and I had a stadium tour to do in like 5 hours, so yea, I had to let go of my Nighttime Madrid Dreams.

See?

It was really, REALLY, that good.

More than worthy to be the best trip ever.

Oh how I'm getting tired to claim the trip I just finished as "tHE bE5t Tr!P eVeRr" but seriously, what else can I say? It's always becoming the best trip ever. No matter how dull some parts be, that my previous trips could be considered as a better trip, since I just finished this one then it is simply the best trip ever.

But I don't think there were flaws on this one.

21 days, 3 countries, 6 cities, endless amazingness.

I swear I never did this before, and will I ever have the chance to do this kind of trip again in the future, one never know.

I was totally right when I said that the trip following my resignation, would turn out to be the yearend's highlight. And apparently an amazing opening to a new year as well.

So let's just leave it here.

This Iberian Tale of mine,

Ended oh so well inside out.

That the boy lived the journey

Lived happily ever after