Cherry Blossom From The Green

This time, I’m pretty sure that I’m officially a fan of Asia’s Next Top Model. For the previous two cycles, I started watching weeks after the season’s premiere, got held back and kept watching only to know who the winner was. No plan at all, it was spontaneous and impulsive.

However for this year’s cycle, got to be honest, I literally waited for it. The premiere date was on my calendar, and the girls were exposed to me from the very first second of their appearance. And as always, the one that I noticed first when the lineup was revealed was, yes, the girl from Japan.

Her name is Barbara Katsuki

Marie and Sofia's successor. With surprisingly the exact same rank: third runner up –this starts to be very suspicious.

Like the first two girls, Barbara with her green Brazilian and pink Japanese descent ‘outfit’ outshined everyone. Well there was this American-Hong Kong girl and this French-Thai girl, but hey, it’s Japan what sipped within Barbara and nothing can beat that. And like the first two girls, again, she’s super polite. Super down to earth, speaking with this super cute minimalist English-Japanese accent… Argh!

Unique as always, polite as always, okay that’s typical. Only this time, what stood out more about the Japan representation in AsNTM, was actually the physical appearance. Out of three Japanese contestants, Barbara’s face won my heart. And her moderate height, taller than Marie yet shorter than Sofia, it’s just perfect. Plus that body of hers—oh don’t get me start with that.

Do I sound like I’m making a big deal out of her too much? Well, it’s because I actually adore her. And maybe subconsciously because I also adore Japan. In which I have plan for it, but later on, not now.

What I can tell now is,
Following the theme that I set for myself lately,
I’ll try to explore Indonesia more than anything else at the moment.

Therefore on top of Barbara, there are these two I know everybody will got my back for adoring them. Because yes, they’re from Indonesia.

Gani and Tahlia

Gani. She’s been so consistent from the very first episode and oh I’m pretty sure she’ll win the competition. Too much adoration shown by the panel, too much praises thrown from the guest judges, she’ll definitely kick those Singaporean and –especially– Filipina asses.

And Tahlia. Our Scarlett Johansson. She’s so special I don’t even know how to describe it. It was such a nerve-wrecking moment watching her on the show, seeing her up and down, until finally she was on the bottom two with Gani. Worst episode ever, seriously. And that was the point where I realized that the show is Filipino-centered, with two Filipinas holding crucial roles on the panel, and that Amanda girl always being saved.

But I don’t care.

Despite the unfair tendency within the competition, Gani and Tahlia showed that Indonesians can climb up the wall without any nationality bailout. That the fairest flower from the green land called Indonesia, can also blossom internationally.

Oh, Indonesia.

Never been this much in love with you

Images: not mine at all, I forgot where I earned it ;(

There Will Always be a Way

Nothing felt much better than setting a new goal,
And slowly fulfilling it in such short time.

After my trip to Harapan, I knew I’d go for more underwater exploration. And so I started to arrange something else, for another long weekend that my office calendar said it’d be on Monday June 1st. Oh yes! Another 3-days off. I could go somewhere further this time. So one thing lead to another, and I was this close to actually ride a train to Semarang where my cousin lives, then together with him and my two brothers, off we go to

Karimun Jawa.

But it wasn't as easy as how I stated it just now. Fvck thing was, my stupid lingerie calendar tricked me –yeah maybe because it contains half naked women that’s why I’m distracted but I’m telling the truth here, it’s the calendar’s fault. The day off was not on June 1st. It’s June 2nd, on Tuesday. I couldn’t do the trip—I couldn’t take any day off, remember?

All the plans crumbled before me.
But God exists and His way will always be there.

There’s this WhatsApp group I joined –just joined, but totally not being active at all– and one day, there’s this guy inside the group –in which through my observation, he’s also a passive member– out of the blue inviting everybody to join a shared-cost trip.

Bound for Pahawang, Lampung.

Shit, I said to myself.

Pahawang’s like, a new entry to my local-bucket list that I just added on April 23rd 2015 –yes, I remember that date because it was the day I added tons of local destinations to my bucket list. Oh, and guess what, his plan was just to go from Friday, to Sunday.

Shit, that’s what filled my pants after I read his plan.

Everything just fits me. The fact that I didn’t want to waste the excitement that already grew because of Karimun Jawa, the fact that I needed a ‘revenge’ of my canceled plan, the fact that this trip wouldn’t cost me any day off and the fact that Pahawang’s one of the places I was initially planning to visit, THERE’S NOTHING IN THIS WORLD CAN STOP ME FROM GOING WITH HIM.

So last Friday, right after work, I went straight to Slipi with my Reebok slingbag, met these new inspiring people and went to Merak by bus. Oh yea, we’re crossing the strait using Ferry. And it was like in the middle of the night, I left to Sumatra and slept on the car parking lot with dirty wheels near my head. But that’s not even close to the finish line. Arriving in Lampung, we still needed to ride for 3 hours to Ketapang Harbour where the boat to Pahawang was waiting for us.

It was a crazy 12 hours. I hadn’t slept well yet, and the thick sweater –who the hell used thick sweater to the beach!? – I wore to the office was still sticking to my body. But I didn’t care, really. Because I knew what was waiting for me across the sea, was something that’d take my breath away.

And it did.
Pahawang was… Shit.

I don’t think I need to describe how I felt. Honestly, I’m tired of speaking all flowery about each snorkeling trip I did—it felt like I always write the same thing over and over again, because all those water I dipped in were, INCREDIBLE! Well my point is, the picture I browsed from Google successfully made me to add Pahawang inside my bucket list. Now I’m partly sure that those pics of mine will do the same to you.

But one thing I’d want to say is, that I knew there would always be a way to get me down lower than just sea surface. The beauty of Pahawang underwater made me brave enough to do freediving. Yes, I’m taking this snorkeling interest of mine to a whole new level: below water level. Okay not here, I’m going to tell it further on the next post.

Now if you notice, somehow it’s my nature to promise my reader that I’d write further about certain thing on the next post but—see, even my promise to tell more about the boo-hoo participants of Harapan never showed up.

Ugh, this euphoria…

I don't even know what I'm exactly pointing out in this post.
About Pahawang? My complicated travel plans?
Half-naked women on my calendar?

Well whatever it is, now I know that
Literally nothing can stop me from trying to
Get to know my own country

I'm Sorry, Captain

It took exactly three nights to get over it.
Not completely moved on, but at least it feels easier now.

Vicky Amin presents

I will never stop saying this before I start talking about Liverpool: I’m not the biggest fan. It’s not like I always watch every single game, keep up to every single updates. No. But at least I’m not a fake one. I know the players, I know the theme song, but most importantly I didn’t turn my back when the squad was down on their knees. And I’m not that kind of fan when people ask who my favorite player in Liverpool is, and I expectedly answer “Steven Gerrard.”

Well.

Steven Gerrard is, and will always be—in default, the favorite player of any Liverpudlian all over the globe. I’ve known him long ago, when I was still loving Milan, and he played for Liverpool already. Then I turned to support for The Reds in 2010. Ups and downs, with swifts in managers and legends started departing, leaving Gerrard the only classic Liverpool key left behind. But still no matter what happened, he got a good grip of the whole team, and served the most entertaining performances for the supporters.

Honestly, after Carragher left and Gerrard became the last player of Liverpool squad playing in Istanbul 2005, I’ve been having this instinct that our captain will be leaving in no time. Could be because he’s retiring, or because he’s just tired of Liverpool, or he gets amazing offers from other clubs—could literally be anything, I don’t know what, but the thing is, he’ll eventually leave.

I’m actually okay with that. With him leaving. He’s been beyond loyal to Liverpool and his devotion to the club is not questioned. It's hard, but totally tolerable. What hurt me bad was, his last two games.

Gerrard’s final match at Anfield two weeks ago was considered as the closure of his career with Liverpool. Of course, it’s a home game. The celebration was touching, the drama was epic, what went wrong was only the fact that Liverpool lost. But I was fine with that. At least he’s got his supporters for that, so either win or lose, he’d leave Anfield with endless salute. Plus, he’s still got his true one last game a week after so... There was still a chance to close his Liverpool story with nice ending.

But then, you know what happened.
Liverpool lost, big time—it’s like, raped.

After the game ended, I was just there, sitting in front of my laptop throughout a slowly-creeping, endless and quiet 15 minutes, doing nothing. Nothing but to think how is it like to be Gerrard right now.

Well I cried, honestly and I don't think I have to hide it. I cried, dramatically. When all 6 goals flashed behind Mignolet's back, when Charlie Adam celebrated over his goal to his ex-team, when Gerrard scored his last goal in Premier League ever. But of course my worse tear fell when the final whistle blew. When Gerrard clapped to honor his surroundings like a true legend, while everybody else was mocking him and his horrible last day in Liverpool.

I cried.

How could such thing happened to a legend that big?

If I were one of Liverpool players. I couldn't apologize myself for letting my captain down. But now what am I? Just a fan who sometimes watch the game, sometimes not, sometimes I feel like I’m the one who care most about the team, sometimes I don’t even give a fuck…

So all I can do is just to write this pity note.

Stating how sorry I am for the tragedy, and wholeheartedly wishing you, my beloved Captain Steven Gerrard, to have a better career ahead in the United States.

I regret that I don’t have a jersey with your name on it.
I regret I didn’t watch you when you were in Indonesia.
Speaking for all the fan who feels the same,

I’m sorry, Captain.

Hopes On

Remember my new goal for the rest of this year?

Sure you do, it's openly stated throughout my previous post.

And can you guess why I'm bringing this up now? Well, yea, because I just began accomplishing little by little, my dream of fully discovering my mother country Indonesia. It's within the hometown. But way off shore. Yes, what else but the Thousand Island.

It was a sudden call. First long weekend of May, and my initial plan was to go to Singapore. But one thing lead to another, mission to the land of lion then was aborted. On Wednesday. And I was like, fuck it--my first long weekend after started working, and I'm not going anywhere.

But God knows that this ambitious creature He created 23 years ago is, purely ambitious. So He lighted up the way, cleared up my pissed-off mind, and summoned me a calling straight from a striking island I never even heard before.

Harapan Island.

I didn't expect this view, really.

I joined an open trip. Alone, of course, as usual. And guess what. I booked my spot only two days before the departure. My whole family was like, what the hell--how could you switch destination so fast? I know I was being too selfish but hey, it's my ambition we're talking about. So off I went to the island, on Saturday morning.

Well to be honest, I took this trip for granted. I mean, what's so good about it, it's still Jakarta. Compared to Bali, Gili or worse yet, Bangka, I was pretty sure that other beaches I have been to were way better than this one. So why did you go there, a$$hole? Well I haven't been to Thousand Island before, and this could be my chance, remembering that I don't always have long weekends so I booked the tour, got on the boat, sailed 2.5 hours and...

Got my ass blown away.

I didn't believe what I saw. Crystal blue water, with yum fishes above my feet. Fresh ocean breeze lingered my way down from the boat, still mesmerized, and hypnotized me to walk deeper inside the vibrant fishing village inland. Then I started to make fool of myself because I been underestimating Harapan.

First impression rocked, second impression stunned. The tour guide brought me and my newly assembled group of strangers -which I'll tell you more about on the next post- to two snorkeling spots. And to be honest, again, underwater charm on both islands were almost as good as Menjangan's. So I was like, next time, I'll just go here instead of dragging my poor soul all the way up to the northwest of Bali. But still, Menjangan stays on top of my list.

My point is, I just didn't expect the island to be this sick. Well Harapan is like one of the northernmost island of Thousand Island regency so no wonder if it's still damn clean but, still, I didn't expect this to slam me that hard in my face. And it's not just the underwater scene only. The beaches, the island forest, the dock, the village, oh Lord everything! I liked every single thing I saw there and felt much of a grateful because I picked out Harapan as my first experience in Thousand Island, making me super curious about the other mysteries it has in other islands.

Seconds after I arrived at home, I thought I wouldn't suffer my signature post-holiday syndrome I always felt in each of my abroad trip. Well why should I, the trip was still within my hometown.

But then I was all wrong.
It's been a week, and I haven't moved on.

Because apparently, no matter where I travel, no matter how long the trip is, I'll end up sitting there on the verge of my bed, thinking of all the things I did during my wonderful journey, unique people I met, and so on, and so on.

But mostly, thinking about the hope I just saw.
Hope that Indonesia's potentials will roar in no time.
Hope that this trip will ignite me to explore even more.
Hope that in 15 years, I'll finish my world travel and say,

"You're the best trip ever, Indonesia"

Sounds Like a Plan?

First of all, happy May Day.

I know, I’ve been off too long I only posted… ONCE!? HOW COULD I—HOW IS THIS EVEN—okay. I’ve been busy. I got a job, a permanent one -don’t interrupt yet, please, thank you- though that can’t be the sole reason.

This new job is nice, really, but gotta admit that I’m still not yet busy. So I look for many other things to do, SECRET things to do that of course I’ll uncover everything when the time comes. And that’s why I’ve been pretty idle in blogging.

Speaking about my permanent job, well, as every first jobbers have for their first year, I will not get any single day off for the next 450 days. Yeay? Super. And just a sec after I realized that, something struck me right on my heart. I’ll have to give up the most essential part of my life: traveling.

Shit. One whole year, or at least six to nine month, without even at least browse flights to buy ticket? I better make the most of benefits I can enjoy from doing this job, so I’ll always wake up smiling from my beauty sleep. So yeah first of all, the money’s good. Secondly, I’ll get some cute additional gimmicks because this company I’m now working for, it’s big.

And finally, well, this one’s what I like.

I’ll be forced to stay long enough in Indonesia.

Komodo's Kanawa Island, pic belongs to Wikipedia.

Which means, it’s time to explore deeper within my country. Where people from all around the globe travel all the way from their respective boring countries, to my tropical haven getaway, while I’m gone doing some traveling somewhere abroad.

Giving a lot of thoughts about nearby places I can visit in each short weekend, or somewhere further during longer religious holiday, or better yet, doing extreme sneaking trip for long weekends –which there are ridiculously so many long weekends we’ll have in two months, ahh Lord it goosebumps me in each hair of my body! I know it’ll drain out all the money I earn but hey, I work for this.

And that’s why I kept myself busy from doing some other things. Which money I’ll earn, will be actually saved for my future. My side, common future.

Because my real future,
Is definitely from traveling.
Oh I love this scheme