Royals

This is a story of a conventional guy,

Going a bit more... modernized.

Meet Victor.

Victor is a writer. Conventional type of writer. He writes books, and contributes to magazines. One day, he feels like he needs an update for his books. So he conventionally reaches out to a potential partner that can possibly sponsor him, and enable him to give his book a little touch up. He then seals the deal, but apparently, his usual conventional approach just can’t go anymore...

Let’s say this Victor guy is, me.

Some of my travel books are old already. Three-four years old, this year. Super urged to update the info inside those books yet not willing to return to those destinations on my own spending, I had this idea to reach out local tourism boards of the places I covered: Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines, and Japan—introducing my books to them, and wondering if they have any programs that probably can... well, sponsor me some trips in exchange of a book publishing.

Half of them responded, to my surprise, because at first I didn’t expect much. See, I’m THAT, conventional to the point that it’s enough to just see my books hanging by the shelf, and that’s all, no other efforts whatsoever to amplify them, DESPITE ALL THESE DIGITAL POSSIBILITIES duh and I’m working in a digital agency wth is wrong with me... VERY WELL! So half of them responded, and eventually, only one that I actually sealed a deal with.

Macao Government Tourism Office.

They’re so excited. AND GOOD GOD SO WAS I?! Their original aim was actually to gather these social media influencers with lots of followers and engaging blogs, but what I offered them was too tempting. Still, they asked if I could do something in digital, just so the profile of these people they gathered could be uniformed and fairly compared. And me, being an ambitious -yet sometimes irrational- human being as I always have been, agreed to their terms.

And so it began,

The digital transformation of

Vicky Amin and Cheating The World.

I’ve never been so active in social media as the one behind all these cheating thingy. Prior to my departure to Macao I worked my ass off to boost my online shit and earn the presence in social media, gain followers and act as if I’m a selebgram.

Then off we went to Macao. Me, and four other REAL selebgrams with TONS of followers. Since the very beginning I was introduced to them, and their Instagram personalities, I felt somewhat, intimidated. Because hey, they’re influencers and hello, I’m just a... influencee?

It didn’t last long though, the feeling only grew at the beginning, because whenever I remembered I have my book, that ultimate weapon which brought me to where I was, while they didn’t have any—it restored my confidence. And I always secretly convinced myself that, obviously, I’m one in a million. In this case, in five. Because the other four have exactly the same ability while I, was unique.

This was when I realized how world had switched. Decades ago internet stuff would be the foreigner amongst conventional approaches. But can you see it today? I'm the only one who writes in REAL OLD FASHION, while those people around me, they write it on their blogs and websites, never actually smell their works like what I always do when I buy my newly-released books! I'm feeling so exotic during my trip to Macao.

But I have to admit. My life in Macao, it’s like a king. The journey to and from the city was so so -BUT FLIGHTS WERE COVERED SO WHO AM I SAYING THAT IT WAS JUST A SO SO!? But the service there, Gosh, so this is why all those people are battling to steal the attention of sponsors by selling the number of followers—IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY TREATED JUST LIKE A CELEBRITY!?

Our five-day trip was completely covered by a van. We didn't commute by public transport. We had a personal guide. We ate five to six times a day, all in renowned restaurants or cafes, with lots of menus to finish. Our hotel was five starred, I think. We were taken here and there for free. We were given access to shows, performances, observation decks, exclusive screenings, workshops and classes, all those things that would cost us hundreds of Hong Kong Dollars, well, THEY GAVE IT ALL! I’ve never imagined myself as a social media influencer but this royal life was real!

In exchange to that, all of us should post shit tons of contents everyday. IG posts, IG stories, web articles when we return home, la la la. Those four selebgrams had been doing this kind of stuff for ages, and they had the audience, so they did it as easy as posting their own personal social media status. But then again, there's this guy who was so clueless of what to do, and had no audience too, uhh, who's his name again? Victor? No, IT'S ME!

To be honest... No, I didn’t enjoy it.

Oh sorry, not the one treated like a king because of course, I enjoyed it.

I didn’t enjoy being a selebgram.

It seems like a true life for the other four participants in my Macao group, but no, it’s not mine. I can’t, I can't act like I'm hosting a vlog channel. I can't instantly post to IG Story, something I just see during my trip. I can't immediately post whatever cool Instagramable stuff to my feed, no, I don't want to busy myself too much, while wonderful foreign things are happening around me.

I'm just sticking to my conventional approach.

No, it doesn't mean that I'm ditching my digital assets because heck, man, no matter how hard I'm trying to see social media negatively, I must admit I see opportunities with all these tech things. And of course, I'm so open to this kind of partnership again because WHO THE HELL WANTS TO LET GO OF SUCH ROYAL LIFE!? It's just, getting such treatment is not my biggest goal.

Because it means that I have to let go of some real explorations I could actually do when I'm traveling myself.

Bow, before King Victor and His Royal Crown.

Now to me, THAT,

is the real definition of

A royal life

Silence

Whenever I think of Bali, I don’t know, I think of “Home”.

Sounds cliche yes, but blah who cares—I really do feel so. Because every time I’m there, I feel I’m welcomed. Like I belong there. And every time I leave, unlike any other places where I’ll feel bummed because I have no idea when to come back, I never feel that way for Bali. Because I know sooner or later, no, SOONER, I’ll find myself back in the island again.

And so my way of traveling to Bali has been gradually changing. From visiting the tourist spots, either with friends or family, to the nights of endless clubbing, to island hopping, go all the way to the furthest point and finally recently just come and go in a staycationing style, now I don’t feel I have to be in a rush and forcing my time to go here and there every time I return to Bali. The island, from the place where I seek wild fun, has now become the place where I seek peace.

It finally brought me to the idea of going there during the island’s less-popular time to visit, which has always been a dream to me in past few years. Yes, I went there during their sacred day,

Nyepi

It’s a religious new year celebration for Hindu people where they will be bidding their gratitude to God for the past year, and cleansing themselves for the upcoming days, by staying inside their houses for full 24 hours, strictly no going out, no lights on, no electricity and no activity at all. And this just doesn’t apply only to Balinese—it’s for everybody, including expats, and tourists.

Coming to Bali during Nyepi, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I saw it as a way to bring up my peace-in-Bali game to the next level. And so this year I did join their celebration.

Before

I arrived one day prior the celebration. It felt weird because the locals left the central area for their own hometowns and villages to celebrate Nyepi with their families. I’ve never, EVER seen Bali so empty. But still I went out during Nyepi eve to catch their traditional ogoh-ogoh parade -it’s a very amazing bunch of mythical creature floats operated by real people! Then back to the hotel room, to start the sacred contemplation.

Oh, hello, Mr Ogoh Ogoh

During

I woke up feeling normal. Because in hotels, everything works the way it usually works. Electricity still on, wi-fi still on, staff still work—what’s different is that NO ONE can leave the hotel precinct. Not even a step out of the front gate. It’s just nice to stay inside maximizing the room and hotel facilities, read books, watch movies, snack on the provisions bought just the day before, actually talk with other guests—for us non-Balinese it’s a good way to unwind and relax yourself!

The vibe was totally... paradise-like...

I several times took a peek on the residential areas behind the hotel and man, it’s totally dead empty. I imagine staying inside, with lights off, no TV and especially this year, local government helps enhancing their spiritual experience by disabling cellular connection! I crazy admire their total willingness to make the most of their ritual!

It's totally a life you need after months of endless working!

So the sun starts gliding down. Dinner is served early because the hotel outdoor needs to stick to the rules of no lights. Pools cleared, lounges and lobby are emptied, and everyone returns to their rooms just before it’s completely dark. We are still allowed to turn the room lights on, but only two or three, and dimmed. Meanwhile outside, even just the corridor in front of room doors, are all out.

But that was one of the best back-to-nature experience to me. I went out, still, in complete darkness of the hallway, looked up to the sky, and the vast ocean of stars were there before my eyes. Bali was completely dark, so light pollution were totally lifted out that it made the sky so vividly clear to naked eyes.

After

6 AM the next day, everything went back to normal as if nothing happened before. There were some more traditional rituals, but most tourists felt like they needed to start exploring again and caught up to one day they ‘lost’—well, other tourist, not me.

Because this time, I was totally here to experience the celebration of Nyepi.

And so I did,

And it became the best silent treatment

I have. Ever. Received.

Child Again

Well ever since I returned from France,

I feel like my relationship with Disney was...

Somehow,

Getting stronger.

Yea yea thanks to my visit to Disneyland. It was just too magical, too unbelievable that my mind couldn't stop thinking how Disney universe relates in so many levels to me. And that final firework show, where the castle was projected with snippets of many Disney classic scenes, and the favorite songs played harmoniously with the motions, yea it wrecked my head. 

I still could remember how I got the chill when I suddenly saw Simba roared with its "Circle of Life", or when Ariel sang "Part of Your World" in French, or when Cinderella's "Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" echoed all the way into my earlobes... I swear, I cried. No exaggerating, no lies just to make it all emotional, no. I cried.

Yet now here I am, so far from the reach of Disney magic, have no idea how to feel it all again... well, not exactly have no idea. Because if I really have no idea, I wouldn't be here writing this blog on the first place.

So.

I always claim that I'm a Disney freak. Bullshit. Because if you ask me what my favorite cartoons are, my answer would be somewhere around "Tarzan", "Hercules", "Mulan", or the classic-est one would be "Beauty and the Beast". I would take the vintage ones for granted, and only consider Disney as the ones I actually grew up with.

Now with that background prologue, here I am, with an idea I think strong enough to prove that I AM, an avid Disney freak.

Here goes the plan: for the past two years or so, I've always had this initiation to watch ALL Disney Classics. Or what they call as Disney Animated Features. I wanted to watch ALL, not only the most popular ones like Disney Princess movies or all-time favorites like "The Jungle Book" or "Peter Pan", no—I wanted, to watch, ALL.

Up until today, there are 56 of them, the first one being "Snow White" and the last one "Moana". My initial plan was to watch one or two every weekend, following its actual release order, so it'll be all finished by the last week of the year and I can redo it all over again from "Snow White" on the first week of the new year, and BAM! Now you can call me a Disney freak.

Unfortunately, my plan was just mere plan. I had no major booster to start doing it, giving the fact that I'm living a double life as an obsessive worker so my weekend has always been about work and work.

But now, I think there's no more holding back.

I've woken up from my long laziness and stupidity.

I've seen the sign, it's obvious, strong, and undeniable.

And it came straight from the core of Disney universe.

Therefore hereby, I declare each and every single weekend of 2018, to be the time for me to watch the cartoons of Walt Disney Studios, to extend the magic cast to me back in France, to show that I'm a worthy Disney devotee...

I made the layout, but each image comes from here and here.

...and, to be

Child again

Dream

You know what.

I've been talking much about me loving to live my childhood life over and over again. Toys, cartoons, shorts, cat socks, kawaii backpacks, weird cutesy stuff in general... but never had I mentioned this one thing about childhood, that had always been a dream I desire to make true since I was a kid.

This one thing I had always wanted to see. This one thing so far off reach, that I thought it wouldn't ever come true. And after 10 years of claiming my extended childhood life in this blog, I would today tell you what this one thing is.

Well it's the

True Theme Park

I know, that sounds sad. But no, don't get me wrong. Don't mistake "Theme Park" with "Amusement Park" okay, because of course I've been to the latter so many times during my childhood. I was talking about THEME PARK, a park, themed, to something, that of course has elements of kiddy stuff I've always loved.

Indonesia has none of such kind -not until several years ago when finally we have a quiet big theme park in Bandung, but not the international one. We have a quiet amusing amusement park, and yes, it was entertaining enough to fulfill my childhood standard but, it wasn't themed. It has no connection to any cartoon, any stuff I usually saw on TV, and my imbecile heart demanded more. So yea, going to a real theme park, remained a dream to my young self.

Then I saw it assembling.

When Universal Studios opened its door in Singapore. It became my first ever theme park experience. Taking photos with Woody Woodpecker, sliding The Mummy rides, flying with Transformers coasters, and bringing home real Sesame Street dolls it was like, UNFORGETTABLE! But I was only 20. And being an ambitious, restless and never-seemed-to-be-satisfied young adult as I was, still, my heart said that it wasn't just the ONE, yet.

And it grew.

Two years afterwards, when I found myself in the midst of Tokyo hustle. Since the very first second I made myself sure that I'd be going to Japan, I couldn't stop planning to visit Disneysea. Tokyo's very own Disney theme park. And it's Disney, for God's sake. Something I always claimed I devote to. Something I could relate to much better than any other thing in this earth. Something that contains memories of my childhood more than what my photo albums could show.

My first intercourse with... Disneyland.

That day was one of the best in my life. Exploring Disneyland like a true kid, seeing characters I've always loved and buying all the magical things my money could affort, I was like, speechless even until the second I'm typing this shit. I was carried away by the visit indeed, but I still didn't feel like it was enough. Of course it wouldn't be enough, it's THE theme park I've always wanted to visit. Time was too short and that's when I realized, it wasn't yet a dreams come true.

And it went on.

Another two year had passed, and I earned my chance again during the trip with my company. To Hong Kong. And this time, it was the real Disneyland. The classic counterpart of Disneysea, with pure Walt's magic across the park. It did more justice than Disneysea. I got to ride more rides, watched more shows, buy more toys -and it was the best buy I've ever committed in my entire life! and most importantly, saw the final firework. This time I swear, I thought I've had enough. I've felt like all the waitings, all the grievings and believings, had all been paid off. But apparently it didn't end there.

And universe wanted my heart to see more.

Only three months apart, I arrived in Australia. Not just Australia, but Gold Coast. The country's Theme Park Capital. Where one of theme parks I've always desired to visit since I was in pre-elementary school stood upon: Warner Bros. Studios. Bugs Bunny, Superman, SCOOBY DOO oh God! It was much more relatable than Universal Studios no offence, and to be a child again there, only with myself, I ACTUALLY SCREAMED MY WAY INTO THE PARK!

Probably the best roller coaster ride I've ever tried in my life.

Again, I thought that was it, at least for the year. But the dream I've always made for the last 20 years or so was just too big to stop there.

And the best thing ever, happened.

France. And Paris. And what was the first time that came to my childish head, when I told myself that I was actually going to Paris? Yes of course, Disneyland Paris. The core of all Disneyland in the world. The mecca of Walt Disney magic, and the happiest of all the happiest places on earth. It was a hassle to reach the place, but I'd kill myself if I gave in to that matter.

To actually set foot there, I still couldn't believe myself even until now. Even until I checked again and again all the photos I took there, and all the characters I encountered, and all the unnecessary yet heart-fulfilling stuff I bought. I literally visited every single corner, making myself sure that if I missed even just one little thing, no matter how small it was, then I'd miss it forever because only God knows if I could ever return there.

I was alone during the visit, again, but I think that was the best way to do it. Because I could appreciate the place however I wanted. Because I could choose any rides, stopped anywhere, cried to anything that touched my inner childhood emotion, however I felt like. Because by this way, my heart could feast the atmosphere however long it desired.

And so, my dream fairy tale ended there. For now. Of course I wanted to feel more, and of course there are more places to conquer but, I've always kept it a secret.

Because as Cinderella said,

"If you tell a wish, it won't come true."

But after last year, after I realized that wow, I visited three different world-class theme parks in just a year—a number even higher than what I've achieved for the first 23 years of my life, guess I'll take it slow for now.

I need to just sit back first,
Then tell my heart later that,
I'm ready to fulfill more dreams.

Because a dream, is a wish

My heart makes

Bonjour, Le Meilleur!

It’s time.

Three weeks afterwards,

And now I feel like I’m ready.

To finally start a talk about it.

Yes.

Where should I begin?

Wow, I’m not sure, really...

Maybe from the fact that it was my very first trip to Europe? Could do. But how about the fact that I’ve visited the world’s Christmas Capital City, right during the Christmas eve? Or about getting lost in the midst of grand European buildings by the riverside—a scenery so typical to any writer’s beautiful description about a French Ville? Or about how I can land my feet in the mecca of advertising? Or the story of one-day-trip-ing to three other countries? Or how I end my year of 2017, and start 2018 in the world's most wanted city?

Seriously, it’s just so hard to decide because, because I can't even think I'm able to describe the trip! All I can think I could do now, is to describe my own feeling. Because this one, was distinctive. Because never in my life I felt so proud, so warm, so blessed, so contented and so moved, all in just one time.

Proud because, well, who wouldn't be proud to one's self if he could lift his ass up to Europe with his own great works -helped considerably by others' supports, too, but hell yea I played an important role on my own trip! I've been dreaming of visiting Europe for God knows how long. And to be able to arrive there, in such big trip,on the same damn year after I finish one other big trip to Australia, well, I don't think I've ever been more proud to myself than today.

Then the fact that I was there during winter, that's what made me feel so warm and blessed. Oh yes, I was there when Christmas celebration was lit. And by "there" I meant, Strasbourg. French Christmas Capital, where Christmas markets were the vein of the city, and Christmas Carols were the talks of the town. All my life, I never experienced any better Christmas celebration.

After Strasbourg I raided Lyon. France's second city with historical touches oh so pretty. It was only for two nights, but I couldn't ask a better European charm. Then I went on to Nice, the country's everbright coastal beauty, which I made as a base camp for my other visits: Cannes to fulfill my ambition as an adman, Monaco to fulfill my obsession as an F1 fan, and Ventimiglia to fulfill my... tummy - I swear I tasted just the best aglio olio in my entire life in this small infamous town. So much things I did, so many goals I accomplished, and if I didn't say that I wasn't contented, I don't know what else could make me so.

Finally I wrapped it up in the anticipated city. The main dish, the grand destination: Paris. Where I got to see the landmarks I could so far only dream of visiting. Where I got to walk down the passageways in which I usually only see from any travel article photos or French indie movies. Where I got to prove to myself that anything you wished to do, you could do if you tried hard enough.

And those, were what made me felt so moved.

Because I know I could go back there again. I know I could return and do the things I had not much time doing. I know I could even do better. Visit other European countries, check the big cities off of my bucket list, land in smaller towns I didn't even know existed.

I'm so moved to do more. Explore more, travel more,

Achieve even more than this trip I called Le Meilleur,

"The Best"

Can you guess which one is which?

So France,

And Europe too,

For the time being,

À bientôt, mon amour!