Island Hopping
Lately I've been hopping from one island to another. It started in late January, when my boss found out that I was no longer weak from any illness and asked me to go to Luwuk with her. Luwuk? I heard you ask. Luwuk is this little coastal town in Central Sulawesi with the clear and calm sea, bright blue skies, and coconut trees here and there.. It was a nice trip, because the job wasn't too time-consuming, and mostly because Luwuk is beautiful! I didn't get around much, but I did go to the traditional market in a village nearby, and it was clean. By clean I mean gak becek--even at the fish & meat section. And there was this guy selling medicinal plants, going non-stop on the microphone "Ya Ibu-Ibu, yang teteknya suka sakit daun blabla ini hanya tinggal direbus dan diusapkan saja ya. Kalau ini untuk yang suaminya burungnya lemes..." I can tell from the housewives surrounding him, that selling medicinal plants was one lucrative business there. Entertaining.
Luwuk, Central Sulawesi
Another highlight of Luwuk was, this restaurant called "Bukit Inspirasi". I know right. But it was a nice restaurant up the hill where you can see the whole town (and sea) from above. I went there for dinner, so I couldn't really see the sea, but I did get a beautiful view of city lights :) The dish? They serve seafood dishes, and they were all delicious, I'm tellin' ya. I guess when you eat seafood in a coastal town, you're bound to get the freshest.
But that was 2 months ago, and I can't be bothered to remember the other details.
Then in early February, my boss took me along on another trip to remote areas in Kalimantan. In order to reach these places, the best way was to go by chopper from Balikpapan. So I flew there, and stayed for a night at Grand Senyiur Hotel. Fancy old hotel. Little did I know that I was heading to shady hotels with tiny bathrooms. The next day, I went on a chopper ride to Muara Tuhup. The ride was fun if it wasn't for the head-wrenching tight earmuffs.
Muara Teweh dock
Tempat orang pacaran dan mas-mas berenang di Puruk Cahu
From Muara Tuhup then off to Muara Teweh on a speedboat along the... Barito (I think) river. I got to see an eagle or two flew by. You can't get this in Jakarta. I stayed for 3 days or so in Teweh and then off again to Puruk Cahu by boat again. No details necessary. Because both towns were nyeh. However, I did get to see the rain from hundreds of meters above the ground. And I think it's cool.
rain from above
Then I went home. All geared up for some a quickie vacay! Yay!
Mid-March, along with Nandia, Ovi, Dini and Yos, I went to Bali. Yesssh. Bali. Some love it, some hate it, some think it's overrated. Me? I think I can always find something nice about Bali. Itinerary included Antonio Blanco museum, Padang Padang beach, Kecak dance in Uluwatu, Dolphins in Lovina, Beratan Lake in Bedugul, Tegal Wangi beach, Rock Bar, and Karma Kandara. Man, it was jam-packed three days, but it was fantastic.
Beratan lake, Bedugul
Quick comments on the places:
- Antonio Blanco: I have a new found respect for the artist, because he was so cheeky on erotic subjects.
- Padang Padang: Beautiful and serene (meaning no big, scary waves). Guess who swam in their underwear for the first time?
Padang Padang
- Kecak dance in Uluwatu: Watching a dance show AND the sun setting in one venue? Priceless.- Lovina: Dolphins and sunrise. Enough said.
Sunrise at Lovina Beach, waiting for the dolphins
- Rock Bar: Expensive place where the doorman let those who look like power get in first. But yeah, the scenery and ambiance totally made up for it.- Karma Kandara: Puji Tuhaaaan. They should put this place in the dictionary, under "Beautiful". Karma Kandara is actually the name of the resort (I think), and I don't know what the beach is called. Hm. Anyway. If you don't stay at the resort, you have to pay IDR 250,000 to get an access to the beach. So we did pay. Call me anything you want, it was totally worth it. Pretty. And again, I can't be bothered with the details. Go google it. But please don't go there and bring the trash (literally and figuratively). We don't want another Kuta, do we?
A little view of Karma Kandara
In short, it was a much needed vaycay. I also got to see the gigantic Supermoon setting, right before the sun was about to rise. Noice times three.
Last and least, I recently went to Palu, Central Sulawesi and then to Luwuk again. I don't wanna talk about it. Aside from the views, I ain't feeling the trip. So. Moving on.
3rd Kisseversary
Mr. Pirate and I have been going out for three years! And counting! Yaaay! The ride has been and will be stormy, but it'll be quite an adventure :)
Weddings
Two of my best friends are getting married soon. Well, not soon enough, but soon. Judging from the preparation stories, preparing a wedding is no picnic in the park. Well I think it should be. I've had the talk, several times. And while it's not my time yet, let's just hope that when the time has come, it will be a picnic in the park. With butterflies.
Okay. Turns out I'm too tired from all the Island Hopping section, I can't think of anything else to write. Soooo, until later!
*And Robert Smith sang "until later doesn't always come".
Toodles,
-R.