Wide Eyed Adventure

-->

 

(photos by Diah R. Sulistiowati)

You come in the wrong time. That’s what people said to me, MbakDiah and MbakTeja. We came to Alor when the west monsoon came. The sky was grey all the time and the dark clouds kept sending heavy rain. The sea was welling up albeit remaining calm.

I could have drown in sadness and regret, but I just forgot to do so. Every thing I saw was quite new and I love the scenery. I indeed said to myself that it must be more beautiful to see them when it is not raining. But strangely enough, I just forgot to feel resentment.

All things bright and beautiful, even in bad weather.

I was surprised to find that even this old grey brain played a tune to the trip. I didn’t give command to open the file. It just played John Rutter’s song over and over: Look at the world, everything all around you. Look at the world and marvel every day…

Dive and Jive

 

 Photo by Dwi Ariyogagautama  

I am so overjoyed having ever dipped in Alor waters. It was a rainy day, with big waves and strong current yet my friends and I endured them all and enjoyed it. Welcome to west monsoon, said Yoga. Indeed. I only dived once but it is one of my best experience albeit brief. Definitely look forward to dive in Alor again.

to dive for (again)

 photo by Rosa Widiyarini

Shark sign! it's a yes before the second dive. early dec 2012

weekending with ocha, rian, ricka, cupliz, olive, irene, marcia, fira, harry.

Again, To Dive For

(photo by Adrian Nugraha, Ricka Ristianti)

Phie suggested newbies to refresh diving each 6 months. With the exception of Rian and Ocha, none of us had dived since last April. we could not wait to plung. So here we were again. Too bad, Anien, Cupliz, Chokin, and Maria couldn't join the wet fun. 

Island hopping: Belanda, Magaran, Harapan, Kaliage, Kotok.

after the last dip, i climbed to the boat and lied exhausted. thought, ii'm going to die. but when i gazed skyward, saw a sea hawk soaring gracefully above Kotok. beautiful. thought, yesterday when i woke up , in my head was playing that song "my soul soars like an eagle up in the sky"

No more instant noodle during dive trip

I've a hate and love relationship with instant noodle. It is one of tastiest foods. it takes less fuel to prepare it, compared to preparing rice. everybody knows hungry travelers love instant food. yet one day i realized how uncool it is.

The night before, Rian and I were in the state of can't-sleep-without-stuffing-stomach-first. Ocha, Ricka, and Sena had gone to sleep. so we decided to unpack Trangia and cook two pcs of instant noodles. we crushed some chillis to add sting to the boiling noodles. we ate and then had a good night sleep on the island."Heavenly!" I said. "Hellish!" said Rian. "Sem, it's really hellish!" added he. he was referring to the hot broth.

came morning and we rushed to pack everything. we won't be returning to this island, so better hiurry, said Ricka. again Rian and I prepared instant noodle.

in the first dive, i coughed and i could smell the instant seasoning-flavored oxygen. it was hellish. i surfaced, feeling weak. Rian did too. on the second dive, i was completely weak and all i breathed tasted like neoprene.

thus i learned: avoid it during dive trips.

"Menyelami Bali, Menghargai Bumi"

"Menyelami Bali, Menghargai Bumi" by SemSPurba.

I love the title. It wasn't the title I submitted to the editors. it appeared on Sunday 16 June 2010 issue of daily Media Indonesia. Now the article is online at Media Travelista or http://www.mediaindonesia.com/mediatravelista/index.php/read/2010/6/13/875/2/media_travelista_headline

want to deflate and dive deeper! :)

Jive & Dive!

from pdf. version downloaded from http://epaper.mediaindonesia.com on Sunday June 13, 2010

"For Better or Worse"

Sure there are plenty of
fish in the sea
Flocks of birds on the rise
Baby, not for me
'Cause I live in paradise
(For Better or Worse, Debbie Gibson)

When buddies and I went down to the wreck in Tulamben, I felt most happiest. I can remember every second of the descent! bubbles! here's where I remembered my silent wish: to be able to enjoy it.

and here's where the playlist changed! I used to sing in mind: What a Wonderful World. but seeing the school of jacks, my archive opened that old Debbie Gibson disc and the needle played it loud :)

(not for worse but) for better, I love it!

The Wall

an awesome trip. unthinkable. how my buddies and i got through it is a wonder and we were glad we were able to enjoy each dip.

of course it will be ungrateful of me if i din thank the Lord for it. i still want to know what was on his mind when he created the life in the wall and the floor. moreover, what was on his mind when he created the universe? it's like this: where could i go? where could i run? nothing is beyond you!



as of today (earth day), I think he is thinking, what was on my mind when i created the universe?



(photos courtesy of thedivingdugongers)

First Dips

luv it! me and 9 other buddies had a big time UW at the Bush and Leaf and the Scout.

and I said to myself, what a wonderful world!

I have no fear of drowning
It's the breathing that's taking all this work

(Work, Jars of Clay)