Author: Admin

Over a Cup of Coffee

- Admin

Our friendship was developed when we were both broken. When we have no idea where and how to start.

Let’s name that person X.

We were introduced to each other by our common friends. We had a small talk over coffee and said goodbye. That’s it. It was like a casual meet up. I’m not sure who added who on Facebook, but nothing followed after that. But if there’s one thing I was sure of that night, I knew I felt something. However, I just ignored it.

Weeks later, I was surprised to receive a message from X. It was a plain message but I can’t contain my happiness. We talked about so many things, from our travel plans to our personal interests. I didn’t know but, it was as if we knew each other well already that we were both comfortable talking about personal stuff.

Until…

“When we first met, I had no idea you would be so important to me.” X said.

I don’t know how I would feel, but I knew from that moment, my heart was exploding with so much happiness. I knew it would go deeper. And we decided to see each other again.

We planned a trip. It was X’s birthday. And it all went well. It was very personal. It was intimate. It was perfect. But more than that, I knew X is special. I knew I already fell in love.

But the feeling was cut short. I haven’t heard from X after that. I kept asking myself if I did something wrong or I just said something bad. I was paranoid. I kept understanding the situation trying to figure out which part went wrong but I can’t get any clue. I have no idea what happened but I’m still trying to get in touch. I received no response. I guess that was the most painful I’ve ever been to, I was left hanging.

Yes, we had “that” feeling, but I guess it wasn’t defined clearly. We were in love but it all happened very fast. I guess what’s wrong in all that was I entered a relationship without a label. I guess I already assumed it was something when in fact there was nothing.

I was moving on, trying to forget what just happened until I got a message from X. I told X that we had to sort things out, that at least gave me a reason. It was something that I shouldn’t demand but I believe I deserve an explanation at least.

It was over a coffee again but unlike the first time, this one is something bitter. I knew I came strong or at least prepared, but it was different when you are at “that” situation already and you heard the most heartbreaking words straight from that person’s mouth.

X gave me a hug, perhaps the last. I took the cab and went straight to the airport. But that journey was the longest, shattering. I was trying to compose myself, but my eyes can’t hold the tears anymore. It was heavy.

I’m forgetting everything. But there was something that still drags me. I can’t recall how we got connected again. But that connection helped me breathe once more.

Today, I started appreciating each moment that we talked. Almost everyday. Until now. We may not be “lovers”, but I guess we now have a deeper sense of friendship. We are updated of what’s happening with our lives, from littlest of things to our achievements, from our bad days to things that make us laugh. We even told secrets up to the point where we let each other know about our dates or the person we are hanging out with.

As with X, I didn’t realize that again, we are building a great connection. We slowly had the chance to get to know each other better. I guess, we are fulfilling the part that we missed out before. The exciting part that we rushed before. We are getting to know each other seriously and deeply. I know we both moved on. We are now in this new chapter that we can strengthen and cherish even more.

Sometimes, we tend to run and escape from heartbreaks, because we are in deep pain. Cross out the idea of being “lovers” and consider the idea of friendship. What happened to us may not happen the same way with everyone but I know our friendship was developed when we were both broken. When we have no idea where and how to start. I don’t know, but when I think about it, I feel no regret, no jealousy, not even vengeance. I am just happy that now, I can say we are best of friends.

To my X, THANK YOU!

 

Wonderful Indonesia: Gili Trawangan’s Datu Swing and “Happy” Parties

- Admin

The next day, we went to the Gili Trawangan. If we had a laid back experience in Gili Air, Gili Trawangan offers a different experience. We stayed in Hotel Ombak Sunset, a posh and luxury resort hotel located at the western side of the island.

I had the chance to have a perfect photo in one of their ocean swings or Datu Swing while watching the sunset. When you research Gili Islands, the swing photo is the popular image that will surely pop up. Our hotel was around 20-30 minutes away from the “party area”. But I have no complains as it is the best resort in the island.

Unlike Gili Air and Gili Meno, this island’s center is a bit loud yet very alive specially at night when all the bars are already open. I called this “party island” as most of the tourist flocks there to eat, drink and dance. There are many bars and restaurants that cater every traveler’s cravings. Oh hey, there’s also a night market that sells good food at a very affordable price.

There were so many interesting things I noticed when we went out. Some restaurants and resorts offered an outdoor movie viewing. Aside from souvenir shops, I also found a bookstore that buy and sells preloved books. And since there are no motorized-wheeled in the island, there are bikes for rent or you can hire a horse taxi.

After we had some beer and shisha at XL, one of the famous bar in the island, we walked towards the party area. There, we had more rounds of beer while dancing the night away with other travelers from different parts of the world. It was a challenge to get a horse taxi going back to the hotel. Good thing that we already rented a bike.

It was around 3 AM when we went back to the hotel. And I was “drunk driving biking”.

*This is part of our Indonesia trip last March, 2016 together with my friends.

Wonderful Indonesia: “Feel and Chill” at Gili Air

- Admin

Finally, we’re opt to our first destination, Lombok. Upon arrival and ramdom check at the airport, we hailed a cab and negotiated for the fare. Me and my friends requested him to bring us to Serangan where we can ride the fast boat going to Lombok. We took the afternoon schedule of Marina Srikandi fast boat which is at 1PM. So while waiting, we first had our brunch at the restaurant near the port. We even invited our cab driver and treated him with free lunch.

When the man signaled the passengers, we immediately took our bags. Boarding was pretty fast and after getting a comfortable seat, I tried to take a nap as the travel time going to Gili Islands will took about 2 hours. Gili Islands (Tiga Gili) are located off the northwest coast of Lombok. The archipelago of three small islands are named Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Our first stop was Gili Air. We stayed in a typical Indonesian resort villa named Omah Gili Resort. It is a few minute walk from the beach and restaurants but what I love about its location was that, it is peaceful and quite. Perfect for us tired travelers who would want to rest and relax beside the pool area or just outside their villa. It’s refreshing when the staff gave us a glass of tamarind juice. I loved the taste that I requested for another one.

It was really hot when we were there so it was great to have our first swim at the beach. We enjoyed relaxing while sipping cocktails and fresh fruit shakes and juices.

That night, we walked around to look for a place to eat. There were so many restaurants offering variety of cuisines. But we were in Indonesia so we preferred to eat local cuisine instead. It was so hot even after 6PM that we decided to have some ice cream while walking. We were looking for a place to drink and the guy from the souvenir shop told us “the” place. And after walking for a couple of minutes, we found it, Nafifa Homestay’s bar offers a cheap beer with a great ambiance. We enjoyed the swing near the shore while having our Bintang. We were laughing that night while talking about this trip and the mishaps in-between. It was a year-long preparation and waiting and finally we were all there.

We were on our way back to the our villa when we chanced upon a group of locals singing some reggae songs. Instantly, we decided to get a seat and ordered a round of beer. The last thing I could remember was my friends were already waking we up. Yes, I was that drunk.

*This is part of our Indonesia trip last March, 2016 together with my friends.