Returning Home

Happy 78th Birthday Indonesia

There's a piece of news that was circulating back in July about how there's 4000 Indonesians who became Singapore citizens in the past 4 years. Thinking about it, I guess I might be that weird and rare (or maybe not) breed of Indonesian who decided to go back after studying for 11 years 

and even rejected two PR offers.

This year marked the 10 years that I have returned home. And these ten years made me understand why people don't return home. My decision to return doesn't revolve solely on the love of my country (it’s complicated). But back 11 years ago (I made the decision to go back in 2012), I felt that Indonesia needs me more than Singapore needs me (you guys have enough people heh). 

But most importantly, I feel that my parents need me home more. 

Indonesia is not a perfect country and I fully understand why people would rather live elsewhere (and if you have the chance, you should!). But I take comfort in the knowledge that even though the past ten years made me understand why people don't return, these ten years also made me understand why I made the right decision to go home. I guess... You're where you're supposed to be.

I’m sure people like me will find “home” a confusing word. Conflicted by the idealistic life that I once experienced and returning to a place slightly less perfect than my previous residence. But home is home. It may not be a pretty place, there may be other places that are better. 

This world is a beautiful place, but there’s no place like home.

Happy 78th Birthday Indonesia. Jalan kita masih panjang, tapi semoga kita akan sampai. 

Of Kayak and Atolls

Spending my Saturday surrounded by clear blue waters? Yes please

Hello hello hello. I just got back from a wonderful trip last Saturday! It's kind of another impromptu trip but I just went for a sea kayaking trip with Laut Luas Adventure! Okay so back in June I saw the IG story of mas Tiko (who makes amazing artisanal vegan cheese) where he went for a trip with LL. I asked him about it and gave LL a follow. Couldn't make it for their trip in June as I was rather packed, but I found out they have a trip in August exploring Pulau Karang Bongkok (Desa Laguna).

Also on the last week of July I found out that one of my favourite bands hmgnc is having their 20th anniversary concert in Bloc M last Friday too. So I take it that it's a sign from the universe that since there's a gig on 4th August, and the trip with LL was on 5th August, lets just go haha. Oh gosh is 2023 the year of spontaneous trips haha. But I'm glad I went for the trip!

So I stayed a night on the 4th after watching hmgnc. We met up at their basecamp in Pantai Mutiara at 6 on Saturday. There were 8 of us in the trip (excluding our instructors). Left for Desa Laguna at around 630 AM. The island is located about 1.5 hours from Jakarta. When I arrived on the island, I was speechless! Cause it's really beautiful. I know some islands in Pulau Seribu isles are beautiful (from photos) but being there in real life is a whole different thing heh. Also my first time being on an atoll!

There was breakfast and we were briefed about our trips and plans. Then there was warm up and off we go. Okay first of all it's been I think 11-12 years since I last kayaked back in poly so I was trying to get the hang of it hah. Took me about 30-45 minutes to finally get the hang of it. 

I've always wanted to be out in the open sea

So in total we kayaked a total distance of 9.5 KM, visited 2 islands (one was a sandbank). It was a tiring Saturday but a very fulfilling one too! It's kind of a dream come true for me cause I've always wanted to be out in the open sea (but not on a boat haha). To kayak in the wide open sea is an amazing experience. Passing through deep waters, atolls and stopping in sandbanks is a pretty cool experience.

I think one of my favourite experience is passing through atolls. Like that transition from deep blue waters to shallow atolls is so cool heh. I didn't manage to see any sea creatures but saw lots of sea urchins yeeeet. And saw some fished near the shore. The water is super beautiful. Clear blue waters, the sky was blue, I'm surprised this is only 1.5 hours away from Jakarta haha.

Just realised how silent the sea is.
(thank you to our instructor Bayu for this photo!)

Also another surprising thing from this experience is actually... The silence. Okay this should be obvious but I just realised how quiet the sea can get. While I was kayaking all I could hear was the sound of splashing water. Sometimes I hear sea birds flying, or the sound of passing boats or machinese on a nearby island. As for the rest, it was pure silence. It's super peaceful and so lovely.

We kayaked for about 3-4 hours I think. After that we went back to Desa Laguna to wash up and for lunch. Lunch was great (they have this gorengan with bombastic sambal mangga heh). Chatted with a few of the people and I walked around Desa Laguna to see the resort. It's super lovely too! I hope I can stay there one day. And at 3 PM we made our way back to Jakarta. That's all for the day!

Saturday's crew. Thank you Laut Luas Adventure!

I didn't take lots of photos cause it's rather hard to take photos while being in the open sea hah. Thank you to LL for lending me a waterproof phone guard! I was actually searching for it while I was in Jakarta the day before but couldn't find it. Also I brought my film camera for the trip. Will upload the photos when they're developed. But wow who thinks that bringing a film camera to a kayaking trip is a good idea? (me). Ended up taking photos only when we're on shore (or sand in this case hah).

Anyway thank you Laut Luas for the wonderful Saturday! It was an amazing experience and definitely memories that will last a lifetime. Worth the fatigue and being under the sun. Although I stupidly left my cap in the car and only realised it after we're on the boat lol.  If you're interested please follow them on Instagram. Hopefully I can go for another trip with them. And I wanna stay at Desa Laguna too.