Hi, Explorers!

A few weeks ago, I happened to go trekking at one place called Kawah Ratu (direct translation: Queen Crater). It is located in Bogor – about 2.5 hours from Jakarta; it is still within the Halimun Salak National Park. The highlight of the place is the beautiful turquoise color river (or stream?) found near the crater itself. Although we still can see some boiling water puddle not far from there, however, surprisingly the flowing water is so cold! We can also dip inside the water to refresh ourselves after almost three hours of trek. The trail is not that hard, there are parts that have a similar terrain as Mt. Papandayan. Btw, I am planning for Mt. Papandayan Hiking this coming September!

Well, after such a long break from trekking or hiking, the “not that hard” trail still made almost my whole body aching the next morning (sweat!). Probably, I should arrange to go there one day for a short weekend getaway together. What do you think? :)

Anyway, there are some updates on the scheduled trips! You can always check it on our group calendar here or click on the photo below.

There are a few more new destinations added to the list. I also will organize one trip that once was so popular back then during our first few years starting the Indonesia Explorer Meetup Group, which is 6D5N Mt. Bromo, Mt. Ijen, Baluran National Park, and Menjangan Island! Reminiscing the good old times. :)

It will run on a similar itinerary with a few tweaks on the itinerary which I hope will even deliver a better travel experience together – it will start from Surabaya and end in Bali. I was hoping to share the final information together with this newsletter, however, I am still working on some pending details. I will only be able to release it likely by next week on Indonesia Explorer (Eazycation) Facebook Group!

That’s all I have for you for now. See you around soon!

This is my 1st bulletin after the last one that was written in June 2020.
YES. TWO YEARS AGO.
(inhale. phew.)

When the pandemic started, I believe no one ever thought that it would happen in their whole life ever. If you read the article “The Story of Double Twenty” that I wrote on my personal blog, Peek Holidays, I was just back from visiting my family over Chinese New Year in Singapore when gradually everything started shutting down. For the sake of many people, doing activities and meeting people has become restricted, or maybe I should say, prohibited. For a long time, people avoided meeting eye to eye, distancing apart, and suddenly, the surroundings became so cold.

Like for everyone else who stays far from their family or the people they love, the news of border closings was shocking. The thought of not being able to see my family and my friends for an uncertain period of time was dreadful. Those friends include all of you, Indonesia Explorer fellas, my travelmates. :)

Staying positive during that time was not easy. There were times when negative thoughts steered my head, like driving on a freeway. Thanks partly to the facilities that we have nowadays, we can still stay connected despite the distance and restrictions.

At this point, as I am writing this, if I think it over, a tiny part of me still can’t believe that whatever happened in the past two years was actually real. It was like a nightmare, and I am glad that we are all awake now.

• • •

Almost nine months later, since everything shut down, I finally landed my foot on the floor of the aircraft again. I must say that the first time I stepped out of my so-called safe house and dropped myself off at the dangerous zone, a.k.a. airport, for my 12-day trip exploring East Nusa Tenggara with the local tourism board was quite interesting.

There were 13 of us in the group then. I recall the tension, the awareness of who was sitting next to us at the airpot, who we were talking to. How we couldn’t give a hug to one another. No flight meals were served on board, and we all ended up starving as we arrived at the destination airport in the early morning.

Masks and hand sanitizers have become must-have items in our bags. That’s not all. We had to get our finger on that oxymeter device that our group coordinator prepared every morning, and he once got panicked because the number shown on the device when I placed my finger was not within the normal range. He was ready to take me to the local hospital – an even scarier place during that time. Fortunately, it turned out that the inaccuracy was due to the device’s fault.

• • •

Two years later, the situation is already much better compared to then. It is almost back to normal like it used to be (I think!). And I finally made my first overseas trip to meet my family and spend quality time with them for a few months.

Last month, the Indonesian government finally opened the Indonesian border to international visitors. I must say that, thanks to the MotoGP event in Lombok last month, that has indirectly become the trial period for welcoming international visitors. At present, the entry point for tourism purposes is only available via Bali and is limited to certain countries. At the very least, it indicates that we will soon be able to fly in and out freely again.

Regardless of the never-ending bad news that appears whenever it pleases, we should probably ask ourselves if we are ready to leave our safe haven and live our lives as we used to be. To do what we love, chase our dreams, and most importantly, never give them up.

Time slipped away. Two years have passed. Although we might have lost many opportunities or missed the targets we have set for ourselves in the last two years, perhaps it is just like the popular quote says, “To rest is to prepare for a longer journey ahead.”

And I hope this lengthy newsletter doesn’t turn you away.

Until we meet again soon. Stay healthy!

[Update as of April 06, 2022] – Entry port for international visitors are already extended to many other airports in Indonesia as shown below.

Just checking out how have you all been? It is already almost three months now and I can say this is the longest ever for me to stay at home. Some of you have asked me how I can survive so long without going to the mountain and the sea. Haha..well. Life still goes on. In fact, I quite enjoy the “pause” time. It is not the travelling that I miss, but it is the people that I miss. I miss meeting people! I believe the majority of us feel the same, don’t we?

Anyway, recently I just found out about this documentary show on Netflix, recommended by one friend. The title is “Jago: A Life Underwater”, an award-winning documentary about Rohani, an 80-year-old hunter who dives on a single breath descending to great depths for several minutes. It was set in Togian Islands of Indonesia. Probably, this is a documentary show with the most beautiful visual I have ever seen so far. Do check it out if you have not! At least, it could ease our craving of being in the ocean for now. To watch the trailer, click here.

Then, there is one short film, about 12 mins long which you can watch on Youtube. The title is “One Breath Around the World”. It shows the underwater world from a few countries. The audiovisual is breathtaking. Click here to watch the full video.

I think that is it for now. I am trying to look for some documentary show with similar visual but related to the mountain. I haven’t found any. If you have any shows related to nature that you think is worth to watch, do let me know! I mean, rather than watch too much energy-draining news, I think, spend some times to watch this kind of show is not a bad idea, too.

Stay safe, stay home, Explorers!

Until next time! :)

• • •

P.S: I tell stories, too! You may read my recent article by clicking the thumbnail below. :)

Or a betterment from last year?

Anyway, whatever it is, I would like to wish everyone a super great year ahead, healthy, happy, and not to forget, more exploring, too! :)

Last November, we went to Komodo National Park. 12 of us in the group. Although it was supposed to be rainy season already, however, we didn’t really experience raining days. The grasses and the hills were all still dry and brown. The raining season came late. Not only in the Komodo Islands but also in other parts of Indonesia.

Nevertheless, we all saw the Komodo Dragons! We also saw Cuttlefish, Octopus, Manta Ray, and other interesting fish and marine creatures when we snorkelled. Personally, I am glad that we did this trip together last year.

After the Komodo Islands, six of us from the group continued to Ende for our Flores Overland Trip. We made it to Mt. Kelimutu, Riung National Park, as well as trekking up to the Waerebo Village. The weather was kind to us throughout the trip although it was a long journey on some of the days and the road condition was challenging. However, I believe, all was paid-off.

After Christmas, New Year, here come the Lunar New Year! There is one unusual trip that I organize for this very occasion – 4D3N Cap Go Meh Festival-The Supernatural Tatung Parade in Singkawang, Indonesia. It might be the most bizarre Cap Go Meh we would have ever experienced. I think.

Then, we will also try to go to Banda Naira, Central of Maluku, in May. The journey can be quite challenging – comparable to going Taka Bonerate. The nearest airport is Ambon and from Ambon, we will be continuing by taking a fast boat (4-6 hours) or ferry ship (overnight in the cabin) to across to Banda Naira.

Now the question is: are you in?

To more exciting journeys ahead! :)