Arranging, Managing and Leading a trip to Bali, Gili Isles and Rinjani

What if u have one week holiday and you could do nothing in your city? As some friends asked me to go somewhere out this city Jakarta. I eventually dreamed of coming to Bali and Lombok during my Lebaran Holiday
Gee.. planning a trip to Rinjani is the most difficult one. Two friends of mine in this never went on an adventurous trip before while the three of us (in the group) never knew how it felt on mountain hiking. It’s me the one who would lead Ricky (a man whom I met on my trip to Krakatau), my Devi, Lince (the one whom I called ‘mamak’) and the last one my giant friend named Bastian.

The first problem that appeared was the ticket to Bali but my biggest anxiety came from leading four other persons in this trip. I’ve got to cope with many matters but in fact pleasure and fun followed and joined us in the trip
Unimaginably, all of found breathtaking view for sunset and sunrise in gilis Mount Rinjani was obvious during sunrise as if the sun was hidden on its valley but in sunset time I could see the sun hidden in Mount Agung as we could see it in a distance
Success? At least I could say the five of us returned safely and joyfully from this trip

Our sane activities

I believed the activity might be something that we could hardly do personally, so rafting, snorkeling, trekking and finally mountain hiking are the choice we had. Exhausting? Don’t ask since I needed to be an ‘impromptu’ masseur to my friends, not to mention I badly need this too.

Finding infos

Our guide book, lonely planet, is quite helpful from a map till list of budget hotels available in Bali and Lombok. But the most precious ones came from some friends I met in the mailing list. They helped me indeed with their valuable reference. Thanks to Risna who helped me with his info about Mas Bengkok.

Backpacking?

It’s probably beyond our imagination that we could pay only Rp.70.000,- for one night in a hotel located 100 meter from Kuta beach, where we could get free breakfast (I like the pancake and their hot orange), a cozy room, plus a pool and a swimming pool as well.

This is the first time someone thought I’m a foreigner from Malaysia hahaha, a friend was greeted in English perhaps after seeing us with huge backpacks (sorry we’ve got to go to many places). I’m so thankful they didn’t think I’m European ;-P (no way, see my complexion man…)

At last I’m so thankful for Him for His blessings, Thanks my Lord, for my cheerful friend who wanted to be a part of my journey, for my sweetheart (I know you could make it), for Risna (once more) and for many friends who helped me in my journey, thanks 

I never expected to come to Bali during long weekend around August 17, 2006. It’s completely a surprise. My aunt passed away on August 11. Quite shocked, that’s what I felt though I believe there’s time for everything including a time for birth and a time for death. I consulted it with my mom, ‘her’, and my boss as well. They all agreed that I ought to come to Denpasar. One thing I also wanted to do was to meet some relatives I had never met at all. Two aunts were two persons I would love to meet. They’re my dad’s older sisters who never come to Jakarta.

So, I booked two airplane tickets for me and my mom and eventually arrived in Monang-maning where my aunt’s family lives. I had decided to make this funeral ceremony as the object of my photos, but I was a bit wrong since I didn’t only become a photographer but also a videographer (my cousin asked me to videotape the ceremony). It’s time to put this valuable and once-a-lifetime moment in photos and video.

My encounter with my aunts was a bit sad, unimaginably being able to meet them for the very first time. I was also a bit surprised to see two nieces coming from Australia, oops their language is a typical language for kids being raised abroad. The blend of English and Indonesian was their daily language.

After the funeral, I spent many days traveling across Bali and also spent one night in Baluran National Park in Banyuwangi.

In short I did enjoy this journey, so memorable and I managed hundreds of photos for the funeral and got a video for it (it’s truly my debut too).