Everything Random

Today, I felt like writing about travel experiences that have made such a profound difference in how I think about life.

One work I did in the past was an open data project in Banda Aceh, in Northern Sumatra. One of the partners I have worked with on that project has been raving about Pulau Weh, also known as Sabang, just a few hours away from the city. I asked permission from the boss from Germany to stay for the weekend, and also to celebrate with my team, Adhit and Neneng, all the accomplishments we had during that time. I never regretted making that decision, for several reasons.

The island is beautiful, unspoilt (this visit was some 8 years ago), and serene. It has the most beautiful sunsets, and the snorkelling sites were stunning.

We stayed at Casa Nemo. Each of us had a hut to ourselves and a hammock on the verandah facing the sunrise. It was a perfect place for an island getaway.

The sunrise is stunning. For the three days we were there, I woke up early to watch the sun peek from the horizon and see local people starting their lives early in the day. Who can beat this view of the onset of sunrise?

When the beach was not that dark anymore, I started my hike across the white powdery beach, and some moments later, dark clouds descended from the sky and tried to prevent the sunrays from enveloping the beach area. Then I saw two people on the boat starting their fishing trip early.

Each morning that we were there, we went around the island using a motorbike. We went to a place they called Indonesia’s Kilometer Zero, located in the northernmost and westernmost point of Indonesia, and one of those rare cases where the starting point is not located in the country’s capital.

We spent the rest of the days exploring the rest of the island via a traditional boat, and then went snorkelling in one of the island’s best sites – Pulau Rubia. The trip itself was just amazing, and so was the underwater treasures below.

After one day of snorkelling, we grabbed a beer and stopped at a viewpoint for the island’s best sunset. It was just amazing. In the picture below, you can see Adhit and Neneng, my awesome team members who made this trip with me, enjoying the sunset.

There are many things that I learned/relearned during that trip. One, that we have not really been good stewards of the environment. Nature is that all-giving and nurturing, and we have not responded with love.

Second, we are losing “life” by the day. Somebody told me that today, there are 59 wars being fought by people from opposing sides, and with that comes destruction not only of people but nature as well.

Third, our relationships are fleeting and they come and go. I have never seen Adhit some months after that trip and he has not been responsive since – and maybe I did something wrong but I would never know. Neneng and I have remained friends but I have not seen her as I have not been back to Bandung where she is based currently. I wish both of them well.

Here’s a parting shot for that trip. This is one of my favourite pictures from one of my morning walks.

I wish I could come back and bring my wife and kids here. They will surely love it.

Inshallah.