The Sudden Breeze

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our thoughts that we forget to trully see the beauty that surrounds us. Things I saw while I was sitting after prayer, with no thoughts in mind. A moment of bliss.

Most of my time living in Jakarta, I am consumed with the thoughts in my head, with work that needs to be done, the plans I want to make, figuring out what I need to have and want to become. The only time I can let go, breathe freely, enjoy my surroundings, and be presently aware is during my travels. But I've come to realize I don't need to travel miles to find peace and beauty, it all depends on how I am feeling inside (although finding peace and beauty is definitely much easier when I am surrounded by nature). Eventhough I still have a long way to go in finding calmness during daily irritations, and life's hiccups (and seeing it as something positive)... wherever I am, I am slowly learning the concept of becoming still, clearing my thoughts, just breathing and being... and then suddenly everything becomes beautiful and God is in everything I see and everywhere I am. Dialogue from the movie "Their Eyes Were Watching God" Tea Cake: Whatcha doin', Janie? Janie...

To wrap-up 2009, I decided to go on a solo journey to Komodo National Park. It was an unbelievable journey! This was the last sunset I saw at Labuan Bajo, Flores from a little local restaurant called "The Corner" This is the view from my bungalow at the Golo Hilltop Hotel, which is owned by 2 dutch women who visited here and fell in love with the place and decided to live here, I can see why :) At komodo national park there was an overwhelmingly large schools of fish, just mesmerizing! The Komodos at Rinca Island were huge, they gave us long large wooden sticks just in case, but I didn't dare to even try to get too close. I only got to dive 4 times at Komodo (Manta point, Batu Bolong, Crystal rock, full moon) but they were incredible, we saw 5 meter wide manta rays, eagle rays, white tip sharks, napoleon fish, bluefin tuna, giant trevally, scorpion fishes, and so much more! I hope I get the chance to come back and explore all the other sites!

Puncak, West Java A bit rough, but exhilarating :D

Love this photograph by Elena Kalis, view the complete set at elenakalisphoto.com she has a lot more underwater projects. Can't wait to try out my underwater camera!

the warm golden afternoon sun peeks from the small gap of the front door straight to my eyes creating sparkling circles of rays, blinding me. Time to take it slow, say a prayer and be in stillness... bringing to mind all the things to be grateful for.

Loving these photographs by Lupen Grainne

mimpi dive resort, tulamben, bali Just got back home around midnight last night from my diving trip to Tulamben which is in the north-east coast of Bali. My friends and I completed our advance PADI course with our good friend and great dive instructor Angela. One of the things I love the most about these trips are the unique characters of people that I encounter and share my travels with. Listening to their stories, and seeing their interactions with their loved ones always inspires me to become a better person. I had arrived in Denpasar on Thursday night meeting Katsura and our driver at the airport to take us to Tulamben where most of our friends already arrived earlier. The road to Tulamben is a smooth cemented road with a curvy snake like path slithering in the wee-hours of the night. I took some antimo (medication for motion sickness) before I left so there were no worries about sudden hurls in sudden whirls. We passed by traditional balinese houses, still and quiet with their sle...