Road to Soul Writing

I stood on a white glittering sandy beach while asking my friend “is this Semeti?”. He looked at me then showed his coyly smile. “Hold on, the secret triangle pyramid rock is behind that hill”. His hand pointed to the south. I’ve seen many beaches, to me white glittering sandy beach is not enough to make it beautiful. As I get closer I heard the roar of ocean. The wave banged over the stoning hill, the triangle pyramid stands in the middle, blue and white looked angry, simultaneously created stunning water labyrinth. Three meters coast make this place looks like tiny semi circle bay. The join up shiny black rocks in various shapes, green hills, wild waves and dark blue ocean shivered and amazed me. I put off my shoes, walked along on this ten meters beach. At the end, I saw the black rocks stand still. It challenged my bravery. I put my shoes on and carefully climbed it. As I reached the rocky terraces, I sat down and took a deep breath. It was around 2 met...

Fishy smell was in the air as I walked close passed the harbor gate of Tanjung Luar. Many Sasak women were sitting and squatting in front of the fish that they were selling. Many people were bargaining, paying, waiting for changes, and lifting some big buckets and sacks. My attention was attracted by two big fishes. I looked at them steadily. I fumbled my camera. In sudden, two Sasak females stood in front of me with a metal big plate on their hand. They offered me squids. I firmly said no. She begged but I went away. I wish I could buy it but I did not want to carry squids to Gili Kali Bumbung.  Boat man called me, I was late. I was supposed to be in the harbor an hour before. I walked briskly to the shore and got on to the boat. As I showed my apologetic face and asked for forgiveness. He simply said “It’s ok”. He asked his little kid to pull the anchor out. Then he turned the machine on. As the machine sound rose, the boat moved. The wave was calm under the gloomy skies ...

Desa Maringkik Island, Keruak, East Lombok Lombok eastern sky looked very gloomy as I rode to the east, but it didn’t change my mind to put my trip off. It should have been one and half hour if the heavy rain had not fallen to get my destination. It made me stop more than twice on the way because I didn’t have my rain coat with me. The first stop was in Sengkereng village. I sat in a wooden gazebo which is less than one meter from the main road. I was sitting with a lady who was trying to cheer her little kid up. Behind me, mix of traditional houses with some brick houses stood still. Some long poles to support a dove house stood disarray among the houses. Almost 40 minutes, heavy rain was replaced by the drops and I was ready to hit the road again.  In the wet season, south eastern land looked much more alive. Land along the road was so green and ready for planting season. At its back, Rinjani showed its massive reflection on the watered field and I still feel the dr...