Travelogue: Bali 2015

After months of procrastinating, I finally decided to sit down and blog about my impromptu weekend trip to Bali in December 2015, the week just before Christmas.

It all began with this photo. 

A week before I posted this photo, my friend's hall mate won a trip for 2 to Vietnam by Jetstar Asia and she went on the trip with that friend. For the month of November, Jetstar was having this contest to win a pair of return Jetstar tickets for a weekend getaway by hashtagging #jetstarasia #FridayFREEFlights. The catch is that we would have to leave almost immediately (like the earliest flight to that destination). I decided to just post a photo and see how it goes. Besides, what are the chances of actually winning right?

Lo and behold, I ACTUALLY WON. 

I was speechless. Absolutely stunned. But so very excited! I immediately emailed them accordingly and they called me up. They gave me 2 of the earliest flights to choose from and so I picked the earliest one which is a 4 am flight the next day. Next, I had to make sure my friend, Ohn could make it too. So I called her up and told her I won. She was just absolutely thrilled as well! 

I immediately went to grab my luggage and started packing. While packing, I was wondering how to tell my mum. At that point in time, I didn't think she'd oppose or anything. However, I was wrong. She was rather firm on not letting me go. 

But, I had to. It was the one and only time I would get this opportunity to travel for free. Flights and accommodation for 2 roughly add up to probably about 1.5k based on last minute rates? Honestly, what are the chances of ever winning something like this again? Hence, I took a leap of faith and went for it.

Day 1 (19 Dec):

Met Ohm at the taxi stand outside CityVibe to catch a cab to Changi Airport for our flight at about 2.15am. Reached T2 at about 3 am, checked-in and went in to wait for boarding.

Even at the airport, we couldn't believe that we're actually doing this without a plan. It was the most reckless thing I've done, ever. Well, we're both 21 now. So I guess it's time to do something we've never done before (':

Travelogue: Mt. Rinjani (Senaru Crater Rim x Descend x Missed Flight)

"Travel is the only thing you buy, that makes you richer."

Day 4 (Senaru Crater Rim x Descend to POS 1):

When we woke up, we were greeted by the majestic view of the lake which we did not get to see the day before. 

After breakfast, we packed our bags and prepare to set off for the climb to Senaru crater rim.

 Group photo before setting off

We headed along the lake for a few minutes before climbing up. The view at every step of the way was no less than spectacular yet again.

Travelogue: Mt. Rinjani (Summit x Segara Anak Lake)

"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb."

Day 3 (Summit x Segara Anak Lake):

Our summit climb began at 2:30am. When we were up, we could already see many flickering lights along the route up. People sure began their climb early! The summit climb was definitely the hardest part of the trek. The last part was the worse. People were right about taking 1 step forward and sliding 2 steps back. The summit seemed so near, but just like what our guide told us, don't always believe what your eyes see. Walking up the never-ending path to the summit was torturous. However, we just took our time and slowly crawled up. Manage to catch the gorgeous sunrise on the way.

Dawn breaks as we inched our way up the path to the summit.

Even when the sun was already up, we were still far away from the summit...

Travelogue: Mt. Rinjani (Transit x Sembalun Crater Rim)

"Nature, in the purest sense, is where both serenity and wilderness coexist in harmony. When we visit it, we feel both peaceful and uneasy all at once."

Still feeling the "Post-Rinjani Withdrawal Syndrome" even after being back in SG for a few days now. Miss everything about Rinjani, other than the torturous climb and aching muscles.

Well, here's my recount of the trip for future viewing!

Decided to go on this NTU ODAC public trip as my 7rek mates were signing up for it and they asked me along. Rinjani was on my list since last year after we completed our 7rek Indo recce (Read more about the previous trip here). And since the trip leaders are people I know too, so why not? 

This was a 5D4N trip with 1 day of transit from SG to Lomobok and resting one night before the start of our trek. However, it soon became a 5D5N trip... Read on to find out why.

Anyway, we went with Green Rinjani and yes their service was really good! From the accommodation before the trek to the food and tents provided during the trek, they were all excellent! We had 6 guides and approximately 25 porters for the 28 of us. The guides were extremely friendly and patient with us, accommodating to our needs and all. Really thankful to have them during our trek! 

I was all excited yet nervous all at the same time while preparing for the trip, not knowing what to expect. 

Day 1 (SG x Bali x Lombok):

Our day began at 6am at Changi Airport T2. Gathered for check-in and prepared for our flight to Bali. Flew by Tiger Air from SG to Bali, which took approximately 2.5hrs. 

First stop: Bali International/Domestic Airport. Made our way from the international arrival hall to the domestic departure hall, with plenty of time to kill. So we went around looking for lunch before checking-in for our domestic flight to Lombok.

View from domestic departure hall

 If you look closely, you can actually see the blue seas behind the runway.

 Second experience on a propeller plane

So our domestic flight was by Wings Air and it was a propeller plane! There wasn't much ventilation in the plane before take-off cause the air conditioning wasn't turned on. It felt like we were in a sauna x.x Thank goodness it was only a 30min flight.

Felt like ages before the plane finally took off.

 Bird's eye view of Bali

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Cave-tubing & Prambanan Temple)

Photo credits to Zul.

Day 6 (Cave-tubing & Prambanan Temple):

We set off at about 8am for Gua Pindul, cave tubing. First time trying this out so I was actually quite excited for it! After putting on our life jackets and changing into the rubber shoes they provided, we were transported by a lorry to the cave. On the way, they were trying out Choong's monopod.

And here is how that turned out.

Photo credits to Choong.

So after a short briefing, we went into the water. We just sat on the tube and went into the cave in a line, holding on to each other's tube.

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Mt. Merbabu)

Day 5 (Mt. Merbabu):

After preparing and changing into our trekking gears in Suroto's house, we set off for Mt. Merbabu at about 12am. We had 6 guides with us on this trek, which actually turned out to be a good thing since we got split into 3 groups (or was it 4) in the end. Originally, we were suppose to climb Mt. Merapi, but due to the recent volcanic activity on Merapi, we changed to Mt. Merbabu instead.

We walked on proper footpaths up till the starting point of the climb. From the starting point onwards, we walked on soft ground. Not sure if it's soil or volcanic ash. Mt. Merbabu is also a volcano but it's a dormant volcano, unlike Merapi, which is still very active.

So, our 5-6 hour ascend began. The terrain was steep too. But unlike Mt. Welirang, it was literally like climbing stairs. Thankfully I had Choong's trusty trekking pole once more, and it became my extended hand, helping me up those steep "stairs".

Stuck with the group though most of the trekking, though my tummy gave me trouble again. Seemed like high altitude is really not my thing cause I was feeling light-headed as we trekked higher. 

Anyway, pushed myself up slowly but well, after 4 plus hours of trekking, I was just too exhausted to carry on... It was getting way too uncomfortable. #girlproblems . The guide who was with us had to pull me up to Pos 3, literally. Hahaha. When he said that there were 7 Pos in total to reach the summit and that the climb from Pos 3-4 (or isit 4-5) is the steepest, I didn't want to move anymore. So, since the sun was about to rise in a few minutes time, we decided to stop at Pos 3 to watch sunrise. The guide seemed happy that we didn't want to continue anymore. Hahaha. 

So he set up a small camp fire and woah the fire was soooo warm! & we waited for sunrise.

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Mt. Bromo)

Day 4 (Mt. Bromo x Transfer to Yogyakarta):

So we woke up at 2:30am to take a Jeep up to Penanjakan View Point to see the sunrise. It was really crowded when we went up there, which was surprising considering it was a weekday. Hung around outside the shops, getting hot drinks while we waited before heading to the view point. It was already flooded by the time we went up. Just had to squeeze to the front and even so, couldn't really get a good spot. The sunrise that day wasn't that fantastic. We all agreed it was the longest sunrise ever...

That's the best I could get of the sunrise that day. Went over to the adjacent side of the view point to get a photo of Mt. Bromo crater. The view there was much better, after the crowd dispersed a little after the sunrise. The shorter peak in the front is Mount Batok. The one with the smoke coming out is Mount Bromo and the tallest one in the background is Mount Semeru.

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Mt. Welirang)

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

It felt like it was only yesterday that we were in Indonesia. One week ago, I was in Indonesia doing a recce with 7rek committee. Now I'm back in SG suffering from post-trip syndrome... That aside, I shall do a blog post on this recce trip while my memory is still fresh.


Day 1 (Flight to Surabaya x R&R):

We met up at 9am in the morning at Changi ariport T1 for our 11:15am flight. Was really excited for the trip since it was my first time flying without my parents and my second trip with 7rek after the Berkelah Subcom Trip in September last year.

My whole family accompanied me to the airport to send me off. Felt so much loveeee on a Sunday morning!

Anyway, we checked in when everyone arrived at about 9:45am and went in to eat breakfast.

Photo credits to Denise.