Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Namaste Sirs!

Looking out at the Humayun's tomb
"Good morning to you sirs, Namaste". Those were the words that came out of Mr. Ajay, a local guide that my hotel had arranged to take my business directors and myself for a day tour around New Delhi. "Welcome to India, gentlemen", He continued with a warmest of smiles. "And as they say it during the TV commercials: Incredible India". Honestly, what the guide said almost made me crack in laughters. However, after seeing Mr. Ajay's sincere face and his positive presence, I held back. Who knows, I thought to myself. Maybe it is incredible.

That was the start of my week in India with two of my business directors, Jay and Dennes, both of whom has never set foot in India before. We were there to attend an international coal conference that is held annually. Since the first day of the conference does not start until the evening, I thought it would be a great idea to treat my directors to some sightseeings. We left the hotel in a limousine that was arranged by the management to make our travel less of a hassle. The limousine, mind you, is a nice, compact Toyota Vios. Not much of a limousine. And, since my directors and myself are not exactly small men, definitely not much of a space either! "Nice and comfy, right sirs?" Asked Mr. Ajay from the front passenger seat. As I let out a sarcastic smile, Mr. Ajay told the hotel chauffeur to step on it and be on our way.

"Mind you, sirs, the way we drive here can be quite the experience. On the road, we need to have three things only", explained Mr. Ajay. "First, we need good horns. Because they will only take notice of you when you honk at them". True, I thought, as I realized how in most cars out there on the road did not have any side view mirrors. "Second, you need good brakes. With it, you can definitely avoid accidents", continued Mr. Ajay. "And there are many accidents here in the roads".

"Lastly, and this is the most important", said Mr. Ajay, "You need good luck!". As he said that, suddenly a car next to us was hit from the back by a Bajaj, a three wheeled vehicles that they have in India. "Oh my God!" My director Jay let out a little scream. As we sat there in the car waiting for a fight between two drivers to ensue, we were surprised to see that nothing was happening. If that was in Indonesia, a fight would have definitely occurred between the two drivers. Then I began to wonder if it was really just bad luck that had caused that accident. And not bad brakes or bad driving even.

There were two places that I went to see that day. The Humayyun's Tomb and Qutb Minar. Both had a lot to offer to tourists such as ourselves. But what really struck me was Qutb Minar. Hopefully the guide was telling me factual story of this place. But according to the guide, this place was a mosque that was also a Hindu and Jain temple. And back then, they were practicing their respective religions and beliefs in harmony. If this story was true, it would be truly amazing to think that people in the past had put aside their differences and chose to live harmoniously.

At that time, it struck me that there is more to India. I became intrigued by the country and its history that can be considered very ancient. Humayyun's Tomb provided me with a number of stories where the structure was built for the Royal family of the Mughal emperor. To be honest, I kind of like the idea where you are being buried with the rest of your family in one place. Looking at how big my family is, perhaps it would be a good idea for us to consider building a tomb like this.

Yeah.. I wish. That would have been very awesome though...

The awesome Qutb Minar

Friday, March 2, 2012

To bike or not to bike

I have been seriously considering selling my car recently because of a number of reasons.

First of all, the traffic in Jakarta has been inexplicably intense and it's very draining to drive nowadays! This morning driving my way to the office took me around 2 hours approximately. I mean, what is up with that? I have been jokin to my friends and colleagues alike that I have an office set up in my car. But right now, I'm starting to to wish that I really do have one in my car.

And the next reason is.. Well, there isn't any other actually. I just think driving to the office nowadays is such a waste of time and going there with my bicycle is a lot quicker. Luckily for bicyclist, there are no regulations that binds you to a certain ways of behavior. Hence, it really does feel great when you can ride on the sidewalk, or in between cars stuck in traffic or even riding in the busway lanes. Believe me it's a lot safer riding in that lane than a normal road. But nevertheless, do take care of yourself. It's still not 100 percent safe!

Be cautious out there


But then again, I see this beloved country of ours being on a leash with the automotive industry. It's difficult right now to picture a road with less cars and, ahem, more bicycles.

But one can always dream of a better day. And I hope this is one dream where it does come true.

My partner in crime

Always smile when you ride!!


Thursday, March 1, 2012

From the top of the world

"Don't forget your jacket", said my sister Rani who accompanied me that morning along with her fiance Garu. It was precisely 2 AM Bali time. I honestly thought maybe I was missing something there as I was sitting in the car that was speeding through the narrow roads of the Balinese village.

Wait. We are in Bali. Bali equals to beaches and nice warm weather. Why the heck did my sister reminded me to bring my jacket for? "There it is. This is where we start our trekking", said my sister. Right, I said. We had planned this before we landed in Bali. I totally forgot that we were about to hike up Mount Agung that morning.

What was I thinking? This is Mount Agung we are talking about. The highest point in Bali, which is also an active stratovolcano. This mountain represent a very sacred area for the Balinese people as local mythology foretold that it is said to be a replica of Mount Meru, or often called Mahameru which means the Great Meru, a sacred mountain in the Hindu or Buddhist cosmology and is considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universe. And I am about to hike it! Yaaayyy...!

Inhale.. exhale.. and a large gulp of bravery later, I started my climb with my sister and her fiance and a number of other climbers that morning. This climb is definitely not for the weak minded and those who are unfit. Slippery surface, rocky terrain and random weather occurrences would be enough to make people break. As I experienced it myself, 500 meters off the peak I honestly thought I was going to die..!

But thankfully, I made it. And just in time for sunrise. Despite all the hardship that I had to go through, it was worth it. The view and the feeling, they were just outer-worldly.

"Hey Bayu", called Garu. "Yea Bro". "You do realize that we have to climb down after this, right?" After I survived that day, I told myself that I would never ever walk again. But then again, I like breaking silly vows like that.

Prepare an umbrella before it rains... huh?
Welcoming a new day

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Hello There!!

Wow I think it has been a year since I last posted something here in my blog! Or just a few months maybe.. Well, plenty of reasons for that actually.

1. I totally forgot about the existence of this blog!

Not until I was updating my Facebook account and I saw the link to my blog! So I thought why don't I pay a little visit to my blog :)

2. Work has been a nightmare recently!

Okay, I know. It's the easiest way out isn't it? Blame work when the rest of your time is gone. But seriously, it is work and I have been going to a lot of places where seeing and feeling the place will be more of a benefit than spending the time I have typing or writing a blog.

Or maybe... I have been lazy. :(

3. I need my doze of sanity check

Yes. I think this is it. It has a nice ring to it. And every time I type something up, my mind eases. It's like I am a prophet in the middle of his enlightenment. Or not.

I just have too much cooped up and I guess I just feel like sharing it all here. So we'll see just how much better I will feel after a few posts

So, let's get it on then shall we?