Bali

Bali is the latest beneficiary of our penchant for quick getaways, and it certainly was a memorable one. After spending a night together playing spades (that was one drawn out game) we were kindly driven down to the airport by a certain MO, ensuring that at least 3 of our parents could sleep instead. Flight itself was nothing spectacular, and we arrived in the morning on Friday.

Clear blue skies, and brilliant sunlight. Fine, soft sand as far as the eye can see in 3 directions, with the expanse of the ocean stretching to eternity ahead. And yet this is no tranquil glass patch; the ocean seethes with suppressed power, with waves that pound ceaselessly on the beach. Their height may not be phenomenal, but noone who has stepped into their embrace questions the power that lies within. In fact, all that is needed is to hear the constant rumble, like thunder, to come to that realisation.

Our hotel turned out to be a nice cosy place, tho set deep inside a maze of narrow alleys and shops. Good thing was that the rooms themselves were quite nice, considering the price we paid (and there was air con!). Realised to my chagrin that my camera was not working at all, despite my having charged and checked it just the night before. We checked in, changed up and headed out to the beach to do what we had come to do.

All around, there are countless people in the water. Some are merely enjoying the scenery, some each others’ company. Some are doing furious battle, some are doing a joyous dance with the waves, all grace and speed. Each interaction has its own story, and one can spend hours sitting there, soaking in the sights and sounds and watching this sheer unbridled expression of human joy.

Lunch on that first day was not too memorable; a long walk into the city trying to find a place with half baked directions. Still, it was decent (food there is really quite cheap, all things considered). Had the ill fortune to split up, and subsequently realised to our horror that phone calls can't go thru, and the other half of the party wasn't replying messages. Only later did we discover they had overshot, and walked much further and finally settled down out of frustration haha. Still, that was a nice spot, and we sat there watching the glorious sunset. And the walk back that evening provided some phenomenally beautiful views of the sea and clouds at night; but sadly couldn't be photographed no matter what i tried.

He struggles with the massive board, the difficulty not so much with the weight as the size. His mind is filled with a mixture of anticipation and wariness; the former from his memories of another beach last year, and the latter from the protestations of his body which he recalls well even now. Adding to the mix is the fact that these waves are significantly larger than anything he has encountered before.

More surfing on the second day; this is when i really got the hang of it. Went around, saw the old Ground Zero where the previous bombings had occurred. Looking at it now, its hard to believe that devastation on such a scale happened there. A tribute to human endurance, that they have managed to build it up so well...

Still, the sight of others racing across the churning waters gives him courage, and he descends into the ocean. The cool water is balm on his burning skin, with it the primal joy he always experiences when he is immersed. The waves buffet both him and his board, and he revels in the contest, alternately leaping into the bigger ones and crashing straight through the smaller ones.

On our final day we were overjoyed to meet Rachel and Dickson, who also were in Bali with Dick's family. Went white water rafting; the river itself was a real letdown; the rapids could hardly be called that, and there really wasn't much in the way of excitement. Noteworthy though was our rest break at a waterfall; splashing and playing about there, fighting the tremendous force of the waterfall, taking uber cool shots. I really enjoyed that more than anything else in the rafting itself.

There are countless minor irritations, as always: the hordes of people, requiring occasional evasive manoeuvres and gifting him with one solid smack on the head from someone’s runaway board. The abrasions on his elbows, knees and chest, stinging every time he hauls himself onto his own. The protest of muscles being abused, when he attempts to paddle. And of course the repeated frustrations of mistiming and being left adrift as the uncaring wave passes by.

It was barely 3 days, but yet there was time for arguments, annoyance and one major flareup. It was partly my fault, yes, but ultimately it was something that could have been dealt with much better, by all parties involved. The mood was never really the same after that, and I forsee more problems in the future when planning trips. Sigh...

But in the end, these are as dust blown away by the wind, and what remain are the shimmering moments of perfection, when he and a wave are locked in a flawless dance, and he flies across the ocean with the salt – spray in his face and elation in his heart. And on one of these magical journeys, to look to his right and see his companion keeping pace with him, with a matching grin.

Ultimately tho I had a very good time; and now I do not look forward to reentering the mindless endless world of work that lies ahead. There remains a huge amount to be done, and my motivation to get started is worryingly low.

Friend, adversary, lover, refuge; for one shining moment, the ocean is all these and more...

I know it sounds really gay; but Bang you should have come on this trip. We really missed you man...

"My candle burns at both its ends;It will not last the night;
But oh, my foes, and oh, my friends -- It gives a lovely light. "

-Edna St Vincent Millay