Pelabuhan Ratu Experience
Monday, March 27th, 2006
Just came back from Palabuhan Ratu (West Java) for a 4 days 3 nights quick getaway from the city (Jakarta). We stayed at Ocean Queen Resort. Had a wonderful and at the same time scary weekend.
We decided to leave Thursday evening so that we get there early Friday morning to maximize the weekend. I had to cancel two of my classes because of this (bad girl! =P) Nah, it was just an extracurricular class so I just have to complete like ten sessions, so it was totally ok for me to slack off some of them (excuses excuses!) Ha ha
We started Friday morning, or rather, afternoon - as we slept the morning through. Ha ha We started the day with beach volleyball, but OH! It was sooo HOT! I was like… melting under the scorching heat of the sun! =P Enjoyed it though. And Greg and I won over Kim and Allen. (Remember Greg and Allen? The guys that’s also part of the casts of Friends Reunion, The Movie? Ha ha J) Kim was not feeling well during the afternoon so she slept for an hour while I lounged around just outside our bungalow. We went to the beach after, and it was one hilarious and at the same time embarrassing experience. Allen and I were talking on the shore, Kim and Greg was swimming far out. During that time though, Indonesian policemen were having their training on that beach. And when Kim was far out, she tried waving back, I didn’t see her wave cause I was talking with Allen, but the police did, and so they started scrambling for their inflatable boat, and they were going crazy. Allen and I was watching and didn’t realize that they were going in for Kim and Greg as they thought they were in trouble thus, the waving arms. I think the police enjoyed the thrill and excitement though - cause then they get to do a “real” drill. When Kim and Greg were back on shore, we were so fast in getting ourselves out of that beach. Ha ha ha LESSON LEARNED: Never EVER wave when you’re in the water and you’re not in trouble! J
After that it was dinner at one of the restos on the beach shore, we had dinner sitting down on the floor, it was one of those restos like a Japanese resto, and the food was yummy! (but then again, everything for me is yummy! Ha ha ha) After dinner, we drove around a bit. Kim and I rolled down our window and got out and sat on the edge - the air was so cool and clean! J After that was bonfire on the beach and intense sharing, it was really great!!! I don’t know how Kim and I would have survived the weekend if these two guys are no brainers – but then again, we wouldn’t have agreed to go with them in the first place if they are that! =P
Saturday morning was the highlight of my weekend, we went belaying (belaying is tying yourself on something that is suspended above air (usually a bridge) and lowering yourself down to the ground using mountaineering rope and gears). Most of you know I’m afraid of heights. When it was my turn, I was cool in putting the gears on, but then when I hopped over the bridge railing, my golly! I got soooo scared, you can’t imagine how scared I was – I didn’t want to let go of the railing, it even got to the point that I was ready to scramble back up the railing. But Greg’s really a great guy, he’s a born teacher and motivator, he just looked directly into my eyes and urged me to just let go, he’ll make sure I’ll be safe – and I did, and boy am I glad! As soon as I let go, WOW! It was AWESOME! Ha ha ha When I got to the bottom, I scrambled back up and got down a second time. Ha ha ha Afterwards, we tried looking for a higher bridge but too bad wasn’t able to find one. We’ll definitely do a bigger one soon! J
After that was body surfing. And again, it’s all thanks to Greg for being so patient. It was just too bad that the waves were not that strong. We’ll try next time in Bali. Can’t wait! J Oh by the way, the police were there again. This time though, we became friends. Ha ha Greg was afraid to bump into them thinking that they will remind us about the incident the previous day. We moved to the beach shore farther away from them, but they followed us! I’m pretty sure it was because of Kim and I wearing bikini. Nobody could resist us! Ha ha ha
After that was motor bike riding around the area, Kim rode with Greg while I rode with Allen. We were almost back to our resort when accident happened. We were on a somewhat steep upward slope when Kim told us that they were running low on fuel, but Allen thought he heard her say that there’s an oncoming bus so he slowed down the motor bike, I don’t know what happened but the next thing I knew, I was on the floor! It was a good thing I landed on my butt and didn’t roll down the slope. Just had a few minor scratches. And afterwards, until now, when I think about it, I just really thank God that he’s always protecting me, cause it’s very possible that I could have rolled down that slope and got myself bruised all over, worse, a car might be passing by and rolled over me. Ugh! Thank you Jesus! J (And thanks to all your prayers, cause I know your prayers added to my protecting shield) J LESSON LEARNED: NEVER slow down motor bike on an upward slope.
In the afternoon, Kim, Greg and I scaled a “rocky mountain” just by the beach. I got additional bruises cause my slippers kept slipping (hmmm…slippers slipping =P). But it’s ok, it was well worth it. J Kim and I took some crazy and cool photos by the beach.
We had pasta dinner and did more sharing. Food was even better than the seafood the night before. Better yet, it was on Greg! Ooops, that didn’t sound right, did it? What I meant was Greg got the bill. Ha ha After that was ghost story telling time, and oh boy, did Allen and Greg got scared! The funny part was when we pulled a gag on Greg, and he was totally into it and didn’t see it coming, you should have seen his reaction! Ha ha ha
Overall, it was a really great weekend! It was relaxing and at the same time stimulating because of all the conversations we had. J
