1717 mdpl

Source: Personal documentation

My friend had this crazy unplanned idea to hike Mount Batur. Why do I say it unplanned? As a person who likes to plan everything daysss beforeee the event is going, made a plan only one day before is not my cup of tea. But it's hiking, something that I've been craving myself to do for years! So, without hesitation I take the opportunity right away~

We were a group of 5, three guys and two gals. We started by gathering at one of my friend's house, it was at 3 AM Bali time. Then we headed to Kintamani as we were going to hike Mount Batur. One of my friend (the red shirt guy) drove me there. But thing happened, it was in Kubu area when my friend's (the eye glasses guy) motorbike just broke down! For a second we were worried about our plan, were we going to cancel it? Of course, we weren't going to leave him alone. Team work! Fortunately, we could manage it very well. He asked his brother to bring another motorbike to him. Soon, me and another friends continued our ride to Kintamani first, meanwhile the eye glasses guy would go after. 

It took about 1 hour 10 mins to get into the gathering point. There was a lot of people began to walk from mountain road, most of them were bule. I prepared myself by stretching my legs. It was freaking cold, 17 degrees celcius outside. I wore the most comfortable and warm garments I have. I own this green neon jackets, blue bennie, jeans and mitten which made me looks like a snow woman hahaha. Meanwhile, another girls were wearing jogger, short leggings, or even crop shirts to cover their top. Aaaah, I was envy on how they can manage the cold with the bare minimum. 

I've hiked before, but it was a small hills in my neighbourhood. That's why when the first time I saw the tracking field.. I was shocked! The field was far different from what I thought it would be!  Yeaah, I thought it will be an easy one. Haha. 

It was pitch dark, in the middle of nowhere of the tracking way, I needed to use flashlight to look for the way. As we hiked further, the track would get harder because we were getting close to the Mount Batur's peak. I felt bad for asking my friends to stop regularly at some point, so we could get some rest. They are experienced hikers, so they walked faster than me as they've known how to look for right slits.. whilst I required more time. But they convinced me that it was okay to take a little break. It warmss my heart until now, to remember how sweett they were.

All the sweats are paid off when we arrived on the peak of Mount Batur. I could hear clearly how people were giving sight of relief. Their eyes were mesmerized by the beauty that greet them. Around 5:50 AM Bali time, I got to see the sun rises behind the clouds. It brought a huge smile to my face. I immediately opened my jacket, cold instantly pricked my skin but it didn't stop me to adore view of Kintamani village hiding behind the fog. It was my inner self screaming, "Feel the weather! Watch the view! Be present! Capture it forever!" Beautiful place, beautiful people with beautiful scenery. I could've not ask for more. Oh my, I am so very blessed.

After some minutes of admiring the nature, we took bunch of photos. Metal style, peace style, free style. You mention it! This one stranger helped us to capture our moment. We laughed together because of our weird jokes. It was strange on how all the hikers merged together. I thought we were put together by hobby. That moment also happened when I fell accidently on a sandy terrain on the way down. One buck-ibuck advised me to give tilt steps, so I could gain more balance and be safe. Sweet!

Oh, another thing that I would like to mention or I SHOULD mention is I fell AGAIN and successfully ripped my jeans (on my left knee) haha. Maybe the mountain was validating me as a new hiker yeaah. It didn't hurt before, but it is now haha. No regret tho. It makes me smile because I have story to tell.

So, to wrap up this story. From hiking I understand more about patience. I find out that hiking is about progress, how you decide to keep going with every little step to eventually reach the peak. Simple but you can't do it if you stop. Sometimes we have to change our view, from result into process.. 

Today's hiking is just absolutely amazing experience. A perfect 23 birthday gift that I never expect. Not only that I tame the peak of Mount Batur, 1717 mdpl. But I also feel like I can finally find myself again. I had plenty of self talks there. That's why I feel so very blessed as God still gives me another chance to create good memories in life. That's why for many times ahead, I want myself to always remember this moment.

Cheers!