May already. May the force be with you.
I am going to write about the sequel of my journey before. Continued from the Batam trip, after the wedding ceremony has done, Me and Nesya decided to visit to one of our friend's house in Singapore. So off we went. It has been so long too to ride a ferry to pass the river in between.
It has amazing to finally see the ocean after this long time. We finally arrived at Singapore Harbour after almost 3 hours on the boat. We decided to go directly to our friend's house, since we woke up late and activities afterwards came late as well. There we went to Ang Mo Kio, Iro's house.
Back to the story, arriving in Singapore, Iro actually has already gave us direction to her house. But with our idea-ass, the journey to her house seemed heavier and longer. Lucky me just brought a backpack and a sling bag. Nesya should push the suitcase wherever we walk. and we went there by walking so it was indeed quite tiring. Something worth it was when we arrived at her house, there was baby Nio, smiling at us and .... some foods that have been cooked by mas Bondan, Iro's husband, special for us. It was delicious! seriously tasty! No kidding. Then, while we ate, we spent some times there, sharing stories about each of us over the years. Talked some deep talks. About how life changed for Iro after got married and having Nio. or how my and nesya's job is, or about my thesis or flashback to how we were, reminiscing our life in several years ago or how our life is and how life should be and supposed to be for us, in the next years. Funny thing is, we've barely met for a year, and when we met, it was not awkward instead praying that one day should be more than 24 hours. I guess.
As this was a sudden trip, Nesya hasn't been planning to stay longer in Singapore while i have prepared myself to the contrary. So Nesya just spent one day in Spore and went back home at night in the same day we arrived. So it was just me, being Uci the explorer. Anyway, after Nesya flee back, I continued having dinner with Iro at Marina Bay, and played with Nio. It was about 9pm and it was Sunday. So after we finished our dinner and some chit chatted, we separated there because mas Bondan had to go to work the day after. Then, i continued exploring to some places all by myself. Hence, since it was closed to Garden by the bay, i decided to go there (since a lot of people say it was amazing when you came at night). it was tiring, though because before meeting with Iro at the mall, i have been searched my hostel to checked in and put my belonging first. So my feet were already reached its limits to walk. But i still kept forcing it to walk to wondering around. I went to Garden by the bay and along the road, the view was mesmerizing, filled by lighting and lamps. Since i was traveling alone, there were some moments when i had to .. you know, getting close to stranger and ask them to take a picture of me. Most of them were just kindhearted and willing to do that. I thank them. Just so you know, i was wondering at night until 12.30am. alone. yes.
It was my first time tho' to walked here and there alone at midnight. Strangely, I felt save. It was probably because it was Singapore. Like if i did that in Indonesia, i probably surrounded by the fear (of ghost and bad people). Aaaaand, i think it was also because there were still a lot of people who explored the place like me, i didn't think any bad thoughts. at all. Wondering alone in Garden by The Bay, at midnight, made me think about another world. It automatically brought you to some imaginary places like in the movies. Like Avatar for example. I was exhausted and decided to just sit and saw the trees with those lamp around me. There was a moon. It was a good night tho'.
After scrolled around the south of the city, i went back to the hostel. I stayed a night in The Little Red Dot in Lavender Road. The concept is capsule bed bunk. The price was quite cheap as well, so that's why i choose to sleep there. At first, i was quite bit afraid since the place was on the roadside, the atmosphere of the hostel was dark and the walls are black. Like less light. I am so negative thinking because of it. moreover, many men stay there. and I got there already at night when cheked in. but, you know, do not ever judge a book from its cover. seriously. do not. It may sounds overly exaggerate, but i reeeeaaaaalllyyyy had a good sleep there. I even woke up at 10am. Felt like my own bed. The owner also was so kind to me. Things that quite annoying (at first) was.. I got the upper bed which was not accordance to my request before (because i have never slept on upper bed bunk before, so that was my first time tho'). But turned out, upper bed was the best. I had not listen people pass over and couldn't hear any noisy. So, my staying there was 9,5 of 10 (this is not endorsement post :p).
After i cleaned up myself, i directly went to eat breakfast. I looked right and left to look for empty chair and there i met a man, 19 years old, from Finland, ate his breads. This is why i love solo traveling. You know, you can meet anyone, talk to anyone, try to understand anyone and be that anyone without feeling any burden. Even if you can't speak, just be you is the key. We started talking about a lot of things. Mostly about traveling. He, whom i forgot the name, saved his money for four years to travel. He supposed to continue his study last year but instead he spare one year to travel. He still is going to continue his study starting this year. Along one year, he has visited Japan, Australia, USA, and even Indonesia. The last place he was going to explore was Thailand. Amazing how he could make a decision like that and he said it was for fulfilling his curiosity. To enjoy the life. To look for happy moments so when he is down, memories about his journey will motivate him again in doing whatever that is. Also, it probably could help his study later by his experiences. That is one of the benefits i could get when i do solo traveling. When i did the journey, i observe my interlocutors (which were mostly foreigners), they are so open to something new. New people, new stories, new experience, new ideas, new opinion, new mindset and they rarely using their phone to spend their spare time. They rather talk. They like to talk. About anything. I don't know if it is true, but people who i have met along my trip were mostly big talker. And i reaaalyyy love that. I got new information, experience, stories and even new friends. Because of that experience, I have my own mantra.
By that, i always feel grateful and happily do what i am doing without any burden. Because when i start getting stressed, i tell myself... This is for your memories. Make it good, and enjoy it. Kind of trashy mantra but somehow it works with me.
After that, i continued strolling around. Because the day before was exhausting, i decided to just enjoy whatever my eyes spotted on. I have never made itinerary whenever i go, so just go wherever my feet brought me to. I went to Merlion first and met some tourists from Germany and you know, talk a bit with one or two of them. Taking and asking for taking of the picture too. Then going to little india. In this place i just realized that there were a lot of artsy things. I even randomly went to Rafless hospital (just go in and immediately out), eating halal noodle in woodlands, and it surprisingly brought me to Bukit Panjang (which i have no idea why) and just back to Clark Quay then to Bugis. I was randomly went to the art science museum as well. It was good, just in this place i have finally wished someone was there with me, talking about how the arts could be that amazing. Then, for the last was back to where i belong, Ang Mo Kio, meeting baby Nio :).
People may see me weird but since the concept just enjoy unplanned place and random things, I was very happy. I took bus instead train. It made me think again. Going here and there by bus probably was not as fast as the train. was not as clear as by train. and probably looked confusing and no specific destination, not like by train. But.. turned out, it brought new viewpoint for me. You look your phone a lot when you are in train. Because all around was just black (since the railway was underground). But by bus, you can see a lot of things. Real things. Buildings, People, Trees, Grass, Road, and even funny things that is very possible to be seen. It may be slower but it teaches you to appreciate the process. To enjoy way from one place to another place and everything in between. Just like life. It may look slow and long heavy bumpy road, but change the perspective, and we will appreciate every bit of process and everything in it. We are not hurry in reaching or getting things. Eventually, we will get what we need. I have always believed that do solo traveling could make a person grow. I just couldn't believe it happened to me. I am moved.
Anyway, just counting some days to the new me. to the new journey of life. It is gonna be Epic, self. It's gonna be epic. I promise. :)
picture taken by a stranger who strangely do workout, which is running, at 11.30 pm
"Life is all about collecting. Collect the things that make you happy. Collect the laughs. Collect the moment. Collect the stories. Collect the memories."
By that, i always feel grateful and happily do what i am doing without any burden. Because when i start getting stressed, i tell myself... This is for your memories. Make it good, and enjoy it. Kind of trashy mantra but somehow it works with me.
picture taken by a stranger indian man who just passed the street while sipping his milo (not so sure)
picture taken by a stranger mother with her friend who just walked around with their groceries
picture taken by a stranger young girl with her friend beside, after asking me for taking their picture. you know, an apple for an apple.
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