An unplanned plan is a plan.

“I plan not to plan”

It’s December. Holiday seasons were approaching. People were excited too much about one month holiday that we earned. They had even booked tickets from October or November, quite a preparation, won’t you say? Well, I didn’t prepare anything. I guess, the spirit vanquish because of my unsuccessful birthday gateway last November. Yap… I knew back then when I heard my friends arranged their wedding exactly one day prior to my birthday, I could not go out of town or out of this country. So then, I just planned no to plan. As you know and experience, perhaps, this kinda attitude will somehow bring you to a crazy adventure and so did I.

It all started with twitter. And next time I know, I am at travel bus to Bandung going to the meeting place. I just joined Lombok Vacation #3. Lombok is an island further to the east side from Bali. It’s famous for its beautiful Gili (small island), coral reefs and other tropical havens.

Lombok Vacation #3 “Family Picture”

We were 13 and came from several different places of Indonesia. It even ranges from North Sumatra to Central Java. From Medan (North Sumatra) we met Ian and Widya. From Lampung (South Sumatra), we knew Ocha and Dira, a very noisy sisters, but fun of course. From the capital city of Jakarta, there were me, Novi and Irma. The meeting point itself, Bandung, gave us Mei and Bayu, who later we know as a very sweet kiddo couples. Cianjur, West Java, contributed Wien and Udjo. While Central Java, Semarang, we had William and from Yogya, Yuni. We also had the opportunity to meet the two notorious drivers. Hope by now, they are better in driving and socializing. And of course our tour guide Gilang and Yudhi, born originally at Lombok, go to college in Bandung. They were the ones who arranged this vacation trip and be our local guides. Yay!

We had a wonderful week together. Getting know the people and getting know new places. More of new experiences as we travel to Lombok. And for some it was a journey to ease some thought. A journey to set apart from daily routine.

Start with a beach–Mawun Beach, Lombok

hike and splash at a waterfall–Tiu Kelep, Mt. Rinjani’s waterfalls range, Lombok

a bit touching the bottom of the sea–Gili Trawangan corals and fish, Lombok

trek up to a hill–Malimbu Hill, Lombok

of course, taste the famous local culinary–Ayam Taliwang, Mataram, Lombok

And last but not least, The Cafe–Happy Cafe, Sengigi Beach, Lombok

So, i guess, sometimes we do need to plan not to plan. Sometimes it works well. Just we i just experienced last December. February is approaching soon, and Chinese New Year holiday is waiting to be planned. or. not to plan?