3 Yellow Volkswagen, 3 companions, and a journey of a lifetime.
Adhi Reksa
Bismo Aryo
Danar Tri Atmojo
Nyimas Laula
All Images taken with 35mm film camera
The trip was begun in a train heading to Jogjakarta.
August 3rd, during nine hours drive past the limit of region which four of us agreed moments on the train was the moment we long for. We have many conversations that reveal ourselves to each other, breaking the ice of awkwardness. As we made through the sugarcane field, that was the time when we had very long laugh out loud hearing my final project story about me grinding 30 kilograms of sugarcane waste with pastel dough hand-machine.
Also we hatched another impulsive idea about hiking Prau Mountain that I’ve not prepared for.
Fear and excitement fought inside me; that would be my first real-mountain, and I did not brought sleeping bag or any proper hiking gear, only a gifted jacket from a best friend and handmade leather boots from Mom’s birth town. And fear, whether I would be a burden for them because I’m not strong enough to finish the hike, or be surprised by the tale that lies beneath the sky.
We had lunch and recharged our gear—which I don’t need to since I left my digital camera in Bismo’s house and only brought the film one; I limited myself upon frames in film, taught me to preserve what need to be remembered. To give myself time to think and reconsider every shot, while not being busy making great photo for everyone else, instead, I have chosen the old tradition; think, aim, shot, enjoy the moment and be surprised of what will be coming out from the chemical process.
So it began the hike to Prau Mountain. We were treated to a gentle mountain slopes, at the same time, the beautiful and regal scenery of Prau can be already seen from below. I smiled a little; I knew the journey was still very far away. I fear. I tried to burn the fear into spirit and strength.
I took time to greet the farmers we met, while starting to feel the shortness of my breath. Lush forest overshadow us, even the climbing did not give a slightest mercy to set our feet on a flat ground. Adhi kept nagging that he could not stand it anymore. He stopped every five minutes and said the same thing but he kept going. While Danar and Bismo always asked if I’m okay, said we didn’t need to be hurry. I tried to deal with my breath rhythm, kept saying inside I know I can make it. I know.
Feet up, knee to the face, hands on the ground. The most evil climb inclines made me crawl up on the dusty ground to the first stop; The Tower. I’d love to call it MORDOR while Adhi called it “Tower Bangsaattttt……!!”
The
Summit
"Congratulations, we officially arrived at Prau peak.
Congratulation Nyim, for your first mountain. You made it"
We hugged each other.
There was no one but us, we sat against the set down sun, tried to say anything would describe the moment but not any single word came out to from my mouth.
I looked in Bismo’s teary eyes, the corner smile in Danar cheeks which described the joy of freedom. Adhi gently stroked the wet hat in my head. It was the mountain that carved our friendship, the freedom cynically has taught us the value of having each other’s back. The gratitude.
August 5th, Prau Summit, 5 AM in the morning.
It was almost 0` celcius where my jaw could not hold the shiver, hands were trembling, the knee ached, the wind blew my body strong enough to make it hard to walk straightly. But inside I felt warm enough beside three men which yet climbing slowly the chart of my favorite person in life. The blanket of friendship—that’s what I’d love to call it.
8 AM, the wind blowed our camp down, and we need to quickly packed things up and climbing down the mountain.
The Savanna of Prau, we felt surreal yet magical.
some iPhone shots taken when journey back down.
August 6th
we arrived at Bismo’s House in Temanggung, we planned to go back to Jakarta at August 7th by train. We searched for the ticket and all of them were sold out until August 10th. We tried to search for bus ticket and everything that possible but there was no way. Life was gave us lemons which we have chosen to make lemonade from it. The only ticket available was only destined to Bandung, executive class, August 9th late night, which means, The Journey has to be extended and Yogyakarta was the perfect destination for us. Moreover, we brought The Yellow Campertop because Yellow Safari need a lil’ bit of rest after the tough adventure.
Well, a VW Campertop for traveling? That’s everyone’s dream. We’re lucky.
Yogyakarta first destination : Imogiri Forest
Honestly, from here I could not tell much about the place, at the same time, when I rewrite the back story of this trip, I also began to realize that traveling for me is not just about the coolest place that will we go, but the people.
The people who go along with or the new people you eager to know during the travel. It really taught me and moved me about trusting others, even more for an introvert person like me; I can feel I can go anywhere as long as four of us together.
As I find it quite strange to think that home was no longer about a sense of place but about the sense of feeling when you’re beside certain people.
This is us, Ride The Yellow Volks
Danar - Me - Adhi - Bismo
taken with iPhone 5
At last, Gumuk Pasir
Bandung, my hometown, August 9th in the evening.
The Universe conspiracy has been very sweet to me, Yellow Volks Crew destined to be swayed to Bandung to bring me home.
I regthered with my friends in Bandung to have a small walk and talk before Yellow Folks took a shuttle to Jakarta at night.
After the sun goes down, we took a couple of beers for the farewell. and for the final goodbye, I hugged Bismo, Danar and Adhi. I couldn't hold the tears.
From strangers to family it is, too many stories to be told and I decided to keep it in my memory.
Thanks for taking care of each other for unforgetful ten days of my life, one of the best time I've ever had.
For every troubles we choose to laugh it off, for every unproper meal we ate, for a jar of sweetmeat Carica we equitably share and fed each other.
For the silly woman make up mask we wore,
For the slap battle,
For the joy,
Happiness,
and everything.
I love you.
This is the first journey of Ride The Yellow Volks,
to be continued..
if you have been using Instagram, the most recent update can be seen at hashtag #RideTheYellowVolks
and the rest of the crew