Journey To Fulfilling My Long Life Dreams

Have you ever felt attracted to something that makes you feel alive instantly? For me, travelling has always been my number one goal in life, a passion that fulfills my purpose of living and is close to the meaning of life. Realizing there is a big world out there that I know little about makes me richer wherever I go. Everyone has different goal in life and we all entitle to live it. Mine has been being a wanderlust. It started at the place where I grew up in Tanjung Priok, a crowded district of North Jakarta, Indonesia. In a small room of my parent’s house, fan blowing hot air, it was where I grew my passion for travel. I spent my days flicking pages after pages of newspaper, old magazine and my face lights up every time I see picture of places, dashed to living room excited and eager whenever any travel programs coming up on TV, listening to an English 1 hour radio show as my parents couldn’t afford to send me for English course after school.

Sunset at Piha Beach

I never knew when it was ‘the time” for me to travel since I was a child. Until one afternoon during choir practice at local church, as we gathered on our usual Wednesday rehearsal, an unexpected news was announced, there were going to be an audition to represent Indonesian children choir to perform in Quezon City, Philippines. I couldn’t believe it. I tried to digest that news for a while and thought to myself that this must be the sign from Universe showing its way. I tried to be composed the whole time but deep down I was screaming for happiness, even though my chance to be chosen still unknown but I would have the chance to go! Audition day came, and we all had to sing some part of the requested song, I’m not sure if I was nervous that I felt like I wasn’t good enough as I never heard the lady who did the audition mentioned my name, then when I tried to put a brave face despite the crumbled dreams in my head, she pointed at me! And I was like, did you just choose me?? I never forget that moment when I received that affirmation, probably one of milestones of my life. She gave me stamp of approval! I was jumping for joy and so stoked as my sister and cousin were chosen too! I mean to top it off, this trip was all expense paid!

Cape Reinga, northernmost point of New Zealand

8 days in Philippines was a blast, it was a whole different world for a 12 year old girl who only spoke few words of English. First of all, to be on an airplane for first time in my life it was a bit nerve breaking yet interesting. As we left Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport, I kept looking out of the window so curious about the place, the people, buildings we passed, numerous lively street vendors, smelling the air of this new country, pretty much soaking up everything that happened in front of my eyes. I really enjoyed my time there, although it was quite full on every day, we were doing rehearsal after rehearsal during the day and then performed in the evening, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute! Representing Indonesia in front of hundreds of people from delegations of all South East Asian countries was truly a proud moment for me. When we had some free time, we tried different kind of local delicacy and even some fast food joints that we didn't have in Indonesia. Another occasion, we did some sightseeing on a ferry to this island I can’t quite put my finger on it, all I know was everyone had so much fun and we made friends with other participants from Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand & Malaysia despite being “lost in translation”, I mean we tried signs language too obviously lol. It was an overwhelming experience which at the same time gave me reassurance to make a pact to myself : Never give up on your dreams. I believe the Universe will lead the way for me, in its own time and place.

Hot Chips with a view from Knoll Ridge, highest café in New Zealand at 2000m above sea level

  
 

Fast forward to 2004, I was 25, after few jobs in Jakarta and a contract work on the outskirt of the capital, I decided to try my luck in Bali as at that time I thought it was the place in Indonesia that has this “international” vibe and I can practise my English and bit of Japanese. Mum wasn’t very happy about my plan so she gave me 1 month that if I didn’t get a job, I must come back. As soon as I arrived in Bali, I never stop looking for work, 1 month was not a long time plus I needed to be wise with my spending. The rest I preferred to leave it to mother nature. I knew that if I want this bad enough something will come along, even if it’s not, at least I tried and had a holiday at the same time. Few weeks later, I found a job at a small hotel as Guest Relations Officer for Japanese tourists. Something to keep me grounded and paid for my lodging. 6 months in Bali was not always a walk in a park, it has ups and down, fun and not so fun times but in the end you live and learn.

 

Living it Carpe Diem way

Another opportunity came along when my stay in Bali was almost up to 6 months. It was from my brother who lives in Dubai, he told me the company he worked for were recruiting more staff for new outlets to be opened in Dubai in 2005. So I decided to leave Bali back to Jakarta and went for the interview. It was a hospitality job, for me, experience comes first also it was an opportunity to live overseas. I never worked in a restaurant before so I was a bit wobbly when the training started in Dubai. Despite the long hours and physical work, I kept on going until the day my 2 years contract finished. Everyone has to start somewhere, I thankful for every opportunity that came across my life to get me where I am today. Waitressing has helped me to make enough money for holiday in Thailand with my sister and my Mum. I also built many contacts from my customers and eventually landed a better job that aligned with my education, which was a secretarial work in a well-known British company at a prime business district. Then from this moment on, I started to save more to travel more, I made trips to Egypt, Netherlands, then visited my sister in France after good 10 years we haven't seen each other, then few trips to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Then love brought me to this beautiful gem called New Zealand. I grew my passion to travel more since I live here, this country is quite small which makes it easy to travel during weekends, New Zealand has the landscape which will keep taking my wandering feet to stunning locations. I also feel privilege to work in one of the best companies in the country who never stops supporting wellbeing to their staff. A good work-life balance is one in which you work to live, not live to work. I love being part of Lion.

Collect Moments, Not Stuff

New Zealand sits in a convenient location when in need of a tropical weather, South Pacific, which only around 3 hours flight away. I thoroughly enjoyed my trips to Fiji and Cook Islands, one of the reasons was it somehow reminded me of Indonesia, the heat mostly. I been on a return visit to Europe such as Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France, Greece and Spain and to Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia over the last 5 years I reside in New Zealand and love checking out the friendly neighbour too, Australia. Last year I was blessed to be able to do some domestic trips, like getting up close and personal with massive Sea Lion in Otago Peninsula, watched a rare species of Yellow Eyed Penguins came out of the ocean from a fishing hunt, visited the only castle ever built in New Zealand, watched thousands of stars under one of the darkest sky on earth in Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District. I also went on few trips across the ditch to Sydney, Great Barrier Reef and Gold Coast. I been spending quality time with my beloved family too in beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia. I miss this moment every day xo. On last Christmas and New Year I visited New Caledonia which is known as little French capital of the Pacific. Then on the recent trips, thanks to Public Holidays in New Zealand and early bird airlines, I whisked myself to Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. August this year, I'm heading to a new continent. I can't wait to touch the soil of South American countries: Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. I always been wanting to go there for as long as I can remember. I have goosebumps just thinking about it.

 

Whatever your dream is, there's so much worth fighting for in life and to look forward to. I'm a firm believer that Universe will always conspire in everything I work towards achieving my dreams. And through Travels, I feel that this is good for the soul. It teaches you so many life lessons about what is important and matters the most. It also humbles you as we're only a speck that exist in this world.

Looking back, I never imagined what a roller coaster my life has been. Everything you do in life has its blessing, whether obvious or in disguise. I’m very grateful for all the blessings I receive in the last 35 years and I learn to live in the moment. I will ensure to keep the traveling bug alive for as long as I could. There is a saying “Today is a Gift” so live it as it is.

*No dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big* -Anonymous-

Emeraled Lake, Tongariro Crossing National Park