Ride The Yellow Volks

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.

on our way for the first journey to Jogjakarta, Central Java. a kid was peeking up to get knowing what Bismo has been playing on his phone. one of my favorite moment I captured.

Arrived at Bismo's house at Temanggung.

this is me, taken by Danar

Temanggung, August 4th

Boots clanged our feet, sunglasses on; we lifted out the Yellow Safari hood and begin our ride to Dieng. Riding around the town to fill up my film ammunition, the car was broke down in City Hall of Temanggung—500 m far from Bismo’s house. Round up things coming next: Sunglasses off, rolled up the sleeves, and pushed the car until nearest gas station but rather than feeling frustrated towards the consequences we will face through, we choose to laugh it off.

Sunglasses on.

Almost arrived at Wonosobo, the car broke down again and the engine won't start

Bismo tried to call his Father

What I called as a passion : along the way from Temanggung to Wonosobo, without any anger and resentment showed Mr. Edi drove his motorcyle happily to fix the engine.

He said "I have an evening walk once in a while, It's okay"

Whatever happen, stay selfie, uh happy I mean!

Arrived at Wonosobo, we were late. The sun already set down, we've had grasped by the night fog, enjoying the last light of the day, rest the engine. grab some coffee and Indomie (local ramen).

Long story short, this is the our first morning at Sikunir Lake, Dieng, Wonosobo. After coffee break we continued our ride to Dieng and arrived at night. nothing I can capture at the night. We decided to set a camp and hike at the noon.

The silly thing was, we campe at the Parking area, with the reason that The Yellow Volks cannot be locked (ugh, old car issue) and we have so many gear inside the car. so when the morning came, we found out awkwardly one camp that set within dozen of cars, which is ours.

First light of the day. I hiked Sikunir hill with Danar, but before we made at the peak, where the sunrise spot is, Danar had to poo. then we go back to the camp.

waiting for Adhi and Bismo to wake up, me and Danar start tagging with morning dew! hahaha *lame*

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.

After lunch and recharged our gear--which I don't need to, we began the hike, to Prau Mountain!

One-third journey to the summit, we stopped to catch our breath and enjoying the mountain view which every inch we want to capture.

Adhi is on the frame. This old Dense Beard, keep nagging "I can't stand it anymore, I'm old. I don't want to hike a mountain again, never"

he stopped every 5 meters, and saying that. But he kept going.

We arrived at our first stop, the Pine Forest. we took a rest for about 30 minutes, took a load of photos, and continue the journey.

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……!!”

Shortly after climbing torture, I was shown by a sight………that I cannot explain with words. I still in disbelieve when I start remembering it again.

For the first time my eyes opened and slapped believing to the tale of a mountain. We were walking on a path away, nothing but we were walking between the clouds, and we break through it like we put aside a curtain. Winds and waters, the fog drops dropped. We almost soaked in wet, we ran to catch the light.

We screamed victoriously. We were having the best time, but we really didn’t expect of what was coming next.

The

Summit

"Congratulations, we officially arrived at Prau peak.

Congratulation Nyim, for your first mountain. You made it"

We hugged each other.

Can you see the sea?

Nothing could compare the combination of bright sun and dense fog!

The fog was dense, the wind was strong, but the light resisted to be seen that evening.

We stunned in awe, we laughed and we cried. We scream out loud thanking the Universe for one moment of a lifetime.

I threw myself down to the Daisy field, looked at the sky, let the fog droplets grasped my face and wet my jacket.

The time when I feel I have strong enough to reached to the top of one mountain, being in thousand meters above the sea, I felt I was flying and touched the sky, but then I dropped down to the lowest ground while seeing the real comparison between myself and the Nature. I was nothing.

That's when I became to understand the quote that carved in Bismo's back

It's not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.

I feel whole as a human.

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.

The last shot I took at the day before we continue our walk to find a spot for our camp.

The best light of the day.

August 5th, Prau Summit, 5 AM in the morning.

Danar, who has experienced a morning at Prau Summit, he was also in an awe that morning.

"I've never experieced Prau so bright, and majestic like today."

We remembered three of our friends who also gone hiking to Prau a month before us, they camped for two days and they just got nothing, only fog, wind, and rain.

we put our gear to the ground. we enjoyed the moment.

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.

The previous tree you've seen on a sunset scene. The tree was the most soulful tree I've ever met, spiritually.

Dieng from above

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.

our gears. Taken with Canon 6D edited in VSCO

Yogyakarta first destination : Imogiri Forest

This shot reminded me of Alexander Supertramp in the Magic Bus. Instead, Bismo was on the frame

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.

I sat there, inside a vehicle with fragrance of wood which still smell new, Danar sat beside me. I look forward; Adhi was always busy making videos while Bismo’s driving style was still just inconsiderate. I feel very extensive, I feel very happy. Secretly I looked back and contemplate how dare I think my life will never be this happy, this exciting, nor doubting my capability to climb a mountain.

I really missed the conversations there, where we were talking for hours about nonsense and unimportant matters, laughing at people in the street and another sudden decision we’ve made towards random street we coincidentally found on our way to Gumuk Pasir, where the legend memorable shot of us in front of the Yellow Volks taken.

Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble—it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Home - Phillip Phillips

Hope is just a ray of what everyone should see
Alone is the street where you found me
Scared of what's behind you
And scared of what's in front
Live with what you have now
And make the best of what's to come

Tell me a story - Phillip Phillips

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.

The last light of the journey.

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..

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