Life Is Beautiful Sub Indo

[Vicki Patolot]

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Happy Friday, my week has been busy, but I am grateful for things to do, people to love, and things to hope for daily. I live and dream in color with full intention. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; therefore, we can choose to view things, people, and experiences in any way we wish to perceive them. We can choose to be optimistic or pessimistic each day of our lives. If you attempt to look at the bright side, things can quickly change in your lives and the people in them. For the pessimists out in the world, I promise you the world is not against you.

What we focus on is what we see; when I was a kid, I remember my sister Cece and I would sit in the car's back seat and sometimes look for a red car. When we focused on the red car, we saw them. It is the same thing with life; if we choose to see things with a positive view, we can observe life's beauty and the lessons we must learn. Stop and look around you, count the things you are grateful for and grant yourself and others grace.

The only reason many people do not see the beauty in weeds is that someone labeled a rose more beautiful. I see the beauty in the weeds, the grass, and the dirt. They all need one another to grow and thrive. We need each other in this life as well. We are all a part of the symphony of the universe.

I challenge you to start with yourself; what are three things you do not think are beautiful about you? Okay, now that you have identified three things, I challenge you to find beauty in those things and speak about yourself and what you consider flaws positively. Over time you can turn the negatives into positives. I will give you one of my examples; fifteen years ago, I had a tumor removed that left a significant scar on my body; when I looked at it, it made me feel insecure. Over time, I started to realize that I might not be alive and healthy today if I did not have that scar. Without that experience of surgery, two months in ICU, and rehab post-surgery, my two daughters would not be here, and I would not have had the opportunity to impact the lives of others. I look at my scar and see the beauty in it!

You can apply the same method in your marriage, career, hobbies, and relationships. You are the captain of your ship. It is okay to place on your rose-colored glasses and live! Humans are so resilient, powerful, and impactful. See the beauty and be the beauty in the world because life is beautiful! And guess what, it's Good to Be Alive!

In the hauntingly beautiful work, embracing couples encircle yet more figures curled up on the seafloor. The circular formation evokes time and continuum. The interlocking pieces connect to provide a platform for marine life to colonise and inhabit.

The sculptures are made from pH neutral, environmental-grade cement and anchored to the seabed. Within a year, Nest will provide a home for soft corals and sponges, which in turn will encourage other marine life. This paves the way for delicate hard corals and eventually a fully established reef will form.

First and foremost, Nest is an environmental space. The figures are arranged in a circular formation as an echo of the circle of life and reminder of how we are all interconnected in one way or another.

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, with some 17,000 stunningly wild and beautiful islands strewn across the equator like a string of pearls. Each one is dramatically different from the next; some volcanic at their heart, others supporting rainforests bursting with life or steep mountains with extraordinary vistas. Each is surrounded by warm, crystal clear waters of equatorial seas teeming with marine life. The fascinating and varied tribal cultures of the indigenous people add another layer to your explorations of these enchanted islands.

Java, the cultural epicentre of Indonesia, offers an exciting mix of eclectic cultures, history, natural beauty, and food, making it a compelling destination for those keen on immersive experiences. Yogyakarta, the former royal and artistic capital of Indonesian rulers, is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple complex adorned with elaborate stone carvings, and Prambanan, a grand Hindu temple with soaring spires each provide a serene and mystical ambience and offer a glimpse into Indonesia's regal past. It also remains the country's cultural capital, with regular performances of traditional Javanese Gamelan music and ritual dance theatre showcasing the region's rich artistic heritage.

The diverse and mesmerising setting of Java's volcanic region further west is a nature lover's paradise. It offers incredible opportunities for soft adventure against a backdrop of the surreal and simmering Mount Bromo and the mesmerising Ijen Crater with its turquoise crater lake and blue flames. Jakarta, the bustling capital, showcases modern Indonesian life and is a delightful gateway to exploring the country's delightful cuisine and tantalising street food.

Often hailed as the crown jewel of Indonesia's tourism, Bali's appeal lies as much in its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality as in its stunning beaches, where you can relax, surf, and enjoy exquisite cuisines. Beaches such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Jimbaran, on the south coast close to Denpasar, offer a busy and lively atmosphere with a vibrant nightlife, while beaches like Sanur, deeper south, and Nusa Dua on the eastern coast boast a quieter appeal with opportunities for cultural explorations nearby.

Ubud, at the heart of the island, makes an excellent base for extended summer vacations for families and those who want to enjoy slow, leisurely travel. Here, you can experience local Balinese music and dance vibrant Hindu religious ceremonies, learn more about local art forms and cuisine, enjoy stunning sunsets on picturesque shores, and rejuvenate amidst natural wonders in serene tropical landscapes. Adventurers are not left behind; they can enjoy captivating experiences like walking, trekking and cycling through local villages, lush rice terraces, forests, and volcano rims.

If it is the Sumatran tiger or the rhinoceros you are keen on viewing, head to the majestic vistas of the Bukit Barisan mountain range, where the vast wilderness of the Kerinci Seblat National Park is home to rare wildlife, including the critically endangered Sumatran tiger and rhinoceros. In South Sumatra, the Bukit Dinding and Sembilang National Parks are an ornithologist's paradise with hundreds of species of birds to spot.

Among these islands are Lombok and the Gili, which boast tranquil beaches, hot springs, waterfalls, opportunities for hikes to crater rims like Mount Rinjani, and visits to Sasak ethnic minority villages. Divers will love the Alor Archipelago in East Nusa Tenggara, with its clear waters and vibrant coral reefs where sharks, dolphins, and migrating sperm whales can be spotted. While in West Timor, visitors can explore the villages of the Boti and Temkessi people, where ancient traditions thrive.

Flores, the furthest east of the archipelago, offers unspoiled natural beauty and cultural experiences with its rugged landscapes and nature parks like Kelimutu and Riung, which feature tri-coloured volcanic lakes, uninhabited islands, and rich reefs. The people of Flores follow unique agricultural methods such as Spiderweb Rice Fields, spice cultivation, and coffee plantations.

At the heart of Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, a region that stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its indigenous Dayak people. Despite the challenges of deforestation, wildfires, and missionary activities, they have steadfastly preserved their traditional way of life. This cultural resilience is a unique aspect of Kalimantan that sets it apart from other Asian destinations.

Kalimantan's National Parks make a captivating detour from more cultural visits to the temples of Borobudur or the beaches of Bali, offering a truly unique and immersive experience in the heart of this wild and enchanting region.

The Maluku Islands, also known as the Spice Islands, are at the heart of the Indonesian archipelago. Their stunning beauty, lush green forests, pristine white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, along with the intrigue of their history, make them a compelling destination for any visitor.

Once the exclusive source of nutmeg and clove, the islands saw many raiders and traders cross their shores and have been the location of bitter trade wars, known as the 'Spices Wars' between the Portuguese, Dutch, French, British and Spanish. Any visit here will transport you back to an era when these exotic and aromatic treasures commanded the world's attention. Immerse yourself in the cobbled streets and age-old alleys of Banda Neira, where colonial remnants of Dutch and Portuguese forts stand testament to a bygone era.

Beyond history, the coral reefs of the Maluku islands are an untouched paradise for snorkelers waiting to be discovered. It is worth staying a bit longer to experience the rich cultural heritage of the local people, whose traditional way of life and festivals have remained unchanged despite hundreds of years of occupation.

Sulawesi, Indonesia's second most visited region after Bali, is a beautiful island with picturesque villages against stunning rice terraces and active volcanoes. The island's cities, Makassar and Manado, although hot and congested, offer some incredible sites, but most visitors hope to explore the island's unspoiled areas, vibrant reefs, unique wildlife and villages of the indigenous Tana Toraja people whose strikingly decorated boat-shaped houses with upcurved roofs are worth staying for. Equally compelling are the extravagant funeral rites of this community in which embalmed bodies of the deceased are placed in cavities hewn from limestone cliffs, where they can remain on display for many years, and the spirit lives on among the villagers until given a full funeral. Unlike elsewhere, where communities observe a wedding season and save for it, funeral season (June-August) commands the greatest attention in Sulawesi. They involve gathering the family and the entire village, often for several days or weeks, and sacrificing numerous buffalo and pigs. Visitors are welcome to observe, albeit the sacrifices may not be to everyone's taste.

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