Stuart and I just came back from a short trip to the awesomely beautiful Lake Toba at Medan, Indonesia. We were looking around for a nice place to relax and recharge with a reasonable budget, and his colleage recommended this place to us. With a bit of research, I was counting down the days to our departure with great enthusiasm, eagerly anticipating.

The lake didn’t disappoint us. It is so breathtaking that one can just do nothing and simply sit there breathing in the tranquility of the atmosphere, taking in the picturesque view and listening to the sound of waves lapping against the shore.

It calms one’s mind, puts one’s body at rest and relaxes our entire being. So much so that we are both in the right state of mind to engage in some productive and extremely meaningful, intellectual conversations. For your reading and reflection pleasure, here are some extracts:

On the first night of arrival, lying in bed.

S: So tomorrow we shall not do anything, ok?

K: Ok! So what do we do?

S: Nothing.

K: Ok, which means? What?

On the second day, in the restaurant.

S: Would you consider staying here when you retire?

K: No.

… … …

K: Because there’s no spa.

On the issue of the absence of spa.

(On first day)

K: This place is really relaxing ya

S: Hmm… (nods his head)

K: Do you know what is the one thing that will destroy this place?

S: What?

K: A karaoke joint. Because there will be too much noise created.

S: Hmm… (nods his head again)

K: Do you know what is the one thing that will make complement this place?

S: What?

K: A spa.

S: Tsk… (shakes his head)

K: Ya! How can they have no spa here? Wouldn’t it be nice to have one here? Just imagine having a massage, or manicure, pedicure or scrub by the lake. Wha… just thinking of it makes me feel good. It will be … (looking for the right word to describe) … heavenly!

S: Tsk tsk tsk

K: What? Don’t you agree?

(On first night)

K: I can’t believe they have no spa here. Why? Why is that? What do you think is the reason?

S: So that you can complain about it.

(On second day)

K: Can you tell me why is there no spa? Why? Can we go and give them feedback so that if we come here the next time there’ll be a spa?

S: Why don’t you go and open one here? Since you complain so much.

K: Ya, that’s a good idea. I can think about it.

About how chicken distressed Stuart.

S: I need to get rid of my sorrow.

K: Why? What sorrow?

S: Now I see chicken I feel very sorrowful. Look. (using his fork to poke at the chicken pieces)

K: Ya, poor you. Never mind la, at least it was tasty. Come, eat the fries. They are delicious.

S: No, it’s the chicken. I’m still sorrowful.

K: Ok, so what do you want to do about it?

S: I need to get rid of it.

K: Ok, then do it la.

S: Ok, I need to order Bintang (the local beer)

… … …

K: If you want to drink then drink. Stop finding excuses ok!

S: Ha ha ha ha ha (grinning from ear to ear. Talk about women who love to beat around the bush? Look who’s talking here?)

Ok, besides Stuart’s obsession with storm clouds, life has been pretty uneventful for the past few days. Excellent way to build our relationship I must say. Brought out our best idiotic sides from both of us. So we found another match in us.

Now that we’re back in SG, and back to work, our conversations have returned to normal. Which is, more intellectual and “life-saving”.  

Photos will in posts coming up!