Tanjung Balai Mission Trip

adorable indonesian kids giving us a warm farewell before we left

This holidays for me, has been a very fulfilling one. I've learnt alot. As you guys would know, I came back from the Tanjung Balai Mission Trip last Thursday and you know what? The experience I got was priceless. I was there to teach English to some of the students but I felt it was more like a cultural immersion trip. Yes, I did have some delicious Indonesian food (some of which I will show you at the end of the post) and we did have to make do with squat toilets that don't come with a flush and bathing with cold cold water with a pail. But what I brought back with me was something so much more intangible.

Why? Because I find that most of the time, when we are in our comfort zone too often, we tend to take things for granted. A smile becomes so rare and a frown seems easier. Time passes so fast here. When I was there for 4 days, every second seemed like eternity but in a good way. I got to ponder and reflect and just soak up the scenery in all its glory. Mingling with the locals were a bonus. They're just so hospitable! I took alot of pictures but I will show you a few (esp since this is a foodblog!), so enjoy...



Aren't the kids so cute in their costumes? They performed an ensemble piece for us. Awww....




This is the wooden buses we traveled in. It's so cute and hardy! It can travel over bumpy terrain with ease. Good stuff. I like sticking my head out of the window to enjoy the cool breeze.



This is St Emmanuel School, and we stayed at the dormitories here.



Some photography shots for you. This was taken in the night when it was pitch black. I relied on the bright moon and slow shutter speed to capture this. I really like it. Looks haunting doesn't it?



Notice how the cat blends in with the background? It's such a pretty cat! Here is she with her kittens:



I managed to catch a beautiful sunrise when I was there. here's one of a peeking sun:



The sun when out in its full glory:



Beautiful ain't it? Anyway here's some food pictures:


snacks prepared for us by the locals

We ate lunch at this pseudo kelong on the last day, before we headed home. It was delicious I tell ya! I managed to snap a few quick shots before the food disappeared:


yummy prawns


huge chilli crabs with lots of flesh and roe


some fish, not sure which one is it though.


sambal sotong (squid). very yummy!


tasty fried chicken

So there you have it, my first mission trip in photos and words. But before I go, here's one shot I like alot because it reminds me of how blessed I am and how easy it is to be caught in the quicksand of a robotic life. I will forever remember that despite how tough life here seems to be, it is worse for others elsewhere and that if they can grin and bear and manage to smile so brightly with whatever they have, then I can too:


Say Cheese!

Here's something I came up with and I want to share it with ya'll :

"It's time to dump your inhibitions, flirt with dreams, and intoxicate yourself with the elixir of life"

So smile to a stranger, savour each grain of rice and haha share that bar of chocolate with someone! :) Cheers!