10:51 p.m. - 2012-05-09
This day last week in Toba (the day we flew back)
Today i am thankful for:
1. free breakfast of buns and coffee during our monthly office meeting.
2. for the tall indian guy who helped kept the door open and let me walk through first.
3. for having another writer colleague in M, so that at least, when I go on leave, he can cover work duties for me. At least i am not writing alone on the project.
4. (This is an extra one - to be thankful for the inconveniences/obstacles/challenges) - I am thankful that our dept head, D, is pushing us newcomers to give fresh ideas and concepts. I need to think fast and move faster now.
Okay, this day last week in Toba:
we woke up early in the morning, around 6.45am or 7am. The sky was already orange and increasingly bright.
We walked out to the dock, took videos and photos, said our own goodbyes to the place.
We packed our stuff, R helped to clear the fridge, the girls helped to pack our food (fish and more) from last night's dinner.
Then Y settled the outstanding bill with Berend, we paid up, and then after petting and saying goodbye to Maxy, we walked out of the house.
Maxy followed us. He was very sweet. He followed us all the way to the ferry and waited with us till we boarded the ferry. He is such a caring dog and he never barked or made a sound at us. He also never looked us in the eye - i think he doesn't want to be rude. So polite.
We sat on the ferry, and watched the island, as the ferry slowly but steadily chugged away.
Berend and his wife waved goodbye to us from the dock. Then he turned and slowly walked away, his tall frail body supported by an umbrella he used as a walking stick.
We enjoyed the cool morning breeze...
Then we reached the mainland. And then there was the almost 5 hour van ride, we slept, we looked out the window, we wished the trip back would be faster, but no, my back was aching till i sat at the back with F.
We made a pitstop at the familiar shop we'd also stopped at on the first night. Such a familiar place - the minimalist toilet with no taps. We bought some keropoks and snacks and drinks, then got back into the van and continued.
Finally we reached the airport. We ate at an air-con restaurant - our first air-con restaurant in Medan/Toba, the food was alright.
Then we went to Dunkin Donuts and played Monopoly and F interviewed us about the highlights of the trip and what was our favourite part of the trip.
Then we checked in, used the toilets, drank water, ate the Chitatos (yummy tasty potato chips) and then boarded the plane.
1 hr plus later, we landed at Changi Airport.
That was the end of our Lake Toba trip.
One week has passed. Soon the memories will fade further. Memories of a time we were all together on the island. Swimming in the green lake. Jumping off the diving board. Walking around the island. Eating indo mee goreng. Petting the sweetest dogs. Seeing the mountains and clouds. Watching tv in the house. Sharing one toilet. Playing games at night.
That was our Lake Toba trip.
