After Thoughts

Cocotinos Resort is situated in Kima Village. In Japanese, Kimma means Golden Horses. Yup. Sounds exactly like the Palace of the Golden Horses. In fact, there's a stark contrast between the inside and outside of the resort. Inside, the resort looks so exclusive, like a 5-star hotel. Outside, there are wooden houses, zinc roofs and little huts.

This is the shop which sells prepaid cards from TELKOMSEL- the only mobile service provider in Manado.

Though I stayed in Manado for only 2 days, I was honestly touched by the respect and sincerity shown by the locals, the staff and the guide, everybody there. Living in the city can rob that away from you sometimes. Bit, by bit, without you realizing it. It eats away at our conscience, our generosity, kindness and love.. turns our pink hearts into black hearts. We think we're still the same, but actually, we're not the same anymore. We have become The Dark Knight... being insensitive and inconsiderate. Until we are faced with people who are back to the basics, who are sincere and earnest in their ways, totally respectful and mindful of the way they treat fellow humans, ... Then I realize that I have strayed away from the path.. far too much. Indirectly, I re-learned the meaning of respect and sincerity, all over again.

On another note, I ought to mention that this trip has been extremely educational in terms of botanical lessons. Besides getting to know up close how the different types of leafy vegetables and root plants were planted, I was also introduced to various other fruit trees!

I got to see Langsat growing on a tree!

I saw an Avocado tree right beside the Langsat tree!

I saw my favourite Cempedak fruit!

I had to squint my eyes to spot this Sour Sop!

Yeay! I finally spotted the Buah Salak! Doesn't it look a little like the Oil Palm Trees?

Oh! And I just found out that Manado, Sulawesi Island is actually right next to Kalimantan. In fact, it's located slightly to the south east of Kalimantan. Hmm.. No wonder I found it to be so similar to Malaysia in terms of weather, food, flora and fauna! So silly of me to have expected it to be like Bali island... zzzzzz... (speechless in terms of msn language)

I vow to myself, the next time I travel, I will select a country that I've never been to before, such as Tibet, Australia, New Zealand, Myanmar or India so that I will never know what to expect!