Back in 2005 when I was doing the tour of duty in Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya, not to be confused with Papua New Guinea) and we were in that rickety plane taking off to Wamena , I thought to myself … wow, how amazing is this? Sure, the job was hard, but imagine being there after just watching the Discovery channel’s doco about the Ndani tribe a few months before without having the slightest clue that you would end up among them soon, it was just simply amazing.

The aerial view of Manokwari bay as we took off

In the cockpit, right about when this thought crossed my head

At Baliem Valley, an incredible resort amongst the mountains. It was so beautiful I made a promise that I will come here again for a vacation, not work.

With Pak Hendra, Ibu Wita and the children of Wamena.

Our hardtop stalled, and an Ndani man stopped by. No he didn't want to help, he just wanted his picture taken.

This was in Nekori, the first day we were on the mountains which also happened to be the first day of Ramadhan. Dusk fell very soon and temperature dropped drastically, this was taken at 4pm. We had dinner nearby a stream. The food was terrible, the company was divine.

I am reminded of this trip as I was doing some work on this rainy Saturday afternoon and it struck me how much I love my current job that this Papua experience pales in comparison.

I didn’t think that it could get better, but it does.

Well, welcome to my Red Fort, Sir Bob Geldof.  It’s an incredible icing to my already incredible cupcake year.

And no, I don’t want to shoot Mondays down. Not at all.

p/s: This version of a duet between Sir Bob Geldof and Bon Jovi is my nod to AAX boss.