Lake Reflections
- William Arrayan
- Jun 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Since it was Eid al-Adha holiday in Jakarta, I got the chance to go outside the country for a little while. I decided to go on a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where I visited my sister’s high school graduation. On the weekend, I had a little alone time and strolled around. Eventually I came up with the idea of using a boat to discover Lake Geneva. So I did.
At around 1:00 PM on a Sunday, I decided to hop on a mini yacht along with two crew members. At first glance, I saw the famous fountain near the harbor, other boats at the loading docks, and people sunbathing. Despite the crowd, the environment was quite soothing and relaxing. I could hear the water splashing against the rocks and felt the breeze of fresh air—something I didn’t mind getting used to, finally escaping the city air of Jakarta.
We then sailed away from the dock. As we went, I started to pay close attention to the sounds around me. The gentle lapping of the waves against the boat created a funny rhythmic background, while the distant hum of the harbor slowly faded away. At this point, the sounds of nature began to dominate. I felt as if i was immersed in a serene symphony that was a stark contrast to the bustling city noises I was accustomed to. I then thought to myself, I really needed this small getaway.
By 1.30 PM the boat crew found a perfect spot under the sun. We decided to have mini barbecue in the middle of lake Geneva (me and the 2 crew members). The environment was so peaceful that the only sounds were the gentle splashes of water against the boat and the occasional sizzle from the barbecue. The skies were a brilliant blue, and the sunshine warmed the temperature just right. Unlike Jakarta, the wind here was strong, even in summer, adding a refreshing touch to the atmosphere. The interplay of the sun, wind, and clear surroundings set the perfect mood for our barbecue.
The clock eventually reached 2:00 PM, by then we were on the move to another spot at the lake. As the boat glided over the surface of lake Geneva, I found some sort of peace. I found the breeze of fresh air and view from the back of the boat extremely captivating. I was able to hear more than just storms of wind; the sounds of tiny waves mingled with larger ones. Funnily enough, despite the larger waves I actually found a sense of tranquility. It was as if I could unlock and clarify any disturbing thoughts in my head, just by connecting deeply with the breeze and the view.
This experience was unique compared to my usual interactions with nature. Being on a moving boat in the middle of the lake meant I couldn’t feel the ground beneath my feet, so I resorted to my hands. I dipped my hand into the clear, fresh water as the boat sailed, feeling a direct connection to nature. This was a stark contrast to the weather in Geneva versus Jakarta—not better, just different, and much less humid.
June 15th, 2024; 13:00 PM; Loading Dock; Sunny, heavy breeze, clear skies, crowded, temperature around 27°;
Title: "Fountain of beginning "
June 15th, 2024; 13:30 PM; Middle of Lake; Very Sunny, Slight breeze, clear skies, empty, temperature around 27°;
Title: "Barbecue under the sun"
June 15th, 2024; 14:00 PM; Wavy; Still sunny, heavy wind, clear skies, quite soothing waves, temperature around 27°;
Title: "On the get go"
June 15th, 2024; 14:20 PM; Mountain view; Sunny, slight breeze, clear skies and clouds, temperature around 27°;
Title: "Inner peace"
June 15th, 2024; 15:00 PM; Poem about Geneva's beauty, reminisced Indonesia, Used GPT 4 for rhyming of words
Title: "Vision of Preservation"
After our move it was 2:20 PM. We reached a spot with a stunning view that captured the mountain, sun and skies whilst being a great spot on the lake. Once we stopped, I immediately listened to classic Sinatra's along with a hint of Jazz. I eventually stopped it all midway just to absorb all the natural sounds around me. The crew members were busy with their tasks, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the sounds of nature. The gentle taps of water against the boat, the light breeze, and the rays of sunshine all contributed to a moment of pure serenity.
The moment I took in the view, I felt a certain profound peace within. The stress from continuous screen work and the hustle of my internship and classes seemed to melt away. Immersing myself in this quite literally foreign environment, allowed me to hear and appreciate the subtle elements around me—the gentle whispers of nature that often go unnoticed. At that point in time, I started to reflect and realize the extent of cleanliness and beauty of Lake Geneva as opposed to home (Jakarta). It simply inspired me to write a poem complimenting the lake's beauty and how Indonesia can preserve its already natural wonders before it's all too late.
This whole thing made me realize that this was the turning point I needed for my mental well being along with my connection with nature. How Ironic, given that this is my last Art Self Reflection. Apart from nature's positive impact on my well being, this simply reminded me of the importance of preserving natural beauty not just at home but at the wider space of the world. Returning back home (Jakarta), I carried with me a vision to better preserve our natural environment, inspired by none other than Lake Geneva and its pristine beauty.
I figure that implementing sustainable actions thoroughly, is the only way to save Indonesia's tropical beauty. As a person of patriarchy, I want nothing less than to see my nation shine to its fullest beauty/potential. The trip was more than just a trip; it was a personal exploration of nature's symphony, a reflection on the environment around me, and most importantly a call to action for preservation.
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