Lord of the Rings – What are we holding to?

Transcript:
Frodo Baggins: I can’t do this Sam.

Samwise Gamgee: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going, because they were holding on to something.

Frodo Baggins: What are we holding on to, Sam?

Samwise Gamgee: That there’s some good in this world, Mr Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

Transcript:
Samwise Gamgee: Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields… and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?

Frodo Baggins: No, Sam. I can’t recall the taste of food… nor the sound of water… nor the touch of grass. I’m… naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil… between me… and the wheel of fire! I can see him… with my waking eyes!

Samwise Gamgee: Then let us be rid of it… once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you… but I can carry you! COME ON!

Tangkuban Perahu Bandung Upturned Boat Volcano Mountain
Tangkuban Perahu a.k.a Upturned Boat – Volcano Mountain in Bandung

PS: I thought of posting Lord of the Ring (LOTR) scenes when I witnessed the beauty of Tangkuban Perahu during my recent trip to Bandung. The idea of visiting the crater reminds me of the hobbits on their quest to Mount Doom in LOTR.

Tangkuban Perahu Volcano Crater
Tangkuban Perahu Volcano Crater

The entrance fee to visit Tangkuban Perahu is slightly expensive for foreigners (300K Rupiah on Weekend/Public Holidays, 200k Rupiah on Weekday – accurate as of Sep 2016)

tangkuban-perahu-mountain-hideout
Hiking to Tangkuban Perahu Mountain Hideout
tangkuban-perahu-mountain-man-accommodation
Mountain Man Humble Accommodation

If you are adventurous and don’t mind the hike up the mountain, there is a mountain man living on-top of Tangkuban Perahu! It is an awesome experience at Tangkuban Perah that you shouldn’t miss if you are visiting Bandung.

tangkuban-perahu-mountain-dark-cave
Tangkuban Perahu Mountain Hideout Tunnel

Interesting facts:
– The volcano erupted as recently as 5th October 2013.
– Tangkuban Perahu is also known as Upturned Boat. The name derives from a local legend on its creation.

Reference:
LOTR quotes – What are we holding on to?
LOTR quotes – I can’t carry it for you… but I can carry you!
Wikipedia – Tangkuban Perahu

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