By: Mayawati NH (MyTrip Magazine)

As the distant jetty came into view, Derta (Reef Check Indonesia) shouted, "There's a transmitter! That means there's a signal." All of us metropolitan dwellers couldn't stay away from phone signals for long. Suddenly we were running to our cell phones, checking our messages even though we had only lost a few hours when the Menami had left the northern waters of Alor Island.

On the third day of the expedition, the ship finally docked at this dock, Maritaing Village, East Alor. Having been absent from land for only two days, it felt so good to land. Yes, I'm happy and at home on the boat, but that doesn't mean I'm not excited if I can go ashore on a LOB (Live-On-Board) trip.

Not far from the dock, there is a Navy post. Because this village is the furthest village on Alor Island, separated by the Ombai Strait from Timor Leste, it is considered a border village. The atmosphere of the harbor and beach is calm, with only a few local residents. "Our village is just around the corner from here," said Ina, one of the girls I greeted, who was standing on the dock watching the Menami ship dock.

We got off the ship and walked to the statue of General Sudirman in front of the beach. Prakas (Reef Check Indonesia) flew his drone, filming us posing until we fell asleep, while waving our hands, dadah.

The rocky beach was the choice of some of us to sit and enjoy the hospitality of nature that afternoon. While we were relaxing, suddenly when I turned my head to the right, there was a rainbow! But the rainbow was just a sliver, like a rainbow cake, not a curved line embracing the horizon like a typical rainbow. This is unique because I've never seen a half rainbow like this.

The reddish-orange color in the dark blue sky before nightfall was a feast for the eyes of anyone who saw it. I was torn between wanting to keep snapping my camera, making videos especially when a fishing boat passed by, or looking at it for a long time with my eyes -the most sophisticated lens created by God.

This moment is so fast. The rainbow slowly disappeared, leaving only its beautiful spray. I also captured Menami with the charming sky above her. Which blessing are you denying?