Today was the earliest day for a week or two. Alarm went off at six so I could get breakfast before getting picked up at seven. Isabel met me in the lobby just before the agreed time and she informed me how the day should proceed while were waiting for the car to pick us up, the car was stuck in traffic (shocker…). It was a small minivan and it was nice, except for that I couldn’t fasten my seatbelt, there were nowhere to “click” it. Luckily, the traffic is usually rather slow (because of all the congestion).
It took just under an hour to get to the marina in the north end of Jakarta and Isabel left the car to get the tickets. She gave me a small envelope with the ticket and we then walked to some sort of square with a lot of people and a couple of men who had a microphone and seemed to be in charge. She walked up to one of them, pointed at me and told me to follow a group of people, and get off when the sign said Pelangi.
I went out on a pier and jumped into a boat. Tried to get a seat up-top but it was full so I stepped into the cabin below. Not to bad, it got AC! We departed at 8:15 and after the initial excitement, I took a nap. I used a small bag with clothes as a pillow, but it kept sliding forward so every 30 seconds had to adjust it. Not sure how I managed to nap for an hour, but it felt good after the early morning.
I got a text via WhatsApp from Isabel stating I would get off at the last stop, that being the fifth one. Not sure who had counted the number of stops because I ended up getting off at the eighth one. During the different stops either people or goods left the boat and got to shore. The two crewmen hung fenders and tied the boat to the dock. It seemed like they had done this a couple of times before. It was quite amazing that I had full cell coverage almost all the way. I guess the large towers with antennas on every other island helped 🙂
I arrived about 10:40 and I was the only one to get off at this particular island. A guy pointed me to the “office” where I spoke to a girl who could check me off a list, but didn’t really know what to next. I think she asked me if I wanted breakfast when I answered that I already had eaten. She then asked what I wanted to do and listed a couple of things, one being snorkeling which I chose.
She escorted me to the next building where a guy asked my shoe size and then gave me flippers and a mask. He asked if I wanted a life vest that I politely declined. We walked out on a pier and he pointed out to a place in the water “that’s the best place”, and that was it. I changed into my swimming trunks, put on the gear and stepped down the ladder into the warm water. I realized that I did miss swimming around underwater, even though it was many (20?) years since I left Knattedykarna. However, there is a distinct difference between a pool and the open sea. I felt a bit uncomfortable with the deep so I kept myself close to where I could see the bottom.
Lots of fish in different colors and with varying interest in me. Some school of fish just passed by me, others swam away when I approached. The water had a nice temperature and I just kept going back and forth along the pier that was pointed out to me. Took a couple of breaks getting out and drinking some water. Nice to clear the mouth a bit after a while. Later at night I realize that I probably should have applied sunscreen on my back, it was quite red 🙂 Well, now I have swum in the Java Sea as well!
At one particular place, a small fish (~5 cm) swam towards me multiple times, just to break off. It got closer each time and I read it as a quite aggressive move. Figured it might have eggs or “kids” at that location and was trying to protect them. Anyway, I kept my distance from that on, even though I doubt it could have made any damage to me.
After an hour or so I got out of the water, found a shower and then asked if there were anywhere I could get lunch. The same girl who received me pointed out the restaurant where there was a meal served. Rice, some vegetables and pieces of chicken in some spicy sauce. Really spicy, or I managed to get a piece of pepper. Glad I had my water bottle with me.
During lunch I noticed it was about 12-15 asians sitting and eating. First I thought that they were staff, but after hearing them speaking bad English with one of the staff, I guess they are guests. In the middle of the restaurant there was a hole where you could look down in the water. One of the staffers stood and threw pieces of bread into it and the fish gathered at each piece.
After lunch I took a walk around the island. It’s not very big, takes probably 20 minutes to do a full lap. I saw the bungalows(?) the guests probably stayed in.
During my trip found a small piece of beach with clear sand so I decided to jump in again. Still nice and warm in the water!
I just got back to the facilities when Peter called. I had to hang up after a while because a boat arrived and I needed to see if it was the one I were suppose to take, I had gotten two different times on when to return. But yes, it was “mine” so I boarded. This was now the first stop so I could get a seat at the top. It was very nice, except for the three generators that was on full gas the whole trip, probably to keep the three AC-units going. After a while I put in my headphones, just to limit the noise.
During the trip back we made a bunch of stops again, picking up people who were heading back to the mainland. At some islands they didn’t seem to be as prepared as expected so the captain used his horn to make them hurry up. At a couple of stops we had to wait a few minutes for the passengers to show up. At the last stop, there was a boat who had docked at the dock where we were supposed to dock. Someone had do come running to move it, captain not happy 🙂
At some parts of the trip we were on open water, that came with some waves. On the upper deck there were plexi glass on three sides, with windows in it. After one wave that gave a pretty big splash and almost soaked a couple of passengers, all windows were suddenly closed 🙂
Before the upper deck got full at one island I spoke to one of the other passengers. He were a scottsman who were working on one of the islands. Four days work, three days off. He seemed pretty happy with his life.
We made it back to the mainland at about 16:40, where another guide met me and we got into a car and drove back to the hotel. We had a great conversation about traffic, education, unemployment and then some great suggestions for restaurants and what to do. I should have met him in the beginning of the week instead 🙂
At half past five I got back to my room, called Mom, took a shower and headed down the hotel restaurant for dinner. A delicious pizza!
Went up to the Millenimum lounge to write this post, then back to my room and do some restaurant research before getting to bed. It’s been a long day and I want to make the most of the two ones remaining.
