Where is Rune?

19 July.

The cost of chartering a boat from Bomba to pulau Kadidiri was Rp 300k, shared among the four of us going that way. It was a scenic trip on calm waters.

Upon arriving on crowded pulau Kadidiri, only a few pricey rooms was left among the three establishments on the island. I decided to give it a miss altogether, and let the boatman take me to the nearby town Wakai instead, where I waited an hour or so for the ferry to Malenge island (this was the ferry I had missed the day before). I said goodbye to the other three travelers, who chose to stay at Kadidiri.

On the Rp 20k ferry from Wakai, most passengers crowded together under deck, but it was a great day, a bit cloudy and no wind, so I sat on the roof of the ferry with a few others passengers. Two of them offered me Cap Tikus (mouse brand), a rather strong alcoholic drink, which I accepted without hesitation. It turned out to be an entertaining afternoon boat trip.

It was dark when the ferry reached Malenge village. A woman on the boat represented a place called Malenge Indah Cottages, and I decided to stay at that place. There are only two accomodation establishments on Malenge anyway. The last 45 minutes stretch from the village to Malenge Indah was done by a small boat. In addition to me, three others from the ferry followed as well: a Danish couple and a Spanish math teacher. We were the only people staying at the place.

Enjoying Cap Tikus on ferry from Wakai to Malenge.

One of the villages along the way.

Boat from Bomba to Malenge.