Where is Rune?

27 July.

Today I took a bus and ojek (motorbike) to Batuputih village. The village is situated at the edge of a national park called Tangkoko. During a walk in the forest I saw several black monkeys. On the way back I walked along the beach, which has black volcanic sand.

I stayed at Tarsius Homestay (Rp 150k incl. 2 fish meals a day plus a simple breakfast).

The night sky was clear, the illumination from the village minor, so I got out my camera a took a picture of the stars. The result turned out to be good. The Milkyway is clearly visible, as well as the dark nebula clouds blocking the light. Shutter: 15 sec. Aperture: 2.0. ISO: 3200.

Walking on the beach.

Monkey in jungle.

Counting the stars.

Bus from Manado to Batuputih.

Jungle and beach walk, Batuhputih.

26 July.

I booked a shared taxi to Manado today, front seat, for Rp 150k (the front seat is more expensive).

Just before leaving the hotel, I noticed a Landcruiser with UK licence plates parked outside. The owner appeared, and he could confirm that, indeed, they had driven the vehicle overland all the way from UK! 55,000 km in total so far. Next country: East Timor. As far as I can recall, this is the first time I have ever seen a foreign registered vehicle in Indonesia.

Their website is myoverlandadventure.com.

I observed the same car a while later, outside the city, in a police checkpoint. Apparently, all vehicles were stopped. No problems, however.

The trip to Manado took 10 hours, including a lunch break (fish meal).

In Manado, I checked into the super-simple Rex Hotel, for Rp 35k.

Landcruiser with UK licence plates in Gorontalo.

Landcruiser expedition stopped in police checkpoint.

Car from Gorontalo to Manado.

25 July.

The ferry from Wakai to Gorontalo took 13 hours, cost Rp 78k, and arrived around 09:00 today. This ferry takes vehicles as well.

I decided to break my journey down and have one night in Gorontalo. I stayed at Melati Hotel (Rp 110k).

Ferry from Wakai to Gorontalo.

Ferry to Gorontalo.

Approaching Gorontalo.

24 July.

I have started on the long journey towards Manado. First leg of the trip is the boat trip from Malenge to Wakai at 06:00. And then killing time in Wakai before the ferry to Gorontalo leaves in the evening.

The ferry to Gorontalo finally left around 20:00, a couple of hours delayed. I met the Danish couple again before bordering the ferry.

Ferry from Malenge to Wakai.

One of the villages along the way to Wakai.

One of the villages along the way to Wakai.

23 July.

Last day at Malenge Indah, and last swim in the sea.

After lunch, the Spanish math teacher and I were boat-transported from Malenge Indah Cottages to Malenge village, where we stayed the night at a place also called Malenge Indah, situated over the water. Same owner as the place on the beach. We were planning to catch the ferry from Malenge to Wakai, and from Wakai to Gorontalo, the following morning.

Fish meals were also included in the room price here in the village. Rp 50k for everything.

Last day at Malenge Indah.

Returning to the village.

Malenge village.

Malenge village.