Kota Tua & Thousand Island Trip

Daydreaming is not enough… you have to make it true.

And that’s what I did with my sister Erma.

Right after chatting on how we spend the next long weekend, then we decided to make it into reality.

We’re going to spend the whole holidays, having a terrific time.

Stop working and enjoy the payback.

Day # 1

Friday, May 28^th, 2010 noted as Waisak day

Destination: Kota tua & Muara Angke

After walking from the last BusWay shelter, we finally reached “KOTA TUA”. At that time, it was so full and crowded, maybe because it was holiday. Well, we’re not coming as a tourist, but still not to forget taking some pictures, naturally acting like a model, ha ha ha.

We saw some traditional attraction “debus” right there, it’s a bit scary but quite entertaining. Soon after that, my sister and I rent and ride an old bike. Rp 20.000,- for 30 minutes. Pheww.. expensive!! I’m trying to bargain but ehhmmm … OKe Lah!!

My motto:  “When you’re on vacation never count on the cost”

I really enjoy my city, Jakarta. It keeps me smiling though sometimes very annoying when it comes the time for “macet” (traffic jam).  Huh..!! don’t want to imagine that. 

Riding the bike make our stomach can’t wait any longer. Need to be fulfilled...

and “Tahu Gejrot” is the menu of the day.

Whaaatttt….????

He he he… I knew it would not make us feel full, but we were still doing our diet. 

Then, from Kota Tua, we took a bus to Grogol, followed by angkot, directly to Muara Angke.

We went to Muara Angke to survey the harbor, check the ship schedule & availability for the next day trip.   We planned to go to Pramuka Island.

Arrived @ Muara Angke at around 03.00 pm. The environment was so new for us. There are some interesting, rare & unique objects such as ojek sepeda, some ships completed  with  huge sea result and a traditional sea food market at the corner.  Ougghhh…the smell…. I'm holding my breath.

Beside the market, there’s a place where all ships port. There we go…!! 

Sight seeing around, asking here and there.

Then, after getting the information we need, we took a rest for a moment at the sea shore…

Brrr.. The wind was so cool but after while, we realized that we had to go home & prepare everything for the next day…..

On the way home, we’re thinking on how to get to Muara Angke at minimum 6 am the next morning. Erma was so nervous. I ensure her not to worry about that.

We’ll find a way.

Here are some of my plan :

Plan A ; ask my brothers to drop us by.

Plan B; take a normal public transportation, but should be very early, considering the traffic, waiting other passengers (ngetem.com), etc.

Or plan C; book a taxi…….perfect!  but how??

I mean it’s getting dark here; we were still on the way home… can’t book right now…

Come on… thinking …thinking…thinking…!!!

Ehhhmmm, I believe when there’s a will there’s a way.

And my way was in front of me….!!

Alhamdulillah.

There’s a taxi driver in same “angkot” (read: a kind of minibus used as public transportation) with us, so without talking too much we switched mobile number and make an appointment with him. WELL DONE.

Day # 2

Saturday, May 29^th, 2010

Destination : Muara Angke, Kep. Seribu

At 5.00 AM, just after subuh praying, I asked my brother ‘Rahmat to drop me at the meeting point, in front of Jln. Raisan. Erma was already there as well as the taxi driver. Good… everybody comes on time.

We arrived at Muara Angke at around 06.20 AM, then decided to get some breakfast and my breakfast was bread. Its regular cheap bread, in poor quality, compare to the bread produced by the factory that I worked. Though  the bread was  not  special, but it doesn’t stop me from having this breakfast…he he he (dipoyok dilebok, meaning you talk something bad about it but you also enjoy it).

The ship’s leaving the harbor at 7.15 am. We’re just like sardines inside the can. Full..full…full..no space for moving. I just sit still… quietly, looking at the sea view and also other passengers; some were having “seasickness” and vomit directly to the sea, some were having the conversation with others, taking pictures, etc and  the rest were sleeping.

3 hours later, we departed at Pulau Pramuka harbor. Well, it’s not actually a harbor, coz it’s so small. Shelter or port will be more appropriate. The ship moved slowly to the port, and parked. All passengers were ready to jump from the ship to the port. One by one the passengers get off from the ship. Suddenly, pouww… there’s a big sound came from the water. Is it a big fish? Nope… !! one of the passengers felt down to the sea. Ha ha ha…Funny but so pity… a big guy together with the backpack, was in the sea!!  He was soooo careless…What for to be in hurry..??

Well, here we came. So, this is it, Pramuka Island. First impression…. Hot..!!

We carried our backpack, walked around the island and took some pictures. Some young boys offered home stay, but the price was so high, so I decided to just enjoy the island and will think about it later.

Pramuka Island is not quite big. We only have to spend less than an hour to walk around it. What a small island, isn’t it?

It is an administration center for Thousands Islands. Most of the local residents work as fisherman or own a business. Some of them own and rent the home for tourist to stay over, or own and renting a ship for sight seeing to other islands, some are working as guides or even only teaching the  (mostly local) visitors for snorkeling or diving  , some open small shop ‘warung’. Well, those are what I knew. What they do for a living probably much more varies than I ever known.

After looking around the island & having lunch at the small canteen “warnas”, we went to the mosque. Praying, taking some rest and searching for possibility to have a cheap home stay. Alhamdulillah, I am a lucky girl. We met some school boy, who helped us find the renting room. We finally got it for 200 thousands for two, still cheap compare to normal price 350 – 450 thousands. The place was small but quite safe for sleeping.  Safe? Secure?  Really? I can’t ask for more, coz I pay it cheap. Ha ha…

It has a plastic window, very easy for robber to get in. He he… it’s okay lah.

It’s a backpacker world.

Next, we survey the place which rent the snorkeling equipment. Ehm, there are many places for that. The price for a complete snorkeling equipment is not expensive, only 35 thousands but that exclude renting the boat to go to the sea. The boat renting price is around 350-400 thousands, that’s really expensive for two of us. Ehm… let’s just see the possibility tomorrow morning, whether we would go for it or just forget it. Hiks.!!

In the afternoon, we went to Karya island by “ojek perahu” (small boat). We just need to pay 2 until 3 thousands to go to the near island around. At first, I didn’t know that Karya island is a special place for cemetery, not until I went around it. Oh, that’s why it so quiet and teduh. My sister refused to go further, she scared. Well, that’s okay, it’s time to go back to Pramuka island anyway. and remember, if you want to stop the ojek perahu, all you need to do is waving and the perahu will get close to you.

While we were waiting for ojek perahu, we met two “unattractive: guys; Mad and Abel. We say hello and chat bla bla bla… Do you know what?? They’re from Kemang, place where I was born and grew up. What a small world?? And they know a lot of my friends. Ho ho ho…!! Then, we planned to go snorkeling together the next morning. That would be great, so we can share the cost for renting a boat & snorkeling equipments. It’s another fact that I am a lucky girl. Positive thinking will bring a positive result, that’s what I always believe.

We had an early dinner @ a nice resto and enjoying the sunset.

Day # 3

Sunday, May 30^th, 2010

Destination : Semak Daun (Smack Down) island, Go back Home

Snorkeling time.

My sister and I met Mad & Abel’s group at their home stay. We’re all 12 people, in total. Nice, we only have to pay 75 thousand/person for all (snorkeling equipment, live vest, Google, boat renting and lunch included).

First, we went to small island nearby and learned how to do snorkeling. Mad showed & gave direction on how to wear the equipment. He also taught us to snorkel. After learning for about 30 minutes, the boat took us to the middle, where we can only see water and water.

One..

Two..

Three..

Some men jump off from the boat, just before the guide put down the anchor. I was so excited, then eagerly jump and…. Oh God…. Subhanallah.

I can’t say a word. It’s so beautiful… and scary at  the same time.

It’s my first experience on snorkeling and..WOOW,  I felt… completely small.

So small….

When you see the sea, seem it has no border, well… the inside is even more.

It is enormous.

Colorful nemos almost everywhere and all sea things that I usually see in on tv, now they are swimming with me. I felt like in the giant aquarium.

Subhanallah…Subhanallah…Walilah hilhamdu..

After spending more than an hour snorkeling, we were heading to Semak Daun Island. There’s not much to describe. It’s simply beautiful. The most special is the gentle white sand around the island and if we go further, we’ll find small woods inside. Good place for camping.

At around 12, we have already arrived at Pramuka Island. After having lunch, we were packing all of our stuffs and go back to Jakarta by a full loaded ship. He he… what a great vacation…!! Can’t barely wait to go again.

Hey nemos…. I’ll be right back…!! See youuuu……………….