« Bali Paradise Lost? | Main | Bike Preparations »
September 12, 2005
Kayak Reflections
DAY: 92
LOCATION: Bali - Northwest Tip
NAUTICAL MILES TODAY: 17
NAUTICAL MILES YESTERDAY: 15
NAUTICAL MILES TOTAL TRIP: 849
LATITUDE : S 08 degs, 05.60'
LONGITUDE: E 114 degs,26 .88'
This evening we're sitting on a deserted beach at the top of Selat Bali, gateway to Java. We decided to have one final night camping before crossing the selat tomorrow morning and making our way down the coast to Banyuwangi. That will be the jumping off place for the bike trip across Java.
It's amazing to actually have a deserted beach here on Bali. Since arriving in Amed a week ago, it has been wall-to-wall people and towns along the coast. But, this particular section of the island seems vacant and what a fitting way to end our kayak portion of the trip across the archipelago. (The kayaks will be used to cross from Java to Sumatra, then across the Melaka Strait to Singapore, but the major part of the kayak leg is behind us.)
We've seen this part of Indonesia as few have, I would guess. Travel by kayak over this distance from Timor to Java is the perfect interface between sea and land in this nation of islands and has afforded us an uncommon look at this most incredible country. The unhurried pace, a chance to connect with the local people on each island, visiting schools and getting a glimpse from the students of what is important to them in their everyday lives have created a kaleidoscope of images I'll not soon forget. From white sand beaches to the tops of towering volcanoes, I've often imagined how little this place has changed since first visited by the Portuguese in the early 1500s. It gives me a healthy respect for those early explorers sailing these uncharted waters as we've had navigational aids to work our way through the chain of reef systems and selat crossings.
I'll come away from here with a different perspective of how hard people have to work to feed their families each day. Meeting the basic needs is not always a 'given' here. Their way of life shows devotion to their children and the importance of friendship and communities.
As another firey sunset closes out this day, I can say this has been one of the most rewarding sections of the expedition that I've traveled. Crossing Java, by bike, will be an experience and I'm looking forward to that. But, I will miss 'Queenie' and sitting six inches above these waters which has given me a truly unique experience in human power.
April
Posted on September 12, 2005 3:16 PM
Comments
Oh, I also wanted to comment on how I found your blog. It was via the new Google blog search engine. I typed in Bali and there you were! About 20 or 30 down the list, but an intriguing summary, so I clicked the link. I'm almost certainly the first person to ever use this new blog search engine to find your postings, and it was worth it.
Posted by: Carl Parkes at September 16, 2005 7:53 PM
I posted a notice about your adventures yesterday on my blog, so hopefully you will get some more visitors who will send you Big Bucks and lots of love. Great stories, but please more photos!
At least I called you "young adventurers" so you should be pleased.
Java is fantastic. I updated the final edition of Indonesia Handbook by Bill Dalton, by doing Java and Kalimantan. East Java is the best, so spend your time there. Gets worse as you head west. Take my word for it.
Banyuwangi is nothing special, but the hike up the nearby volcano is fantastic. Malang is good for a week for sidetrips. Bromo is OK. Surabaya is an amazing old city with great Dutch architecture. Skip the north coast. I've been there, done that, nothing much to see. Trowulan is worth a half day. Solo and Yogya you will enjoy.
I'd like to hear about Muslim reactions to your visit. You are going into some heavy Muslim areas, where hostility can be rampant. Best of luck.
Bill Dalton had a baby boy last week. He's 60.
Posted by: Carl Parkes at September 16, 2005 7:50 PM
you may not be getting a lot of comments lately, but we're still out here, and we're fascinated! thanks so much for finding the extra time & energy after a full day of kayaking and tirelessly weaving through bureaucracies to publish the updates here. you guys are amazing!
Posted by: gl. at September 15, 2005 2:17 AM