Raja Ampat 1
Raja Ampat on the schedule but before that trip to Bali pick up present in form of new regs. Since the DHL was not specific on when they arrive to hotel, I have booked two nights. Well no need as I realized, when leaving the Labuan Bajo since DHL delivered the day of my departure from Labuan.
Anyhow it is nice to have stable base with gym, restaurant and HBO ‘I’m guilty of binge watching TV’ and honestly I was lazy as lazy can be. Room, food, gym, pool and restaurant all within fifty meters distance. I realized that backpacking is great but maybe it is the midlife crisis but now and then I love lazy days in good hotel. Gym, pool for three days sent a shockwaves to muscles and control center ‘what the fuck is happening..’ was the response of brain and body. However afterwards the levels of serotonin surged and I was hooked on exercise.
Three lazy days passed late in the evening or early night as my flight to Raja Ampat i.e. Sorong is the red eye flight so very late check out. All done and sitting at the gate within for boarding, still hoping that Elliot will arrive. If he will not I’m screwed as the dive safari is happening only for two and more people. I’m not the skinny but I thing I will not pass for two persons. Easy flight to Jakarta, some snooze at the bench and we are on the way again to Sorong. Laned and as agreed previously with Elliot, got taxi to port, where we suppose to met up at Ferry. No such luck but I’m going with program and since the ferry was not so full I was able to occupy three seater and snoozed a bit. Grumpy tourist, bad tourist. Hundred thousand for taxi, same amount for ferry ticket and some more divers on the go. Love the local transport and ferry especially as you see all. Fridges, fruits, people, animals, scooters stashed around on board of the ferry. Even some Czech and Slovak tourist, just no Elliot 😊
Arrived at Waisai and there was guy with sing Scuba Republic so I just stand up on the side, waiting for rest of the group. Elliot nowhere so we left. Asked driver to stop somewhere for Wi-Fi as the resort has no Wi-Fi and power is only limited on generator. Dropped me at café and I hooked onto net. Glad as the Elliot send me email that he is in harbor. All good as he will take later ferry. Purchased local drink LASAGAN if I remember correctly the name and back in car on the way to resort.
Lovely place hidden between trees, consisting of eight houses / cottages and one open air gazebo. That one is restaurant, living room and working space for everyone.
Amazing simplistic, clean and comfy bungalow for three was allocated as my new home. One night in it, then board the diving safari. Met Maria, Finish / Russian diver girl with whom I had great chat until Elliot arrived. What a beautiful and tranquil place … felt as Hawaii, like home. So when Elliot came we sat at jetty, catch up on his travels and watched sunset. He went to this amazing local tribal village to part of funeral. Animal sacrifice, freshly cooked meat, coffin carrying etc… Amazing, need to get there next time I’m here. Later the call from feeding team arrived and we all went to feed. Met out guide Irwan and rest of the Scuba Republic team at the jetty and dinner. Had some more chat but since I was fucked and in bits like shaken Lego, early night for me.
Slept like I have not slept in days ‘well I had overnight flight’ so we both had really good, deep and long sleep. Departure was scheduled for afternoon so when we woke up, everyone was gone on day trip and just three of us and crew of three were at resort. Breakfast, coffee, chat and we were ready to depart for our diving. Also because it is lunch time and we need to make it to home stay before sunset.
