Location: Raja Ampat
With how incredible everything has been since we first arrived in Raja Ampat 10 days ago, we had to send our last day off with a bang. Between the drift snorkel through what felt like Jurassic Park and entering our final anchorage of Raja through two massive rock wall ‘gates,’ I’d say Indonesia is still getting better by the day.
For the snorkel, we took the dinghy through a narrow channel/river between the islands of Pulau Waigeo and Pulau Mess War Manak, where the currents were ripping and we were sent on the greatest lazy river ride of our lives. Picture this: you’re lying on the surface of crystal clear water with beautiful coral and abundant marine life flying by beneath you. Then, you pick your head up to see lush, green foliage all around and massive, pterodactyl-looking birds flying overhead.all while you’re lying on the surface of warm, tropical water without having to move a muscle. Seb said it best with the remark: “Wow, this is quite the Indonesian experience.”
After being shuttled back to the boat, we picked up anchor and headed to our final island in Raja called ‘Pef,’ where, through those gates, we entered into a small, enclosed anchorage where we were surrounded by elevated green land all around. It was almost as if we were in the mouth of a volcano that had been overgrown by trees.
After dinner, we headed to the quaint but gorgeous resort on shore to watch the sunset, where we saw black tip sharks charging through schools of fish right off the dock. It was super cool. We had our last few cold drinks before our passage to Komodo, and I took my first-ever chess win against Mac on the giant stone board they had at the resort. I was over the moon about that one.
Dear Mum, Dad, Derek & Andrew, I miss you all sooo much and can’t wait to see you all in a few months!!! Wish you could all be here.