Back in Sulawesi! My plan
to stay in Finland from June until end of August got changed
quite quickly and I came back already end of July. In the middle of
high season here. Originally I wanted to avoid this time of the year coz
all places are full and prices a bit higher. But I also don't have to
stay in a resort if I don't want to.
The trip back took me 3
days. Flight to Frankfurt, wait there 12 h, then to Jakarta with a
stop over in Kuala Lumpur, forward with Garuda to Luwuk via Makassar.
After 2 nights in planes I was too tired and didn't wanna wait for
the bus so I chartered a car to Ampana. Good choice, at least I got
into town in decent hour and had finally a good sleep. Next day we
found a boat passing Bomba so I could already get back to Togean and
relax at Poya Lisa. Luckily the highest high of high season hadn't
started yet.
Fantastic to be back in
Poya Lisa, and especially to play with Sami! My doggie! Who is huge
already for a ”puppy” only 3 months old. He's a monster, anjing
gila play-biting everything: books, sarongs, wood, shells and now
also toys I brought him from Finland. When I'm not in Poya I really
miss that crazy creature. Photos will be added here later…
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| Picnic at the beach... |
End of July was also the
end of Ramadan and we went to celebrate it in Wakai with the Hulopi
clan. It was all about food, meeting people, doing day trips, having
chats and well, sure of course some arak and drinks I brought back
from Finland. It was kind of like a mix of our christmas and new
year, just a bit more louder and crazier with fireworks and motorbike
parades. And this is a small village I'm speaking about. Idil Fitri
lasted about 3 days and afterwards we left back to Poya Lisa. Which
was starting to get crowded. 14 bungalows and over 30 people. When we
arrived all the bungalows were taken so we had to sleep in the boat
for the first night. Doable, not comfortable.
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| Boat = bed. |
After a few days we took a
few spanish girls to Malenge and stayed also there at Malenge Indah
for a night. We slept in the boat again, as that place was also more than full
full full. The 4 girls had to share one small room next to the
restaurant as all bungalow were taken. Next day we went to check out
the newest place in Malenge: Sera. Which is very similar to Malenge
Indah, similar cottages, similar food, similar beach. Both great
places.
On the way back to Wakai
we stopped at Katupat for a chat with friends and ended up staying
also one night. This time we had the option between boat and losmen
in the village as also Fadhila Cottages were almost having a waiting
list for free bungalows. Really, next year at high season I hope I
have an own place to stay at or I'll spend it out of the country.
Every place is just a bit too full for my taste. But also, this is
still very little and very far away from what's happening in the
actually touristy places.
Now I'm in Ampana for a
few days for internet and also to enjoy some western luxury (= A/C &
good shower) in the new Lawaka hotel.
Highly recommended, the best value for money in this small town. Located near the evening market and still this is the most quiet hotel I've been in in Ampana. I did sleep well :)
And of course I didn't take my camera with me so this blog update will be without decent photos, just with the few I had in my phone. More will be added later.
And of course I didn't take my camera with me so this blog update will be without decent photos, just with the few I had in my phone. More will be added later.
