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Published: April 15th 2011
I decided to fly from Denpasar, Bali to Gorantalo, Sulawesi. There was a brief stop in Makassar where I changed planes prior to heading to Gorantalo.
An odd thing happened though when I caught a taxi at the Airport (which I must mention is about 30km out of town.) The taxi driver asked me if I would like to drive. Why not, I thought as I tackled a 4WD in the Bali mountains for three days I am sure I could manage this.. I couldn't speak Indonesian & he couldn't speak English so you could imagine how we got along with directions whilst it was raining buckets outside. The whole scenario was actually quite odd! Finally, I had enough fun and let him drive the last few km to Melati Hotel in Gorantalo. Melati Hotel is mentioned in the Lonely Planet and is a dependable place to stay before or after your journey to the Togeans .The following day I headed to the Jetty where I was to board a ferry bound for Wakai. The journey is about 12 to 14 hours depending on the weather. The boat leaves Gorantalo at approx 8pm (give or take an hour of course)
and sails through the night. You can purchase a cabin, however I decided to do it local style and slept on the floor of the top deck under the stars, the only gamble in doing this is if it rains!
Here is a tip for anyone doing the same, there are mattresses you can hire to lay on which cost 5000rp. Go down to economy class and grab one of the mattresses stored down there. They are twice as thick as the ones in Business class!!
The difference in economy and business is the seats. Economy you are at the bottom of the boat with all the locals. It is hot and dirty and there are no seats, just a dirty steel floor. (With many cockroaches) Business class is in the middle floor and has coach style (sort of) seats with air-conditioning. The sign says no smoking but you have to remember you are in Indonesia and all men smoke and they do it everywhere, regardless. Economy is 67000rp and business class is 87000rp.
I opted for the business class but hired a mattress and slept under the stars on the top deck. Open air and nice & cool. If
you enjoy camping out, you will enjoy this, if you don't then spend the money on a cabin which will cost 350000rp plus. I met up with another couple who were from Malaysia and were also travelling to Kadidiri. They had bought the captain’s cabin and paid 550 000rp. I will also make a note that if you buy a cabin ticket it does not include the ferry ticket you have to also pay 67000rp per person in addition.
Don't worry too much about booking in advance as there is representatives there from all bungalow resorts to meet you.
The ride to Palau Kadidiri was one in which I will never forget as the boat lifted and smashed back to the surface of the water, the passengers all braced themselves for the onslaught of water now crashing in to the boat. Twice the boat rolled to its side as another large swell pushed us back up like cork in washing machine. By the time we arrived at the island, we were all completely wet & relieved to be standing on solid ground.
The water was choppy and wind howling and as I looked around at the island I felt
Good Morning from Top deck.
Sometime through the early hours, we crossed the equatora pang of disappointment. I had expected a lake like bay with translucent water, instead in front of me was a choppy sea.
I was to experience that lake like bay as the weather did calm down and Kadidiri turned out to be every thing I dreamt it would be.
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Brave girl
hey min...thanks for the read...very interesting , all I say you are one brave girl...love the photos ...beautiful...xx