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Published: March 15th 2016
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Four nights in Paradise? Well perhaps not paradise but pleasant none the less, there is a mosque opposite the island which is a little annoying at 430am, the lack of running water and power during the day kind of sucked and the steamy mosquito filled nights were terrible but for $25 a night full board who am I to complain.
The first full day we visited Malenge Island hoping to see some wildlife, there aparrently is some there we just didn't see any, the jungle hike was extremely hot and comfortable although the guide cracked a few coconuts open so we could have a drink. Finally we reached the other side of the island and popped out at an eco Resort where we had lunch and a lot of h2o. We then headed out to Hotel California which is a strange hut built way out on a reef, I am not sure what it was there for, but the reef here was wonderful and I spent an our or so here looking at some stunning marine life.
After leaving here we watched the Una una volcano belch steam or gas into the atmosphere as our little boat zigzagging though
the islands heading back to Fadhilla. We are the only guests so we had the island to ourselves, so in the evenings after dinner we seek a spot in the bar/restaurant area where we can perhaps catch any breeze and drink warm Bintang.
Saturday I lay in my hammock all day with my two canine friends keeping me company reading a couple of chick books (they were the only Englush books available) I can't remember the last time I felt so utterly relaxed, no WiFi or data signal here. Sunday we chartered a boat and headed back out to the reefs around Hotel California and more stunning corals before heading on to Mariona Lake and it's stingless jellyfish they were absolutely amazing to see and swimming amongst them was a major highlight of this trip. Lunch was eaten on nearby Carona beach followed my more snorkeling.
We arrived back at the resort around 4pm indulged in a few beers before dinner which was quite interesting. The meals here consist of fruit, banana pancakes and an egg for breakfast, followed by various vegetables, rice and fish (with head and tail) for lunch, then something similar for dinner, however Saturday
night we had pasta bolenaise and Sunday Togean pizza.
After a chess lesson I went of into the mangroves with a guide to search for a coconut crab, I had the feeling the crab was a pet, and that they take you into the mangroves where they placed it because the insects are so bad you just want to leave as quickly as possible.
Sunday night was much cooler then previously so I managed a good night's sleep, I packed my gear and went through my photos before heading to the restaurant for my last meal on the island, shortly after lunch we climbed a board a small boat that chugged it's way back to Wakai. We were met on arrival by a helpful man who took us abroad the ferry and got us one of the crews air-conditioned rooms, they sell them to foreign passengers for about $50, the rest of the boat was very uncomfortable.
I was concerned the boat might sink, as Indonesian ferries often do, so I was relieved when we arrived in Gorontalo at about 530am this morning. Not much to do here, I found a pizza bar but the tuna and
pineapple pizza was so spicy I had to force it down which kind of ruined the meal for me.
Gorontalo is probably the friendliest town I have visited in Indonesia people go out of their way to greet and befriend you which is always pleasant. Unfortunately I have had an allergic reaction to something and am feeling unwell, our flight leaves for Manado this afternoon at 2pm.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Paradise found
Looks like a great trip.