Slipping away to Sulawesi

March 29, 2003

I spent the afternoon taking one last look at the sights of Balikpapan. For many, it was also the first. I made it out to the port and captured images of small rocky islands quite near the coast. One was virtually inside the port. A police cutter was maneuvering around it. An interesting photo, perhaps, but security implications could make it the last. I chose a less risky subject.

In the oppressive heat of mid afternoon, I found myself near a large government building fashioned with approximations of indigenous art. A photo or two to enjoy in the future.

In an air-conditioned mall, 4 westerners, the first since Tabin. None seemed to want to talk.

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The airport terminal faced east at the close of this final day. A few clouds overlooked a short stretch of grass and then the Sulu Sea. Could that be Sulawesi in the distant haze? No, just a few boats among the waves. As we boarded the plane and took flight to a new island in the East, the sun slowly set on Borneo.

We touched down in darkness. Features of the land, exotic and familiar, were hidden from view. Via sequence of minibuses with assistance from locals, I made my way to the Victory Inn. What new adventures did Sulawesi have in store? Only the light of a new day might tell. The night would foretell of only a much needed sleep.

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March 30, 2003

The new day hasn't revealed much either. Internet service is slow and unreliable. Now my server is down. Perhaps the information office will be of some use.

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March 31, 2003

The "information office" was closed. Today I learned that it was really just a travel agent. They helped me find the real information office, which wasn't a whole lot better but it did clear up what I needed to know to reach Tangkoko. I plan to travel there tomorrow morning early. There is a possibility that I may go to Lembeh Island first. There supposed to be some excellent diving in the strait there, most specifically, I would be able to see an octopus close up. But the availably of affordable accommodation and diving is not certain and I may not find out until morning. Lembeh is right near Bitung as is Tangkoko so it makes a lot of sense to combine the trips.