Indonesia

Jakarta and Ciwandan

Photos:

Before we even saw the hazy outline of the city skyline of Jakarta, we could see it was a thriving metropolis and a busy port. The Captain was called to the bridge as we approached to help weave our way through the maze of ships and boats of every size and description. It’s the most traffic we’d seen coming into a port. As usual, we waited for our pilot boat to arrive and were finally secured to the dock by 11:00. The passengers were called to the ship’s office so that the customs officials could clear us in personally. The Captain explained that we would need a visa and it was expensive (turns out it was $20 U.S.) and it would take some time. He discouraged us from going ashore because we would need to be back aboard by 8PM for a 10PM departure. We were disappointed and expressed our desire to see Jakarta. The officials said “It’s a big holiday (end of Ramadan) and banks were closed so we wouldn’t be able to get any money. When I asked, the admitted that of course we could use an ATM. I somewhat jokingly said “Oh well, we really wanted to see your beautiful country and we were going to spend a lot of money, but if it’s not possible . . .” They then said that yes it would be possible but we would not be able to take our passports - they would beheld at the Immigration Office. I was not comfortable with that, but they issued each of us a pass, showing that we were cleared and have visas, so off we went with a driver who would show us the highlights of the area in eight hours or less.

Very hot and humid. Old van that was hot-wired, switched to new van with plastic on seats but air conditioning. Lots of money palmed at every gate and stop. Miniature Village, Old Port (private tour and boarding ship) terrible conditions, gangplank that also serves as life raft, pay is equivalent to $100 U.S. per month. , lunch at fish market, artist market. (Bought painting) Good tour guide and driver Back in plenty of time.

Received packaged from mail forwarding service via Fed Exp. Great to get personal mail, especially from grandsons, Taylor and Zach, friends China & Cliff and even an invitation for an SIA (Society of International Affairs) cocktail party in Washington. Unfortunately, it’s in November and we’ll be in Xingang, China at that time. Martha’s friend Chuck sent magazines, newspapers (from Skagway,Alaska) and some DVDs of one of her favorite TV shows. That’s a real treat since most of the videos aboard are Chinese copies and often stop playing halfway through, which is a real bummer.

Sometime after midnight, we left for Cewandan, Indonesia. By the time we cleared in with Customs and Immigration in Cewandan, it was 5 PM and we were scheduled to leave at midnight. The Captain and Barbara took a taxi to go swimming at the beach but we elected to stay aboard. We learned later that evening that it was a rocky beach so they didn’t go in the water but there was a swimming pool at the beach so they had a swim there.






We were slightly late in departing Jakarta which meant we were late arriving in Cewandan which meant we had to wait five hours for our pilot and also for a place at the small port. We finally were secured at our berth for the night around 3 PM and about 5:00 we were told we could go ashore if we wanted but that we would be departing at midnight. We were really out in the boondocks at this port and though we could have taken a taxi to a nearby beach, having such a full day the day before, we opted out. There were young guys on the dock who waved to us as we stood on the pilot deck looking down at the beehive of activity of on and offloading of cargo. They were selling all sorts of local craft items - carved statues,masks, t-shirts, etc. but we didn’t go down to buy anything. I did hold up some of my handpainted scarves but they didn’t offer to buy any. We learned later that the Captain and Barbara went and it was a rocky beach but had a swimming pool which they went in. Sounds like we didn’t miss anything.