On April 3 to 5, 2011 Team Parre (parkour and freerunning team) invited me to tag along in their excursion.
Destination Serang on the West end of Java, this was going to be another low budget backpacking trip.
Destination Serang on the West end of Java, this was going to be another low budget backpacking trip.
We left Jakarta by Bus at 22.00 and arrive a few minutes past midnight in our base camp, the shanty port
town of Karang Antu (literally translated Ghost Reef) near Serang. The town has gone past its glory days,
the river upon which the town live by has gone shallow disabling big fishing boat to leave port for the sea,
some boat has gone rotten, leaving only its skeletal formation like ribs of dinosaur's corps, not that there is
much to find in the sea, years of gluttonous fishing have left the corral reef's ecosystem on half-life.
Fisherman of Karang Hantu now depends on prayer and the little fish left in the sea and on some lucky
days, giving tours to travelers who seeks adventure on its surrounding islands.
We rented a run down wooden fishing boat "dwie putra" written in front of the captains, the captain claims
that she can carry up to 50 people on the rough sea. This same boat is going to be our home for the
remaining of this trip.
After a night spent in battle against the harbor gang of mosquitoes, we set out to sea early the next day
under the gloomy sky, destination Pulau Kubur (Bury island) but caused by the ecosystem imbalance,
the inhabited island is now invested with black and white sea urchin all along and around its shallow
shore it was a nightmare to swim above these guys with their needle pointing at you ready to inject their
fever causing poisons.
Leaving the island our spirits was lifted with the passing of the gray clouds, the sun is up. Destination
Pulau Panjang (Long Island) we avoid the fishing village and went to the rear side of the island where
the water is clear and coral is left untouched. A fair amount of time was spent snorkeling along its coral
cliff the water blue with beautiful sun streaks shinning down in the dept where my lungs couldn't carry me,
jumping off of the boats roof in reckless abandon, sun bathing without sun lotion and finally fishing for lunch.
Short break, fill our stomach with rice, noodles and fish. then take a short fulfilling nap on the smooth
rocking boat.
With renewed energy we set our bearings to the last island of this trip Pulau Lima(Five Island).
(stopped by some island whats its name i forgot) Took down our equipment and start exploring the island,
we were going inland exploring along its river but stop doing so when we reach a grave site, the grave
looks new and one the tombstone sits a wierd mask sending shivers down our butt hole. sticking to its
shore is a good idea. The rest of the afternoon was then spent on its white soft sands polishing somersaults,
twist and tricks.
By nightfall we're back in the shanty port town, our plan of spending the night in Pulau Lima was canceled
due to the appearance of heavy storm clouds on the Western horizon.
Small session of barbeque keeps the atmosphere light only to be disturbed by a hobo schizophrenic, what
followed was blissful laughter useless attempts in interpreting the world and words of the madmen which
ended in fearful glances when we realize that the He was planning to sleep with us in our rented boat.
The next day with our skin burnt glowing red we pack our bags. Visited an abandon 18th century castle
about a Mile away from the shanty port town, did some parkour and went on our journey back home.
Knocked out dead tired in the bus no one is able to stay awake until we arrive back in Jakarta.
Thanks to Parre team, Putra, Allan, Qori, Ojon and with special gratitude to the guy who planned the
whole trip Mamat. This has been an awesome trip.
