Articles from this Category
18 June 2014
I left my “lovely” hotel by becak for Wamena’s shed of an airport at 0800. I went straight to the check-in counter as there was no queue. There was already a large crowd in the departure hall but I later realised it was holding passengers for two flights and their well-wishers. My flight wasn’t till […]
17 June 2014
I had arranged with a reputable guide (who runs their association) for some assistance with today’s hike. He quoted IDR500K which is the high end of the rate in the book. As I wasn’t expecting it to be a full day, he offered me a lower end of the recommended rate at IDR400K. But he […]
16 June 2014
Finally, my stamped permit I had a really bad night sleep. It could have been the MSG in the bakso (but it didn’t taste like it was laced with it), or it could have been altitude. Wamena is only 2000m high though, and I slept fine in Leh which was easily double the height. As […]
15 June 2014
Flying to Wamena Due to the 0400 wake-up yesterday I was stirring way before the 0600 alarm I had set for myself. I went down to the hotel’s restaurant for a breakfast of soto ayam (chicken soup with shredded chicken, lightly spiced) on rice (rather than noodles) topped with some veges. The Rasen hotel offers […]
14 June 2014
It was raining heavily at 0400 when I woke in Biak. I had arranged for the hotel staff to take me to the airport by motorbike. It was wet; I had a raincoat as pillion and he didn’t. He would have been wetter. I was the only one at check-in. The agent there stood up […]
13 June 2014
It’s not easy to find other people to dive with, in Biak. I was lucky to be able to join a party of dive journalists and dive the fabulous Wundi Cave. You can read about my day here where you’ll also find tips on trying to make a dive-trip happen. Packing that night, I thought I […]
13 June 2014
If you’re a solo traveller in Biak and wish to dive, you’ll have to be very lucky or very rich. Try to come with some friends otherwise will cost you! There aren’t many travellers or divers around so if you don’t team up with them, you’ll end up shelling a bomb for a private trip. […]
12 June 2014
I woke early again. After breakfast, I headed to the Police Station to drop off the photos for my travel permit. The lady said the permit was more or less done and was just pending the photos and I could come collect it in an hour. I hopped on a ojek (motorcycle taxi) to Gua […]
11 June 2014
Having retired last night at 2030 (and also slept till midday yesterday), I was surprised to wake around 0600. Especially when my body was on NZ time (3h difference). I expected to feel really alert and raring to go, which is usually the case when I travel west. No, I felt sluggish. After breakfast, I […]
10 June 2014
It was an ungodly departure of 0115 from Makassar. The 2h45 flight to Biak (off the northern coast of Papua) took off slightly late and landed again just slightly late too. The actual flying time was less and with the hot meal and a snooze we landed in no time (well about 0500 actually). On […]