Terima Kasih
By Lothar. Filed in Indonesia |
“Terima Kasih” or “Thank You” is just about the only Indonesian I have learned while here on Siladen Island. While gazing at the flat Celebes Sea from my beach Fale today, I contemplate the fact that there are more than 300 different languages spoken throughout the Indonesian archipelago. I think I have to quit, while I can retain at least a few words in my brain. And it’s not my brain, it’s the H E A T !
After the initial heat and culture shock, we are getting used to the island life. After sleeping through the hot day on Thursday, we suffer from a burst of energy and actually go scuba diving. The island resort is a micro-cosmos, and onboard our boat are only 5 divers: one from Barcelona, Spain, an Italian father and son from Milan, plus Gabi and myself. Our dive boat is a wooden, flat-bottom boat, powered by four 40hp Yamaha outboards. At least theoretically we have four engines. Most of the time, one of the engines is being worked on along the way, while we are being propelled by the remaining three!
The crew and dive guides, as well as the restaurant staff, are all exceptionally friendly and nice. I have plenty of opportunities to practice saying: “Terima Kasih”. The diving is like we have not seen since Vanuatu. We encounter clear, warm waters with hundreds of fish, healthy corals and impressive vertical walls. Yesterday we were using a slow current and effortlessly drifting along an impressive vertical reef wall at the north end of Bunaken Island. Our group was only 3 divers: our guide Perman, Gabi and myself. The boat rides are no longer than 30 minutes and we are back at the resort for lunch at 1 PM. In the afternoon there was more sleeping in our cool bungalow.
Last night, all the guests got dressed up in colorful sarongs for the barbecue dinner, which was served right on the beach, under the stars, with the small waves lapping at our feet. It was still hot at night! Today is our last day on Siladen Island and we take a break from diving. It is Sunday, and we have a cup of coffee on our veranda, followed by a morning swim before breakfast. Most of the other guests are running off to the dive boat, while Gabi and I have a leisurely Sunday “brunch’. After all, we are not at work here and therefore are not going to be rushed! The rest of the day is spent with serious relaxation: swimming, playing pool, eating and sleeping.
Terima Kasih, Siladen!