DAY 116, At sea
DAY 117, Thursday, May 11.
Sabang, Indonesia
Sabang was a neat port to visit, as it is off the beaten track. It is the farthest west of the islands of Indonesia, billing itself as “km0.” As it is not visited often by cruise ships it was a bigger event for them than for many other ports we have visited: They had two big banners printed at port welcoming the ship.
It felt really good to be in Indonesia again, I guess because it brought back great memories of our previous visit. I also really like the Indonesian crew members I’ve met on our various cruises.
It was the sight of this small boat, as we entered the port, that brought back those feelings.
We hired a tuk-tuk and took an hour’s ride around the island. (Folding myself into it was something to see.) Very pretty and green, with some lovely beaches. It looks like it has seen better times, as witnessed by the raggedy banner on this ramshackle laundry, made from scrap corrugated iron.
This section of Indonesia is reported to be one of its most strictly Islamic areas, but contrary to the reports we get fed back in the States, the people were incredibly friendly, waving at us as we passed by, and very personable when face-to-face.