Another Day, Another Long Journey

Day 2 (25 Oct 2008) - Airport, Transit, Layover & Boat Ride

Today we had to wake up at 6am for our flight to Berau at 7.15am. Fortunately all our luggage and boarding pass had been taken care of by the driver. So, we don't need to be at the airport so early then. We arrived at Tarakan Airport almost 7am and that not consider late here (nothing really moving fast here). We knew & prepared that we'll be having another long day to get to our final destination i.e Maratua Island Resort.

The ATR 42/300 by Trigana Air

Kalimarau Aiport, Berau

We flew by Trigana Air with their very old, small & uncomfortable ATR 42/300 plane. It was the only airline that operates that route. So, from Tarakan we have to make a 5 minutes stopover at Tanjung Selor Airport before heading to Berau (Kalimarau Airport). The flight took about 30 minutes and arrived Berau almost 8am. The resort arranged a pick up for us to the jetty BUT we have to wait until 1pm (coz waiting for another 2 guests that flew from Balikpapan) for the boat to Maratua Island. So, we kinda had a loyover at Berau town which surprisingly is quite clean compared to our very own Semporna town. As expected, there's noting much we can do there except hang out at the hotel's cafe. We almost finished reading our book while waiting for the boat and I only brought 1 book to read.

Berau town and Jetty to the Island

The layover made us quite restless and can't wait to get to the islands. Finally after lunch we were heading to Maratua Island Resort. It was a 3-hour boat ride to get there and I already felt exhausted waiting and waiting and waiting... I need the beach now!!!! The boat ride was quite interesting in some parts. The scenery was ok and we had the chance to see dolphin swimming beside and in front of the boat... The close encounter of seeing the dolphin jumping and swimming in our very own eyes is priceless....

Dolphins swimming along the boat

We arrived at the Resort almost 5pm and by then we already exhausted with the journey. We booked the water chalet and it was really tranquilizing but the furnishing was somewhat flimsy and quite a turn off. We had a rest for the day and excited to start diving tomorrow...

Finally, The Maratua Paradise Island Resort