R&R in Belitung, Day Two

Now that I think about it, there's not much to report on Day 2. We got on a boat, we went from one small uninhabited island to another, we swam, climbed rocks, and sat around in the sun.

We hired a boat and a driver the day before to pick us up at 9.30 and drop us off at... whenever we want! We took a large bottle of Bintang (aka beer), a large bottle of water, some calamari and fried fish, Pringles, Kusuka (cassava chips) - hoisted ourselves onto the boat (by stepping on a plastic chair. Hey, it's an old boat there's no step!), and toured the neighboring islands. These islands are small and uninihabited and they host clean and clear beaches and massive rocks. The rocks are mostly separate from the islands - like little isles on their own. So we played. We swam and climbed rocks most of the time.

Here are a few more suggestions for a day of island hopping:

• Bring and wear handy beach footwears because while the sand may feel like butter, those rocks can scratch and cut. They look smooth, but they are not. I have scratches and cuts on my foot - though not as bad as SH and RE got 'em - and my thighs and stomach from trying to get atop those rocks only in my bikini. But they were too enticing to be left alone. Will post some photos, you'll see what I mean. That said, too many of them are unclimbable because they don't spring up from the sandy beach, they are out in the water, and they have to steep an incline.
• Bring first aid kit - bandaids, antiseptics, etc. because the hotel doesn't have any! And you would be too far away from the first convenience store.
  
• The water is clean but not fit for snorkeling this time of year. The current and winds are picking up and it rains everyday. Also, the hotel will not have proper gear for you to rent or borrow, so bring your own.
• Wear sunscreen, and re-apply often.

I said before that I was going to go solo on this trip. Clear my head, breathe deep, and just enjoy God's creation. That would've surely been good and beneficial, but I am so grateful for SH and RE. Without them, there would be no island hopping, no guitar playing, no sandman making, no kopi tubruk and fresh crab, no laughs.