On the west coast of Java sits Labuhan, a small
port city.
It isn't terribly picturesque, but it does have some good Chinese
restaurants. It's also the starting point for visits to the Ujunk
Kolon natural park, one of the largest in Indonesia. It's over
420
square km in size, and is one of the last strongholds of the endangered
Javan Rhinoceros. Visitors need to secure permission from the
PHPA, and must be accompanied by a guide. We weren't able to
visit
the park, but were told it's incredible.
We traveled a few miles north, to Carita Beach. There we were able to rent snorkeling gear and a boat, complete with a driver. He took us to some islands near Krakatau, a large volcano that erupted with disastrous effects in 1883. We weren't able to get to Krakatau itself due to volcanic activity. We did snorkel on some smaller islands with gorgeous reefs. The visibility was outstanding, and the reefs were teeming with tropical fish. It was some of the best snorkeling I've ever done. I was so inspired by the sights I saw that I took up SCUBA diving a few weeks later. If you're in the vicinity by all means do go out to these islands. You won't be disappointed.
We traveled to Labuhan on what has to be the world's least
expensive
bus service. Our journey took three hours, covered over 100
hundred
miles, and cost a grand total of four dollars. That will take you
all of about two miles in an LA taxi. Even then, we probably got
ripped off. One of our friends, an American of Chinese
extraction,
was only charged two dollars. They like to milk the tourists.
Where would you like to visit next?
