Island exploration

After spending so much time in the water, I also wanted to explore the island. So I organized a Tuk Tuk (also through the diving school - I'm just incredibly happy with my choice of Monster Divers! ❤) and off we went. With about 30 minutes delay, as we unfortunately waited at different places. But then we started. ^^ First, we went to the underwater volcano. Apparently, the driver thought I would go into the water and snorkel, but that was not planned. But thanks to his advice, I went diving there the next day! (See another post) Then we continued to a waterfall. Tuk Tuk parked, and off into the jungle, the driver leading the way, me following. The path was not very difficult, but also not super easy. Getting to waterfalls in Asia always seems to involve some work! Along the way, my driver showed me a tree full of bats. The waterfall itself was not huge, but I was alone there, and it was very idyllic. So I jumped right in. (That was planned, so I had my things with me.) It was very refreshing and not too cold, and swimming a few laps in the sun was really nice. Changing afterwards was a bit difficult, as the driver was still there, even if he turned away, I didn't want to stand there naked...so I was already quite sweaty again after changing.

Next, we went to the sulfur volcano on the island. It started pouring rain a lot on the way (typical Asian showers), but my driver shielded me well, so I hardly got wet. And the roads were just small streams. And we only had to stop and turn around once because unfortunately a tree had fallen on the road. When we arrived, it had mostly stopped, so I could start right away. With the words "Just follow the path." I entered the area. At the beginning, there was still a path, but it quickly disappeared. Fortunately, I had downloaded an offline map that showed an approximate path, so I didn't have to rely only on the trail and signs every kilometer or so. Unfortunately, I didn't constantly look at my phone and once followed a rain river path instead of the trail, so I suddenly found myself in the middle of the forest. Around me, there was rustling and cracking (it was the monkeys in the trees, but I still didn't feel very comfortable) and there was foliage everywhere, under which something could have been hiding. That was the only time on vacation that I was really scared! But with the help of my phone, I luckily found the "path" again, although I don't know how many branches I had on my conscience while running through the jungle....in hindsight, a funny experience, in that moment it was pretty shitty. I also really considered turning back, sweaty and exhausted as I was. But then I pulled myself together and continued, luckily! The smell of rotten eggs got stronger, one last curve, and then I saw it - the crater. Not a real one at the top of a mountain, as one imagines it, but a lot of smoke came out of the mountain wall and it was bubbling everywhere. Just mega cool! My geographer's heart was jumping for joy! The idea of ​​seeing the effects of plate tectonics, etc. directly was so incredibly great for me! At that moment, I was just happy that I had made it! But then eventually it was time to return. I followed the map very closely, so I arrived fairly quickly (and much faster). To be honest, I was also a bit glad to see the Tuk Tuk and the driver again!

Lastly, we went to Sabang. I explored the city a bit, but I was so exhausted that I couldn't walk much anymore. First, I got a coffee, then I looked for a beach and just sat down there. It would have been really nice if it hadn't been for these garbage dumps. It was really creepy, and above all very very sad! I tried to ignore it a bit, in order to still enjoy the moment, but it didn't really work. Something in me always wanted to pick up the trash, but I would probably still be doing it today ☹ Really sad, because otherwise it was a perfect beach. After an hour of resting, I met up with colleagues who happened to be on the island too. It was a nice evening, unfortunately very short because everything closed at seven. Allegedly everything would be open again from ten o'clock (when prayer time is over), but that was a bit too late for us. So we went back to the hotel, where I fell into bed completely exhausted from the day, full of anticipation for diving the next day 😉