on a long weekend with family and close friends, a small base in Makassar decides to go to the island Samalona in south Sulawesi, a beautiful island with white sand beaches and coral reefs, he observes be trampled and destroyed by inconsiderate guests.
I had to leave for various personal reasons. I harbored a sickie but I am bound to my conscience, so sacrificed a day off. There's a fair amount you can do with a long weekend in South Sulawesi. Toraja possible on overnight buses, but not much for a family of four on a whim. There are the floating villages on the Tempe lake, but once was enough. Bira is a five hour drive with its islands, snorkelling and restaurants - but again, contemplating paying for everyone with the latest increase in fuel prices, we have passed. After deliberation, the family and a good friend installed on an overnighter to the island Samalona twenty minutes from the banks of the city.
Samalona, slightly larger than a football field, used to be our regular getaway. A picturesque village nestled around a well, with lush foliage; he boasted a wide range, fresh coconuts, friendly people and fish baked bonfire. We used to go on the clear sandy moon and be brutally awakened by the sun creeping over the mountains, cursing hangover and desperate to return to a familiar toilet.
Unfortunately, we stopped going Samalona long ago. To make it attractive for excursionists, the island has been concreted and decorated with tables and umbrellas. Big speakers increased so that the monotonous sound of the tides, chickens and palm trees could be opposed by more fulfilling din of drum'n'bass. discarded Styrofoam were extended to jet ski jet set of the city, leading to what was left of the reef to be crushed lime. Inevitably, over time, nature has diminished Samalona down to a stub. In an attempt to save the inhabitants have constructed defenses and a university project tried to regenerate the coral.
So this was our plan :. Go on a quiet Friday, rent a hovel, see the reef and return early Saturday, before the hordes arrived selfie obsessed
And it was good! We rented a house, we were excused paying regular expenses such as the costs of the shared toilet on the island: shower - Rp.15,000, Squat Rp.10,000, and tinkle- Rp.5,000. Day-trippers are also charged for any place they claim and touted throughout their stay to see what can be added to their extortionate tab at the store. Fortunately, we came prepared and by the afternoon we get our groove. Mother-in-law was left pleased with our 11 months; brother-in-law was happy using his new fishing kit with which, as always, it has failed to catch anything; friend was happy because she had started drinking early and went out; wife was happy because she was free to ignore paradise and focus on his Blackberry; and his eldest daughter was happy because she has moved from a non-swimmer to snorkel freely out of his depth without jacket. Because everyone was so busy being so happy, I sizzled as a revolving wiener ensuring my eldest daughter was safe and content in the sea.
On a decline afternoon high tide, friend and I slapped on our own equipment and went to investigate the drop, and were pleasantly rewarded. A few hundred meters, just where mashed potatoes and blanched shallows completed, much has been growing back and small fish were in abundance. At the point I usually lose my nerve and doggy-paddle to shore power, I swim in an area of standing stones to stimulate growth and almost had a rare sense of optimism towards mankind. That night, we drank a lot and talked into the late hours on this progressive place Indonesia has been growing.
And then I was awakened by the heat of a new day. I curse my hangovers and pined for my toilet, which gave me longing. It was created to be a stuttering start with my headache in collecting moisture. Fortunately, the people of the city arrived early to entertain us. We observed in hysterical as a woman took pictures of a group of men with rented life jackets, diving boots and diving equipment snorkeling. They asked for mandatory selfies before asking their partners to take group photos. They then entered the low tide, which came no deeper than their knees and actually tried to swim. We boggled at what they hoped to find: plastic bags, a sandal? So there they belly crawling on the shattered remains intermittently standing as if nervous about being on his knees, a few meters from the shore in lifejackets.
Back on deck, we decided paraphernalia was not for security but to look cool on . And then another party came six men in suits, snorkels and lifejackets. We laughed until they wandered to where the coral was regenerating. For all their expensive accessories, not one swam. They just trampled. You could hear the rustling of the fragile life of the beach. Then more came, then plowed the jet skiers the file. And the Europeans appeared in their Speedos and offered interesting cultural side to side. The Makassar elite seemed to say, "Look at my expensive accessories. You can see my life is interesting! "Europeans seemed more to say:" Look at my Speedos You can see my testicles. "That is why we will not there.
As we fled Samalona we realized the extent of the invasion. Dozens arrived on the west side and set up tents. Mellow groups playing guitars were competing with music issuing groups maddening phone. wind blown litter was torpedo along the beach like crabs, even tumbleweed, and more boats were skidding down by the minute.
After my rare moment of optimism for humanity, I stayed with an observation of black humor: perhaps Samalona trippers are actually at the forefront of conservation of coral reefs. For, as regards the environment, they really know how to leave behind nothing but their footprints.
Happy and considerate swimming there (if Speedos?).
"Mining Bangka Island" to a much more powerful story Sulawesi.
The Conservation Fund Bangka (FCC) urgently needs your support to save the island of Bangka illegal mining that threatens the fragile ecosystem, livelihoods traditional and tourism. A mining company bribed his way to the island and intimidated the local population and its preparations are moving at an alarming rate. To help, please visit:
www.betterplace.org/en/projects/23354-in-the-heart-of-the- coral-triangle-year-outrageous -crime- is taking-place