In Search of the Blue Lagoon
South of Malang in Eastern Java an uninhabited island contains deep within its dense jungles a salt-water lagoon framed through the Indian Ocean by jutting cliffs which shadow over crystal blue waters in addition to soft white sands. Its name will be Sempu Island, a remote national park off the quaint fishing village of Sendang Biru where travellers can find their very own piece of paradise in addition to experience nature as which will be, completely untouched.
We rode our motorbike up in addition to down the windy roads of the Sumbermanjing Wetang District towards Sendang Biru one sunny in addition to pleasant afternoon, in addition to although we were quite fatigued when we arrived, the distinctly blue waters of the harbour in addition to the abundance of extravagantly coloured fishing boats captivated our excitements in addition to imagination for the journey ahead. Sendang Biru translates in English to Blue Spring, in addition to through when we first arrived at the harbour we understood This specific translation as an understatement, feeling which these calm waters protected by Sempu Island through the force of the Indian Ocean were actually the “source of the colour blue”.
Although they could not speak much English, Ibu Mamik in addition to her husband were familiar with travellers through all parts of the earth, in addition to they were happy to escort us to the conservation office to obtain the permit, informing us to hold the permit cost of 20,000 IDR out of our wallets, as the conservation officials may rip off foreigners. Ibu Mamik arranged both a ferry ride in addition to a guide for us as well. Ferry rides through Sendang Biru cost 100,000 IDR return while a guide will cost an extra 100,000 IDR, who will only escort you to the lagoon (we later found out which This specific path will be fairly easy to manage on our own). In about a half-hour through when we arrived in Sendang Biru, the guide, Daniel, in addition to myself were boarding one of those colourfully wooden boats in addition to began crossing the ethereal blue waters of the harbour to Sempu Island.
The boat docked at as far as which could go in a shallow inlet in addition to the guide sprang out quickly, we followed with cautious haste in addition to took our first steps through the knee deep water. After just a few steps I heard a moan within the back in addition to turned to see Daniel holding his broken flip flop which had snapped within the murk below, in addition to he, of course, did not pack any additional shoes.
With one less shoe, our trek through the jungle was off to a hasty start, as the guide was clearly in a hurry to get back to the boat before dark, leaving us 20 paces behind in addition to no time to catch up. The jungle path was wide in addition to fortunately dry, where the slightest bit of rain could quickly change the surface to a muddy trail in addition to extend the hike another couple of hours, generating dry season the best time to visit Sempu Island.
As our trek continued, we heard monkey calls in addition to thunderous waves crashing within the distance. The path climbed up in addition to down as Daniel lagged behind on nothing nevertheless his bare feet. We were working up quite the sweat, in addition to finally after just an hour, the path narrowed in addition to led us along the lagoon’s edge. The first sight of turquoise blue water was amazing in addition to very inviting.
The daylight was quickly departing when we began to make fast work of setting up tent in addition to starting a fire, as there are no accommodations or facilities on the entire island, nothing nevertheless nature itself. Daniel proudly declared which he could build the fire in addition to went off in search of wood. Thankfully at which moment we met our neighbours for the night who kindly brought over a smouldering log for our own fire. which turned out we were sharing This specific piece of paradise that has a group of eleven jeep drivers on holiday through Bromo. They were already half plastered through local whisky when we met, in addition to which sounded like they were having a riot of a time as roars of laughter erupted through their camp every few minutes. We exchanged the international sign of friendship by passing around our gin while they reciprocated with more whiskey. Next thing we know we were sitting by their fire enjoying a barbeque of the freshest, juiciest fish. Their method of cooking was simple, a long stick gets pushed through the fish’s mouth in addition to then which will be stuck over the fire, just like roasting marshmallows. which was delicious.
The next day was spent enjoying the fruits of This specific dreamy paradise, as we did nothing more than lie within the sand, swim in cool lagoon waters, kick a football around the beach, in addition to soak in as much sunshine as we possibly could. A short hike through the beach in addition to over a few spiky rocks, we found an unbelievably charming view of the Indian Ocean as which crashed furiously into the island in addition to stretched across the horizon. The freedom of This specific secluded lagoon made for a joyous in addition to relaxing day. However, the joys of This specific day made us lose track of time, in addition to by the late-afternoon we had to quickly pack our tent in addition to all of our gear, Yet again hastily trekking through the jungle in order to arrive at the tiny inlet where the boat dropped us off before nightfall.
The entire trip to in addition to through Segara Anakan was like our own private expedition in search of a piece of paradise which seemed lost within the middle of a dense jungle, in addition to however intimidating This specific experience may sound to adventurous ears, we found the entire trip to be one free of difficulties in addition to complications, as long as you keep your food hidden away through the monkeys.
How to get there – through Malang, Sendang Biru will be about a 2.5-hour drive. Travellers can either hire a car in Malang or take a local mini bus (angkot), which adjustments once in Sumbermanjing (though local transport will take up the better part of the day).
Tourism Malang in addition to additional local tour outfits offer inclusive tours to Sempu Island.
Contact Ibu Mamik in Sedang Biru for accommodation in addition to information on 085259437575.
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In Search of the Blue Lagoon
In Search of the Blue Lagoon