— Pulau Tidung is a pretty, peaceful, little island located 3 hours from Dermaga Kali Adem, North Jakarta. It is part of the Islands of Seribu, a small little getaway paradise that has not yet received many attention from the local tourists.
On 28th of October 2017, My brother (Ben), my friend (Ang), and I went to a short 2 days trip to a small island located 3 hours away from North Jakarta. This island called Tidung Island (Pulau Tidung).
Pulau Tidung is a pretty, peaceful, little island and one of the part of the Islands of Seribu. It is a small little getaway paradise that has not yet received many attention from the local tourists.
We got there by purchasing tickets on a medium-sized wooden ship from Dermaga Kali Adem. The ticket costed IDR 50k/person for one way trip. We sailed from the dock at 8AM but we had to actually get ready at 5AM from where we lived (West Jakarta).
It seems silly getting all ready when the ship only depart hours later, but on Saturday morning many local residents of Seribu Islands, fishermen, and traders rolled around using the transportation to and from the capital city. We were informed that if we don't get ready hours before, we could; (a) missed the ship, or (b) we get to the ship on time but not getting a seat on board.
It was hours until we reach our destination, also the ship were all rusty and provide minimal comforts, so we couldn't afford not sitting in a proper seat. We used service from Grab Car (or was it Uber, I forgot) to go to the dock. The trip from Kalideres, West Jakarta to Dermaga Kali Adem, North Jakarta was charged around IDR 50k.
We were aboard with other tourists, wanting to escape the bustling city and have a short vacation. When we got there, all these people hurriedly dropped from the ship and into the residents area, searching for sufficient homestay for the night. We didn't have to do any of that though, because days before my friend and I had already made a reservation with one of the locals who owned homestay business. We got the contact from one of the travelling blogs, thanks to our ever useful research and preparation.
For a price of IDR 300k we had a medium sized house; two rooms plus two bathrooms, three beds (plus one pullover mattress), a water dispenser, and a TV. The place located so close to the dock so we won't have to hurry the next day we're going back to the ship. After settling down, putting our bags, and get comfy with our clothes, we went to rent bicycles so that we could round the island at ease. A bicycle per day (24 hours) charged for IDR 30k.
Each of us rode ones — and boy oh boy, was it exciting riding a bicycle again after years of absenting. I had personally thought that I was probably going into some embarrassing accident, either fell down, or bump onto someone, or something since it'd felt so awkward cycling on unfamiliar bicycles. The road was also bumpy, and narrow, and either vehicles and or people from each ends of the road passed each other so often that you to swerve tight in order not to hit anything, but also to keep riding smoothly at the same time cause behind you other people and vehicles were already queuing.
Moreover, the parking system was kinda annoying. You could ride bicycle to get to tourists spots in the island, but then you also have to park your bicycle at some appointed place and they charged you with parking fee — and since the three of us went round and round the island, our small changes of money had wasted for this.
At some point we had also lost our original set of bicycles to other visiting tourists. Looks like some people had taken the wrong bicycles when they went back, so the set we rode in and rode out were not the same. It was kinda funny, actually.
The first tourist spot we went to was Jembatan Cinta, it was this pink and purple painted bridge that connected the main island with the smaller island called Pulau Tidung Kecil. It was unclear why they named the bridge with such cringy name.
What was the history behind it, I wonder.
Jembatan Cinta was obviously the most favorite selfie spot for the tourists. It was crowded there on afternoon with people from all kind of groups taking pictures and vlogging.
Right on the center top of that bridge was the jumping point for the brave souls. It wasn't that high from the top to the water surface (maybe around 3-4 meter), but from the surface to the water floor was deep enough that you wont be able to stand up on your feet (around 6-7 meter, maybe), so unless the people jumping was good enough at swimming, before they jump they should wear floating vests first for safety reason.
When we got there it was around lunch time so we had to fill our tummies first. The food wasn't anything special, cause I don't really remember any of it. After that though, the three of us decided to go snorkeling. For the first time ever. So. Fun.
It was the highlight of the whole trip I think. After all, Ang and I planned this whole thing to finally go have a taste of snorkeling. (that and to see the ocean, cause it'd been years, and I had longed for so long.) Out of the three of us, only my brother enjoy the experience the most (lol). He had no problem casting out the vest and to swim around taking videos under water. Embarrassingly, even though I could also swim good enough, I was in fact, scared of the fishes.
Every time I dipped in and these small slimy colorful fishes swam by me, touching my skin, I freaked out. God, I was hopeless. It was the mix of disgust and paranoia of them slip inside my clothes and bite me—I think. (When I thought about it again, I felt so stupid for being such a moron, hahaha.)
My friend; Ang in the other hand, was okay with these fishes. She seemed to love them and got excited when they went near her. However, she couldn't swim that well (lol) and afraid of getting drag by the overlapping waves and for the vest to fail and got her drown (I already told her it wouldn't) so even while wearing the floating vest she still so adamantly keeping her hands holding to the speedboat, making her clinging and floating awkwardly by the water.
The next chance to do this again, I vowed, I would do it right.
Small fishes don't bite, and yes they were slimy and (still) kind of disgusting, but next time I'm going to wear proper diving/swimming suit; long sleeves and all, so I won't have to worry of feeling the sensation of their scales brushing with own my skin again. (Ew.)
After changing from our wet clothes, we passed the long bridge to Pulau Tidung Kecil where it said to be the perfect spot for camping and a location of Turtles Conservation. It was a long way of walking, but the magnificent view of clear, turquoise blue ocean water, and the enchanting sight of the horizon line separating the pearly sea and the cloudless sky was worth it.
Not many people tried to visit the smaller Tidung island, so sadly not many people get to see the turtles. At first, I was hesitating too, because the island had looked so empty and silent but Ang was determined to check it, and I'm glad we did it after all. The view there was also beautiful.
The turtles looked sad, and lonely. There were not many people checking on them. When we were there, there was only the three of us vsiting. And also, even though it was named Turtle Conservation the place wasn't looked very developed for the part. It was only empty pond with some turtles in it and few tanks; a place where they seemed to breed the turtles in. We sincerely hoped the government could develop the place better in the future, make it a marine research place or something. The view of the nature were already pretty, so it'd be even more perfect if the turtles living there were happy too.
After we were done touring Pulau Tidung Kecil we went back to Jembatan Cinta. It was already afternoon so we planned to go hunting the best place for sunset sighting.
We were bicycling around the island and unfortunately we were given bad direction by the locals. Instead of went to the west side of the beach we arrived on the south side beach. It was around 6pm already. The three of us decided to just settled in already, and enjoy the view of dusk.
It was a good place to sit around in peace, enjoying what the nature have to provide. Be thankful of such great day we'd had so far.
The sky was cloudy so we didn't get the orange-y color in the sky. It was still pretty though. We also ended up finding couple of photogenic spots by the beach.
All in all, the day was wrapped up pretty nicely and we were all satisfied. As we went back to our homestay, we were tired enough that we went to bed pretty early.
The next day afterwards, both Ang and I woke up early and went to enjoy the sight of the island at dawn. We went to fishing spot near Jembatan Cinta, where fishermen ships docked in.
We also went to the bridge and took lot of good photos there. Our bare face looked so fresh in the morning, and although our hair were a mess and our clothes rumpled in our sleep, the feelings of refreshment made the picture so satisfying to take.
This was the very first time we travel far from the city together. And the fact that we done it by ourselves, making our own preparation, doing our own research, made the whole experience even more exciting. I personally was proud of our success in this trip. We've crossed all the list of things we wanted to do in Tidung Island, refreshed our tired minds with such beautiful view of the nature, and enjoy ourselves for a full day, free from our usual hectic activities in the busy city.
I also have always loved the sea. I think between the sea and the mountain, I am more of a sea person. (probably, definitely, wait no, hmmmm)
To see the vast blue ocean made me feel so tiny in this big, big world, and instead of making me restless it was exhilarating and comforting. It makes me think of the time and chances God still give me to enjoy what He have personally created for us; His most perfect creation, to living in and be ever grateful for.
There are still so many places I haven't been to, places that I want to see so badly.
To visit Tidung Island is to cross one of the name off of my long, wishful list.
I'm so happy and feel so blessed for this trip. May the simplicity beauty of Tidung Island last forever.
Until we meet again!
—Martha Limbong, the trip on October 2017.
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