Travels with V

Indonesia

chapters

A little bit of heaven

Cubadak Island

A few kilometers to the south along the coast we stop in a small fishing village called Puncak Madeh. It’s surrounded by marshlands and when we later go back the same way the main road thorough the village is blocked by people sitting down, it’s the Friday sermon and the mosque is too small to fit all.

Down by the harbour a rib boat waits, manned by some smiling men. They will take us out to Cubadak Island and its “Paradiso Vilage”.

The resort consists of ten bungalows along a stretch of sand, and a central house where we eat all meals. It’s run by a a muscular ex-diver, Marco, originally from France.

There’s a macaque monkey in a tree at the lodge, and we’re a bit shocked to see that it’s chained to the tree. With a long chain. But Marco explains that the little female was part of the deal when he acquired the place. Free on the island she wouldn’t make it, she doesn’t know how to feed herself. At nights wild macaques come into the lodge area and sometimes they hurt her. Maybe that’s why she’s a bit grumpy. When one of the guests try to feed her she becomes outright jealous:

When it’s time for a meal a bell is rung and we all rush to the central house. All guests are placed around one big round table, and there’s no menu to choose from. We eat what the kitchen delivers. That’s no problem though, the Indonesian courses served are all super delicious.

Sitting together, talking to Marco and the fellow tourists, all strangers, creates a tight and warm atmosphere. After dinner you can buy a couple of Bintangs and continue talks into the black warm night. When only the splashing of small waves and fishing boats motors a long way off is heard.

Cubadak Paradiso Village is a wonderful place to wind down and relax a couple of days. But apart from snorkeling, a promenade up a hill to an overlook, or kayaking round the island there’s not much to do. So after a couple of days we’re ready for new horizons!

Up next: We’re in the territory where houses are pointy and the women take it all.

Travels with V

Indonesia

A little bit of heaven

Cubadak Island

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