Escapology - Derawan.Kakaban.Maratua.Sangalaki
It was long holiday baby! Yes, probably the only thing I've been waiting for only red mark in calendar :D. After two years waiting, planning, counting the budget finally I could reach these heavens on earth :)
From Balikpapan, me and my friend took last flight to Tarakan, then continue the journey on next day. From Tengkayu 1 Port, we'd take speedboat to Derawan. Rain pouring quite hard at that time, however three hours journey will equally paid soon we arrived there :D
Derawan Islands is an archipelago located in Berau, East Kalimantan. At least four of the famous islands in the archipelago, the island Maratua, Derawan, Sangalaki, and Kakaban.
Derawan Islands there are several small islands and coastal ecosystems is very important that the coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests. In addition many protected species in the Islands Derawan like green turtles, hawks-bill turtles, whales, dolphins, giant clams, coconut crabs, mermaids, fish, barracuda and a few other species.
For underwater sight seeing, Derawan also has many underwater biota. I try to capture underwater moment in Derawan, since flow of sea water a bit harsh so the sea quite snoring. I bet when current stop, you'll find beautiful scene down there :)
Derawan Islands has been nominated for a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005
The next morning, harsh raining fell down from early morning. Little bit pessimistic whether we could go to another destination or not. Our group leader, finally decided to continue the journey to another island: Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki.
Maratua Island is the outermost islands of Indonesia, located in the Celebes Sea and borders with Malaysia. Maratua island is part of the District Government of Berau, East Kalimantan province. We cannot enter Maratua resort, because this island managed by Malaysian company and need to get permission first when entering the resort.
Underwater scene also beautiful here, since it was raining I couldn't explore much in Maratua :)
Scenery in deep surface of Maratua, very clear even its raining.
From Maratua, we're heading to Kakaban. Distance from Maratua to Kakaban around 15 minutes by boat. Before we entering Kakaban lake, our group leader told us to explore palung Kakaban. Palung Kakaban really superb, though at first to shallow to explore, even we cannot swimming because of the shallowness and the corals definitely sharp that can injured your leg.
After struggled to reach 'swimming zone' I felt so grateful could experienced real painting of the nature, wanna crying out load...suddenly in love with the scenery :D
Even in swimming zone, we tried to avoid sharp corals :D
Underwater biota at palung kakaban that you can enjoyed when swimming, even in the surface :)
In noon time, after lunch, we start to enter Kakaban Lake in the middle of the forest.
Kakaban lake, the sea water trapped in Kakaban, coupled with water from the soil and rain water since 2 million years ago. Kakaban prehistoric lake is a lake that is the time of Holosin transition. The extent of approximately 5 km², walled cliffs as high as 50 meters, resulting sea water which trapped no longer can get out, into the lake.
In the world, a place like this is only found in Jellyfish Lake Palau, Micronesian Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Thus Kakaban is the only island in Indonesia that have a lake in the middle.
In Kakaban lake you only can find unstinging Jellyfish, where thousands of them live in the lake. Swimming in Kakaban like swimming in the middle of Jellyfish Kingdom, so much exiting and amazing.
Also on the outskirts of coastal mangrove forests grow well, inhabited by many kinds of crabs, sea cucumbers, and sea snakes. There are so many types of animals that have not been identified in this region. Dr. Thomas Tomascik, a national Canadian oceanographer, said Kakaban biological wealth is a paradise in Indonesia. The mystery of how animals and plants are isolated in this lake is one of the very high demand by scientists to uncover. Because the sea is indeed fit to be an object of nature conservation should be protected and conserved.
Well, since lake like Kakaban only two in the world so at least I gain 50% before see another one in Micronesian Island, hopefully :))
our last destination was Sangalaki Island. Sangalaki islands have an area 15.9 hectares, is located in the Islands Derawan, Berau, East Kalimantan. Has units of a flat coastal plain morphology. The island has Lagon shallow sand and overgrown by corals and seagrass.
Sand beach 12-15 meters wide with a slope of 6 ° -11 ° with the material making up the coast of the dominant coral fragments and coarse sand-sized grains. In the surrounding waters are known as marine parks and diving.
At Sangalaki also has green turtles conservation area. Based on information from PolHut Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (KSDA) many turtles being killed and many of their eggs were stolen. Not only the turtle, even 'expensive fish' taken by irresponsible persons by anesthetized corals using potassium.
Due to lack of battery power, watta pity I missed Sangalaki underwater scene. But, its fine, probably I should go back to these heavens one more time :D
Thanks to my bud Widhya 'Ino' Pranata for the unforgettable journey and become my second eyes during snorkeling :D
