Indonesia Volcano Run day 9

Move your arse, Dom! Charlie calls out from the car park as my luggage has not yet reached the truck. I'm on the way out the door anyway, so the extra 'encouragement' is not needed and leaves a slightly sour taste in my mouth until washed away later by high speed airflow...

We set off, only a few minutes late, and yes, I'm the last to leave. Dropping down the valley on a twisty road, we cross a river that has cut a deep channel into the landscape. 

We're now into proper jungle with palm trees, albeit with a busy road running right through it. And it's hotter at this altitude.

 

Where the jungle has been cleared, crops are grown, and in places crop burning is in progress or has been done. This is a current source of controversy with Indonesia's neighbours as smoke from these fires is drifting into their territories and causing respiratory and other problems.

Gradually we move out of the jungle environment. I note a white van in my mirrors and expect it to overtake at some point, but it seems content to stay where it is. The land becomes much flatter and more open, with paddy fields with workers wearing the traditional douli hats. 

Instead of hedges, the field boundaries are marked with rows of tall palm trees. Curiously, I think I can smell the sea. Crossing a bridge there are two guys with rifles pointing down into the river below. They're not army or police, so we can only assume they were hunting fish... But how?

Charlie overtakes us and chats with Miller up front. Not long after, we detour off our planned gpx route, following a dirt and gravel track for about 1km. 

And then we see it, it IS the sea, the Indian Ocean in fact.

We stop just short of the actual beach because there's a creek running parallel to it, and no obvious sign of a way to cross it apart from what looks like a small passenger ferry tied up on one side. So near and yet so far.

The dark sand is clearly of volcanic origin and partly explains why agriculture is so successful on Java, because the soil will be volcanic based too. Still, standing on a small mound, we can see the sea and the white topped waves crashing on to the beach. Christopher and I do our best meerkat impression from there.

We stop for watermelon and munch munching takes place.

Once again I note the same white van in my mirrors; that's strange, is it following us? My Spidey senses briefly kick in, until I realise it's our support truck! 🤦🏽

Our next stop is at a fish market. Steve loves a market, and he's in his element taking pictures of people and things that catch his keen eye.

Unfortunately, there's also a rubbish dump next to it, which adds a pungent tang to the already pungent fish market smell. 

As always, the people are amazingly friendly, wanting to say hello and practice their English. Sufiyan says hello; his English is pretty good and I ask from where did he learn... YouTube apparently! That and gaming. He's bought a big bag of fish for 30,000 Rupiah, about 1.50 euro. 

Then, to the beach! We arrive and within a few minutes I've stripped off and I'm in the water! I came prepared, wearing my swimming shorts underneath my riding gear. The others follow once they've changed and we have a lovely swim before lunch is served - fresh fish!

The beach is idyllic with a long sandy stretch and fishing boats tied up just offshore.

At the other end it's rocky with several large masses dominating the beach.

Lunch is delicious grilled fish and other seafood. The only thing that spoils it are the swarm of flies that are gradually attracted to the food. They increase in number as the meal progresses, not wanted to miss the feast we are enjoying.

Drying off and de-sanding after the swim, we gear-up and leave, noting the tsunami evacuation signs on the way and the last view of beach.

Another 70km to the hotel. A scooter shoots past me, the rider wearing a NASA logo on their back; so that's how those things are able to go so fast, rocket power!

En route the skies darken and the atmospheric flood gates are released. Just before that, we stop as the first drops splash our visors and put on our rain gear. This time I'm one of the first. But after the taps are turned to full blast and having ridden through lots of standing water, my feet and legs are soaking. My gloves are wet too. My rain jacket seems to be doing its job. 

The rain eventually stops and we spend the rest of the journey trying to dry off in the airflow, but the humidity means that it's not very effective. A quick pitstop for drinks allows us to wring out our gloves, but for the rest, we'll just have to stay wet.

We arrive at the hotel after climbing into the hills again, still wet and drape our gear over every edge we can find in our rooms.

About 200km today.