Makassar, South Sulawesi Indonesia 22-27 October 2008 - Part 1

This trip was initiated from Jason who had kept in contact with the organizer who organized his trip to Padang earlier this year. We were told that this trip, we'll be heading to Takarewataya Reef and Jailamu island at the southern waters of Makassar onboard a dive boat converted to fishing boat, Theodoras on a 4 days 3 nights expedition.

As the date for the trip was getting nearer, I was informed by Jason that there were more slots available for this trip. So, after thinking for some time, I hurried to get the necessary bank procedures done and rushed home to book my airtickets. In the lapse of 5 hours, I was a confirmed angler for this trip together with Jason, Kelvin, Darren-Y and Darren-C.

Kelvin and Darren-Y monkeying at the gate anxious to get there

Daniel from Ipoh, good to go with Darren-C

AK 1026 to Ujung Pandang, Makassar. Yup thats our flight. Air Asia, Now everyone can fish !

On the evening of arrival, we were greeted at the airport by our organizer's friend who transported our equipments and luggages to the hotel while their owners were escorted away to do some groceries shopping for the next 4 day's supplies of our kretek cigarretes, Coke, Pocari, rootbeer and junk food.

Touchdown at Makassar !!

Our little pickup truck. Trust me this old junk aint a junk ! Anyway, its our luggage and equipment's ride :)

Right after that, we were chauffered to the Hotel Pantai Gapura to meet up with Wiwied, our organizer and guide for this trip and check into our rooms. Once everyone was done with their luggage, we were brought to this BBQ seafood restaurant Apong, supposingly to be one of the best in Makassar town.

The reception areaMeeting up with Wiwied Apong BBQ Restaurant !!..Finally some REAL food.Kelvin and Darren-Y monkeying with Fanta botol infront of the lense Thats what i call SOLID seafood !Another view of everybody at the restaurant

After a hearty meal of Makassar local seafood dinner and a good chat, we adjourned back to our hotel rooms to cat nap and wash up ourselves. What impress us the most was this hotel have their own jetty and we'll be boarding the boat at the hotel's jetty itself at 2.am ! This could buy us more time to cat nap as by the time we reached the hotel, it was already 11pm !

The walkway leading to our rooms...Good night for now...to be continued in Part 2

To be continued ....