Raja Ampat Part 1: Getting there

 Although I started the school year in summer of 2020, ie during covid, I decided to travel within Indonesia for the first time during our October break. One of the other teachers goes to Raja Ampat every year and was able to secure a deal if he could get a big enough group, and I jumped at the chance. Although getting here and staying here was NOT cheap, I didn't want to pass it up. Googling "Raja Ampat" told me all I needed to know! 

Sad dock. We were literally loading which is why
some people are still on shore.
This post is mostly the nuts and bolts, in case you're planning a trip of your own. Raja Ampat is pretty remote. From Jakarta we flew into Sorong (4 hours) which is on the island of Papua. From there, the resort arranged our pickup from the airport to the dock. Which *may* have actually collapsed while we were actually standing on it getting ready to board our boat!! We took the boat about 1.5 hours to a govt sign in and to pay the fee for our "yearly pass" since RA is a protected site. As with all government operations, it was inefficient and took forever but eventually we got to leave Then we were in the boat for another half hour or so to Sorido. 

It was pretty breathtaking to arrive here after leaving the hustle and bustle of Jakarta just a few hours earlier!!


The boat. Comfy enough!
First view of the island. Photos don't do the water colors justice!


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