A Morning of Fresh Encounters and Local Bites
The day has finally come to leave Tarakan.
Right from the morning, the amazing locals I just met yesterday took me under their wing. First up: breakfast. They treated me to these incredible steamed meat buns and a Chinese-style dish called "Kuei." Absolutely hit the spot!
Next, we checked out "Hatori Cafe," run by one of their friends. Honestly, the cafe culture in Indonesia is on another level. There are cafes everywhere! Come nighttime, these spots turn into the ultimate hangout for the younger crowd (mostly under 30). Because the cafe scene is so competitive, the quality of their local coffee blends is seriously impressive.
Exploring Tarakan's Landmarks: Oil History & the Mosque
After that, we did some exploring—visiting a beautiful mosque and checking out some mining sites. Tarakan has deep roots in the oil and mining industry, and there's even a monument dedicated to the city's mining history.
A Heartfelt Goodbye and an Inspiring Gift
We shared one last meal together, and before we parted ways, they gave me the coolest parting gift.
They run a local recycling initiative and handed me a keychain made entirely from ocean plastic waste. You hear so much about the trash problems in big cities like Jakarta, so seeing these young locals taking real action with such a strong sense of purpose was genuinely inspiring.
They all came to the port to give me a heartfelt send-off. We snapped some photos together, and I hopped onto the Pelni ship. My time in Tarakan was absolutely unforgettable.
Beautiful Sunsets and a Chaotic Ship Cabin
The sunset from the deck was unreal.
As for my bed... I got an economy seat tucked way in the very back corner. Being at the edge actually wasn't too bad.
I was completely exhausted, but just as I thought, "Alright, time to crash," I looked up and saw a soccer match playing on the TV. Since there's practically zero entertainment on these ships, half the passengers were huddled around the screen, getting totally hyped. It was chaotic, but you can't help but love the vibe.
Honestly, the cabin lights stay on all night, and physically, the journey can be pretty draining. But you know what? These raw experiences—the good, the bad, and the exhausting—are exactly what make traveling so wildly valuable. With that thought in mind, I settled in for a long night at sea.
