The Journey Begins: Goodbye Tawau
August 5th. It was finally time to leave Tawau.
I rolled out of bed at 6:00 AM, got my gear together, and headed straight to the ferry terminal. The ferry ticket was 140 Ringgit (about $30 USD). Of course, I realized right then that I didn't have enough cash on me, so I had to make a quick dash to the ATM before finally securing my ticket. A bit of a hectic start to the morning!
The departure was scheduled for 10:00 AM. But did we leave at 10? Absolutely not. The boat didn't budge an inch. We finally set sail around noon.
After a little less than a two-hour bumpy ride, I officially arrived in Nunukan, Indonesia!
Immigration Hustle & A Change of Plans
Getting through immigration was a bit of a mission. Because I entered on a C1 visa (a longer-term visa rather than the standard arrival one), the immigration officers needed a detailed explanation of my travel plans. Thank goodness I prepared a solid itinerary in advance. Note to self: always be prepared at the border.
My original plan was to catch another ferry straight to Tarakan, but no luck finding one today. So, I called an audible and decided to grab a hotel for the night to recharge.
Hidden Alleys and a 1-Minute Magic Massage
After checking in, I wandered around the neighborhood and stumbled upon these incredible back alleys. It had that raw, untouched local vibe—the kind of place tourists never set foot in.
I ordered some food from a sweet local lady, and let me tell you, it was incredibly delicious!
To top it off, she offered me a quick massage. And when I say quick, I mean she barely worked on me for a minute—but wow, it was insanely effective. My whole body instantly felt completely relaxed.
She used a traditional Dayak medicinal massage oil from Kalimantan. Curious, I asked her what was in it. Apparently, it's a wild blend featuring the claw of a "Buruan" (she said maybe a bird?), massive tree roots, ginseng, and local ferns. Funny story: when she first brought it out, I actually thought it was a drink! Good thing she stopped me before I took a sip.
Nightlife, Indonesian Style
After heading back to the hotel for a well-deserved nap, I woke up, went for another walk, and somehow ended up right back where I was earlier. I devoured a plate of Nasi Goreng Ayam (chicken fried rice) and even squeezed in a little karaoke.
Later, I walked over to the local square. It was buzzing! In Indonesia, the days are sweltering, so the real life begins at night. Everyone comes out to hang out at cafes, smoke, drink coffee, play games, and just chat. It reminded me of my last trip here a year and a half ago. It's a cultural rhythm I really love.
Tomorrow, I'm finally heading to Tarakan. I found the jetty, so I'm all set. I can't wait to see what's next!
