104 Travel | Pulau Sabu and Raijua
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© Valentino Luis
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In the year 1770 , returning from an exploration around the southern continent ( Terra Australis ), James Cook anchored his ship at Pulau Sabu . Legend has it that he stayed a few nights on the island , trading his rifle for food from Lomi Djara , the local leader in Sabu at the time .
Over two centuries have passed since his ship HMS Endeavour went down in the waters of Rhode Island , USA . I followed his path without much expectation ; doing it simply for the sake of walking in the footsteps of the famed British captain .
A calm sunset on Seba Bay welcomed me upon my arrival in Sabu . Its coast curves and stretches all the way to Napae beach , its ripples a tangerine reflection of the sunset and wooden boats piling up between the sand and the water . “ Seba Bay is where HMS Endeavour once set down its anchor ,” said Jurgen , my travel companion . There was no monument to mark this historic moment , yet amidst the calmness of the beach I could imagine stories of James Cook the adventurer .
Sabu is home to dozens of soft , white-sand beaches . Apart from Seba Bay and Napae beach , to the north one will find Kolouju beach in Menia , Wuihebo beach in Raemedi and Hai Rawu beach in Raedawa . On the southern part of the island , I visited Ege beach , located at the foot of a cliff , Wadumeddi beach and Gelanalalu beach . To the west , Lobo Hede beach is a sight to behold as it glows and sparkles under the sun .
Marine tourism has yet to become a mainstay for locals , but this doesn ’ t mean there isn ’ t beauty to explore underwater . Jurgen and I proved this theory by taking a snorkelling trip just off Boddo beach , where we encountered a stretch of healthy brush coral ( Acropora hyacinthus ). Not a lot of people are aware that Sabu Raijua has been part of the main zone of the Sawu Sea Marine National Park since 2014 .
Sabu Raijua comprises two islands around the southern part of East Nusa Tenggara that are united by their rich history . To locals , the two are siblings , each taking care of the other . It ’ s funny to note that despite being
A calm sunset on Seba Bay welcomes me upon my arrival in Sabu . Its coast curves and stretches all the way to Napae beach , its ripples a tangerine reflection of the sunset ...
1 Rarely visited by tourists , Sabu Island offers unforgettable travel sensations , one of them being a crystal-clear sea with a white sandy beach .
2 Twilight at Seba Bay .