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A Journey to Karimunjawa: Conquering Fears, Snorkeling, and Island Life Bliss

 

November 4, 2024: From Yogyakarta to Semarang

This morning, we started the day in Yogyakarta, packing our things and preparing for two travel days. After checking out, we received cash back from the hotel—a handy tip: overpay the deposit and get cash back without needing to find an ATM!

We headed to Kalluna for a great breakfast, enjoying those delicious waffles with chicken and ice cream again. Afterward, we had two iced coffees before heading to the station.

We waited at the station in 36-degree heat until the train finally arrived. Trains in Indonesia continue to impress—easy to book, very comfortable, clean, and with regular opportunities for food and drinks.




Upon arriving in Semarang, we were pleasantly surprised by this beautiful city, full of old colonial buildings still in use. You see young women everywhere taking photos for Instagram. Being a waiter here seems more like being a photographer sometimes!





In the evening, we dined in one of those stunning buildings before heading to what might have been an old inn for cocktails. A great way to end the day!






Tomorrow, we’ll continue our journey to Jepara. :)

November 5, 2024: Relaxing in Jepara

Today, we traveled from Semarang to Jepara. We spent the rest of the day at a charming little hotel, swimming and relaxing. It was exactly what we needed after the busy days we’ve had.
Tomorrow, we’re heading to Pulau Karimunjawa for our next adventure!

November 6, 2024: Arrival at Pulau Karimunjawa

This morning, we took an early boat to Pulau Karimunjawa. We spent the entire day enjoying the beautiful, warm, and crystal-clear ocean water. This island, part of an archipelago of 27 islands, is absolutely stunning – a true paradise! Karimunjawa is famous for its vibrant coral reefs and rich biodiversity, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving. The island also has a unique ecosystem with mangrove forests and tropical woodlands, making it one of Indonesia’s natural gems. An amazing place to unwind and enjoy nature!
Complimentary lunch on arrival at our accomodation

Private beach only for us

We took a kayak and explored the surroundings at our accommodation 

November 7, 2024: Snorkeling and island hopping

We woke up at 5:00 to catch the sunrise from our beautiful balcony. Unfortunately, the sky was clear everywhere except where the sun rose, so we missed the full view. There’s always tomorrow!

Afterward, we took a taxi to the harbor, where we joined a group with five French tourists (who, of course, chatted among themselves all day—no surprise there!) and four local Indonesian tourists.
We had the chance to snorkel twice (after I overcame my fear!) and visited two islands. The experience was incredible! The coral and fish were beautiful, and island hopping was an absolute blast.




Grilled fish for lunch









Overcoming my fear of swimming underwater led me straight to an incredible underwater paradise! From colorful reefs to meeting Nemo, it was pure magic down there. Proof that the best things often lie just beyond our fears. 
After a long day, we grabbed a bite at one of the local restaurants before happily heading back to the hotel. Tonight, we’re planning to enjoy the stars—a perfect way to end the day!


November 8, 2024: Pure Relaxation (and a Little Adventure) on Pulau Karimunjawa

We woke up again at 5:00 to watch the sunrise, but unfortunately, it was cloudy again. Here’s hoping for better luck tomorrow!
The rest of the day, we did absolutely nothing except enjoy the insanely beautiful surroundings on the beach, taking time to relax since we have a long travel day ahead tomorrow.

Breakfast with a view


While we were lounging on our beach beds, a dog suddenly appeared. Since we’re both a bit scared of dogs, we stayed still while he wandered around, took a dip, and then decided to sharpen his teeth on our bed! When we slowly got up to leave, he followed us up to our room. Once we reached the top, we realized our room key was still downstairs! So, we carefully maneuvered around the dog again to grab the key and head back up. He then lay outside our door until the staff kindly escorted him away. A relaxing day with a touch of adventure!


Our dinner at the accommodation


At the end of the day, we watched the kittens playing happily—a cute way to wrap up the day.
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