01/22/2001
  Tangkong Island - INDO.
   S 08°43    E 116°01
  +42

Everything seems so strange, are we dreaming ?

The island is only 900x600m, we went around of it this morning in less than 15 minutes; when the sun goes down, we will do it again, swimming!

We haven't met neither Robinson Crusoe or Leonardo di Caprio, but on this blue lagoon are 8 fishermen. Muslims, they come and go from Lombok to Island. They have built some bamboo barracks; but it's useless to precise there is no potable water. Electricity works with an old fuel engine. They seem friendly but none of them speaks a word of English. Moon explains them our wish to stay on the island. They think we're kidding or that we are mad. Then, with a perplex look, they welcome us with a small smile. We spend our first night under one of their shelters, tightened in the sleeping bags.

Dawn illuminates a dense vegetation: big banana trees and precious coconut trees, bamboos and colored tropical flowers. This island is the dream of many people... thanks to you, Virtual! We explore this Eden, looking for dry wood to set a fire. Waiting for the first fish, Vale cooks us lyophilized chicken soups; we have only 9 left!

The fishermen say they chose this place because it's wild and easy to fish around... but till now, we haven't caught anything. We hope they will be generous with us. 

THE HOUSE:

Maya is the only of us to who was a scout, but today, she stands behind the camera.

After two unsuccessful attempts, we find the ideal place: 4 meters from the water, between two big palm trees and a sightseeing on the infinity. After a long talk, we draw the plans on the sand with a wood stick.

From architecture, we go on for gardening: we pick up bamboo sticks and cut large palm leaves. Theo climbs like a monkey on the trees, while Marco and Aria weave the leaves - the future walls from the house.

The construction begins: measures, deep holes in the ground, fixation of the bamboos with strong nylon string, fixing of the walls and finally the roof with the big palm leaves. Our hut is 4x2m.

But, as Vale cleans the inside, desperately trying to get the sand out, we hear the sound of a thunderstorm coming... and here are the first raindrops! 

MARCO... 

"Watching some Robinson Crusoe movies is not enough, I'm not enough prepared for that. Here, I understand that I've been spoiled!"

"There's not much to do but eating, sleeping, and swimming... I think I'll get bored after one week. If the Virtuals wanted to see us suffering, everything is quite fine... till now!

 

Coral islands around Lombok are some of the most beautiful in Indonesia. Equipped with the mask and tuba, the Team goes one after another to discover the marine wildlife. After only 20 meters the first corals suddenly appear. We feel like swimming in a huge aquarium filled with warm water. Multicolored fishes, blue sea stars, deep red shells, we are spied on by hundreds of curious and maybe amused pairs of eyes.

Everywhere is so beautiful that Aleko even forgets to breathe and nearly drowns. This magnificent world is also very fragile: one step on the corral is enough to destroy it. Therefore, we profit of these sea wonders with infinite precautions

 

...depends on the storm, that will swoop down on the island and on our hut. We have to find urgently a safe place for our electronic devices. Here we stand in the hands of Indra, the Goddess of rain.

Moon says that after the rain will come the mosquitoes... and also magic mushrooms!

 

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