Pahawang Island The Beautiful Island
Have you ever felt like take a moment to step away from your routine? Not because you are sad, but because your life feels too fast. A little while ago, I really felt that way. And among the many places to visit, my journey finally led me to a small paradise in Lampung called Pahawang Island. It wasn’t a solo trip, I joined an open trip organized by the Backpacker Jakarta (BPJ) community.
Since we only had two days off from work, Saturday and Sunday, we left Friday night from Jakarta by bus, then crossed over by "Fery" to Lampung. There were 23 participants, and what surprised me is only four men. At first, it felt a bit awkward, but it’s an open trip, and slowly conversations started flowing on the bus. In the middle of the night, small talk turned into laughter, and suddenly the strange atmosphere became warm.
Upon arriving in Lampung, we didn't go straight to our accommodation. Our first activity was snorkeling! We took a wooden boat from the dock to the snorkeling spot around "Pahawang Kecil" Island. The sky was clear, the sea was calm, and the morning sun was warm but not scorching.
Once we arrived at the snorkeling point, everyone got ready. Life jackets were tightened, masks were put on, and feet were slowly lowered into the water. At first, I felt a little awkward because it had been a while since I last snorkeled. But as soon as my face entered the water and my breathing became steady through the snorkel, everything changed.
The water was incredibly clear. So clear that I could see the seabed without diving too deep. Below, purple brown corals were scattered everywhere, surrounded by small fish flitting about. The highlight for me was that I actually saw clownfish! Yes, those little orange ones. They were hiding behind the gently swaying sea anemones, just like in the movies. I found myself hovering at one spot, floating, just to watch a family of clownfish swim in and out of the anemone. Surprisingly, they were not scared at all.
On the other side, there were also large layered corals, and from there appeared a swarm of small electric blue fish that moved incredibly fast. If you stayed still long enough, they would venture closer. There were even a couple of small fish that bumped against my feet. I instinctively laughed underwater, even though I was wearing a snorkel, which felt really odd but fun.
What I liked the most was the calm current. It wasn't too strong, so we could just relax on the surface without constantly moving. Some participants who were snorkeling for the first time initially panicked, but eventually, they were the most excited, asking for underwater photos. The guides were patient, taking us to deeper spots that were still safe for beginners.
We moved to a second spot that was said to have a "nemo garden," and indeed, there were even more clownfish there. The anemones were also brighter, some purple and some green. At that spot, a few participants found small dark blue starfish clinging to the rocks. We weren’t allowed to touch (and indeed shouldn't), but just seeing them up close was enough to bring smiles.
After 2 hour in the sea, our skin started to feel salty, lips dried, but our hearts were incredibly satisfied. This snorkeling experience wasn't just about seeing fish but about being still, floating, and feeling like a small part of a world beneath the sea that not many people know about. It felt like being a child again, amazed by little things.
After enjoying the water, we headed to our accommodation on Pahawang Besar. The place was simple but clean and comfortable. We showered, freshened up, and got ready to welcome the sunset on the beach.
And seriously, the sunset here is stunning. The sky started to change colors from blue to orange, then to soft purple. The beach was incredibly clean, without any trash, the sand was fine, and the water was calm. We seat at the edge of the beach, some drink coconut water, others just quietly enjoying the view. The sea breeze blew gently, and time felt slow.
The atmosphere was serene. There was no loud music or noise. Everyone seemed to understand that it was time to be quiet, to briefly unite with nature. A simple moment, but it resonated deeply. After weeks of busy work, this moment felt like a small gift from the universe.
On Sunday morning after breakfast, we got ready to head back. But before boarding the boat, I stood for a moment at the edge of the beach. The morning at Pahawang was incredibly calm. The air was still fresh, the sunshine warm, and the sound of gentle waves greeted softly. It felt hard to leave such a beautiful place.
We crossed back to the harbor, then took a bus and "Feri" back to Jakarta. The journey took 8 hours, but it felt fast because most of the participants slept. The rest chatted, exchanged photos, or just sat quietly, enjoying the remaining sense of calm from the island.
Although it was only two days, this trip offered many things. Not only beautiful scenery and exciting activities but also space to breath, to rest, to feel alive without pressure. Meeting new people, playing in the sea, and enjoying the sunset with strangers who suddenly feel familiar, all give new energy.
Pahawang Island may not a popular destination, but perhaps because of that, it feels honest and genuine. The nature is preserved, the atmosphere is peaceful, and there are few distractions. Sometimes we don't need to go far or spend a lot of money.
If you need place to retreat for a moment from all the noise of life, Pahawang Island might just be the answer. 💕
Thank you for reading my blog, and see you in the next post 🔥
Best Regards,
Nur Satrio
Who is Nur Satrio ?
Hi, I'm Tio, a lover of stories, whether written on the pages of a book, presented in adventurous games, or engraved in the incredibly beautiful nature of Indonesia. In my free time, I like to immerse myself in fictional worlds, build small worlds by assembling Gundam models, and explore new places that offer fresh air and soothing views.
For me, life is not about how fast we run, but how much beauty we get to enjoy along the way. I believe that every book has a universe, every journey has a story, and every second we spend in nature is a quiet expression of gratitude that calms the heart.
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