Pelni timetable 2016 and the three seas (2)

http://goo.gl/znSzfJ

Above URL probably is one of the most comprehensive introductions to the region.

There are many who still remain very much emotionally attached to this region for a number of reasons, away from simple, touristic and possibly diving interests.

That alone compels us to find ways of getting in and out of this region in flexible terms and we are still very much guided by Pelni here, but yes, by air, too, by all means.

And, that probably gets the Zamboanga-Sandakan-Makasaar route out of the way. It takes too long before appearing in this arena.

That, in turn, means only one thing, if you wish to come here by sea. Let us take another look at the regional map. 

                  

In many ways, this map is very useful as it gives us the feel about the nautical distances in days, as far from as Jakarta.

Now, with this map in view and if they fly direct to Denpasar and I believe they do that might be the most realistic way by air to the entry point into this arena. Flight frequency alone may well count in the end.

I was also amply reminded about the merits of entry into Indonesia through Denpasar as an international airport when my visa was confiscated by the airport authority in Tarakan in February this year.

OK, in General Santos they told me about Davao-Jakarta by Cebu Pacific, but then it would be too messy and too time consuming. Are we to trot back from Jakarta to Surabaya and then to Denpasar? That will be a non-starter.

There is a snag, though, in choosing Denpasar. That is, what then are we to do to get to the centre of this arena, Ambon. Do we fly again? Do we go by boat? 

I think that the answer to this question is really two-fold, even three. I think it is the sheer vastness and the diversity of the area. No doubt about that. Also, more realistically, are there alternative international airports, east of Denpasar?

 I know that there are regional ferries, from Surabaya eastward. There must be similar regionally local ferries from Denpasar, too, along the Band sea chain of islands.

That is why the blue line is drawn articulated in my wishful thinking.

At the time of writing this I do not know the details. Problem here is that somewhere along this chain of islands we will have to turn to Pelni. As I said I do not know exactly where, but I believe that it is somewhere immediately south of Makassar.

Time constraints sneak into this option, but then we are seeking many-fold answers. So, just leave it there for the moment and think air next.

Can we fly direct from Denpasar? I am not sure, as I have not had a closer look. We need a bit of reverse engineering here, from Ambon, radially outward. Is Denpasar on that web? I hope it is.

Anyway, are there other options? Here again, I am unsure.

  One remote possibility might be to become a tourist in Denpasar and wait for the arrival of a Pelni boat, bound, more or less, direct for Ambon. In that case Buton may well be looming large over the horizon...