February 10, 2026
Who doesn't love a spectacular sunset?!? We were treated to many in this gorgeous retreat. Below is a sampling.
This trip was so meaningful for many of us. Anna, Bosco & I got to celebrate our completion of the PADI Open Water Certification. Jimbo and Ben completed their PADI Advanced Diver certification. However, Basia may have conquered the most impressive goal, a life long fear of submersing her face in the water! At age 70, she became a snorkler under the patient tutialage of our Dive Master Ellie!
Basia detailed the experience on her Blog www.basiak.blog below is her celebration Beer and she doesn't normally drink!
Today was just pure relaxation! We arranged with Tourism lady from yesterday, to have Penyali Resort send a boat to Tarempa port to pick 10 of us up and take us to the Resort, for the day. The speed boat ride took about an hour. Some of us just floated about with cocktails, others snorkled but all had a great time. They prepared a yummy lunch for us, with a fresh grouper fish, we literally picked up, on our way there.
Today we arranged to see Siantan Island by hiring a local Captain & boat owner to take us, along with 2 lovely young ladies, we met at the Tourism office, who spoke great English. The ladies found the Captain and we negotiated a price of 1,200,000 IDR or $67 USD to take four of us out and about, for 2 hours. Since the forestry on the island and the soil is gigantic hard boulders, almost all the villages are on the water on stilts or the edge of the coast. Excavation cost would be a huge premium and best done with equipment, they don't possess.
The ANAMBAS ISLANDS REGENCY, is a remote Indonesian archipelago in the South China Sea, part of the Riau Islands Province known for its stunning clear waters, pristine reefs and rich biodiversity. It is located between Singapore and Borneo and consist of over 200 islands of which only 26 are inhabited. Tarempa is the administrative center of the Islands and is located on Siantan Island. We are anchored, about a 15 minute tender ride, from the Tarempa Wharf . Our first day here, was all about celebrating our friend Terri's Birthday!