We climb the stairs to the passenger accommodation as the ferry leaves the harbour. I had just enough time to slip a big tip to our taxi driver, to thank him for getting us to the boat on time; judging by his huge smile I guess I must have chosen the correct bank note. The floor turns out be a bit hard for sleeping, and the small packets of bar snacks turn out to be our sumptuous dinner for two. But hey, mission accomplished! There is no way I could consider spending another whole day in sunny Sibolga waiting for the next boat. Tomorrow, Friday (I had set off from Lyon on Monday!) I will finally reach Nias. I send a short text message with the good news to David, then it’s time for sleep…
As the first light of morning appears I can hear a kind of commotion outside. Many passengers are signalling and shouting to friends and family come to greet the ferry in their small boats. The welcome committee seems very excitable and tries hard to press us into agreeing a three hour taxi ride to Lagundri Bay at some extortionate price. I understand the game, these guys are pretty aggressive with new arrivals, and even I’m close to taking one of them up, just to be able to relax about the last leg of our epic journey. But watching just how hard and fast they start hassling passengers the instant the anchor drops I could see this was a long way from being in any way chilled.
