Trip to Krakatau

I am writing to warn the public about a tour company (Pandawa/Ivia Tours) advertising a trip to Ujung Kulon and Krakatau. I recently went on this trip, and was subjected to danger and recklessness. We had expected quality service since our guide, Mr. Handoyo, is also the manager of the company. But from the beginning of the trip, it was obvious the guide was unqualified, having to constantly ask for directions to Labuan. He was also discourteous, waking up an hour late for his own scheduled departure time. The food was very meager, even considering the constraints of buying "on the road". But these complaints are minor, compared to the disastrous trip to Krakatau.

The night before leaving for Krakatau, the guide stressed the importance of leaving before 6 a.m., "to avoid the large waves". He slept in again, and we left at 8 o'clock. The trip out to Krakatau was fortunately uneventful, although the waves were large. We later found out that the captain of our boat had advised that the sea was too rough for the journey that day, but our guide ordered him to go away.

Because we were late getting started on the trip, we were forced to come back at night. The boat ran aground on coral reefs. Mr. Handoyo leapt out of the boat and ran to shore, leaving us stranded. Luckily, some residents of Labuan helped us to safety. It was then near midnight and we were exhausted. I urged the guide not to drive us back to Jakarta at that hour. But the guide, fearing he might have to pay for another night's accommodation in Labuan, found a driver and told us we could leave with him or find our own way back to the city. Having no money, we were forced to accept the ride. The guide said we should consider ourselves lucky to be alive.

As foreigners, there are plenty of difficulties in finding our way around a new country, without having to worry about putting our lives at risk while vacationing.

BRIAN WEMP

Jakarta