Pinnacle 2

Oh yes — and that’s exactly what makes Indonesia so magical! Even after all these years exploring the eastern islands, it still holds a sense of mystery. Everyone knows the famous names like Komodo and Raja Ampat, and the more “insider” destinations like Banda, Alor, or Halmahera... but sometimes, when you step off the usual routes, you stumble upon places so beautiful they take your breath away.

This September, the Jakare returned to Bira, in South Sulawesi, for nearly three weeks of intense maintenance. In the very place where she was originally built by Bugis master boatbuilders—guardians of a centuries-old tradition—the Jakare went back to her roots. To better understand the improvements, we sat down with François, the passionate owner of the vessel.

I never imagined that admiring such creatures could move me so deeply. I have always been touched by the grace and strength of marine animals, whatever their kind. But the whale shark brings a special kind of emotion, comparable to the feeling one gets when watching a child lost in their imaginary world.