boatinternational.com• 052019
jungle.ThisiscertainlythecaseinMisool,oneofthefourmain
islandsinRajaAmpat,whichwereachafteranovernight
passagefromSorong.Pearlfarmingseemstodominatein
Misool.Ramshacklevillagesonstiltssitintheshallowwaters,
housinghundredsofworkerswhospendmonthsatatime
tendingnearbyoysterbeds.
Westopatoneofthesevillagesbrieflytopickupsome
guidesforourfirstadventure–swimmingthroughavastcave
structurecalledTomolol.Thecavemouthyawnsopenbefore
usandthechildrenareinitiallyalittlefearful
aboutswimmingintoit,butcleverClive
armsthemwithwaterprooftorchesand
soonthey’repaddlingforward.Aroundthe
firstbend,thelightvanishescompletelyand
theceilingissofaraboveusthatthetorch
beamsfailtoreachthethousandsofresident
DECKHANDS
Emma,10,Isla,7,
EwanandMara, 4
(right)aremade
tofeelpartof
thecrewon
boardDaniaBaru
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