By: Amkieltiela (Marine Science & Knowledge Management Officer, WWF-Indonesia)

Today, it was time to move closer to the survey site in Ohoililir Village. The whole team stayed at the Coaster Inn, which is located in the beach tourism area of Ohoilir Village. A sunny morning greeted us with the sound of compressors trying to fill air tubes. We had to make sure all 39 tubes we brought were filled so that we could use them for diving the next day.

Exactly at 14:00 WIT, we began to prepare the items needed for the survey and move them to the car in mutual cooperation. At 18:00 WIT, three cars rushed to Ohoililir Village, which is about 15 minutes from Langgur City, to enjoy the sunset. However, to our disappointment, the sun had already gone out. We were too late, but we could still enjoy the pristine white beach of Ohoilir Village. The sand is as fine as flour. We even heard stories from local people that Kei Kecil's sand is the second finest in the world. The beach is also very clean, so it is very comfortable for traveling.

Opik then invited the whole team to have dinner while discussing tomorrow's observation plan. As it turned out, Opik prepared a surprise for us, namely dinner on the beach with a variety of seafood while accompanied by a graceful fire. We really enjoyed the dishes served such as grilled fish, grilled and fried squid, and kaulerpa vegetables. This kaulerpa vegetable is a typical Kei vegetable that cannot be found in Jakarta. It is made from kaulerpa (algae) cooked with sliced onions and chili. It is sour and spicy, yet chewy and goes very well with sea fish dishes. This vegetable is known as 'Lat' in the local language.

The whole meal was gone in no time. We collaborated with the Ngursarnadan ecotourism group, a WWF-Indonesia assisted group, in preparing the food needs during the expedition.