Pursuing Dusk to Selaru’s End

Kompas/Fransiskus Pati Herin

The few seconds before the sun sets on Tanimer Beach on Selaru Island, West Tenggara Maluku regency, Maluku, is captured on Wednesday (23/4). The island, which borders Australia, is rich in natural beauty, local customs and World War II relics, the are yet to be exploited for their tourism potential.

It was past 4 p.m. local time, but the western coast of Maluku’s Selaru Island was still out of reach. The desire to get to the beach immediately was hindered by a rocky path that was not easy to pass. The beauty of the sunset, as it set to welcome the coming night, did nothing more than tease this insistent desire.

The desire to reach the beach diminished along with the sun’s descent, and its rays were blocked by the coconut trees growing along the path. Increasing speed was not an option. Potholes and rocks checked the speed at no more than 20 kilometers per hour. Then, the most ridiculous thing happened: A scream rose into the dusky sky, asking the universe to hold back the sun. This was crazy!