The climate of the Moluccas and Celebes is very healthy and
temperate. The proximity to the Equator causes copious showers
of rain to fall in the course of the year, which temper the tropical
heat and drought.
The sea is generally calm and smooth ; hurricanes and typhoons,
as there are in the Chinese sea, do not occur.
Digitized byVjOOQlC



KONINKLIJKE PAKETVAART MAATSCHAPPU. 139



FI^OJV^ 50EI^7^$7^j7^ TO 3V^7^C7^557^I^,



The Straits of Madoera.
The boat leaves the roadstead of Soerabaja at 2 or 4 p. m. (see
local papers), and steers in an easterly direction, through the Straits,
or rather Gulf, of Madoera.
If it be a fine morning, we can once more enjoy the pleasant
aspect of the shore and the beautiful view on the Penanggoengan
and the Ardjoeno, whilst the proas of Madoera stand out against
the glistening green of the banks, like so many silver ornaments.
When the tourist, refreshed by his afternoon siesta, appears on
deck again, he may hope to get from the starboard side, a view of
the north-coast of Java, so impressive and at the same time so
beautiful, as is obtainable at no other point. Several colossal
mountains stand side by side with sharp and deeply grooved flanks,
glowing in the evening sun. Their ribs curve and extend zigzag
down to the coast, whilst their bases widen out in such a manner as
to convey the idea, that they have only just been hurled down from
the tops of vomiting craters.
