Raja Ampat, a Reefy and Fishy Diving Experience
Raja Ampat is a 43.000 km2 island and has more than 610 islands, located at the west-side of Papua, Irian Jaya and its famous for diving. Here you can find more than 540 type of reefs, 1000 type of reef's fish, and 750 types of mollusk. It means, Raja Ampat offer 75% of world's reef. Healthy with unusual reef structure dive spot with the most diverse marine is the best way to express the beauty of Raja Ampat.
Here you'll witness other unique species such us pigmy seahorse, webbegong, manta ray and endemic fish called eviota raja (king eviota). One of the best spot is Chicken Reef; you'll surrounded by thousand of fish, bamboo shark and snappers. There just too many species to be named in Raja Ampat, just come and experience all the glories of Raja Ampat.
 |
Raja Ampat offers you another cutting edge experiences except the under water habitat, the above water view, beautiful sunset
The four main island offer you a world class diving spot and reefs
Waigeo Island
Misool Island
Salawati Island
Batanta Island
 |
| seahorse |
Getting There
- Take 6 hours flight from Jakarta toward Sorong via Menado. Flight serves every day (please check to specify the flight schedules)
- 2 hour flight from Manado to Sorong is by jet, extra luggage is allowed
- To access the dive spot please contact and use the professional diving organizer
- From Sorong, there are 2 type of boat available; Speed Boat (40 minutes - 1 hour boat trip, carry 15 passangers and cost Rp. 2 million/ US$ 208.55); Long Boat (2-3 hours boat trip and could carry 10 passangers-cost Rp. 1,2 million/ US$ 126) - please note that all rates are subject to change without notice
- Domestic flight served by Silk Air, Garuda Indonesia, Pelita Air and Merpati
- To enter Papua you need to have passport photo page, 3 Copies of the passport page with the Indonesian Visa)
Where To StayYou may choose those alternatives where to stay during your visit to Raja Ampat:
- Hotel (star or budget) in the city
- Sorido Bay Resort famous for the house reef
- Kri Eco Resort is a traditional resort built over the water
- Island camp
- Living on Boat (most of diving agent provide this service)
Moving Around
- You may rent small boat if you wish to make a personal escape a long the line of the beaches
Dining Guide
- Dining are prepared by diving organizer, from international menu to local traditional food made fresh by local people
- Try Sup Ikan (fish soup)- Local people called it Sup Ikan Kuning (Yellow Fish Soup)-with local spices
- Sea food
 |
- Asmat sculptures
- Traditional cloths
- traditional music instruments
- Suling (traditional flute)
- Tambur (traditional drum)
Other Thing to See or DoRaja Ampat is a famous place for under water photography and here you can shot a perfect picture of under water life. Its supported not only by the richness of the habitat but also the flat sea wave
- Wreck diving
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Explore the islands by boat
- Visit the Red Bird of Paradise
- Explore bat cave
- Make your own wood sculpture guided by Asmat artist
- Fishing using traditional Papuan technique
- Trekking to discover waterfall
- Feeding couscous
- Snorkeling
 |
- Oct/Nov is the best season for diving the area because the sea wave is typically flat and its perfect for photograph
- Bring your under water camera, because you wont let all the under water beauty pass without capture your experiences
- For beginner please take a course first on how to dive and shot picture
- To organize your travel you can arrange it using travel agents services in Indonesia
- Sun block, sunscreen and hat are required
- Bring your own anti-malarial medicine
Address:
Dinas Kebudayaan & Pariwisata Raja Ampat
add. Kampung Waisai, Distrik Waigeo Selatan
Kabid. Kalasina Rumbekwan
(+62)81344644434
Or.
Mr. Wawan (Staff)
(+62) 81344422779
Contacts:
To arrange your diving activities, you can contact the company listed below:
PINDITO
Pindito - Schoner Tauchen Travel Ltd.
Trockenloostrasse 45, P.O Box
CH-8105 Regendsorf
Switzerland
www.pindito.com
info@pindito.com
Grand Komodo Tours & Dives
www.komodoalordive.com
KARARU Dive Voyages
Jl. Danau Poso 65b
Sanur, Bali 80238
Indonesia
www.kararu.com
info@kararu.com
GUNUNG HALIMUN SALAK NATIONAL PARK : The Land Under the Rainbow
Established in 1992, Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (GHSNP) is the largest remaining primary lowland forest in Java, home to 23 mammal species, at least two of which are endemic and endangered (the Javan gibbon and the grizzled langur). The roughly 113,000 hectares found within its boundaries also cover a wide range of plant and animal species. The park also supports more than 200 bird species, of which 18 are endemic, and over 500 plant species. Indigenous Kasepuhan and other Sundanese communities live in and around the park and depend heavily on its natural resources. The park protects an important watershed for Java. However, small-holder and plantation agriculture, infrastructure development, small-scale gold mining, and unsustainable fuel wood and non-timber forest product harvesting threaten GHSNP’s resources. Visitors trek here to observe rare primates, birds, and other forest attraction, and to relax in the tranquil setting of towering water falls.
How to Get There:
Firstly, fly to Jakarta and continue to the town of Bogor, West Java. From Bogor drive to Kabandungan via Parungkuda in a 1.5 hours drive, or drive to Cisangku located
50 km (1.5. hours drive) away.
The Best Season to Visit:
June to August every year
Contact:
Gunung Halimun Salak National Park Office
Parungkuda PO Box 2, Kabandungan Sukabumi 43157
Ph. (0266) 621256, Fax. (0266) 621257
E-mail: tngh@telkom.net
UJUNG KULON NATIONAL PARK : The Last Sanctuary of the Javan Rhino
This national park, located in the extreme south-western tip of Java on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon peninsula, several offshore islands as well as the Krakatoa natural reserve. In addition to its natural beauty and geological interest – particularly for the study of inland volcanoes – it contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in the Java plain. Several species of endangered plants and animals can be found there, the Javan rhinoceros being the most seriously under threat. Ujung Kulon National Park is the country’s premier wildlife reserve where the last fifty or so Javan rhinoceros survive. In 1992, UNESCO designated the area as a world natural heritage site.
How to Get There:
Fly to Jakarta and then drive to Serang (Banten Province) via toll road, continue to Labuan, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. From Labuan head to Taman Jaya, where the excursion into the park usually starts, in a 3.5 hours drive.
The Best Season to Visit:
April to September every year.
Contact:
Ujung Kulon National Park:
Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan No. 51,
Labuan Pandeglang 42264
Ph. (0253) 801731, Fax. (0253) 804651
E-mail: btnuk@cilegon.wasantara.net.id
Nature Enchantment and Historical Buildings
The trip from Yogyakarta to Kaliurang reminds us of the scenery picture we (=Indonesian people) made in the kindergarten. A mountain with the street lying in the middle and the green spread on both sides ornamented with people's houses will release tiredness in the frame of nature painting.
Covered with the breeze, even when the sun is over our head, the coolness is still felt. The air dancing through the trees and slowly going down hill gives fresh feeling to our body.
The view of Merapi Mountain gives special sensation in this area. Just like village girls who will cover their face when we look at them, this mountain will also be covered with fog when we come to see it.
Going along the west side of Plawangan Hill as long as 1,100 meters, traveling cross country, through soil path framed with trees and green slopes, and series of 22 caves as the inheritance of the Japanese colonial are some uniqueness of Kaliurang natural tourism.
In addition to its natural beauty, Kaliurang also has some historical buildings. Some of them are Wisma Kaliurang and Pesanggrahan Dalem Ngeksigondo that is owned by the Sultan Palace that used to be functioned as the meeting place of the Three Nation Commission, and Ullen Sentalu museum which part of the building is under ground. This museum reveals the mystery of the culture and values of Javanese history, especially those related to the princess of Yogyakarta and Surakarta kingdoms in the nineteenth century.
Family Recreation Area
Located 28 kilometers from the center of Yogyakarta city, Kaliurang now has an enchanting cultural and natural tourism area that becomes en enjoyable place for family recreation.
Parents may relax while keeping their children playing in the Play Ground. In an area of 10,000 meter square width, children can play swing, sliding, or swimming in a mini pool. Besides, in the play ground that is ornamented with the statue of a genie a la 1001 night stories and some kinds of animal, children can play mini cars or pass through a dragon statue by entering from its mouth and exiting from its tail.
About 300 meters to the north east of the recreation garden, there is Plawangan Turgo garden. There is Tlogo Putri swimming pool of which water originates from a spring at the slope of Plawangan Hill. Playing swing or behaving playfully with the family in the garden will release tiredness among the green forest of the forestry department.
Walking along the east side, seeing some monkeys jumping and swinging on the branches, enjoying the chirp of birds in the sloping up path of layered stones and stairs as long as 900 meters can be a little tiring, but the top of Merapi Mountain viewed on a bright day from Pronojiwo Hill will replace the tiredness with admiration. On the way to the top of Pronojiwo Hill, YogYES had the opportunity to run race with Nick (47 years old), an English tourist. I won the race, but the feeling of being united with nature was more pleasant. Mineral water sold by the drink sellers will quench your thirst while seeing Merapi that stands amidst the green spread of the forest. Binocular is rent for IDR 3,000 per 30 minutes to see the Merapi Mountain more clearly.
Arriving back to the garden, have relax at Tlogo Muncar to enjoy the waterfall. During rainy season, water will flow down swiftly.
To enjoy the Kaliurang scenery, visitors may go around by a rabbit carriage that is most popularly called sepoer. This vehicle usually stands by in the parking lot in front of the food shops. The route is going around from the east to the west to encircle Kaliurang tourism area, passing through the viewing post on the west side where Merapi can be seen clearly on bright days. For minimum of seven people, each person will be charged IDR 3,000. For exclusive trip, the charge is IDR 20,000 per person with services like those for a nobleman.
If you want to enjoy the coolness of the air and the quietness of the night at Kaliurang, there are many choices of villas, bungalows, and inns. The tariffs vary from IDR 25,000 to IDR 300,000. Some lodgings where you can stay are: Bukit Surya (most recommended), Puri Indah Inn (3-stars), and Wisma Sejahtera.
Before leaving, make sure that you buy gifts ranging from local fruits to special food namely tahu and tempe bacem (sweet, fried tofu and tempeh) and jadah (made from sticky rice and grated coconut).
The green spread at the foot of Merapi Mountain, cool air and all natural, luxurious packages will release your tiredness and refresh you from the noise of the city. (YogYES.COM)
)
)
)
)
)
Text & Photo: R. Syah
Artistic: Sutrisno
text link ads
add my banner and than confirmation and you get my back link
