Rediscovering Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines - Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 17,508 large and small islands, most of them fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number even unnamed.

Indonesia is situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. Indonesia has a total population of more than 215 million people from more than 200 ethnic groups.

From the urban bustle of the capital Jakarta, it may be difficult to imagine that a plane and boat ride away lie serene beaches and nature-pristine islands with the richest marine biodiversity on earth. Raja Ampat, located in the far east of Indonesia, is truly a perfect place to marvel at and enjoy nature.

Raja Ampat – or Four Kings – is an archipelago comprising 1,846 small islands and islets, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands – Misool, Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo.

The group of Asian journalists invited by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs under its Journalist Visit Program (JVP) 2016 recently got the chance to explore this unspoiled paradise. Our base for the visit to Raja Ampat was the Waiwo Dive Resort, located in Waisai, Waigeo island.

One of the highlights of the 11-day tour was the visit to the Wayag islands, a round trip of about 300 kilometers northwest of Waigeo. It was a difficult 30-minute trek up a steep hill for the not-exactly-fit journalists. During the trek, one had to hold on to exposed roots and protruding rocks for balance and to keep from slipping, keeping in mind that a misstep could mean a serious if not fatal fall. The description “death-defying” was used quite a few times during the climb.

But, reaching the summit, everyone agreed that it was worth the effort and even the danger. The breathtaking expanse, looking down on nearby smaller islets which seem to be just floating in the clear blue waters, recharged us all.  

“The view is magnificent. This is really worth the trip. These waters are blue and so clear,” said Idayu Suparto, world news editor of Singapore Press Holding Ltd.

Christiara Lingga of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured the group that more adventure-filled and beautiful places remain to be discovered in Raja Ampat.

One of these is definitely Arborek island, a popular diving and snorkeling spot for adventure-seekers. The community on the island, composed of about 150 people, is protecting the environment and ensuring the diving sites are well preserved. Despite the absence of electricity and spartan accommodations and facilities, tourists – mostly Europeans – stay for months on end, lured by the richness of nature on the surface and underwater and the pristine simplicity of an unspoiled life. 

Master diver Ramly Like Khaparende, 27, who has been a diver-tourist guide for several years, escorted our group on board the M/V Pin Yuwen.  He disclosed there are at least 20 beautiful dive spots in central Raja Ampat. 

According to Raja Ampat officials, some 1,508 fish species, 537 coral species and 699 mollusk species have been found in the area. They said the variety of marine life in the area is staggering, with some areas boasting enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs. 

Although traveling to the Raja Ampat islands is not that difficult, it still takes a six-hour flight from Jakarta to Sorong, the nearest place to the group of islands. From there it’s a 45-minute boat ride to reach the islands.

The tour was meant to establish good relationship among media practitioners from and/or within the ASEAN region. The JVP 2016 is a program of activities developed by the Directorate General for Information and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, “to promote mutual understanding between people of Indonesia and people from other countries, as well as introducing Indonesia’s tourism through journalism.”

Siti Sofia Sudarma, director for Information and Media Services, said they would like to reintroduce Indonesia and showcase its trade, tourism, nature conservation, small and medium enterprises and many more, to the ASEAN community.

Sudarma said Indonesia has a vast diversity of faiths, ethnicities, languages and cultures. “Instead of regarding our diversity as a burden, we have made it a national asset that would work for us. A source of strength that we can be proud of, a blessing that we celebrate,” she said.