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Traveling to Tropical Island of Numfor
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I traveled to Numfor island last week. It was a very nice experience. I went there by Yap Wairon a small passenger ship and returned by Kasuari Pasifik IV also a small size ferry boat that could carry up to 300 passengers and tens of motorcycles and a few cars. Numfor is a very beautiful tropical paradise located in Cendrawasih bay (formerly known as Geelvink Baai during the Dutch time). It is part of Schouten islands that consist of Biak, Supiori, Numfor and other smaller islands that are important destination for tourists who want to do bird watching in New Guinea or Papua. To go to Numfor tourists have to fly from major big cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta or Bali to Manokwari city or Biak town. Batavia, Merpati, Express are three national airlines that connect Manokwari city with Jakarta, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia. Manokwari can also be reached by passenger ships operated by PELNI (a state owned passenger ship liner).
Numfor is surrounded
by beautiful coral reef. Manem island, its satellite island has pristine coral
reef environment that can be reached within one hour boat ride from Numfor. I
went there with three tourists from the Netherlands. We enjoyed swimming and
snorkeling around the island very much. There is no diving center in Numfor. So,
I recommend to all tourists who want to go there to bring their own snorkeling
or scuba diving gear. I stayed in Yemburwo village, the district capital of East
Numfor. There were two "hostels" there but I prefer to stay at a home stay house
with Jonathan Rumbewas as my host family. He is a nice person who supports my
intention in promoting eco-tourism to help the local Papuan have alternative
jobs and at the same time preserve the beautiful tropical rainforest and coral
reef environment together with birds and other animals that live in them.
Besides enjoying bird watching and snorkeling, I and the Schepers (three Dutch
tourists) also went to Syoribo village to see World War 2 "Museum" at Mr. Simon
Wanma's house. At night he called the musicians to play some traditional Papuan
songs for us. I was very impressed by his hospitality.
After watching the traditional music performance, Mr. (Wally) and Mrs. (Trudy) Schepers said to the musicians that they would try to arrange a trip for the musicians to go to the Netherlands. There, the Papuan musicians and dancers will be expected to perform their art skills in a number of towns or cities. I have been guiding tourists around Manokwari regency to watch birds in Arfak mountains or to enjoy swimming and snorkeling in Mansinam and Kaki islands. My visit to Numfor island is a ground breaking effort of introducing this tropical paradise to everyone who wants to watch birds or see the beauty of the marine environment around the island. I need to go to the island again to make some videos about the traditional music players and the dancers so that I can send them to the Schepers.
Historically, Numfor island was the battle ground between the Japanese and the US forces during World War II. The Japanese forces occupied the island from the Dutch until 1944 when the American troops bombarded and landed on the island in 1944. Numfor island played a very important role for the US troops when they were trying to defeat the Japanese forces in Sansapor (now named Sausapor) and Morotoi islands before they continued their campaign to the Philipines.
So, the tourism activities in Numfor is not limited to bird watching, and snorkeling alone. Visits to World War II battle ground around the island, and "museum" at Simon Wanma's house combined with traditional music and dance performance are interesting attractions which tourists should also see when traveling to Numfor.
Numfor island is quite flat. There is no steep slope like the Arfak mountains in Manokwari regency. So, if there are tourists who want to travel around the island by riding bicycles, they can bring their bikes there. Or if the cost of transporting their bicycles by airplanes from Europe to Indonesia is too high, they can buy the bicycles in Jakarta or Bali and bring them to Papua. It might be cheaper that way. I personally plan to buy some bicycles which I can provide to tourists in Manokwari. Perhaps I will buy them next year. When I have bought them, I will announce the news about it in this website too. by Charles Roring
Manokwari Map | Where is Manokwari? | Souvenir Shops | Travel Attractions | Accommodation in Manokwari | Professional Guide
Travel Guide Manokwari
The following articles are my recommendation, stories and experience when guiding foreign tourists who come to Manokwari of West Papua to enjoy the beauty of its natural scenery and the hospitality of the indigenous people. This website is aimed at promoting eco-tourism in the region to create jobs among the indigenous people and awareness among us about the importance of protecting and preserving tropical rainforest that is now facing extinction due to rapid deforestation.
Happy Traveling
Charles Roring (click to e-mail me)
Tourist Guide
If you want to read more stories about travel in Manokwari of West Papua, you can see my other blogs at the following addresses:
Papuan Art and Culture Stories
My personal diary on Manokwari Eco-tourism activities
