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Manokwari Indonesia
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Manokwari is a small but rapidly growing city in Papua island. It is the capital of West Papua province of the Republic of Indonesia. As the center of government's administration and trade activities in the region, Manokwari plays very important role in supplying all the modern logistics that people in small towns around the bird's head region of New Guinea island need. Located in the Dorey bay, Manokwari city has been a favorite harbor for sailors who want to find protected and calm waters from the raging seas of the Pacific Ocean. There are three islands in the bay. The largest on is Mansinam island. Mansinam, historically, was the first island to receive western evangelists who landed on 5 February 1855 to the Netherlands New Guinea (the former name of Papua during the Dutch time until 1962) to preach Christianity to the indigenous Papuan people.
Mansinam is a beautiful tropical island that is also important element in eco-tourism. Most of the tourists who traveled to Manokwari city of Indonesia visit the island for hiking, swimming, bird watching and sometimes scuba diving. Beside Mansinam, two other islands that are also interesting to be visited by travelers are Lemon and Raimuti. Lemon is near Mansinam whereas Raimuti is just 200 meters off the coast of Arfai. Although Raimuti is the smallest islet in the Dorey bay, it is a favorite destination for tourists who want to see coral reef that thrive around the island.
I have been visiting the island since the beginning of 2010. Every time I do snorkeling I often hear the sounds of jet planes flying above the islet. These airplanes land to or take off from the Rendani airport. Rendani airport is located just a few kilometers north of the islet. Domestic airline companies such as Batavia, Merpati, Express and Wings Air provide regular flights to Manokwari Indonesia from such cities as Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Ambon, Manado and Sorong.
Manokwari can also be reached by passenger ships operated by PELNI, a state owned ship liner. Please, check the website of PELNI to see the names of the passenger ships that go to the city. From Manokwari, tourists can continue their tour to Jayapura (the capital of Papua province), Sorong, Biak, Fakfak or Wasior, Nabire and even Waisai of Raja Ampat islands by airplanes or boats. Manokwari is the transit point for tourists who want to go to Arfak mountains to watch magnificent birds of paradise and bower bird.
Manokwari city of Indonesia is often seen as cheaper alternative for budget travelers who cannot afford to pay the scuba diving packages in Raja Ampat. Coral reefs in Mansinam, Lemon, Raimuti and Kaki island, as well as the Numfor island which is around 4.5 hour boat ride from Manokwari city are still in very good condition. According to some tourists, snorkeling in these islands is much cheaper than scuba diving in Raja Ampat islands.
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If you are interested in visiting Manokwari city of Indonesia and need a tourist guide, you can contact me - Charles Roring via my email: peace4wp@gmail.com, I will be happy to arrange your trip in this city and its surrounding region and be your guide that can bring you to natural places where you can enjoy bird watching, hiking, caving, swimming, snorkeling and various other interesting activities.
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
