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Wave Surfing in near the tropical city of Manokwari
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Wave surfing is a traditional game among the Papuan children in a village near
Abasi beach. When American children spend whole days in front of computer
screens with their playstation and Xbox gaming consoles, Papuan children with
their simple wooden surfboards try to conquer high waves that rolling towards
the Abasi beach of their village. Abasi beach is a 20-minute car ride from
Manokwari city, the capital of West Papua province. It is not as famous as the
Makaha on Oahu's west shore or the Sunset beach of Hawaii but it is a good spot
for beginning wave surfers.
On 2 March 2011, I guided two Dutch tourists, Anne Bijleveld and Victor Dykman,
to Abasi beach to watch some Papuan children wave surfing in the afternoons. I
was surprised to find out that Victor was a wave surfer too. He brought his
surfing boards from the Netherlands. The Papuan children looked happy to surf
with a Dutch wave surfer who came from faraway. Before surfing, they stood on an
old timber for some photo shoots. Although they only had simple wooden panels,
they looked proud standing side by side with Victor who would use a standard
surfing board. Because we arrived there at 3.30 p.m., Victor and the Papuan
children only be in the water until 6 p.m. Children and some Papuan old men came
out of their houses to see the tourists at their beach. They looked happy
because they can be photographed together with the tourists.
After wave surfing with the Papuan children, Victor Dykman, together with Anne Bijleveld, enjoyed some fresh coconut juice. Beside Abasi beach, another beach that tourists can visit for wave surfing is Amban beach. It is located at the northern area of Manokwari city. If you want to enjoy wave surfing in Manokwari, the best time is between November and March. That's the time when the waves are high. Don't forget to bring your own surfboard. There is no surfing shop in Manokwari. Most airlines do not charge additional fees for the boards.
Besides wave surfing, other eco-tourism activities that tourists can enjoy in Manokwari are hiking, bird watching, caving, swimming and snorkeling. As a tourist guide, I have accompanied a lot of tourists from many different countries to areas around Manokwari such as the North Coast, Arfak Mountains, Mansinam and Lemon islands, Numfor island, and Senopi.
If you still need more information about traveling in Manokwari and Numfor island of West Papua, you can contact me via my e-mail: charlesroring@gmail.com. I will be happy to explain it to you. 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
