Freediving in Warduwer Beach of Raja Ampat

Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia, I used to go freediving at Warduwer beach of Waigeo island. My aim was to take pictures of fish, coral reef and other marine creatures that live in the coral reef. Unfortunately, the visibility was very poor because of heavy rain that fell in the previous day.

It was a recreational freediving, so I did not dive too deep. As usual I saw a lot of fish in the water. There was a very interesting fish that I saw today. It was sitting on a rock in the shallow water.

A beach resort is being built at the moment. Its name is Raja Ampat Flow (RAFLOW) Resort. The resort is a nice place for anyone who wants to enjoy their holiday in Raja Ampat. Birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling and sightseeing to karst islets can be organized at this beach.

Stonefish at Warduwer beach of Waigeo island

If you are interested in visiting Raja Ampat, you could stay at this RAFLOW Resort.  Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Liburan ke Lembah Klasouw di Kabupaten Sorong

Kabupaten Sorong memiliki kawasan hutan yang indah sekali untuk dijadikan sebagai destinasi wisata alam. Selama beberapa tahun belakangan sebelum adanya pandemi Covid-19, banyak sekali wisatawan internasional yang berkunjung ke kabupaten Sorong untuk melihat keanekaragaman hayati dari flora dan fauna yang ada di hutan hujan tropis Sorong. 

Salah satu lokasi yang mereka tuju adalah Lembah Klasouw yang terletak di sebelah timur kota Sorong dan dapat dijangkau dengan kendaraan 4WD dengan waktu tempuh sekitar 2 jam.

Wisatawan yang berkunjung ke sana biasannya menghabiskan waktu kurang lebih 3 hari/2 malam untuk melihat berbagai jenis satwa yang ada di hutan. Di siang hari mereka bisa melihat burung Kakak Tua Putih, Kakaktua Raja, atau Raja Udang Paruh Kuning. Jejak dan kotoran burung kasuari sering terlihat di hutan. Jika beruntung, wisatawan bisa melihat burung raksasa ini. 

Ada berbagai jenis kupu-kupu yang berwarna-warni di hutan tropis Lembah Klasouw ini. Salah satu yang berukuran besar dan memiliki warna yang mencolok adalah kupu-kupu biru (Blue Mountain Swallowtail Butterfly).

Wisatawan Swiss di atas Lembah Klasouw, Kabupaten Sorong

Penjelajahan hutan di malam hari sering juga dilakukan oleh wisatawan dengan dipandu oleh warga setempat. Satwa nokturnal seperti lao-lao (wallaby), kuskus pohon, serta burung hantu Papuan Frogmouth bisa kita saksikan. Wisatawan biasanya tinggal di rumah-rumah penduduk (homestay).

Kampung Klatomok

Ada banyak kampung di Lembah Klasouw yang bisa dikunjungi wisatawan yang tertarik untuk melihat beragam jenis flora dan fauna yang ada di hutan hujan tropis Papua Barat. Salah satunya adalah Kampung Klatomok. Kampung ini sudah dikunjungi oleh wisatawan domestik maupun manca negara yang tertarik  melihat hewan marsupial lao-lao dan kuskus, atau burung Jagal Papua, Raja Udang Biru Ekor Panjang. Wisatawan yang ke sana bisa juga atau mencoba kegiatan tokok, dan meramas sagu untuk menghasilkan tepung. Setelah dibawa ke kampung, wisatawan bisa ikut mencoba memasak sagu untuk membuat papeda atau mencampurnya dengan santan dan gula merah lalu membakarnya untuk dinikmati dengan teh panas atau kopi susu. Rasanya gurih sekali.

Wisatawan Indonesia di Kampung Klatomok, Kabupaten Sorong

Nah, jika Pandemi Covid-19 telah berlalu dan Anda ingin menikmati udara segar yang dihasilkan langsung oleh pepohonan hijau di hutan, silahkan berkunjung ke sana.

Pramuwisata Kostan Magablo di hutan Sorong dengan wisatawan Inggris

Oh ya, jangan lupa bawa kamera, membeli bahan makanan di supermarket atau di pasar tradisional di Sorong seperti beras, sayur-sayuran dari daerah dingin wortel, kol, brokoli, ikan asar (ikan asap), buah-buah, dan lain-lain. Bahan makanan ini bisa dimasak oleh mama-mama yang tinggal di kampung Klatomok yang ada di Lembah Klasouw untuk kebutuhan wisatawan. 

Meskipun sederhana, Anda akan merasa nyaman tinggal dan berlibur di kampung serta berinteraksi dengan warga setempat. Ini ditulis oleh Charles Roring.

Memotret Nemo di Perairan Pesisir Manokwari

Saya tahu sejumlah kawasan terumbu karang di perairan Manokwari. Dulu sebelum Pandemi Covid-19 melanda Indonesia, saya sering memandu wisatawan internasional untuk menikmati kegiatan snorkeling di pantai. Kami bisa melihat berbagai spesies ikan nemo seperti: Pink Anemonefish, Red and Black Anemonefish, Spinecheek Anemonefish. Ada juga berbagai spesies ikan lainnya seperti Striped-Surgeonfish, Three-spots Dascyllus, Yellow-tailed Blue Damsel, Moorish Idol, Lionfish dan masih banyak lagi.

Ikan - ikan Nemo di Perairan Manokwari

Umumnya ikan nemo berada di kedalaman sekitar 1,5 - 10 meter di buttress zone dari kawasan terumbu karang. Kalau dalam bahasa sehari-hari, di zona tepian terumbu karang yang langsung jatuh ke laut dalam. Ini adalah zona terdepan dari terumbu karang yang menghadap laut dalam. Tentu bagi siapa saja yang tidak terbiasa berenang di tepian ini, akan terasa mengerikan jika melihat gelapnya laut dalam. Untuk memotretnya saya kadang harus melakukan selam bebas selama sekitar 1,5 menit. Agar tidak terdorong ke permukaan atau ditarik arus, saya harus mencari bebatuan yang keras dan menahannya. Setelah posisi stabil, saya mulai mengarahkan kamera ke ikan nemo lalu memotretnya. 

Ikan Nemo Merah Hitam (Red and Black Anemonefish)
serta Ikan Three Spot Dascyllus di terumbu karang Manokwari

Saya dulu menggunakan Canon G1X, Fujifilm XQ2 dengan rumahnya yang kedap air. Tapi sekarang ada kamera yang lebih kecil dan tahan air seperti Nikon AW 130.

Saya berusaha setenang mungkin di dalam air. Kamera disetel ke mode pengambilan foto ikan. Setelah memotret ikan beberapa kali maka saya bisa kembali ke permukaan untuk menghirup udara segar. 

Pantai Bakaro yang langsung menghadap laut bebas. Wisatawan perlu ekstra hati-hati kalau berenang di perairan ini.

Beberapa kawasan terumbu karang yang merupakan habitat alami dari ikan nemo antara lain: Pantai Abasi, Pasir Putih, Pulau mansinam, serta Pantai Bakaro dan Pulau Kaki. Karena Pantai Bakaro dan Pulau Kaki langsung menghadap laut bebas serta kadang berarus kencang, wisatawan yang hendak berenang di perairan ini sebaiknya perlu ekstra hati-hati. 

Saya sengaja menulis artikel pendek ini untuk menarik kepedulian kita semua tentang betapa indahnya dunia bawah laut. Kita perlu melestarikannya dengan mencegah sampah agar tidak masuk ke laut. Sampah yang dibuang sembarangan di tepi jalan dan halaman rumah, akan dibawa oleh air hujan ke selokan yang kemudian mengalir ke laut. Sebagai akibatnya, sampah akan merusak ekosistem terumbu karang yang ada di pesisir pantai. Kita bisa mengurangi atau berhenti menggunakan kantong atau barang-barang yang terbuat dari plastik, membuang sampah di bak-bak yang sudah disediakan pemerintah atau mendaur ulang.

Demikian sedikit cerita saya tentang kegemaran saya memotret ikan-ikan nemo. Semoga pembaca menikmatinya. Ini ditulis oleh Charles Roring 🙏

Olive-backed Sunbird in Minahasa Highland

Male Olive-backed Sunbird

After guiding tourists across Sulawesi, Ternate and Halmahera islands, I decided to go back to Minahasa for a 5-day birding and sightseeing tour in its highland and lowland. It was a very nice trip. I saw more birds. Some of them were Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Cattle Egret, Sulawesi Drongo, Slender-billed Crow, Collared Kingfisher and a lot more.

There were small birds that I saw too. One of them was Olive-backed Sunbird. This little bird could hover in the air like a helicopter or dragon fly. I hadn't had an opportunity to shoot him while he was hovering. Two days ago, I saw him feeding on the nectar of papaya flower. He was quite close to mee and I was able to shoot him - with my camera, of course.
If you are interested in visiting North Sulawesi for birding and sightseeing, please, contact me by email to: leororing@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180

Mansinam Island Tourist Attractions

Mansinam island

The Island of Civilization
In West Papua, Mansinam is seen as the Island of Civilization. On 5 February 1855, three German missionaries, C.W Ottow, his wife, and J. G. Geissler landed on Mansinam island to introduced Gospel for the first time to the indigenous Papuan people. Although they and their successors faced a lot of hardships, and challenges finally they could spread the Good News to most of New Guinea. Now, most of the population are Christians. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims gather in Manokwari to celebrate 5 February as the Gospel Preaching Day.  There street parade where Papuan tribes wear traditional costumes and perform traditional dances along the main streets of Manokwari city. This event attracts a lot of domestic and international tourists to Manokwari.

Visiting Mansinam Island
Visitors who go to Mansinam island can see foundations of the old church, school, dormitories, houses, well, cross monument and museum that were used by the missionaries and the earliest Christians who lived there. For those who are interested in nature, they can go hiking to the top of Mansinam to see a giant Jesus statue that stands on 4 concrete pillars that look like Papuan drums (tifa).

Walking Track that Circles Mansinam

The Forest
Most of Mansinam is still covered with tropical rainforest that is the natural habitat of a lot of species of plants, butterflies, beetles, reptiles, wild flowers and sweet cherry trees (called gersen) and birds. Exploring the forest is very easy. Visitors can walk along the concrete track that completely circles that island. The best time to explore the forest is in the mornings and late afternoons where birds and butterflies are more active. Bring binoculars and a good camera to take pictures of the forest, and its wildlife.
The concrete track is also good for anybody who likes jogging.

The Coral Reef
The underwater world of Mansinam is also beautiful. There is a huge coral reef area located in the southern coast of Mansinam. Tourists who stay there for several days can enjoy snorkeling to see a lot of species of fish such as grouper, damselfish, moorish idol, butterflyfish, parrotfish, anemonefish, boxfish, sea star, sea cucumber and turtles. Don't forget to bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to enjoy snorkeling in the island.

Mansinam Island

Booking
If you are interested in visiting and staying in Manokwari and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180

Birding in Raja Ampat Karst of Kabui bay

Birding in King karst of Raja Ampat

There are a lot of karst formations in Raja Ampat. They attract thousands of tourists every year. There is a Karst formation in the region that is suitable for birding activities. Its name is Raja Karst.

Last week I organized a tour to Raja Karst for 3 foreign visitors who were from the United States. We went there by a motorized outrigger boat to see the beauty of its marine landscape and the wealth of its birdlife. As we entered the waters of Raja Karst, I asked the boat driver to lower the speed of the boat. A Striated Heron (Butorides striata) that was standing on a rock looked at us. As we moved deeper into the small islet formation, we saw some Rainbow Bee-eater, Rainbow Lorikeet, Torresian Crow, Pacific Swallow, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Beach Kingfisher, and Lesser Frigatebird, Willie Wagtail. We also saw a Spice Imperial Pigeon (Ducula myristicivora) flying over our boat and landed on a tree. 

Red Bird of Paradise

The karst islets were a very rich habitat for avifauna. They were located in remote area and far from the influence of human activities. I highly recommended this site for birders who want to see water and lowland and hill forest birds of New Guinea.

We also did several hiking in Waigeo island to watch Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra), and Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes respublica), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Palm Cockatoo, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Great Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Great-billed Parrot and etc.
If you are interested in birding and snorkeling in Raja Ampat and wants me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Jungle Tour in Sorong of West Papua

I have been organizing tours for tourists to tropical rainforest of  Sorong regency since last year. The destination is Klasow valley located approximately two hours by 4WD car and 2 hours walk through tropical jungle to reach a village in the valley.

a Swiss tourist with the background of
tropical jungle of Klasow valley

Tourists
So far most of the guests who visited the valley were from western countries such as the United States, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Germany and etc. Some came as a single travelers while others came as couples or as groups of three up to six people. More visitors are coming as more information is uploaded into the internet about the Klasow valley and Tambrauw mountains.
The Rainforest
The plants that grow in Klasow valley are typical vegetation that is usually found in the lowland and coastal area of New Guinea. Big trees such as ficus, large conifer Agathis, and iron wood, and various species of palms live side by side with rattan and other vines or climbing plants.
There are also sago trees which the indigenous people process to make flour. Sago is the staple food of Moi tribe who live in the region.
Wildlife Watching
Tourists go to Malagufuk village of Klasow valley to see the rich bio-diversity of tropical rainforest that is the natural habitat of wallaby (a kind of small ground kangaroo, bandicoot, cassowary, wild pigs, sulphur crested cockatoo, goliath cockatoo, blyh's hornbill, goshawk, kingfisher, golden myna, dollar bird, pinon imperial pigeon and a lot of other birds. Colorful butterflies can also be seen in the area too. Birdwatching can usually be done from mornings until evening. Nocturnal bird such as Papuan Frogmouth can sometimes be heard calling from distant trees. At night, jungle walk can be carried out to see wallaby.

Where to stay
Most of the tourists who visited Klasow valley stayed in a small guesthouses and homestays owned by villagers. They are made of wood. There is clean water installation and a simple toilet.

Cost: On the average the cost per person depends on the number of participants and how long they plan to stay in the forest. The cost must cover transportation by 4WD car, local guide, food, and basic accommodation in the jungle village.

Booking:
Please, contact my email: peace4wp@gmail.com for detailed info about the tour.