Archive for June 6th, 2006
Welcome to another paradise of Papua Irian Island, Biak, the gate of the Northern Irian region. This small island located in the top of the
Cendrawasih Bay, Northern Part of Papua Irian Island, was the location horrific WW II battles between the Allied Forces and the Japanese.
We invite you to witness the world war remains, enjoy spectacular sea gardens which is still untouchable by the massive tourism industry,
exploring the small tropical quite islands around Biak that owns pristine white sandy beach and crystal water, beautiful varied fish and corals,
diving spots.
We can also visit Yapen Island, accessible by twenty minutes flight or six hours by motorized boat to discover the typical birds of paradise, Parrots, cockatoos and other in Yapen Island as well as trekking and camping to appreciate the exotic flora and fauna which are the endemic of Papua Irian such as star turtle (Dermochelys Coriaceae), Shell Turtle (Cretmocechelys Mybas), butterfly, flying fox and many more.
You can also explore the national parks and Natural reserve at Manokwari. This town was became the capital of West New Guinea during the Dutch colonization. Located at the northern part of the Irian mainland, Manokwari lies on the beautiful surrounding gorges. We will explore The Arfak Reserve (450 square kilometers) lies in the north - east corner of the Irian Peninsula, 25 kilometers away from Manokwari. The vegetation comprises lowland and hill forest has been selectively logged but it has retained much of its diversity. The reserve protects large numbers of endemic, rare and commercially important species. There are about 110 species of mammal may be found here, including thirty species of marsupial such as tree kangaroos, forest wallabies, bandicoots, possums and cus-cus. About half of the 320 bird species recorded for the reserve are endemic to Irian Jaya, and some of them are not known outside the Arfak region. for birding this reserve is one of the heavens you may see in the island.
Biak is accessible by flights from Jakarta, Bali, Jayapura major cities in Indonesia.
BIAK - PADAIDO ISLANDS SNORKELING
Duration : 7 Days, Start/End: Biak Airport
DAY 01: BIAK ARRIVAL
Arrive Biak airport meeting service then transfer to hotel. After lunch taking afternoon city tour visiting Japanese cave,birds park Bosnik village then return to hotel for dinner and overnight (L,D).
DAY 02: BIAK - ASAP - MANSURBABO ISLAND
After breakfast explore to the island of Asap in two hours for snorkeling and swimming. Lunch provided on the white sandy beach. Continue your trip to Mansurbabo island. Prepare tents for dinner and overnight on the island (B,L,D).
DAY 03: MANSURBABO ISLAND FULL DAY
Full day snorkeling and swimming around the island. Meals and overnight on the island (B,L,D).
DAY 04: MANSURBABO - NUSI ISLAND - MANSURBABO
After breakfast, proceed to Nusi island in 15 minutes by outrigger boat visiting the local fisherman village. Learn the way of life from this
island. Proceed to Undi and Urip islands for the same activities. Meals and overnight on the Mansurbabo island (B,L,D).
DAY 05: MANSURBABO - PAKREKI ISLAND - MANSURBABO
Boating to Pakreki island for snorkeling. Meals and overnight on Mansurbabo island (B,L,D).
DAY 06: MANSURBABO ISLAND - BIAK
After breakfast pax by boat return to Biak and on the way stop at Owi island for snorkeling,Lunch and dinner overnight at your hotel (B,L,D).
DAY 07: BIAK DEPARTURE
After breakfast at hotel then transfer to airport for your next destination.
WILD ORCHID TREKKING
Duration :8 Days, Start/End: Biak Airport
DAY 01: BIAK ARRIVAL
Arrive Biak airport meeting service then transfer to hotel. After lunch taking afternoon city tour visiting Japanese cave,birds park Bosnik village then return to hotel for dinner and overnight (L,D).
DAY 02: BIAK - MANOKWARI
Depart by local flight to Manokwari. Check into Mutiara hotel. After lunch drive to Gunung Meja resort for wild orchids observe. Late afternoon return to your hotel (B, L, D).
DAY 03 - 05: MOKWAM & ARFAK MONTAIN RESORT
After breakfast drive for two hours drive to Arfak mountain area (1500-2000 M) for three-days exploration of the wild orchids, bird of paradise watching and to see local people buterflies farm. Overnight in tents or missionary house (B, L, D).
DAY 06: ARFAK - MANOKWARI
After breakfast directly drive back down to Manokwari. Meals and overnight at the hotel (B, L, D).
DAY 07: MANOKWARI - BIAK
Fly back to Biak. After check into a hotel, proceed drive to West forest for orchids observation. Late afternoon return to hotel for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).
DAY 08: BIAK DEPARTURE
After breakfast at hotel then our guide will pick you up the airport your next flight (B).
Biak Numfor : Japan World War II Memorial Tour
Goa Jepang (Japanese Cave) is the local name for a cave which used to be used as a defense fortress by Japanese soldiers. The Japanese discovered the three-kilometer-long cave in 1943. Its gate is located in Paray beach in Paray village, Biak city. Japanese soldiers entered the cave from Paray beach.The soldiers occupied three large rooms built inside the cave. The Japanese soldiers managed to shoot down a U.S. plane from their hiding place. However, eventually the US army came to know where the Japanese soldiers were hiding.
So in the early morning of July 7, 1944, the US Army attacked the cave. The cave was bombarded. The Americans also dropped drums of gasoline into the hideout and blasted them from the air, setting the cave into fire. The cave burned for several months. Some 3,000 Japanese soldiers were trapped and killed in the attack.
Located in a forest, the cave is one of Biak main tourist attractions. The forest is kept intact; tree cutting is strictly forbidden to keep the historic site as it is. The cave is surrounded by fences.
Source : www.adventureindonesia.com
June 6th, 2006
In the central mountain of Irian Jaya, lies a grand valley with 72 km long and 16 - 31 km wide, inhabited by Neolithic warrior and farmer, the Dani Tribes and other sub tribes of Yali and Lani with their complex and primitive cultures, which looks more like “stone age” cultures. Welcome to the beautiful Baliem Valley.
We will take you to experience an exciting adventure by exploring the Baliem Valley and the unique, primitive traditions and way of live of the tribes who live in the valley.
Baliem valley it self is located in Wamena regency in Irian Jaya, Papua which is well known as the home of the Dani tribes.To reach this area, you have to fly from Jakarta or Bali to Jayapura (the capital province of Irian Jaya / Papua), and then fly from Jayapura to Wamena. We can fly from Jakarta to Jayapura and then from Jayapura to Wamena in the same day.
This valley has been the most visited part of the island, especially in recent years. The Dani Tribes speak related Papuan, or non - Austronesian language and live in the high central range of Papua Island, the most eastern province of Indonesia.
Until the last decades the Dani tribes were some of the most isolated populations by swamps and mountains. They grew root crops, raised pig and used polished stone axes and adzes. They didn’t make pottery (which means “sign of the modernity”), but otherwise their technology was very much like that of the Neolithic of the Old and New Worlds.
There may be 250,000 Dani living in the central mountains, many live scattered among the steep mountain slopes. The Valley has one of the highest densities of population in Papua Province. The Dani Tribes build their huts in a compound nicely express both environmental adaptation and Dani’s character. The men’s and women’s huts have thick thatched roofs which keep rain, yet retain the heat from the earth, along with just enough smoke to discourage the mosquito.
The temperatures of the highland are ranged from 26 degrees Celsius at the day time and 12 degrees at night.
The highlights of sightseeing are Dani Market in WAMENA Town, WAUMA Village and, which can be easily reach on foot or by car from Wamena. Farther out are AIKIMA, with its 250 years old mummy, SUROBA, JIWIKA and neighboring villages.
With 2 hours climbing, you can see the salt spring where the Dani women make salt in primitive way fashion for centuries. Outer adventures are southward to KURIMA area, where the Dani and Yali Tribes’ way of life mixed into a unique combination.
Baliem Valley Festival
The cultural festival it self will be held on every august or september. The main pont of interest of the festival will be the massive tribal attraction involving the all natives group living on the surrounding area of the giant valley. All tribes group will deliver their envoy to attend the faestival while bringing all tribes attributes, kotekas, art and craft. The festival is a right chance to observe the rich cutlure of the hinterland. Baliem valley area is mainly occupied by three main big clan, namely Dani, Yali and Lani.
Each tribe group will come over with their own identity. Here you will see clear difference among them refer to their dressing. The Dani man only use small koteka (penis gourd / penis cover), the Lani tribes use bigger Koteka, their body is much bigger than the average Dani tribe, while the Yali has long slender Koteka with rattan belt corved waist lenght.
By attending the masive festival, you will have a great chance to know and learn the culture of each attending tribes without having to make the visit to their compunds deep in the hinterland of West Papua.
Beside to present during the days of the festival, we will also held a trekking trip in Jiwika village in the suburban of Wamena to see the old smoked mummy and salt pool where you will enjoy and see how to make salt in their traditional way. As you will entering the site, you will return to the stone age era. Grass dressed woman, dressless man, just having a long slender penis cup, man with arrows and
source : www.adventureindonesia.com/irian-baliem-general.htm
June 6th, 2006
Asmat is probably the most well known tribe in Papua (formerly called Irian Jaya). They become famous not only through their head-hunting practices in the past, but also because of their unique ideas and wonderful designs in woodcarving.
The name most probably comes from the Asmat words As Akat, which according to Asmat people means “the right man”. Moreover, it’s also said that Asmat comes from the word Osamat that means “man from tree”. The Asmat’s neighbors to the west, the Mimika, however, claim the name is derived from their word for the tribe- “manue”, meaning “man eater”.
Natives of the region are divided into two main groups; those living along the coasts, and those in the interior. They differ in dialect, way of life, social structure, and ceremonies. The coastal rivers are further divided into two groups, the Bisman people between the Sinesty and Nin Rivers, and the Simai people.
Around 70,000 Asmat, the area’s largest tribe, are scattered in 100 villages in a territory of roughly 27,000 square km live in a huge tidal swamp land. The tribe was untouched by civilization until recent times. Dutch outpost, missionary settlements, and foreign expeditions finally made in road on this isolated culture during the 1950 and 60’s.
Formerly, the families of the entire tribe resided together in houses up to 28 meters long called yeus. Yeus still used, but not only by men, as clubhouse where bachelors sleep. Upriver Asmat still live in longhouses, some even construct houses in treetops.
The Asmat live on sago, their staple, as well as mussels, snails, and fat insect larvae collected from decaying stumps of sago palms. These last are eaten to the accompaniment of throbbing drums and ritual dances; larvae feast can sometimes last up to two weeks. The Asmat also gather forest products such as rattan, catch fish and shrimp in large hoop nets.
ASMAT ART & FESTIVAL
To the Asmat, woodcarving was inextricably connected with the spirit world, and therefore, the carving cannot just be principally considered aesthetic objects. Much of the highly original art of the Asmat is symbolic of warfare, headhunting, and warrior-ancestor veneration. For centuries the Asmat were preoccupied with the necessity of appeasing ancestor spirits, producing a wealth of superbly designed shields, canoes, sculptured figures, and drums.
Asmat woodcarving is considered one among the world’s finest. Much of the highly original art of the Asmat is symbolic of warfare, headhunting, and warrior-ancestor veneration. For centuries the Asmat were preoccupied with the necessity of appeasing ancestor spirits, producing a wealth of superbly designed shields, canoes, sculptured figures, and drums.
The Asmat Woodcarving Festival will held once a year in October
THE LAND
Almost the entire Asmat region is covered in water during the rainy season, when high tide reaches up to two km inland and low tide flows up to two km out to sea. This is the largest alluvial swamp in the world, a low-lying stone less territory of bog forest and meandering rivers emptying into the Arafura sea.
FLORA & FAUNA
In the rivers swarm with shrimp, fish, lobster, crab, fresh water dolphin, sea snake and crocodiles. Living along the banks are lizards, that grow longer than the Komodo dragon. The forests contain palms, ironwood, merak wood, and mangroves, and are home for crown pigeons, hornbills, and cockatoos. There are grass meadows, and flowers like the Dedrobium orchid.
CLIMATE
The climate is hot and humid. The rainy season stretches from October to May, with an average of 40 cm of precipitation each year. The east monsoon season runs from April to June, west monsoons strike December to March.
source : www.adventureindonesia.com
June 6th, 2006
THE SIBERUT ISLAND
Adventure Indonesia invites you to explore the jungle in the heart into the heart of the Siberut Island in the western part off West Sumatra’s coast, to meet the indigenous people of the Mentawai who live close to nature and still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. It’s virgin rainforest, inhabited by a number of animal species not found anywhere else in the world, among them some rare monkey species, pleasant surprises await you to explore.
The island also offers continuous spectacular white sand beaches with shallow shelves jutting out to the sea and fringing coral reefs, excellent for snorkeling and leisure a luxury for most of the islanders. It can only be found a few coastal communities.
You will be rewarded with stunning views and beautiful jungles abounding with unique plant and wildlife. The real highlight of your journey though, is the chance to meet the people of Siberut, traditionally hunter, gatherer clans who are now coming into contact with the modern world. You will stay as guests of a local Kerei (medicine -man) in the Uma (traditional family house). Here, where conditions are basic, you will gain a unique insight into the lives of these people who maintain a belief system based on living in total harmony with nature.
NIAS ISLAND
Adventure Indonesia invites you to witness the unique cultures of the Nias People and experience their War Dance which is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps or Stone jumping performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife.
Situated 125 km off North Sumatra mainland, lies Nias island which famous of its’ megalith altars, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious sites. This isolate island posses rolling mountainous terrain, ravines, gorges and rivers. The northern part of this island is sparsely populated.
You will also witness a lot of historical remains and unique culture such as the megalith stone and the unique clan houses.
The environment it self provides great challenge for wave surfer around the globe and has one of the best right-handers in Indonesia.
Nias & Siberut Islands Of Sumatra: GENERAL INFORMATION OF NIAS & SIBERUT ISLANDS
NIAS ISLAND
Situated 125 km off Sumatra mainland, lies Nias island which famous of its’ megalith altars, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious sites. This isolate island posses rolling mountainous terrain, ravines, gorges and rivers. The northern part of this island is sparsely populated.
The local call their land as Tano Niha or “land of the People”, while the people call them selves as Ono Noha. Ethnically the Niasers are involved in to the Ptoto-Malay ethnic who once ever get with the Asian Proto-mongoloid world. Niasers speak a kind of language related to Malagasy. Because of the similarity in languages, custom, body size of the Niasers with the Bataks on Sumatera mainland, it is possible that the Niasers have derived from the Bataks.
According to their customary law, there are 3 classes of Niasers, namely aristocrats, common people and slaves. The number of salves possessed, representing the social status of a family. Peoples used to be scarified for some certain purposes. A young man should in service for the family of his would-be wife for certain length of time before the marriage.
War like dance in southern Nias is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps. The warrior dance is a frightening dance song with a hypnotizing sound of rattling shields, men shouting, jump frog like in to the air. Niasers also perform mock fights and armed combat. They get horned helmet, flaring shoulder plates, face’s mask with protruding boar tusk, double edged sword, sharp spears, in order to struck their enemy physiologically.
One of Nias culture that still exists is the Stone jumping, or locally called fahombe. Fahombe performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife. The man should jump over a two meters high of stone board. In the past the top of the stone board is covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo. Tactically, this stone jumping also mean to train young warrior to clear the wall of their enemy with a torch in one hand a sword in the other hand at night. Stone jumping still take place on South Nias villages.
Attractions
Nias has a lot of historical remains and unique culture to enjoy. The megalith stone, the unique clan houses, and their war dance are just some of the attractions. The environment it self provides great challenge for wave surfer around the globe.
The Surfing
The Best time to surf Nias is from June to October with the biggest swells, however the rest of the year is ideal for those wanting smaller waves.
Nias has one of the best right-handers in Indonesia. It is situated at the western end of Lagundi Bay and holds up to 15 foot. There is also an excellent left reef break that works well over 4 foot. If you are looking for hollow, deep waves Nias is definitely worth visiting. There are also many other spots to explore like the Hinako Islands.
SIBERUT ISLAND
Siberut island recently received international attention as a priority conservation area, for the unique culture of the ethnic Mentawaian and endemicity of its biodiversity that need to be preserved. Although the island has plenty to offer, the potential has not been utilized fully especially for tourism.
Most visitors to the island are interested only in seeing the culture at the indigenous tribes, such as the communal clan life in the traditional UMA house along the river banks.
Siberut National Park occupies the western half of the island, ranging from the northern coasts. At present the Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Project organized by PHPA, MOF, together with local government, local NGOs and other institutions, conducts the community based conservation program.
Siberut island (4.030 km sq) is the largest island of four islands in the Mentawaian archipelago. It is located about 155 kilometers off the coast of West Sumatra, across the Mentawaian strait. The Mentawaian islands belong administratively to Kabupaten (Regency) Padang Pariaman in West Sumatra Province. Siberut is divided into two Kecamatan (district) : North and South Siberut with administrative centers at Muara Sikabaluan and Muara Siberut which also service as respectively market centers of Siberut.
According to Forestry Ministerial Decree (No. 407/Kpts II/93, dated 10-VII-93), a 190,500 hectares area was declared as Siberut National Park in 1993.
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The Siberut island is characterized by a wet equatorial climate, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 22o C (71.6F) and 31o C (87.8F). The dry season is from February to June and the raining season is from July to January. Siberut is hilly with wide variations in elevation. Almost 60% is covered by tropical rain forest with many forest type such as: primary dipterocarp forest, primary mixed forest, swamp forest, barringtonia forest and mangrove forest. Also, there are many rivers on the islands with a complex system of tributaries.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Some of the interesting objects to see are:
Community and Culture: Although Siberut is only a small island, the internal variations in language, culture, life styles, and in resources is rather substantial. There is no clear indication of when the first man arrived on Siberut, but anthropologist suggest that the bataks of North Sumatra first settled on the island several thousand years ago. In many ways, the people of Siberut are among the most archaic people in Indonesia.
The Mentawaian are traditionally organized as patrineal groups and the social life centered around the UMA, a communal long house which held a clan of people related through a common ancestor. The UMA vary in size between 30 to 80 members divided in nuclear family units, referred to as LALEP. Because of internal friction, the clan might split up and form a new group or a single family.
The Mentawaians believe that all living objects, men, plants and animals are supposed to have spirits. The only specialist in the community is the medicine man, KEREI, responsible for communication with the spirits and the souls. In case of misfortune or illness, he is called in to restore harmony within the group or in relation with the spirits in the environment. An elaborate Taboo system based on religious beliefs with respect to the environment is a dominant characteristic of traditional life on Siberut.
Visit and stay in a Mentawaian village, trek to the jungle, learn about sago processing and bark cloth processing, and do other activities that will heighten your interest in and fascination with the natural philosophy of the Mentawaians.
Jungle Adventure: Very few visitors have explored the thickly frested island. Inside the National Park pleasant surprises await the adventures visitor. Visiting a cave in central Siberut or waterfalls in the northern and southern parts of the island, are possible upon request with your guide. Be observant of your surroundings. You may have the chance to see and hear some endemic wild life. Siberut has four endemic primates which in local names are called Bilou (Hylobates klossi), Simakobu (Simias concolor), Bokoi (Macaca pagensis), and Joja (Presbytis potenziani). There are at least five species of squirrels and chipmunks and birds abound everywhere on the island. Padding a canoe trekking on muddy trails balancing on a shippery log, wading through a shallow river, brushing through a dense jungle - are all parts of an unforgettable jungle adventure on Siberut.
Coastal Discovery Adventure: Some good coral reefs can be found along the east, south to southeast part of Siberut and the surrounding small islands. Along the coast, continuous, white sand beaches, magnificent lagoons, enficing mangroves and coral sea gardens all promise an exciting coastal adventure. Dolphins (Stenela longirostris) can be seen along the east coast. Other sea mammals such as digong (Dugong dugong) occasionally can be sighted near the sea grass by the mangrove along with three protected species of sea turtles.
Masilok Beach on the southern part of Siberut can be reached within an hour by a motorized boat. The island’s resort, dominated by coconut grows, a logoon with beautiful white sand beach, promising a very relaxing environment. The west coast breaks from Siberut island, connected only by sea garden and mangrove that lie side by side making it a unique experience for diving. Accommodation and fresh clean water are available. If you plan to travel to nearby islands, it can be arranged with local owners. In the south western part of Siberut lies Sagulubek Beach, with calm and clear waters making it ideal for wind surfing. In the northern part, Sikabaluan beach offers an excellent dip in warm water to soothe the soul.
TRAVEL ADVISORY AND REQUIREMENTS
• Before traveling to Siberut, it is advisable to take prophylactic doses of anti malaria medicine at least one week before departing for Siberut, and should be continued up to two weeks after leaving
• Travelers are also advised to bring sufficient supplies of medicine (antidiarrea and seasickness, first aid and antibiotics if possible)
• Wear a good pair of hiking boots, bring dry clothes, raincoats and flash light
• Respect local culture
• Leave no waste or garbage
Nias & Siberut Islands Of Sumatra: SIBERUT ISLAND TREKKING
This is a challenging trek through the jungle in the heart into the heart of the Siberut Island to meet the indigenous people of the Mentawai who live close to nature. A people in transition, these uncomplicated rainforest dwellers are struggling to maintain their traditional lifestyle against the paradoxes of modernization. The thick tropical rain forest of the island pleasant surprises await the adventures visitors. This trek is only recommended if you are prepared to accept very basic and often uncomfortable conditions.
Day 01
Arrive Jakarta. Meet and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02
Transfer to the airport for flight to Padang in West Sumatra. Upon arrival direct transfer to the sea port for an overnight sailing to Siberut, the largest island in the Mentawai Islands.
Day 03 - 06
Upon arrival in the morning at the port of Siberut Island, direct trekking into the island’s interior to explore the tropical rain forest of Siberut Island for 5 days; stunning views and beautiful jungles abounding with unique plant and wildlife and the chance to meet the people of Siberut. Overnights in the traditional family house of a local Kerei (medicine -man) and meals prepared by our own cook.
Day 07
Continue trekking to the south of the island to discover idyllic unspoiled white sandy beaches for swimming, snorkeling and beach combing.
Day 08
Leaving the Island by an overnight boat trip back to Padang. Upon arrival in the morning, transfer to a hotel in Padang for your accommodation. Rest of the day is free fore rest and relax. Evening farewell dinner with your guide team.
Day 09
Transfer to Padang for your flight return to Jakarta. Overnight at the hotel in Jakarta.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination or extend with other trips.
Nias & Siberut Islands Of Sumatra: NIAS ISLAND CULTURAL TOUR
This is a journey into the past. We explore the Nias Island to experience the extraordinary cultures of Nias People isolated for thousand of years; meghalitic stone altar, traditional architectures and complex of religious sites. We will enjoy their spectacular Stone Jumping, a frightening sport required great acrobatic skills as well as their Warrior Dance and many more …
Day 01
Arrive Jakarta. Meet and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02
Transfer to the airport for flight to Medan in North Sumatra. Arrive Medan in the afternoon, transfer to your hotel for dinner and accommodation. Rest of the day is free.
Day 03
Depart to Gunung Sitoli airport at Nias Island by flight and direct transfer by minibus to Teluk Dalam with lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at simple hotel with basic facilities.
Day 04
Full day tour visiting Bawomataluwo to experience the cultures of Nias People such as Stone Jumping and War Dance. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Teluk Dalam.
Day 05
Full day explore Tetegowo village and surroundings to see the megalithic stones.
Day 06
Free day at Nias Island.
Day 07
Drive back to Gunung Sitoli. Visit the traditional house at Tumori. Dinner and overnight at a simple hotel in Gunung Sitoli.
Day 08
Return to Medan by flight and directly continue by the flight for return to Jakarta. Overnight at the hotel in Jakarta.
Day 09
Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination or extend with other trips.
Source : www.adventureindonesia.com/nias-general.htm
June 6th, 2006
The Mentawai archipelago lies of the coast of West Sumatra and is administered as a newly formed regency, and as such has its own representative (Bupati), under the umbrella of the West Sumatran provincial government. The archipelago is internationally considered to have high conservation value based on its high levels of endemic fauna and flora and the unique living culture of its indigenous population. The population of the Mentawai archipelago is predominantly indigenous to the islands though it is the Minangkabau people from Sumatra who control local politics and economy.
The Indonesian national government’s push for national unity has, over the years, has seen deliberate attempts to undermine the integrity of traditional Mentawaian culture in favour of a more ‘modern’ way of life. The Minangkabau harbour a certain amount of disrespect for the Mentawaians and their lifestyle and rarely interact with them socially. Mentawaians have been observed to feel apathetic towards tourism development, as they perceive it as something over which they have little control and which brings little economic benefit to them.
The Indonesian government is interested in pursuing tourism in the Mentawai archipelago, the provincial government already having been involved in a failed joint venture to manage tourism in the islands. Under new autonomy laws affecting the Mentawais the Bupati has instituted a management plan, the Zone Agreement Permit (ZAP). Under the ZAP operators can apply for management rights of particular zones within the archipelago in return for collecting a levy from tourists within that zone.
Mentawai Wisata Bahari (MWB) is an Indonesian joint venture between the West Sumatran provincial government and local Minangkabau partners which was formed in response to provincial level policy decision in 1998 to develop Siberut as a tourist destination. MWB has a working partnership with Australian tourism operator Great Breaks International (GBI) and has been active with GBI in pursuing management rights for surfing tourism in the archipelago. Most recently MWB with GBI have claimed management rights over three zones in the archipelago.
Just over 30 live-aboard charter boats were working in the Mentawais over the last season (April-November). Tourism operators in the area are fiercely competitive; a great deal of animosity has built up between some rival operators. However, all operators claim to be dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of the surfing tourism industry in the archipelago, disagreements arise over what form management of the industry should take.
Non Government Organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been involved in promoting the conservation value of Siberut in the early 1980s and participated in a process that led to the declaration of Siberut A UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve. More recently a New Zealand based NGO, Surf Aid International has taken on the Mentawai archipelago as its maiden project in raising the well-being of local communities through the running of medical clinic and training of local staff.
Surfing tourists visiting the Mentawais though the surfing tourism industry may be seen as trying to experience the images of surfing perfection produced by the wider surfing industry. Of major concern to surfing tourists are crowding, concerns for health, and the quality of the natural environment.
Tourism operators, professional and academics provide a range of ideas for the sustainable management of the surfing tourism industry in the Mentawais. The major points of contention come from disagreements over the role of private operators in managing tourism in the archipelago, though all operators agree that management of some sort is necessary.
The Surf Travel Company’s Paul King advocated the introduction of a licensing system for charter boats based on guidelines developed by a charter operators association in conjunction with local stakeholders. The licensing system would involve a standard transparent licensing fees and process and would incorporate minimum safety standards of licensed boats.
Great Breaks International’s CEO, Rick Cameron advocated a wider plan of management based on the delegation of environmental protection to private industry, a surfing and environmental management plan, a fair tax on surfers, land based accommodation, and planning for the inevitable introduction of non-surfing tourism.
Wave Park Losmen’s Christie Carter is in favour of a surfing tourism industry controlled and managed by Mentawaians. He feels that capacity capping is unrealistic, but that control of the number of charter boats to a level of around 30 boats meeting minimum safety standards is necessary. Carter suggested the auctioning of these licenses by the Indonesian government including a certain number of licenses reserved for locally owned operations.
Tourism academic Ralph Buckley suggested the establishment of the Mentawai archipelago’s surf recreational capacity and the establishment of a management plan to enforce a capacity cap. Buckley also advocated the building of up-market land based resorts through the archipelago, which could then be used as the base for expanding into other forms of tourism. This is deemed necessary to provide returns to the local economy adequate to ensure the priority of sustainable tourism development over more destructive forms of development.
Tourism professional Dave Bamford stressed the potential for confusion to arise amongst local communities and government agencies as to exactly what is involved in surfing tourism, and why regulation of it may be necessary. Bamford observed that in many instances it has taken 10-15 years for local populations to catch up to foreign tourism operations and become a force in their own right. In order to aid this process it is suggested that government should demand the involvement of local populations. It was also suggested that cost based competition between operators may compromise the sustainability of operations.
Though there is animosity between tourism operators and some major differences in approach to the sustainable management of surfing tourism in the archipelago, these differences do not appear irreconcilable, indeed there is much common ground. The agreement of operators on the need for safety standards, limiting the number of charter boats to around 30 vessels, the establishment of greater links with the local economy, and support of the work of Surf Aid International should serve as a starting point for cooperation between operators to sustainable manage surfing tourism in the Mentawai archipelago.
Sustainable development is a term that was popularised by the 1987 report of the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development, The Brundtland Report, Our Common Future. The definition of sustainability proposed in the Brundtland Report and that adopted by this paper refers to the responsibility of the present generations to meet their needs in a manner which ensures that the ability of future generations to meet their needs is not compromised by irreversible resource depletion (Stabler and Goodall, 1996; World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). Sustainable development forms the basis for the concept of sustainable tourism (Swarbrooke, 1999; Weaver, 1998) Broadly speaking, then, sustainable tourism is tourism that aims to provide equitably distributed benefits (meeting the needs of current generations) whilst minimising the negative environmental and cultural impacts generally associated with tourism development: i.e. to combine development and conservation (Wild, 1994: p12).
Clarke (1997) traces the development of the sustainable tourism paradigm over time through four stages, and appears most concerned with the notion of scale, and the inclusion of mass tourism models and management practices in the sustainable tourism equation. Over time, Clarke suggests that the sustainable tourism paradigm has been reoriented since mass tourism and sustainable tourism were perceived as polar opposites based on scale (small = good; large = bad). Clarke contends that at this time sustainable tourism was considered to be the possession of small-scale tourism. The second stage, again based on scale, is described as a continuum between the extremes of mass tourism and sustainable tourism. According to Clarke, this was essentially a recognition that sustainable tourism’s use of mass tourism infrastructure, transport and reservations systems has often resulted in the development of tourism systems which, in the absence of careful management, can facilitate a slide down what was considered to be the slippery inclined continuum of sustainable tourism towards mass tourism.
Clarke (1997) suggests the third stage in the reorientation of the sustainable tourism paradigm, ‘movement’, developed in response to attempts to operationalise principles of sustainability in the wider tourism industry. No longer based solely on scale, sustainable tourism became a goal for all forms of tourism, but was largely interpreted as being concerned almost exclusively with impacts upon the natural physical environment. Finally, Clarke describes a convergence in mass and sustainable tourism through which small scale operators are able to apply the allegedly advanced environmental standards of their larger mass tourism cousins, whilst small scale tourism offers understanding of social aspects of sustainable tourism and the diversity at the local level between destination regions and the implications of this for management.
Swarbrooke (1999:p40) takes issue with the assumptions that sustainable tourism has been based on, suggesting that at the most fundamental level “sustainable tourism is, perhaps, an impossible dream, and the best we can hope for is to develop more sustainable forms of tourism.” Also called into question is the objectivity of much of the sustainable tourism debate. Swarbrooke sees the polarisation of tourism forms into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ as being value laden, unnecessarily divisive and unhelpful. Buckley (1999) highlighted difficulties in defining sustainable tourism given problems associated with defining ‘sustainable’, suggesting alternatively that it may be a more fruitful exercise to define what types of activity are unsustainable (Buckley, 1999, 1991). A similar line is taken by Clarke (1997: p229) in “accepting that the concept of sustainable tourism is still evolving, the absence of a precise goal definition is less important than a general movement in the correct direction”. Identifying the correct direction does, however, require some level of definition. Section 2.3 outlines principles of sustainable tourism which allow ‘the correct direction’ to be identified.
2.3 Sustainable Tourism Principles and Models
Sustainable tourism principles divorced from scale as a defining characteristic are presented in Bramwell et. al. (1996). These are summarised below.
• Policy, planning and management are essential responses to minimise negative impacts of tourism.
• Recognition of limits to growth.
• Long-term vision required.
• Sustainable tourism has more than just environmental implications. Also economic, social, cultural, political and managerial components.
• Concern for equity and fairness is a priority.
• Empowerment of all stakeholders in decision-making, and an awareness of sustainable development issues.
• An understanding of market economies, business culture and management, non-government organisations, and the values and attitudes of local communities will aid success.
• Conflicting resource use interests may require trade offs and compromise.
• Cost/benefit analysis must include costs and benefits to all stakeholders.
Swarbrooke (1999:p46) suggests that there are three equally important dimensions to sustainable tourism. Namely
1 the environment, both natural and built;
2 the economic life of communities and companies;
3 social aspects of tourism, in terms of its impacts on host cultures and tourists, and the way in which those employed in tourism are treated.
The components of these three dimensions are briefly discussed below.
Source : www.mentawai.org/jptm.htm
June 6th, 2006