Baliem Wamena, Papua Pieces of Heaven on Earth Masterpieces Indonesia.

"I do not need money thousands
I want a red money cepe'an
I do not need position
What is important there is still land tuk eat "

"Hey,., Yamko Rambe Yamko,., Aronawa,., Ombe
Hey,., Yamko Rambe Yamko,., Aronawa,., Ombe
Hey ngino kibe kumbano kumbu beko
Yumano kumbu awe ade "




It is a piece of slang song titled Baliem, probably not much that we know Baliem Wamena Papua was like. We know Baliem instead of the song may be very familiar slang that we hear constantly.

Baliem Wamena Papua is a piece of paradise from Papua who fell to earth, Baliem valley that is located right in the heart of the island of Papua holds incomparable scenic beauty. It is located amid the hills, thus making the climate here is so cold at night and hot during the day.



Lucky I was able to Baliem Papua, we are here together with the winners Djisamsoe Masterpieces Indonesia. cultural event which is held every year Djisamsoe, before going our team briefing Masterpieces Indonesia given what should and should not be done here.

Not only Bali or Lombok, but almost all islands in eastern Indonesia has a wealth of beautiful natural masterpiece that makes local and foreign tourists amazed. Papua one of them, in the easternmost province of Indonesia's diverse tourist attractions are spread almost every area. Papua Wamena Baliem are exotic, so maybe that is the minds of everyone when they first set foot in the village Wosolimo Baliem Papua Wamena district. Natural charm at night with a temperature of only 10-15 degrees Celsius reinforce the belief that the leading tourist attractions in Papua is indeed completely unspoiled.



Baliem Valley is located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level in the mountainous Jayawijaya with exotic natural scenery. Grand Baliem Valley, so the place is often called an original residence Dani. In addition dani tribe, a valley that has a length of 80 kilometers and a width of 20 kilometers is also inhabited by other tribes, namely the tribe Yali and Lani tribe with a population of over 100 thousand inhabitants.



For tourists who like the culture, festival Baliem Wamena Baliem Papua could be performing well as an amazing travel experience. Briefly festival Baliem tells the story of a triangular war between Dani, Yali tribe, and the tribe Lani. It is said that this festival is a symbol of fertility and prosperity which is illustrated by a power struggle between tribes. Baliem Valley Festival has become a tradition passed down from generation to generation and still continues today.



For tourists would be enjoying the festival Baliem because the event was held for 3 full days. This unique festival is held every year in August to coincide with the anniversary of RI. Baliem Valley Festival was first held in 1989. Interestingly at the opening of the festival always begins with a war scenario. With exotic natural scenery combined with unique local cultural performances, able to make Baliem Wamena Papua as tourist destinations most sought after by foreign tourists.



To reach the Baliem Valley and enjoy the charm of nature and culture, the tourists might need a pretty exhausting struggle. Although not isolated location yet to reach the valley Baliem Wamena must transit a few times. First the tourists have landed in Jayapura first. Next trip will continue to Wamena using multiple flight options that Manunggal Air, Trigana, Yajasi, Hercules, AMA, or MAF.


For tourists who have limited funds are advised to bring supplies of food when visiting the Baliem Valley. Because all the prices are still very high in Wamena, including the price of staple foods and ready meals. As an illustration, the price of goods in Jakarta, the price doubled in Wamena. Short said the prices in all regions in Papua is still very expensive. This is quite reasonable because the distribution of goods to Wamena still use air line. In other words there is no access by road which connects elsewhere, including to the Papuan capital of Jayapura.

Great loss if visiting Wamena Papua Baliem without taking photos fun. Not only the natural scenery and cultural performance festival Baliem which could be a target camera, but here the tourists can take pictures with a native of the Dani tribe. If you want to spend a few days in the Baliem Valley, to the south of the city of Wamena stand a "Baliem Valley Resort" are ready to accommodate the tourists who want to stay.

Heaven on Earth Raja Ampat Papua.

Photography by Barry Kusuma
www.barrykusuma.com

Kabupaten Raja Ampat letaknya terpencil di Papua Barat. Kawasan ini menyimpan sejuta keindahan bawah laut. Wisata bahari Raja Ampat dikenal sebagai salah satu dari 10 wisata menyelam terbaik di dunia.
Pesona dan kekayaan alam bawah laut, menjadi andalan Kabupaten Raja Ampat menembus persaingan dunia pariwisata di Indonesia dan dunia. Kawasan ini dikenal sebagai pusat sumber daya alam tropis terkaya di dunia
Kabupaten ini memiliki 610 pulau. Empat di antaranya, yakni Pulau Misool, Salawati,Batanta, dan Waigeo, merupakan pulau-pulau besar. Dari seluruh pulau, hanya 35 pulau yang berpenghuni. Pulau lainnya tidak berpenghuni dan sebagian besar belum memiliki nama.
As an archipelago, the only inter-island transportation and supporting community activities Raja Ampat is sea freight. Similarly, to reach Waisai, the district capital. When using aircraft, first to the city of Sorong. After that, from Sorong trip to Waisai followed by sea transport. Means available is a fast boat with a capacity of 10, 15, or 30 people. It costs around Rp. 2 million, Waisai can be reached within 1.5 to two hours.

Raja Ampat is a new district in Indonesia. Remote area located in West Papua is only seven years old. In fact, the infrastructure is inadequate. To achieve the Raja Ampat, tourists have to fly to Sorong then along the sea as far as 71 miles to arrive in Raja Ampat.

Although it is still early age, Raja Ampat foreign tourists can suck as much as 5 thousand people per year by 2009. The target, tourist arrivals reached 6 thousand in 2010.

"Last Dinosaur" from Papua

Indonesia is home to 6 of 7 species of sea turtles in the world. Two of them are the leatherback turtle and Ridley Turtle. Two endangered species are often found in Beach and Beaches Warmon Jamursbamedi in Abun Conservation area, Papua. Beaches had become the largest nesting place in the Western Pacific. They come and lay eggs throughout the year.

It is very encouraging when I had the opportunity to follow the journey of Sea Turtle Conservation Team World Wild Fund of The Nation WWF in Papua in spawning season. The goal is to monitor the turtle and leatherback turtles.

Together the group, at 07.00 WIT, I depart from the Port of Sorong Fisheries using speedboats headed turtle nesting beaches in the area of ​​Conservation Abun. Precisely at the beach and Warmon Jamursbamedi located about 200 kilometers from the city of Sorong. The weather was quite sunny morning. We deliberately leave early because of the length of the trip and had to race with the waves of the sea north of Papua.

Travel to the location where turtle nesting is not an easy matter. There are no other alternatives along the stretch of the sea "Bird's Head" Papua than by sea travel.

After taking time for 10 hours, we were riding speedboat which eventually landed in the village of Wau Abun Sorong District. Villages with a population of 36 families this is the location closest to the beach and Jamursbamedi Warmon.

We do not immediately find a turtle that we seek. To monitor the presence of sea turtles return must continue our journey by speedboat for 2 hours to Jamurbamedi, while Beach was forced Warmon we could not reach because of high tides and waves were too big.

Please note, these two beaches is known as a turtle nesting site that is still natural. With white sand and hot temperatures, is suitable as a turtle laying eggs, to hatch into hatchlings. According to local residents, had already visited two beaches turtles since hundreds of years ago.

Unlike decades ago when people can watch the turtles lay their eggs in the daytime, now turtles can only be seen at night. Therefore, we still have to be patient to wait for nightfall. It was around 10pm. Turtles are very sensitive to light, so we were only armed with minimal lighting. Accompanied by a flashlight and starlight we began to explore the seashore Jamursbamedi along 18 kilometers.

So the search began. To facilitate the search usually spread Turtle Conservation Team patrols at some point of turtle nesting sites. By way of identifying their tracks when it rises to the land and back into the sea. Traces when stepped onto land and back into the sea can be distinguished from the former front fin movement. In that way, where turtles lay their eggs could be found.

Two hours later, we were able to identify traces of turtle weighing 70 kilograms which will spawn. We also began to observe the nesting process to complete. Starting from determining the location of their nests to go back to sea. Turtle runs with the front fins as far as more or less 10 meters from the beach, then with the dorsal nest turtle began to dig a hole as deep as 60 centimeters. It took about 40 minutes to remove 80 eggs at a ping-pong ball. and then closing the nest with sand.

Before returning to the sea, sea turtle nest or nest camouflage tricks to fool the predators such as humans, lizards, and wild boar. Usually just a former undercover nest twist front fins which is about 2 meters from the original nest.

In addition to observing the process of laying, we also mark the turtle with the installation of metal tags and take skin samples for genetic sampled. Search the evening finished with a female turtle to the post to be installed satellite transmitter on the next day.

Search for second night continued. Like the previous night, we tried along the east side of Beach Jamursbamedi. The hope to see leatherback turtles. In Warmamedi area about 5 kilometers from the observation post, we finally found the turtles weighing nearly half a tonne with a length of 2 meters up to the beach and lay eggs. This is the leatherback turtle. Turtles commonly dubbed the "last dinosaur" that is the only turtle with no shell on his back. His skin resembles a prominent striped star fruit. The color is black with white spots.

To monitor the turtle, we use a device called an ordinary transmitter mounted on the backs of turtles. Specialist installer of transmitter from WWF Turtle Conservation Team, I Made Jaya Ratha says, made for easy installation of the transmitter to monitor the movement and know the migration routes of sea turtles. Moreover, this turtle's life cycle at sea 99 percent, so it is not visible.

From the results of monitoring at two nesting beaches were until now unknown, Ridley Turtle migrate around the Arafura Sea. Whereas leatherback turtle is a turtle that has the ability to roam far and most capable menepuh travel up to 6,000 miles in one year more.

In Indonesia, the leatherback turtle laying eggs on the beach only Jamursbamedi and Warmon. They are going to migrate in all directions, down to the Solomon Islands Papua, heading south to the Kei Islands in Southeast Maluku, to the north beyond the Philippines to Japan, and crossed the Pacific Ocean to the west coast of California.

Since 2003, at least 22 leatherback turtles and 13 endangered turtle has been fitted with satellite transmitter that sends a signal every turtle surfaced. During the nesting season in April through September, by monitoring sea turtle conservation efforts carried out in the morning and evening by the patroller. Usually monitoring is done by walking along the beach. They are local people involved as patrols and trained personnel to maintain and monitor sea turtle eggs.

Each turtle nest eggs will be marked patroller to find out how many turtles come and lay eggs to keep safe from predators such as monitor lizards, wild pigs and humans. Even if you need to do a relocation or removal of turtle eggs.

Actually, why conservation and monitoring of two species of sea turtles in Papua it is very important to do? Barnabas Wurlianty, Project Leader, North Papua Managment leatherback Habitat World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said the area is an important region with a population of sea turtles come to lay eggs, and is the only place that its population is high with a long nesting beaches , especially in northern Papua. Although in the United States, Mexico and India also have turtle nesting sites, but the population is relatively small. So is the beach area penelurannya.

According to Barnabas, 20 years old this tertakhir turtle populations in the Pacific, which is a solid point of this reptile, dropped dramatically. From the World Wild Fund notes WWF Indonesia, during 2008, nearly 5,000 turtles landed there. Whereas leatherback turtle is estimated only about 2,000 are left. In fact, two decades ago is estimated to reach 30 thousands of turtles and the region itself was found to be 13 thousand nesting sea turtles.

Many factors threaten the sustainability of the leatherback turtle population and the Lion on the north coast of Papua. Cause, among other wild hunt and fishing nets that often occurs in high seas areas, natural predators, and abrasion.

But the man turned out to be the biggest threat. They eat and to sell eggs and meat. Even activities that damage the beach where sea turtles lay their eggs resulted in the failure of eggs to hatch. Conditions that put the turtle in Papua is the most endangered sea turtle population in the world. Leatherback turtles entered the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources (IUCN). That is, the animal has the highest extinction risk.

Not to mention the very low hatching success. From about a thousand sea turtle eggs, only one survived into adulthood. So, turtle conservation efforts began actively conducted WWF by involving local communities. Communities were given the understanding of the importance of protecting sea turtles. They are understanding the importance of turtle conservation in their region.

Turtle conservation in Papua is originated from aerial surveys in Cote Jamursbamedi in the 1980's. That moment is known that the first time how important coastal habitats such as the leatherback turtle and the Lion. Along the 20 kilometers of coastline was discovered more than 250 female turtles come to lay their eggs each night at the peak of spawning season.

The largest nesting place in the Pacific

Leatherback turtle conservation and turtle have significance for fish, human and industrial fishermen. As predators of jellyfish, leatherback turtles and Dark be able to set the balance of jellyfish populations in the sea. If the jellyfish population excess, then he will prey on fish larvae, so that fish populations become threatened. Consequently, turtles are important for sustainability should be maintained.

To ensure the protection of nesting beaches for sea turtle populations in the Pacific leatherback sea turtles in particular in order to remain stable or increase, protect it from excessive exploitation and protect the habitats of importance in Jamursbamedi and Warmon, made a deal with by making two nesting sites namely Jamursbamedi and Warmon as Regions Marine Conservation Area (KKLD) Abun.

Earlier this territory into the realm of the Sub-Institute for Natural Resources Conservation Papua BKSDA I Sorong as a wildlife area. Apparent support turtle protection is strengthened by the setting KKLD Abun through SK Bupati Sorong Decree No. 142 of 2005 which establishes marine areas and coastal districts as KKLD Abun. In the decree that included broad beach that reaches 169 thousand hectares, from the coastline to land that is more than 5 km.

Abun KKLD is one KKLD on the island of Papua who have special specification namely the establishment of this area are based because this area is the largest leatherback turtle nesting area in the Pacific. Thus, protection of water areas as routes of migration and protection of coastal areas and forests disekitarnyanya a priority.

Abun KKLD in admintratif located within the District territory and the District Abun Sausapor Sorong Papua. Head of Conservation and Coastal Fisheries and Maritime Affairs in Sorong, Linder Rouw said efforts KKLD determination was carried out for turtle nesting habitat is maintained. It is driven by local government awareness of the importance of Sorong regency for the sustainability of the region's largest turtle in the world.

Abun KKLD is one instance where an appreciation of the turtle protection should be given to all sectors, both to the government, communities and educational institutions, academics, and NGOs.

As one of the largest nesting area in the Pacific and as a region important for the sustainability of the world's largest turtle, Cote Jamursbamedi and Warmon become the only hope to keep the turtles from extinction.

Papua (Indonesia) – Primitive Tribes

Papua (Indonesia) – Primitive Tribes – Today canibals

Kombai man – warrior Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

There are now many well-known topics unmistakably linked to Papua – “the island of curly people”: tree people Korowai, Kombai, and the Yali mountain tribe. There is the Wano tribe, which is famous for manufacturing stone axes. It lives in the Jalime area, which lies in the basin of the Mamberamo River. We can’t omit the legendary Dani tribe, and the famous Asmat tribe of cruel cannibals.

Papua Kombai – Papua tree people, Kombai still practice ritual cannibalism Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

The Baliem Valley was discovered in 1938, when Richard Archbold spotted it from an airplane. Not earlier than 1954 did the first missionary Lloyd van Stone parachute into the area. In 1961, in an expedition lead by Rokefeller Jr., the son of a New York state governor, disappeared into the mangroves of this area. He and the members of his expedition were never found.
The last cases of cannibalism were only recently recorded. In 1968 two missionaries (Australian Stan Dole and American Phil Masters) were chopped and eaten. During Christmas 1974, four Dutch families were killed and eaten by aborigines in the Jayawijaya Mountains. The last known case was a killing of a priest and his twelve companions. It allegedly happened because they tried to ban the aborigines from hunting for skulls and they burnt their fetishes. This tragic event happened in 1976 almost in the end of the twentieth century. This is a very recent history of the New Guinea Island.

Korowai tribe – Papua tree people, still in a war with the neighbouring tree people tribe Kombai Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Papua Kombai – Kombai as well as Korowai still practice ritual canibalism in the time of war Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo – Papua – the forbidden river

Mysterious Mamberamo

The Mamberamo River is situated in the east-west forest of Papua. For many years this area has been almost totally closed off. Many maps mark the basin of the river Mamberamo as „Strictly prohibited territory“.

Mysterious Mabreamo Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo crocodiles Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo, Mamberamo, Mamberamo… it nags at my mind all the time. The closeness of the area evokes curiosity and desire for more knowledge. Why is it so? Why is Mamberamo so guarded? Is it because crocodiles are hunted there? Is it because of the dangerous aborigines? I don’t like unanswered questions.

Mamberamo River Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

In 2004 we organized an expedition into the Mamberamo territory. It succeeded. We managed to contact the right people, get acquainted, and finally obtain the unobtainable permits. We are there. We headed towards the mountains, and sailed up the river. At the end of our expedition, we find the warriors of the Mamberamo River. The success of this expedition challenges us to return! Mamberamo enriched our voyages with new possibilities. Only there did we find what we had been searching for the ten years of our expeditions in New Guinea.

We have tips concerning several promising areas in the vicinity of Mamberamo River.

Our trips to Mamberamo fall into the category of first contact expeditions. It is not actually the first contact with people living in this area, because missionaries operate here as well. However, tourists get there very rarely and we want to penetrate areas which are outside the sphere of influence of the missionaries anyway. These might be a real first contact expeditions with everything you might expect from it. Are you prepared for the challenge?

Mamberamo – West Papua – Vano Tribe – stone axe makers  – Harrers´Ja-li-me

Mamberamo – Vano Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com(Papua guide)

Mamberamo – Vano Photo©Petr Kožela

Mamberamo – Vano Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo – Vano Photo©Petr Kožela

Mamberamo – Vano Photo©Petr Kožela

Mamberamo – Vano tribe Photo©Petr Kožela

Vano tribe is one of the best manufacturers of stone axes not only in the Mamberamo area, but also in the whole Papua. It is said that the stone that they use, is one of the best kinds to be found on the entire New Guinea Island.
On this island lies the legendary village Ja-li-me (The spring of stone axes). Heinrich Harrer writes about this village in his book “Coming from the Stone Age”. Up to the present day Wana men wear kotekas, and women wear skirts made of grass.

Mamberamo – Vano breaking rock by fire. The stone will be used to manufacture axes.Photo©Ja­hodaPetr.com (Papua guide)

The tribe still produces stone axes. It is fascinating to observe how they choose the right place in the dike of the stone, and how they use fire to quarry it. They erect primitive scaffolding, and they more or less shin up on it. Then they build a small platform below the streak, and pave it with flat stones, finally building a fire on them. The rock has to be heated for almost a whole day, until it cracks and gives away to a block consisting of several dozen kilograms of stone.
No sooner than the next day does the difficult and lengthy treatment of the future stone axes begin. The stone has to be broken first. This process begins by throwing a big stone on a block, which was previously cast loose from the rock. Then they proceed by smashing (cleaving) the stones into the approximate shape of the future axe heads. In the end, the stone is sharpened against other stones (or sometimes by them).
This is one of the very last places where you can actually see how stone axes are made. Perhaps this is the last place in the world where production of stone axes is an every day event. For how long will this custom preserve? How long will it take till the stone axes will be replaced by more powerful steel axes or perhaps chain-saws? I would like to say that it will happen in the distant future, but I would be lying…
Ja-li-me (The Spring Of Stone Axes) and Vano tribe which Heinrich Harrer writes about are still there. Vano tribe lives its traditional way of life and Vano tribesmen manufacture their stone axes in the very same way which was described by Heinrich Harrer in his book. New photos that we have made during our expeditions in the third millenium are very similar to those brought by Heinrich Harrer in 1962. We have reached the same Ja-li-me as he did some fourty years ago. However, we have managed to reach the tribe in much simpler and safer way.

West Papua – The warriors of the Mamberamo river

The warriors of the Mamberamo river wear skirts with a „tail“ in the back, and cone-shaped grass hats decorated by casuar feathers. They are always armed with unusually large bows and arrows.

Mamberamo people Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo people Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo people Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mamberamo people Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

How many photographs of these tribesmen have you seen? Certainly there weren’t many of them, since these are the warriors of the forbidden river, of the Mamberamo River.

Mamberamo people Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

They hunt big crocodiles; this is the reason why they have to wear bigger and stronger bows, and more robust arrows than other Papuan people. Their different outfit should perhaps resemble a casuar, a big cursorial bird resembling the ostrich, which it actually hunts.
One can only note: strange clothes, strange people, and a strange, mysterious river named Mamberamo, on the strange New Guinea Island, in an even stranger area, Papua (Irian Jaya).

Unbelivable place:"Only in Papua"

New Guinea Island and west Papua (Irian Jaya) are one of the last places on Earth, where it is still possible to meet the primitive people of the Stone Age. Yes, it is there where most people live like it was still a Neolith Era. They use stone and bone tools, they hunt with bows and arrows, …

Chief of the Kombai tribe – most primitive tree people on Papua – Irian Jaya. A tribeman repairing a stone axe) Photo©JahodaPe­tr.com (Papua guide)

Mrs. Jitka in the Tree people territory – Kombai tribe – most primitive tree people on Papua – Irian Jaya Photo©Roman Heř­man

Unbelivable? Not there. It is actually quite common. You can join one of our expeditions and see it with your own eyes. You have a unique opportunity to go there with us to convince yourself that it is possible to travel back in time.

Paradise of wildlife adventure (Biak)

Biak is still a relatively unexplored island as far as flora and fauna are concerned and is designated (along with nearby Superiori Island) as a Nature Reserve. Although the rainforest has been disturbed by war during recent history, without regular observance of its natural history there are ,almost surely, new species to be discovered. It is a unique place with at least seven endemic bird species; a paradise for birdwatchers and you could still be lucky enough to see all the endemics and a lot more in one day.  There is plenty of very reasonably priced hotel accommodation to suit all pockets and car hire is also possible. To make things much easier you can also hire a car with a driver and guide. Boat trips can be arranged from the Padaido Hotel  to the offshore islands and longer trips to Yapen and Numfor are also possible. However it is possible to reach Yapen by air. A trip through the coral reefs is also worth taking for those who may wish to see the Blue-spotted Rays, lobsters and other tropical fish.
Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Geelvink Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta geelvinkiana Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sancta
Black-backed Butcher Bird Cracticus mentalis Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica Claret-breasted Fruit-dove Ptilinopus viridis Geelvink Pygmy Parrot Micropsitta geelvinkiana
Biak Paradise Kingfisher Tanysiptera galatea Long-tailed Starling Aplonis magna Bird Watching Biak