If I were a tour guide,
I would take you to the stunning Raja Ampat Islands, it has only really been
discovered by tourism in the last decade or so. These days however, they are
probably the country's most-wanted diving and cruising destination, the
stunning scenery Probably the most publicized image of Raja Ampat is that of
the lagoon in Wayag, a spectacular group of rock islands in the extreme
northwest of the region.
Around Southeast Misool, at the archipelago's
opposite end, the scenery is if anything, even more spectacular. breathtaking
scenery can still be found there, too. Such as Kabui Bay and the Mayalibit Bay
of Waigeo, the "hidden bays" of Gam and Penemu offer similar rock
formations, with each one having its own, unique charm.
These are some activities we have in raja ampat,
such as:
1. Diving
& Snorkeling, This is what most people come to Raja Ampat for! Several
surveys by marine biologists have found that these islands, sitting right at
the heart of the "Coral Triangle", have the very highest marine
biodiversity in the World, with a profusion of coral and fish unmatched
anywhere else. There are now about half a dozen dive resorts scattered in the
islands, and most cruises also offer diving. Snorkelers, who should bring their
own gear, have it even better, as they can explore reefs pretty much anywhere,
unlimited by the existance of facilities.
2. The
mostly still pristine rainforests of Raja Ampat teem with exotic birdlife. The
most visible species are various noisy cockatoos and colorful parrots, many of
which are widespread in the rest of Papua and Maluku as well These include 2
beautiful species of birds of paradise, Wilson's and Red, a set of newly
discovered species on Kofiau.
Most people you will
meet in the islands' villages are Biakese, descended from early migrants from
the island of Biak in the Cendrawasih Bay off northern Papua. They now
outnumber the various smaller ethnic groups native to these islands, who live
scattered mostly on the larger islands of Waigeo, Misool, Batanta, Salawati and
Kofiau. Traditionally, these islands have also had close links with Maluku, and
mixing with people from there is very obvious in the features of the coastal
people of Misool and Kofiau in particular.
