Get Your Paradise at The Edge of Papua, Raja Ampat.

The mind wanders and a beautiful painting emerges in imagination. The open sea with neatly arranged coral islands welcomes a few playful dolphins. The blue sky merges with the beauty of waves caressing the white sand on the beach. Fresh air gently blows, guaranteeing the natural coolness of lush tropical forests. The sound of seagulls singing and rejoicing in this breathtaking view. Beneath the water, various colorful fish dance around living corals. This is a real paradise on Earth.

Raja Ampat Piaynemo. Source:Pixabay

The description of this beautiful place is not a dream; it is all real and truly exists. It is none other than Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua, Indonesia. This archipelago at the northwest tip of Papua Island is widely known as a "gold mine" for adventure seekers. For local and international divers, Raja Ampat is considered an indescribable paradise. The only way to prove these statements is to come and experience the "pearl" at the tip of Papua.

The cluster of coral reefs is the main characteristic of Raja Ampat's surface. The view that awaits us when we explore Raja Ampat is truly a hidden paradise in eastern Indonesia. The beautiful cluster of islands known as Piaynemo. The relatively calm and friendly waters of Raja Ampat give a refreshing and stunning blue scenery. The famous clear and beautiful sky of Raja Ampat. The coral islands in Piaynemo.

Raja Ampat is a regency and part of West Papua Province. To reach this archipelago, one must first set foot in the city of Sorong. Usually, travelers use flights to reach this city. After arriving in Sorong, one can use a fast boat that usually sails twice a day to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat regency. The journey takes only about 2-3 hours from Sorong harbor to Waisai harbor in Raja Ampat.

Generally, Raja Ampat is an archipelago consisting of many coral islands spread across its vast territory. However, Raja Ampat has four main large islands: Waigeo Island, Batanta Island, Salawati Island, and Misool Island. These four large islands serve as the starting points for the distribution of the entire population of Raja Ampat, mostly engaged in fishing. The marine area is the main attraction of Raja Ampat, considering that the waters of Raja Ampat are one of the top 10 best marine areas in the world. This is based on various studies on the richness of flora, fauna, and marine biodiversity that Raja Ampat possesses.

Raja Ampat Sea Scenery. Source: Pixabay

An international conservation report once mentioned that Raja Ampat's waters contain about 75% of the world's marine species. Moreover, the marine and terrestrial areas of Raja Ampat, which cover an area of 4.6 million hectares, are home to 540 species of corals, 1,511 species of fish, and thousands of other marine creatures. Hence, with all these advantages, it is no wonder that Raja Ampat is currently regarded as the most beautiful underwater paradise in the world.

Not only its rich underwater nature, but Raja Ampat also has many fascinating attractions above its sea surface. There are numerous beautiful beaches scattered throughout the Raja Ampat islands. Generally, these beaches have white sandy texture as fine as flour. Moreover, there are many islands with high cliffs in Raja Ampat. Even some places like Piaynemo, Teluk Kabui, and Wayag have gained worldwide fame even before they were known within the country. The lush tropical forests are also equally captivating, and there are some places like Sawinggrai Village or Saporkrein Village that offer an unforgettable experience of seeing the bird-of-paradise up close. As we know, the bird-of-paradise is a rare and beautiful bird native to Papua often referred to as the bird of paradise.

Not yet done with its natural wealth, Raja Ampat also has various unique and fascinating cultures and arts. Several villages in Raja Ampat have established themselves as tourist villages, one of which is Arborek Village. This small island village has a plethora of arts, ranging from traditional dances, Sinole food made from sago, to unique pandan leaf weavings typical of Arborek, passed down through generations. Arborek Village is just one of the villages with its own uniqueness.

Various historical remains are also found in the islands, which have a connection with the Sultanate of Tidore in Maluku. These include some residents who have royal blood from Tidore, historical remnants of World War II, and even caves with prehistoric human hand paintings scattered throughout Raja Ampat. Learning about the uniqueness of Raja Ampat seems to have no end, and this is what makes the archipelago so prosperous until today.

With such rich natural, historical, and cultural wealth, Raja Ampat has left the world in awe. Now, Raja Ampat has become one of the famous tourist destinations in the world. However, due to limited access, reaching Raja Ampat requires a considerable cost. Nevertheless, there is no need to worry as Raja Ampat continues to improve itself by providing various facilities for all people. Accommodations, from expensive resorts to small and affordable motels, are easy to find in Raja Ampat. Tourists just need to be wiser in preserving this beautiful archipelago, so that its beauty can be enjoyed by generations to come.

In conclusion, the beautiful and charming nature of Raja Ampat is inseparable from the legendary stories that have been believed and passed down by the local communities. Allegedly, the name "Raja Ampat" comes from seven eggs found by their ancestor woman. Four of them hatched into four princes who later became the kings of the four largest islands: Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool. The other four eggs turned into ghosts, a woman, and a stone. This tradition has been believed by the local people as the origin of the establishment of Raja Ampat. Although it may be difficult to believe rationally

If we explore its meaning, the nature of Raja Ampat is a sacred place, just like a kingdom that must be preserved from destruction and ruin.