Island of New Guinea

This attraction is related to the countries:IndonesiaIndonesia , Papua New Guinea

New Guinea is the second largest island in the world after Greenland, with Indonesia owning the western half and Papua New Guinea the eastern half. This island is a rugged jungle and wild tribes in this era of supersonic airplanes and stock market crises. A world of people without clothes, money or electricity – a world rapidly receding under the onslaught of civilization, a world we will lose forever in a few years. Thrill-seekers from all corners of the planet flock here to witness the disappearance of the last prehistoric culture.

.

The minerals found on the island – gold and copper – have turned the west coast area near the town of Timika into one big mine, the largest in the world. Indonesian authorities, concerned about overpopulation in Java, have introduced a migration program to help the poor find work and shelter in coastal Papua. Along with the “new Papuans” come Islam, clothing, rice paddies, goods and money, while the traditional Papuans retreat from the coast to the interior of the island or assimilate into an unfamiliar life. But it is those who did not wish to change the spear for a shovel, and are the most interesting for tourists arriving on the island. Their sphere of attraction is the valley of the Baliem River and areas of the National Park “Lorentz.”

.

Jayapura

The official capital of the province and at the same time its largest city stretches along the coast of a beautiful bay. Almost all tourist roads lead here in one way or another. The local airport in Sentani village (Sentani) receives Garuda and Merpati airplanes from Jakarta and Denpasar with stopovers at intermediate points (from $140). The cheapest way to get to Jayapura by air is to take an Efata flight from Surabaya for $120. Tickets for sale have been spotted at Jakarta and Surabaya airports, but the regularity of flights and their safety are shrouded in a fog of obscurity. A ticket from Makassar costs from $110.

.

The sea journey is long and repetitive. Pelni ferries spend about 5 days traveling from Surabaya (ticket $60 -110).

.

The coveted permit (surat jalan) to visit the central parts of the island can be obtained directly from Sentani, but if you want to see as many areas as possible, including the most remote Merauke (Merauke), it is better to go to the police department of Jayapura. Staying in Jayapura itself, as well as in the other major cities of Sorong and Timika, does not require a permit, but the hotel owner is obliged to make a free registration. It would not be unreasonable to photocopy a few copies of your passport, registration and permit to hand out to the inspection authorities. Such precautions are put in place to keep track of foreigners who may allegedly be kidnapped by Papuan rebels demanding independence.

.

There’s not much to do in town especially, but there are stores with food, hotels and internet. Tourists trekking through tribal villages should buy freeze-dried food and water, mosquito repellent, batteries and other small things, for it will be much more expensive or impossible to get back later.

.The border with Papua New Guinea runs 70 kilometers east of the city and the border crossing to the Papuan town of Vanimo is open. There are no other ways to enter the neighboring state. A visa can be made in Jayapura, but it will take a very long time – from 5 days to 2 weeks.

.

Wamena & Baliem valley

The narrow valley, squeezed on both sides by mountain ranges and inhabited by Papuan tribes, is the most popular with tourists. The best time to visit is considered the dry season from March to August, when the trails are not eroded by rain.

.

Wamena is the last civilized point before the realm of primitive wooden huts and sweet potato yams for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food and drink prices here are higher than in Jayapura, but at least they are available for sale. The town is noisy and dirty, there is nothing to see in it, but it is a convenient starting point for trekking in the valley and flights over the ridge to the floodplain of the Baliem River, to the Karwai and Asmat tribes (by missionary airplanes). Wamena has a bank with currency exchange, a tourist information office and a medical aid station on Jl. Trikora Street.

.

From Jayapura, there is a daily Merpati Air flight and Trigana Air cargo planes that sometimes take passengers. Return tickets must be purchased at the Merpati office (Jl. Trikora, 41) as soon as you arrive in Wamena.

.

Biak Island (Pulau Biak)

A beautiful island with gorgeous beaches where Papuan jungle conquerors like to vacation. It is located near the northern coast of the province and has regular air service to Jakarta by Garuda and Merpati. Many flights from the central regions to Papua land on Biak.

The island was the scene of bloody battles during World War II. To this day, the hulks of tanks, guns and shipwrecks attract tourists and diving enthusiasts. The island is also famous for its stunning nature and stone megaliths. Various excursions and dive trips are organized by the travel agency “RT Biak Wisata Tours” in the main and only town of Kota Biak (Jl. Selat Makassar), where there is an airport. The best beaches occupy the south coast, on either side of the capital. To the west, tourists enjoy the white sand and clear water of Adoki and Yendidori, while the eastern part is favored by divers. There are minibuses all along the coast.

.

The Indonesian government has an insidious plan to build an international spaceport on Biak. Vladimir Putin himself, who signed a partnership agreement a year ago, volunteered to help in their intentions to pollute this beautiful island on the equator. The day is not far when the beaches and hotels will be filled with our drunken builders with cheerful conversations like “Again these s…, b…, b…, x…, e…. “the concrete didn’t arrive!” Hurry to this paradise island before it’s too late!

.