SENTANI LAKE WHERE THE SIGNS OF LIFE FLUORISH

Have you ever heard about Papua, if you do, how about the more specific thing? Have you ever heard about Sentani Lake? The most famous lake in eastern Indonesia island which is 'Danau Sentani'. The lake that located in Jayapura Regency.

I have visited Sentani Lake on July 8th, 2017. My first time step in a place they called Harapan Village that located in Khalkote Cove, District of East Sentani, Jayapura Regency, Province of Papua. I was surprised back then. The natures are so fantastic beautifully, I was lived in Jayapura but haven't seen this views before.

Sentani Lake provides the lake itself and islands. There are several islands that located at the center of Sentani Lake. The most famous island is Asei Village. In this village, the villagers mostly are artists. They made a fascinating painting from bark, the colors and other materials are acquired from nature. Asei has some little island that surrounded the main island.

I have met Alexis, the driver of the boat and the local occupation of Ayapo island as well. He said that in main Asei Island, there is the oldest Christian Church in District of Sentani called Philadelphia Church.

Alexis also said besides Asei Islands, there is one bigger island than Asei called Ayapo Island. The island that located next to Asei main island.

Alexis, Ayapo's residents

Villagers who used the main transportation

Some tourist who boarded along with me and my friend

To get there from downtown takes 30 minutes without traffics. You can commute or use private vehicles, like me drive my own motorbike from downtown. The distance around 15 Miles. It's not big deals have a travel in Jayapura because there are no significant obstacles with the traffic.

That's it?

Not only the views, the Local Government of Jayapura has planned to conduct 'Sentani Lake Festivals'. Marvelous performances are presented in this yearly event. Many tribal dances and arts are exhibited. The event has started in 2007.

Unfortunately this year, I wasn't watching the festival that already conducted this year on June, 19th - 23rd 2017.

Back to the Khalkote Cove. There are many options for the tourist to take a tour by exploring islands. Firstly, the tourist can rent a speed boat (wooden boat) that owned by local residents or board a big boat that provided by Department of Transportation, Jayapura Regency Government. Big boats named Onomi 1 and Onomi 2. My friend, Charles Kora who working in Department of Transportation, Jayapura Regency, said that the boat probably operates only in regular days (Monday to Friday).

Wooden boats that owned by local residents can be rent for only Rp. 10.000 round trip.

It's cheap enough for the short trip. You can be anchored to those islands that I mentioned earlier if you request the driver. It's so fun and cheap having traveled in Jayapura, the place who provides Natural Beauty.

First time aboard this thing, stay calm, enjoy to explore

Greatest tourist attraction I have ever seen, Khalkote Cove