Sahul Sunbird in Minahasa Highland

Male Olive-backed Sunbird

After guiding tourists across Sulawesi, Ternate and Halmahera islands, I decided to go back to Minahasa for a 5-day birding and sightseeing tour in its highland and lowland with base in Sonder town. It was a very nice trip. I saw more interesting birds. Some of them were Turquoise Warbling Flycatcher, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Scops Owl, Cattle Egret, Hair-crested (White-eyed) Sulawesi Drongo, Slender-billed Crow, Chestnut Munia, Pale Blue Monarch, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, and a lot more.

There were small birds that I saw too. One of them was Sahul Sunbird (formerly called Olive-backed Sunbird). This little bird could hover in the air like a helicopter or dragon fly. I hadn't had an opportunity to shoot him while he was hovering. Two days ago, I saw him feeding on the nectar of papaya flower. He was quite close to me and I was able to take a picture of the bird.
If you are interested in visiting North Sulawesi for birding and sightseeing, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180

Also read:

• Birdwatching Tour in Minahasa Highland
• Wildlife Trip in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland

Mansinam Island and its Tourism Attractions

Mansinam island

Early Works of European Missionaries Started Here 

Mansinam is seen as the Island of Civilization. On 5 February 1855, three German missionaries, C.W Ottow, and J. G. Geissler landed on Mansinam island to introduce Gospel for the first time to the indigenous Papuan people. Although they and their successors faced a lot of hardships, and challenges finally they could spread the Good News to most of New Guinea. Now, most of the population are Christians. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims gather in Manokwari to celebrate 5 February as the Gospel Preaching Day.  There street parade where Papuan tribes wear traditional costumes and perform traditional dances along the main streets of Manokwari city. This event attracts a lot of domestic and international tourists to Manokwari.

Visiting Mansinam Island
Visitors who go to Mansinam island can see foundations of the old church, school, dormitories, houses, well, cross monument and museum that were used by the missionaries and the earliest Christians who lived there. For those who are interested in nature, they can go hiking to the top of Mansinam to see a giant Jesus statue that stands on 4 concrete pillars that look like Papuan drums (tifa).

Walking Track that Circles Mansinam

The Forest
Most of Mansinam is still covered with tropical rainforest that is the natural habitat of a lot of species of plants, butterflies, beetles, reptiles, wild flowers and sweet cherry trees (called gersen) and birds. Exploring the forest is very easy. Visitors can walk along the concrete track that completely circles that island. The best time to explore the forest is in the mornings and late afternoons where birds and butterflies are more active. Bring binoculars and a good camera to take pictures of the forest, and its wildlife.
The concrete track is also good for anybody who likes jogging.

The Coral Reef
The underwater world of Mansinam is also beautiful. There is a huge coral reef area located in the southern coast of Mansinam. Tourists who stay there for several days can enjoy snorkeling to see a lot of species of fish such as grouper, damselfish, moorish idol, butterflyfish, parrotfish, anemonefish, boxfish, sea star, sea cucumber and turtles. Don't forget to bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to enjoy snorkeling in the island.

Mansinam Island

Booking

If you are interested in visiting and staying in Manokwari and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180

Birding in Raja Ampat Karst of Kabui bay

Birding in King karst of Raja Ampat

There are a number of karst formations in Raja Ampat. Some of them include Wayag, Piaynemo, Insouduwer, Misool, and Kofiau. They attract thousands of tourists every year. There is a karst formation in the region that is suitable for birding activities. Its name is Raja Karst.

Last week I organized a tour to Raja Karst for 3 foreign visitors who were from the United States. We went there by a motorized outrigger boat to see the beauty of its marine landscape and the wealth of its birdlife. As we entered the waters of Raja Karst, I asked the boat driver to lower the speed of the boat. A Striated Heron (Butorides striata) that was standing on a rock looking at us. As we moved deeper into the karst formation, we saw some Rainbow Bee-eater, Rainbow Lorikeet, Torresian Crow, Pacific Swallow, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Beach Kingfisher, and Lesser Frigatebird, Willie Wagtail. We also saw a Spice Imperial Pigeon (Ducula myristicivora) flying over our boat and landed on a tree. 

Red Bird of Paradise

The karst islets were a very rich habitat for avifauna. They were located in remote area and far from the influence of human activities. I highly recommended this site for birders who want to see water and lowland and hill forest birds of New Guinea.

We also did several hiking in Waigeo island to watch Red Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea rubra), and Wilson's Bird of Paradise (Diphyllodes respublica), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Hooded Butcherbird, Palm Cockatoo, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Great Cuckoo Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Great-billed Parrot and etc.
If you are interested in birding and snorkeling in Raja Ampat and wants me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Jungle Tour in Sorong Regency of West Papua

I have been organizing tours for tourists to tropical rainforest of  Sorong regency for years. The destination is Klasow valley located approximately two hours by 4WD car from Sorong city. A lot of tourists take wildlife tour to this forest before or after their trip in Raja Ampat.

Rainforest in Klaimis area of the valley is the habitat of various species of unique and beautiful birds such as Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and etc.

Wildlife Watching Tour in Sorong regency of Indonesia

There are also mammals that we could see in the forest including cuscus, fruit bat, possum, dorcopsis, bandicoot, echidna and long-fingered trike. 

Klaimis forest of Klasow valley is also the habitat of colourful butterflies such as Ulysses Butterfly, Blue Tiger Butterfly, Common Green Birdwing, Silky Owl, New Guinea Clipper and etc.

So far most of the guests who visited the valley were from western countries such as the United States, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Germany and etc. Some came as a single travelers while others came as couples or as groups of three up to six people. More visitors are coming as more information is uploaded into the internet about the Klasow valley and Tambrauw mountains.

a Swiss tourist with the background of
tropical jungle of Klasow valley

The Rainforest

The plants that grow in Klasow valley are typical vegetation that is usually found in the lowland and coastal area of New Guinea. Big trees such as ficus, large conifer Agathis, and iron wood, and various species of palms live side by side with rattan and other vines or climbing plants.

There are also sago trees which the indigenous people process to make flour. Sago is the staple food of Moi tribe who live in the region.
Wildlife Watching
Tourists go to Klaimis forest of Klasow valley to see the rich bio-diversity of tropical rainforest that is the natural habitat of wallaby (a kind of small ground kangaroo, bandicoot, cassowary, wild pigs, sulphur crested cockatoo, goliath cockatoo, blyh's hornbill, goshawk, kingfisher, golden myna, dollar bird, pinon imperial pigeon and a lot of other birds. Colorful butterflies can also be seen in the area too. Birdwatching can usually be done from mornings until evening. Nocturnal bird such as Papuan Frogmouth can sometimes be heard calling from distant trees. At night, jungle walk can be carried out to see wallaby.

Accommodation for visitors in Klaimis forest of Sorong regency

Where to stay
Most of the tourists who visited Klasow valley stayed in homestay in Klaimis forest owned by villagers. They are made of wood. There is clean water installation and a simple toilet.

Cost: On the average the cost per person depends on the number of participants and how long they plan to stay in the forest. The cost must cover transportation by 4WD car, local guide, food, and basic accommodation in the jungle village.

Booking:
Please, contact my email: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing the following button:

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Regency
• Wildlife Tour in Klaimis Forest of Sorong Regency

Snorkeling at Warduwer Beach in Southern Waigeo of Raja Ampat Islands

House Reef at Raja Ampat Paradise Resort

A beach resort is being prepared in Raja Ampat. It will be ready in 2019. It has got house reef that is very good for visitors who are interested in snorkeling, and scuba diving.
I went there yesterday to enjoy freediving at the drop-off area of the house reef. I was accompanied by a villager who provided his canoe as a floating platform for me. It was approximately 10.00 A.M. when we pushed the outrigger canoe into the sea. We moved slowly to the reef whose distance was only 60 meters from the beach. After we were on a safe depth, I got into the boat and sat on the forward bench.  I began to wear the swimfins and snorkeling mask. The brand of snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and swimfin) was Whale. It was not the best in town but it was a very good quality brand whose prices were more affordable.

Marine Life at Raja Ampat Paradise Resort

We paddled too fast. I did not realize that we had been in deep water. I told the canoe driver to move back. When I saw the drop-off reef, I slowly got off the canoe and immersed my body into the water. The visibility was very good. I could see the marine life up to around twenty meters. Fish were everywhere thriving among hard corals.
I used Nikon W300 to take pictures of the coral reef. Its shooting mode had been set into fish one. I did my first dive to a depth of around 7 meters. There were surgeonfish, wrasse, parrotfish, butterflyfish, moorish idol, soldierfish, sweepers, anemonefish, staghorn damsel, and a lot more.
After freediving for about fifteen minutes, I returned to the canoe to take a brake and tried another camera the Fujifilm XQ2. I also applied some shampoo on the surface of my snorkeling mask to eliminate the fog that covers the glass. After that I rinsed it with fresh water. I wore the mask again and returned to the coral reef. This time the mask became clearer again. I helped me a lot in finding my target fish.
I wanted to compare the results of my underwater photos taken by two different cameras. The ones taken by Nikon W300 had higher contrast whereas the ones taken by Fujifilm XQ2 were less contrast but had more details.
If you are interested in snorkeling in Raja Ampat and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.
Where is Raja Ampat?
Freediving Pictures from Waigeo island
Snorkeling and Birding in Raja Ampat Karst