Travelling Into A Remote Area In Indonesia

by alif Hazmi Istifazhuddin (Indonesia)

A leap into the unknown Indonesia

In 2017 and 2019, I have got a chance to empowering Indonesia countryside from the Ministry of Social Affairs RI through a program name 'Pendampingan Komunitas Adat Terpencil'. It was a big chance that cannot be described. I came to a new place, met new people who came from different ethnics, learned new things, and seen the different daily life of the endogenous society there that I have never seen before. In 2017, I was placed in Kolaka, South East Sulawesi. I met with new people from different ethnic, far from home and the coolest thing I lived in the countryside, exactly at protected forest area name 'Taman Burung'. In Taman Burung there is a large savanna, where I could see many species of animals which I only saw in the zoo. I also met with some ethnics which usually I saw in the books and the internet, such as Bugis, Tolaki, and Mornene ethnics which are the original ethnics who live in Sulawesi. There, I enjoyed the natural tourism such as the shortest river in the world or the beautiful beach. There is some beautiful and untouchable beach in Southeast Sulawesi. I also could see the night sky which full of stars, enjoy the sunset at the Savanna, see the eagles went home, and monkey’s and deer’s horde which running around the forest. It was my first experience seeing the animals live in wild nature in Southeast Sulawesi. There is a famous traditional dance in Southeast Sulawesi name 'Malulo' dance. This dance is performed during the wedding party. Some of the society implied this dance as the dance to looking for soulmate. Normally they were holding hand in a circle while dancing, and if there are two or more person with the same gender, the opposite gender might stand between them. This dance is accompanied by Sulawesi Dangdut Music. There are no much differences in 2019. I was placed in Maluku, exactly at Aru Island. Thru the sea which adjacent to the Indian Ocean, where the place I was located in nearby Australia rather than the capital city of Maluku. When I came to its river, I saw so many types of animals such as The King's Parrot, Cassowary, Partridge, and Estuarine Crocodile. I also got a chance to meet the indigenous ethnic there, followed their daily life such as hun, saw the making of Papeda (The traditional food of Aru ethnic), danced and sang together. Habitually, they greet a new person with the traditional dance which accompanied by the traditional musical instrument 'Tipa' and flute. There is also a famous drink name Sopi drink which is a drink in a traditional event. It was my first experience to board using a small passenger ship in Aru Island which has deafening sound. I also experienced to see the jellyfishes once the ship’s machine was broke down. Not only that but also I enjoyed the moment in the middle of the sea with a cup of coffee and saw the sea turtle swimming clamly. Given a chance to go to Maluku, it's not perfect if I didn't visit Banda Island, which has Banda Neira as the one of famous destination there. Besides Band Neira which has many historical buildings such as Belgica Fortress or Mini Castle, I also visited Run Island; a small island which can be reached by using a boat from Banda Besar. It took for about two hours sail. Run Island is famous for its history. This island ever being exchanged with Manhattan Island by England and Netherland people before the independence of Indonesia. The reason it 's being exchanged was the island has many spices and an exotic seascape. It can be seen from the visitor which come every day. They come from other countries, even from France. They come every year by using cruise. Having a chance to travel around Indonesia and learning new things is an incredible experience. Even though the region I was placed still has no electricity and internet, I am happy with what I’ve got there. It means a lot for my life. Hopefully, I also get a chance to travel the world with World Nomads. That’s all from me, Thanks.