Raja Ampat Festival | bandatourism.blogspot.com

The unspoilt splendors of Raja Ampat will be presented to the world through the Raja Ampat Festival and Travel Mart scheduled to be held on Waisai Beach from 20 to 23 October 2011. Entering its second edition this year, the festival continues to be an essential program of the district government of Raja Ampat aimed to promote this fascinating underwater paradise, pristine natural environment, enchanting cultural traditions, and all of the undiscovered wonders of Raja Ampat.

The Raja Ampat Festival and Travel Mart will feature various activities including art and cultural performances, nature and underwater photo competitions and exhibitions, and seminars on diving and underwater photography. During the festival, spectators will also get a chance to participate in post tour activities including diving, snorkeling, village tours, and bird watching. One of the highlights of the festival is a demonstration of traditional boating skills that has been passed down from generation to generation, which is the traditional way of Seafaring for the Papuan.

Among some of the Papuan traditional arts and cultural performances are the Lalayon Dance, Woor Dance, Lenso dance, Yospan Dance, Gemutu Dance, Akar Bore Dance, the War Dance, the Angin Mamiri Dance, Kuda Lumping Dance, and the Suling Tambur traditional flute and percussion performance.

The event also features an Expo and Travelmart that will bring together all tourism stakeholders and present all the tourism products and potencies of the region. This is an excellent opportunity where buyers and sellers of tourism industries can meet face to face and make contracts. The occasion will also be an opportunity for information exchange and to learn more about what Raja Ampat has to offer.

Raja Ampat or ‘the Four Kings’, is the name given to the islands Located off the northwestern tip of the Bird's Head Peninsula on the Main Papua Island. The four major islands found here are Waigeo, Misool (which is home to ancient rock paintings), Salawati, and Batanta. Underwater enthusiasts flock to this region because it offers the world’s best marine sights. In the Raja Ampat islands, divers can explore vertical underwater walls. The thrill of drift diving is another great challenge. These and the fascinating art and cultural performances are the awesome experiences you will find as you attend the Raja Ampat Festival.

If you are flying from Jakarta, you can take a six hour flight to Sorong with a stopover in Manado. Alternatively, you can join a diving tour in Bali and fly from there. Flying from Jakarta/ Bali to Sorong, with connecting flights in Makassar or Manado are offered by Merpati , Express Air, Batavia Air, Lion Air, Wings Air, Silk Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Pelita Air. There are daily ferries available between Sorong and Waisai, capital of the Raja Ampat district on the island of Waigeo. Ferries leave Sorong at 13.00 hrs and the journey takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The return ferry from Waisai to Sorong leaves around 11.0 am. There are also speedboats for rent at Sorong.

Presently on Saonek Monde, a Tourist Center and harbor are being constructed. In the near future there are plans for three resorts to be built on Nyandebabo, and Batbitiem, Waiwo, and Waigeo Selatan Islands. In the meantime visitors can stay at the Sorido Bay Resort, Kri Eco Resort, Island Camps, and boathouses.

For More Information, please visit: http://festival.gorajaampat.com/