Do you know about Sauwandarek Tourism Village? There is no doubt that Papua has worldwide charm where its beauty has been recognized in the world. Papua has hundreds of exotic destinations which become targets for both local and global tourists. One of the most famous attractions in Papua is located in Raja Ampat. The charm of the culture and its landscape is awesome. It makes Raja Ampat as the dream tourist destination for travelers.
Sauwandarek Tourism Village
Not only its underwater exoticness which becomes an attraction, but also the uniqueness of the village. One of the unique villages in Raja Ampat is Sauwandarek Tourism Village. This village is located in the west of Waisai, the central city of Raja Ampat. Total population of the village is approximately 179 people in 46 families.
They are famous for their skill in weaving pandan leaves into various things. The local wisdom of this village is fascinating. The houses of Sauwandarek residents are very traditional and simple made from wood and roofed with leaves as well as straws. This view makes the village look more special.
To get to Sauwandarek village, tourists can take land or air transportation to Sorong, Papua. From here, tourists can take a motor boat from Sorong Fishing port to Wasai. There are two alternative ships from Sorong to Wasai. First alternative is using a speedboat that will take 2 hours to Wasai.
The second alternative is taking a local government ship but it will take longer, up to 4 hours to Wasai. If the tourists have arrived in Wasai, next trip to Sauwandarek village will use ajang boat. The trip will be fun because you will be accompanied with a natural view along the way.
When arriving in Sauwandarek village, you will find that the local residents are very friendly. You will also be greeted by the natural environment around the village where you can feel comfortable to stay in. There are many activities you can do in this village such as diving or snorkeling. These activities are suitable since Sauwandarek is famous for its beautiful corals and underwater life. Well, here are some things you need to know and you can do during your visit to Sauwandarek village.
Sauwandarek’s Famous Handicrafts
Once you arrive at the village, you will immediately find that they are friendly to the visitors. Besides, they have fascinating skills in weaving pandan leaves into more economically valuable items such as caps, bags or locally called noken and many more. These items are affordable. Most tourists buy these unique items as souvenirs.
In addition, the visitors will also be able to learn to make these handicrafts with Sauwandarek’s moms. The population in this village is not very dense. There are only 46 families living in the village. They are also known to be very friendly to the visitors. These things make the village interesting to visit.
Yenawyau Lake
One of the popular attractions in Sauwandarek Tourism Village is the presence of Yenawyau lake. Although it no longer has a cave that connects Yenawyau lake and the sea, this destination is still popular because of its panorama. For the local residents, this lake is sacred. There are myths that have circulated in the community about white turtles living in the lake.
People believe that visitors who are able to spot the white turtles, will get lucky. However, you do not need to worry if you have no chance to spot this special creature. There, you are able to see Maleo Waigo, an endangered endemic bird in Raja Ampat which is protected by the local community.
There is also a pier that is located 25 kilometers from the lake. In this pier, tourists can enjoy natural scenery. It becomes a must visit place where the tourists can spot one of the special yet endangered bird species, Maleo Waigo.
Advent Church
There is a church in this village as the location of a religious center. It is the Advent Church that is dominated by ivory white color. The church can be reached by walking from the pier. It is not far from the pier. The tourists can also find another simple building behind the church. It is the only school located in Sauwandarek village, Adventist Elementary School which has only 3 main classrooms.
Diving and Snorkeling
The most popular way to explore marine and underwater life is snorkeling or diving through the waters around the village. This location is in the Dampier strait that provides several diving points. In addition to enjoying a variety of stunning natural scenery, there are so many marine life creatures that can be spotted.
They are mini seahorses, mantis shrimps, mandarin fish, yellow tail, blue ring octopus, and snapper. Other marine species can also be spotted when diving such as tuna or even barracuda fish. For tourists who have never felt the sensation of diving, they can learn with the guidance of professional divers as well.
Fish Feeding
Another uniqueness in Sauwandarek Village is the attraction of feeding fishes. There are dozens of wild fish living on the beach. Those fishes will instantly swarm as the food spreads on the beach. This can be a rare opportunity that should not be missed when visiting this village. To feed the fishes, the tourists can buy fish food from locals for Rp.50.000 and enjoy the experience of feeding wild fishes directly at the beach!
Well, tourists do not need to worry when visiting and staying in this village. The manager of his destination has provided various supporting facilities for visitors so that visitors can still feel sensation during the vacation. Some of the facilities available in the village are meeting hall, public toilets, culinary, restaurants, meeting hall and photographic spots.
Places in Papua will never fail to surprise and impress anyone who comes to explore them. There are so many attractions that can be visited to spend vacation in this paradise. If you plan to have vacation, Raja Ampat should be on your list. You can explore pieces of paradise on this island and get unforgettable vacation experiences. When you visit Raja Ampat, please stop by Sauwandarek Tourism Village and explore all of the attractions here.
Author: JS
Travel Vlogger, Journalist,
