At the eastern end of Indonesia, precisely in West Waigeo, Raja Ampat, West Papua, there lies exotic nature. The natural wonder is known as Wayag Island, the main icon of the majestic Raja Ampat. Here, tourists’ satisfaction in ‘shopping’ splendid natural portraits are guaranteed, worth remembering for years.
In the 383,013.3-hectare island, tourists will have their eyes flew open to a chain of islands. The iconic part of the Island is its sea with dazzling color gradations caused by different depths of the ocean. It is as if shades of blue color palette lie before the eyes.
Tourists can see ripples of the clear water in a very shallow ocean. The color of the water in this area is almost the same as the island’s white sand beaches. It can be apparently seen that the region is a coastal area with shallow waters. The sun rays shining through the waters allows tourists to see behind the crystal blanket-like water.
As getting farther from the shoreline, Wayag waters present different colors. The waters’ color slowly turns into green, a sign that the shoreline has left behind. The greenish color is produced by millions, or perhaps billions, of phytoplankton or microscopic plants, that are invisible to the naked eyes but microscope. The existence of these nano-wonders is vital for Wayag ocean.
Phytoplankton have chlorophyll to capture sunlight and turn it into energy, then convert water and carbon dioxide into organic compounds. This photosynthesis process is the life support for the entire waters as it produces oxygen, which is said to have contributed to half of oxygen for all living creatures on earth. These countless plants are also a source of food for zooplankton in the marine food web.
As you sail away from the beach, the green color of the waters slowly fades into turquoise, from its bright to dark shades. Turquoise which is a combination of blue and green is the distinctive color of the deep ocean. The color change indicates that you are beginning to enter deep water.
It is pleasing to the eyes to witness the sombre color of Wayag waters from green to blue hues. The wind sweeping through the surface of the ocean controls the waters and sways them into waves. When seen from the top of Wayag Hill 1, tourists will see it as a tapestry fluttering in the sky, like a magic carpet owned by Abu Nawas in Arabian Nights.
But even more mesmerizing, the tapestry of the blue sea seems like sapphire. To lovers of precious gemstones, sapphire is the rarest of all, which is often collected by queens and kings around the world. The gems are usually affixed to crowns, rings, or scepters as a royal symbol. One gem weighing 392.52 carats worth billions of rupiah.
As precious as the sapphire for its rarity and charm, so is Wayag for its blue waters that can never be found anywhere else on earth, combined with its stunning universe. Going on a vacation to Wayag is a luxury, a noteworthy experience throughout the life of oneself.
Tourists can hike Wayag Hill 1 to enjoy the scenery of sapphire rug. No one will wonder that at the end of a very lush tropical forest, there will be exquisite tropical ocean paradise. It presents as a soul restorer, a remedy for depressed souls from urban life. The calming sensation of a great blend of peaceful forest and ocean can only be achieved when exploring Wayag 1.
The journey through Wayag Hill 1 will make you see yourself as a true adventurer. Since the first step, tourists will be instantly treated to a dense tropical forest of Papua, which holds rich diversity of tree species. Your sense of smell will be intrigued by the scent of the ocean combined with the aroma of tree roots and wet soil of the forest.
Wayag Hill 1 is indeed created only for tough adventurers. It has an uphill and long path that requires great stamina. Fret not, tourists will not be in scorching heat when trekking across the forest. Yet the uphill and steep road will be pretty exhausting and leave you a little bit breathless.
Climbing the karst hill of Wayag 1 that soars as high as 120 meters also requires an unyielding mentality. For many, stepping on the hill road is impossible without complaining. Yet curiosity about the beautiful peak that is often shown up on social media fights off distress over the tiring, long journey that seems to never end.
The sight of lush trees, sea breeze, and crashing waves will accompany you during the 45-minute walking and help wash off your fatigue. The peaceful road begins to climb leading you to the climax: the paradise portrait of the renowned Raja Ampat. The feelings up at the hill will bring out smiles and laughter instantly. The exhaustion is paid off completely and turned into a meaningful trip.
Wayag HIll 1 offers a highly distinctive view. Small islands are scattered like mushrooms circling a hill. Besides, the natural portrait is unmatched as tourists can clearly see the ocean color gradations almost without a hitch. It seems that there is no wrong photo angle at the peak of Raja Ampat’s paradise.
Many ways lead to Wayag Hill 1. Tourists hailing from Jakarta or other big cities can land in Sorong Airport then choose to ride Dorolonda, Labobar, Mount Dempo, Sinabung, or Tatamailau ships which provide regular trips to Wayag. The trip will take two to four hours.
On a shiny day, tourists can spend a long time pampering the bare skin of their feet by stepping on the sand around Wayag 1 beach. Setting foot on the sand is a remedy for exhaustion after a long walking. The beach has no fishy smell. Thus relaxing on the beach is a natural therapy to recharge your energy and spirit. As people who have visited Wayag Hill 1 say, “There is no unattractive place in Wayag 1. Likewise, choosing to climb the hill will never be the wrong decision.”
