"Tanah Papua, Tanah Yang Indah.. Surga Kecil Jatuh ke Bumi " or in English "Papua is Beautiful Land. A miniature of heaven felt down to the earth" is some part of the emotional Papuan song "Tanah Papua" sang by Edo Kondologit (one of the famous Papuan singer). It is surely came from the fact of natural beauty, clear air, lovely scene and calm for relaxing that the nature is provides in Papua. Mountain, ridge, rivers, beach and sea are enormously rich and beauty. Here is my story about one piece of that beauty I'd captured during my August 2017 trip to South Sorong District of West Papua Province.
Kali Sembra.. Yeah... It is the object i meant. I was here for couple of hours enjoy the fresh water of this river after long three days project discussion. This was my 2nd experienced swim in this river after the 1st try I did in 2008. But for sure the feeling is still same. Sembra has growing become one of the most visited tourism sites in South Sorong. The green, blue, fresh clean water and coloured by the tight primary forests in around the rivers has blessed the river and the visitors with relaxing feeling and panoramas. The current of the river is also calm so it seems friendly for kids.. I found few kids were playing and swimming in the rivers it this trip.
Infrastructure Building
As the new tourism destination, the river seems got special attention from local government. Public facilities and infrastructure are built. There are several bungalows for rests, the rest rooms and a wall by the river for relaxing. Roads are also smooth and easily accessed from the city. The position of the rivers just few meter beside the main roads of South Sorong - Sorong has geographically strategic to attract the people to visit the river.
There is entrance fee charge for the visitor by local guide for Rp 5,000 per person. If you use a car usually they will charge you additional parking fee for Rp. 10,000,- per car. When i asked the guide where this money goes, they said it is for the land owners and for the maintenance of this tourism sites infrastructure. For me these fair prices compare to the beauty of the rivers and its environmental services we are enjoy here.
How to Get Here?
If you are traveling to Sorong - the transit city to visit Raja Ampat, it is just 3 hours by car through the smooth road heading to Teminabuan, South Sorong. The river is located in Srer Village, Seremuk about 3 KM before you reach Teminabuan if the can is coming from Sorong. Administratively this village is part of South Sorong District, West Papua Province.
But of course the price for hire a car is quite expensive for me. It is about 1,5 million rupiah for one trip. There is also regular car that cost you Rp 250,000 per person which means to visit to return trip you need to prepare Rp. 500,000. I usually recommend the visitor to hire the full day car in Sorong, which usually cost about Rp 1,000,000 without the driver or Rp. 1,250,000 include the driver. Usually we have to pay for the fuel to. So if you chose to do this way you just need to prepare at minimum 1,5 million rupiah for one day trip.
Accommodation and Food Nearest to the River
Some people are also though it was a long tired trip with 6 hours driver return trip so more often to looks for the accommodation nearest to the river. Of course as the new growing city, in Teminabuan there are several option of hotel and home stay that you can chose. Says Mratua Hotel, Sengget Home Stay and Hotel Nusantara that located in the central city. The rooms are okay for one night stay.... In this trip I was stayed in Sengget Homestay with cost for Rp. 350,000 per room per night.
Foods prices is also affordable. But be sure you try "Ikan Sembilan" the swamp cat fish and "Kepiting Teminabuan" or mud crab that become the icons of Taminabuan. Fresh vegetable and fruit you can easily find in the local market. Thease are always become my chosen foods when I travel to South Sorong. But be sure you get the place for cook the crab because usually the restaurant here in Teminabuan not serve this local crab in the menu list.
