Heading East: Sorong Selatan

A solid wish, well said a year ago, "I want to know more of my country, especially East part of Indonesia, eventually Papua/West Papua." I've always been a big believer that dreams do come true, of course with the three must-dos: detailed it, say it, walk toward it.

I reached Ambon, Sorong, Sorong Selatan, Manokwari and Kaimana. I conducted fieldwork in Sorong Selatan and Kaimana for four days each, and a discussion session in Manokwari.

Here's a tiny bit of the trip. Hope to be able to come back here and share more with you.

Approaching Sorong Airport, Oct 28th, 2012

Sorong Selatan used to be a sub-district of Sorong District. Since 2003 it has been a new District. Many parts of the road are surrounded by lush forest/bush on the right and left side of the roads (not with buildings). Each morning there is a long queue in this one gas station in town. From our car, we can see people walking (long distance) from one village to the other.

Roads are not smooth. No regular public transportation, no local newspaper/printed mass media and no phone signal in some parts of the district. Yet, the nature is amazingly green, clear blue sky and such a wide area consisting of valleys, coasts and mountains.