Raja Ampat, The Hidden Paradise

Located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia's West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau.

Raja Ampat Regency is a new regency which separated from Sorong Regency in 2004. It encompasses more than 40,000 km² of land and sea, which also contains Cenderawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province) of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. Some of the islands are the most northern pieces of land in the Australian continent.

The name of Raja Ampat comes from local mythology that tells about a woman who finds seven eggs. Four of the seven eggs hatch and become kings that occupy four of Raja Ampat biggest islands whilst the other three become a ghost, a woman, and a stone.

History shows that Raja Ampat was once a part of Tidore Kingdom, an influential kingdom from Maluku. Yet, after Holland invaded Maluku, it was shortly claimed as a part of the kingdom of Holland. The main occupation for people around this area is fishing since the area is dominated by the sea. They live in a small colony of tribes that spreads around the area. Although traditional culture still strongly exists, they are very welcoming to visitors. Their religion is dominantly Christian.

Come to paradise, come to Raja Ampat...

Exotic Butterfly

There wings are stretched wide,

fluttering around the flower,

A Butterfly gently lands on a leaf,

They possess a certain power.

Orange, gold, and some are yellow,

Some fly slow and some rather fast,

Always they put on a show of color

that makes this warm feeling last!

They take flight and move with such grace,

It's fascinating to see how they land,

I enjoy watching one blend in,

As it sometimes greets my hand.

Some of them will fly in pairs,

while others remain alone,

There are some that appear quite small,

And yet there are some that seem full grown!

I have been told that they don't live long,

Most only live several days,

It is such a wonder of nature,

As I watch as a new one stays.

They love to grace our gardens,

We love to watch them go by,

I am so lucky to have them around me,

As they are flying low and high!

There goes another one,

It stopped to delight me again,

Always lifting my spirits,

Colourful Birds

My little birds are so sweet
Perhaps, it's true their not so neat
What such joy
they bring each day
One look at their sweet faces
erases any traces
of sadness away
Little angels in disguise
Who could doubt that they are wise
How do you correct the little creature
When their antics resemble a comedy feature
With a will so strong, I admire
Independence they desire
When dinner is over , the day is gone
Tomorrow will begin with a soft sweet song
This endless love I must relate
Is truly an act of heavens' fate