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A place closest to heaven

A place closest to heaven
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I have no idea how this place escaped my aqua blue water radar but I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to explore this amazing place. I now have a new No. 1 favourite destination in the world.

Keterangan Gambar (© Pemilik Gambar)

The Raja Ampat Islands are an Indonesian archipelago off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua. Comprising hundreds of jungle-covered islands, Raja Ampat is known for its beaches and coral reefs rich with marine life.

After arriving at Raja Ampat Dive Lodge it was straight off the boat and into the water for a swim in the warm tropical waters. It was so refreshing and I didn't want to get out but it was almost time for sunset and I wasn't missing out of photographing the crazy sunsets that you get in the tropics.

Tropical sunset bliss, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Tropical sunset bliss, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

 

The next day we jumped back on the boat and headed to Pianemo which was the No. 1 place I was so looking forward to seeing on this entire trip.

Pianemo

Raja Ampat is famous for its coral Islands and the most famous being Pianemo. The water surrounding these islands is clear blue and the perfect temperature. All of the islands as they are still in there raw, untampered state which is nice to see. The quantity and variety of marine life here is so great that scientists have described this area as a biological hotspot and believe that the reef systems here act to restock reefs throughout the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

View from the top of Cape Star, Pianemo, Indonesia
View from the top of Cape Star, Pianemo, Indonesia
Views to the other way at Cape Star hill, Pianemo, Indonesia
Views to the other way at Cape Star hill, Pianemo, Indonesia

 

Our group stopped at the Cape Star hill which gave us views over the islands that make up a star as you can see in the picture below:

After enjoying this amazing view we jumped back on the boat and headed over to the main Pianemo lookout. Climbing about 250 steps gets you to the top of the coral island that overlooks a huge area of Pianemo. There are two viewpoints from the top of this hill and they are breathtaking.

Views from Pianemo lookout, Indonesia
Views from Pianemo lookout, Indonesia

 

Mansuar Island

After lunch visited the other side of the island that we were staying on - Mansuar Island - for some snorkelling. When we arrived at the jetty there were kids everywhere swimming in the clearest water I have ever seen. They were having so much fun - even with the simplest thing like a foam box.

The gorgeous kids of Mansuar Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The gorgeous kids of Mansuar Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

 

After having fun with the kids it was time to leave and quickly make our way by boat to Sawinggrai Village to catch the sunset.

Sawinggrai Village

Sawinggrai village has 36 families and is famous for the Bird of Paradise (not the plant like we have here in Australia, but the actual bird!). The Red Bird of Paradise is the special icon of the village of Sawinggrai.

I didn't end up seeing the Bird of Paradise while I was there but I did witness another magical sunset.

Sunsets at Sawinggrai Village, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Sunsets at Sawinggrai Village, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

 

Pasir Timbul

The next day we caught the boat to a destination that now has been placed No.1 on my list of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

When the boat pulled up and anchored in the ocean and I looked out the window I couldn't believe my eyes. I honestly don't think my photos do this place justice. It truly is the closest thing to paradise that I have ever experienced.

 Famous Indonesian singer songwriter Budi @budidoremi__ welcoming us with song, Pasir Timbal, Indonesia
Famous Indonesian singer songwriter Budi @budidoremi__ welcoming us with song, Pasir Timbal, Indonesia
Floating around in paradise! Can you spot us? Photo by @_danieltran_
Floating around in paradise! Can you spot us? Photo by @_danieltran_
Trying to get my last fix of this amazing place, Pasir Timbal, Indonesia. Photo by @_danieltran_
Trying to get my last fix of this amazing place, Pasir Timbal, Indonesia. Photo by @_danieltran_

 

I really didn't want to leave Pasir Timbal but the tide was coming in and unfortunately we had to leave.

Raja Ampat Dive Lodge

We headed back to Raja Ampat Dive Lodge for one more amazing sunset, one more swim and one last group dinner.

Dan and I making the most of our last afternoon in Raja Ampat. Photo by @lauraalycebel
Dan and I making the most of our last afternoon in Raja Ampat. Photo by @lauraalycebel

 

Three days spent exploring this amazing part of the planet was so much fun and three days I will never forget. I cannot recommend this place enough and you should add it to your bucket list. I am so thankful that I got to experience this paradise.

Written by Larissa Dening

Indonesia.travel

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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