Biak
Biak, a town built on the rocky soil of an island of the
same name on the rim of Cenderawasih Bay, is Irian Jaya's
gateway. A big Indonesian naval base, it has an infrastructure
that is better than in most other places in the province.
Japanese caves are found near Ambroben. There are some good
beaches on Biak island, the most popular of which are Bosnik
on the east coast, which is good swimming and sky-diving,
and Korem on the north coast, where one can watch young
men dive for pearls. Supiori Island, just north of Biak,
has a recreation forest and villages where visitors are
welcome.
Kasuarina Cape
Named aher the big casuarina trees which grow in the area
Kasuarina Cape is just two kilometers from Sorong town on
the Bird's Head peninsula of northern Irian Jaya.
Good for swim ming and recreation.
The Asmat
The Asmat people who live along the remote southeast coast
around Agats are famed for their artistic "primitive"
woodcarving. Modern civilization did not reach this area
until recently. Agats has an interesting museum filled with
woodcarvings and other objects. The area, however is still
largely untamed widerness. Asmat crahs received a boost
in the late 1960s under a United Nations supported project
to encourage local craftsmen to keep alive their art.
Jayapura
Jayapura is the capital and the biggest city of this easternmost
province. It is a neat and pleasant city, built on the slope
af a hill overlooking the bay. General Douglas Mc Arthur's
World War II quarters still stand here. The Museum Jayapura
is located inside the Cenderawasih University campus.Tanjung
Ria Beach, known as base G by the Allies during World War
II, is a popular holiday resort with facilities for water
sports. From Skyline in the hills behind the city, one gets
a beautiful view of Jayapura, Jotefa and Humboldt bays and
the lake Sentani area.
Lake Sentani
There is a settlement on the shore of this lake not far
from Jayapura where one can observe local traditions as
they are practiced in the daily lives of the people. The
short trip from Jayapura, pleasant as it is, offers a little
foretaste of the province's magnificent sceneries.
