We never expected we would stay in West Papua for so long, but its wonderful nature and unique culture really got us. Not many people travel to West Papua and the development in the area goes slowly which makes it a place you will not find anywhere else in the world, so pristine and beautiful. There is not much information available online or in print and the flight connections are scarce. So we summarised our favourite 2 -3 weeks West Papua itinerary here. Don’t miss out any highlights and save time an resources flying efficiently.
The Zero Waste Hero of Banda Neira
It doesn’t matter how far away you go, even the remotest islands like the Bandas are full of plastic waste. The problem is not only the plastic coming from other places but also the rubbish thrown away by locals. The rubbish is just piling up and polluting the pristine archipelago. Nobody seems to care or feel responsible for it. But there is one outstanding personality who pledged his life to make Banda clean again. Magi, a 40 year old teacher, has achieved what no government project has managed so far. He educates people about reducing plastic and organizes a whole waste system on Banda Neira. This is the extraordinary story of how one person can make a big change.
Exploring the Exotic Banda Islands, Indonesia
The Banda Islands, a little archipelago in the middle of the Deep Banda Sea in East Indonesia spoiled us with its breathtaking beauty, tragic history and pristine underwater world. Even though the islands are often omitted from maps, Banda was a secret place which Europeans desperately tried to reach during the 15th century. Find out when is the best time to visit the almost forgotten paradise, where t0 stay and the best dive and snorkel spots.
How to get to the Banda Islands?
The Banda Islands, the most far away place of all remote destinations, have a reputation to be hard to get to. We can say it depends. During high season in October/November and March/April you have several reliable options to get to the Banda Islands from Ambon, the capital of Maluku which is easily reachable from Jakarta and Bali (via Makassar). If you go during low-season it can happen that most of the fast options are cancelled or generally stopped like the fast ferry.