Payung Payung Village, Between Turtle and Tourist

Saya menaiki dermaga yang dikelilingi air laut yang biru, sebagian berwarna turquoise. Kepiting kecil berjalan di salah satu sisi kayu dermaga. Tiba tiba saya dipanggil untuk melihat ke sisi kanan, seekor penyu muncul sesaat sebelum kembali menyelam di area perairan Maratua ini.

 
I stepped into the dock surrounded by blue sea water, some in turquoise color. A small crab walking on one side of the wooden pier. Suddenly I hear someone calling, telling me to look to the right side, then a turtle appears a while before going back into the blue water in Maratua.

Mr. Crab

Look at the colors!

Melihat penyu di dermaga Payung Payung bukan hal eksklusif. Sangking banyaknya penyu yang berseliweran di area ini, saya sudah berhenti menghitung saat angka penyu yang timbul di area dermaga sudah lebih dari dua puluh. "Payung payung ini surganya penyu, snorkeling di dekat dermaga saja sudah bisa lihat banyak penyu," ujar Bang Mamat yang menemani kami di Derawan.

 
Seeing turtles in the dock of Payung Payung Village is not a luxury. There are lots and lots of sea turtles milling in this area. I myself stopped counting when it already more than 20 sea turtles appeared. "Payung Payung is a paradise for turtles, you just have to snorkel a bit and you'll see a lot of sea turtles everywhere around here," said Mamat who accompanied us in Derawan.

Too blue to be true

Dermaga surga para penyu ini adalah pintu masuk ke area Desa Payung Payung di Pulau Maratua, Kepulauan Derawan, Kalimantan Timur. Ada empat desa yang dihuni di Pulau Maratua, termasuk desa Payung Payung yang berdekatan dengan Maratua Paradise Resort dan sering dihampiri turis untuk sekedar snorkeling atau diving di area ini.

This turtle's paradise dock is the entrance to the Payung Payung Village in Maratua Island, Derawan Islands, East Borneo. There are four inhabited villages in Maratua, including Payung Payung Village which located not far from Maratua Paradise Resort and often visited by tourists for snorkeling or diving in this area.

Namun meski berdekatan dengan resort besar yang jadi langganan turis asing, Desa Payung Payung tidak berkembang layaknya area wisata. Saya tidak melihat warung warung makanan untuk turis, ataupun toko yang berjualan souvenir. Sepertinya hampir tidak ada kemajuan ekonomi dari pariwisata yang dirasakan Desa Payung Payung.

However, although Payung Payung located near the famous resort, the village seems not developing as well as the tourist area should develop. I didn't see any food stalls or small shops selling souvenirs. Seems like almost no economic progress came from tourism which can contribute to the villagers.

Saya mungkin hanya melihat sekilas saja, saat ini memang sudah ada homestay di rumah warga desa yang dapat digunakan dengan harga sekitar 200 ribu rupiah per harinya, namun informasi ini terbatas sekali, tidak ada di internet dan sulit jika tidak punya kenalan di area Maratua atau Derawan.

I might just see in a glimpse of it. There is a homestay in the village which can be used by paying about 200 thousand rupiahs per day, but the information about it is very limited, it's hard to look for it on the internet and the best way to book for those homestay is when you have a direct contact with people here in Maratua or Derawan.

Ducks strolling around the beach

Happy faces

Padahal Payung Payung adalah desa yang menyenangkan. Rumah rumah warga di pesisir, bebek bebek yang berjalan rapi di area pantai ataupun jalanan pasir, hingga tawa renyah anak anak kecil Desa Payung Payung. Warga disini sangat ramah, ideal untuk jadi tempat berkembangnya pariwisata.

Despite the lack of facilities, Payung Payung Village is a very nice place. Traditional houses in the coastal areas, ducks walking in sand beach or the sandy streets, the laugh and smile from the children in Payung Payung are a few things that will make you smile. Also, people in Payung Payung are very friendly, ideal for tourist destination.

Slept here and I got a nice nap

Got a friend here

Saya numpang tidur siang di rumah salah satu warga, menatap dinding rumah kayu mereka dan membayangkan homestay kecil yang menyenangkan, yang bisa jadi pilihan backpacker saat bertandang ke surga di Derawan ini. 

I took  a nap in one local house near the coastline. Staring at the wooden walls, I imagine a nice homestay, will be a great options for backpacker who wish to visit this heaven in Derawan.

@marischkaprue - one of her dream is to have an eco resort in paradise

NOTES:

• Pulau Maratua terletak di Kepulauan Derawan, Kalimantan Timur. Ada dua cara akses ke Derawan, pertama ke Balikpapan terlebih dahulu, kemudian mengambil penerbangan lanjutan ke Berau atau ke Tarakan. Kemudian dari Tarakan atau Berau ke Kepulauan Derawan dengan menggunakan speed boat. Tarif speed boat dari pelabuhan Tanjung Batu, Berau ke Pulau Maratua Rp. 1.500.000,- (one way, kapasitas 10 hingga 13 orang). Lebih baik sewa untuk PP (diantar dan dijemput kembali, dengan harga Rp. 3.000.000,-)
• Maratua located in Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan. There are two ways to access Derawan, first to Balikpapan first, then take connecting flight to Berau or Tarakan. Then from Tarakan or Berau to Derawan Islands by speed boat. Speed boat price from the port of Tanjung Batu, Berau to Maratua is Rp. 1.500.000, - (one way, the capacity of 10 to 13 people). Better rent two way trip (delivered and picked up again, with the price of Rp. 3.000.000, -)
• Dari bandara Tanjung Redep Berau ke Pelabuhan Tanjung Batu, jika beramai ramai bisa sewa mobil, PP (diantar dan dijemput saat kembali) tarif sekitar Rp. 800.000,- untuk mobil kapasitas 6 orang.
•  For transportation from Tanjung Redep Airport in Berau to Tanjung Batu Port, you can rent a car. Rate about Rp. 800.000,- for two way trip (car capacity about 6 person)
•  Waktu terbaik mengunjungi Maratua antara lain di bulan Maret hingga Mei, setelah bulan Agustus, awal bulan Oktober. Sementara di Akhir Oktober biasanya sudah memasuki masa sering turun hujan.
• The best time to visit Maratua: March to May, after August, the beginning of October. While in Late October is usually already in the period of frequent rain.
• Alternatif penginapan murah di Pulau Maratua: Ananda Hotel dengan rate: Rp. 200.000,- per kamar (tanpa AC) dan Rp. 300.000,- per kamar AC. Ananda Hotel terletak sekitar 15 menit perjalanan naik motor dari Maratua Paradise Resort. Tapi view di Ananda sangat berbeda dengan di Maratua Paradise. Saya sarankan setidaknya menginap satu hari saja di Maratua Paradise Resort.
• For alternative, there is a cheaper hotel in Maratua: Ananda Hotel with rate: Rp. 200.000, - per room per day (no air conditioning) and Rp. 300.000, - per room AC. Ananda Hotel is located approximately 15 minutes away by motor bike from Maratua Paradise Resort. But the view is very different with Maratua Paradise Resort. I recommend you stay at Maratua Paradise at least one day.

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Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi

Mengunjungi tempat ibadah bukan berarti harus memeluk agama tertentu atau khusus untuk beribadah. Banyak lokasi tempat ibadah yang berkaitan dengan sejarah dan menunjukkan ciri arsitektur masa ke masa.

Visiting a place of worship doesn't mean that you have to embrace a particular religion or specifically for worship. Many places of worship relates to the history and shows how architecture changing over time.

Doors to the Lower Church

Di perbukitan area barat Asissi, Italia, ada satu gereja yang menjadi lokasi penting peziarah Katolik. Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi adalah gereja induk dalam sejarah Katolik Roma di ordo Fransiskan. Hal ini dikarenakan Santo Fransiskus, penggagas ordo Fransiskan dalam agama Katolik Roma di Italia, lahir dan meninggal di Assisi. 

In the hill at the west side of Assisi, you can find an important church, especially for Christian pilgrimage. Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi is the mother church in the history of the Roman Catholic Franciscan order. That's because St. Francis, the originator of the Franciscan order in the Roman Catholic religion in Italy, was born and died in Assisi. 

The frescoes

Yang menarik, Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi merupakan contoh bangunan dengan perpaduan dua gaya arsitektur yang terpisah di area atas dan bawah. Bagian bawah bangunan ini lebih bergaya romatis, atau yang biasa disebut gaya Romanesque. Bagian bawah dipenuhi kubah bergaris yang dipenuhi lukisan di dinding, frescoes, hingga ke langit langit. 

The interesting part, Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi is a perfect example of two buildings with a mix of architectural styles that separate the upper and lower areas. The lower part of the building is more a romantic style, or commonly called the Romanesque style, filled with low semi circular ribbed cross vaults with paintings on the walls, frescoes, up to the ceiling.

Lukisan dan ornamen memenuhi kubah membuat saya seakan tidak ada habisnya mendongak ke atas saat berada di dalam Basilica. Sejumlah nama pelukis di abad pertengahan seperti Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti dan Cimabue mengisi kubah Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi hingga menjadi seperti apa yang dapat anda saksikan saat ini.

 
Paintings and ornaments filled the domes. I spend all my time looking up in this basilica. Some of the names of medieval painters like Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti and Cimabue are those who painted the dome of Basilica of San Francesco d 'Assisi to became what you can see today.

St Francis tomb

Upper church

Di bagian bawah juga terdapat makam Santo Fransiskus dari Assisi, salah satu tujuan para peziarah. Namun jika beranjak ke bagian atas gereja anda akan menemukan suasana yang berbeda. Bagian atas disebut juga Upper Church, disini gaya Gothic yang berkembang di masa puncak dan akhir abad pertengahan menjadi ciri utama arsitektur gereja. Bagian atas bukan lagi kubah yang penuh dengan fresco, melainkan langit langit yang tinggi dengan desain gothic.

 
At the bottom you can go see the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, this is one of the main goals of the pilgrims. But if you went to the upper side of the church you will find a different atmosphere. The upper part is called the Upper Church, a Gothic style which developed during the high and the late medieval. The top of the dome is no longer filled with fresco, but a high ceiling with gothic design.

 

Meski bukan pengamat seni ataupun pecinta arsitektur, memasuki gereja dengan desain yang indah sambil mendengarkan latar belakang sejarah suatu lokasi membuat apa yang kita saksikan menjadi jauh lebih menarik. This is one of those.

Although I'm not an expert about art or architecture, getting inside the church with beautiful design while listening to the background history of this location makes what eyes see became much more interesting. This is one of those.

@marischkaprue - she's more into modern design, but always love to visit old buildings

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Pulau Asei, Kerajinan dan Sejarah di Tengah Danau Sentani

Ada 21 pulau kecil yang tersebar di Danau Sentani, Danau terbesar di Papua dengan pemandangan spektakuler yang selalu membuat saya tercengang. Namun, saat datang disini ada satu pulau yang selalu dikunjungi karena keunikan kreatifitas lokal dan pecahan sejarah Perang Dunia ke II yang tersimpan di pulau tersebut.

There are 21 small islands scattered in Sentani Lake, the largest lake in Papua with spectacular view that always amaze me. However, there is one island which always visited because of its uniqueness of local creativity and a piece of story from World War II.

The beautiful Sentani Lake

The local child

Pulau Asei berdekatan dengan dermaga utama di Danau Sentani. Hanya perlu sekitar 5 menit naik kapal kayu untuk menyebrang ke Pulau Asei. Memasuki dermaga tidak lama saya langsung melihat beragam kulit kayu yang dilukis.

Asei island located near to the main pier in Lake Sentani. So close that you only need about 5 minutes to cross from the pier to Asei. I walk into the dock in Asei Island and immediately saw the variety of painted paper wood.

Kerajinan kulit kayu ini adalah kreatifitas khas di Sentani, menggunakan kayu khombouw yang diratakan, dihilangkan getahnya, dicuci dan dijemur hingga kayu ini menjadi bahan tipis seperti kertas. Kemudian, kulit kayu khombouw ini dilukis dengan pewarna alami dari alam, dengan motif yang memiliki makna tradisi.

This kind of painting is a unique craft in Sentani. Local people use khombouw wood which been flatened, removed the sap, washed and dried in the sun until the wood became so thin. Later on, this khombouw bark painted with natural dyes from nature, with variety of forms which have traditional meanings.

Ada bentuk bentuk tertentu yang melambangkan maskulinitas ataupun feminitas, lebih berupa bentuk abstrak. Sebagian lagi melambangkan masyarakat kecil, misalnya lambang ikan dan cicak. Memperhatikan pola pola dan motif kerajinan khombouw ini jauh lebih seru jika anda sambil mencari informasi arti dari setiap motif sehingga saat membelinya sesuaikan juga dengan arti yang anda cari.
 
Certain forms symbolize masculinity or femininity, when I saw I realize it's more of an abstract form. Some symbolize community, such as fish and lizard. Looking at these patterns at khombouw craft is much more exciting if you also know the meaning of each patterns and forms so when you buy it, you can find the one suits you well.

Mrs Delilah

Harga kerajinan ini bervariatif, mulai dari 50 ribu rupiah untuk yang berukuran kecil, hingga ratusan ribu. Masyarakat di Pulau Asei pun sudah terbiasa membuat kerajinan khombouw. Ibu Delilah yang menjual kerajinan ini menceritakan bahwa sejak kecil ia sudah memperhatikan cara pembuatan dilakukan oleh orang tuanya. "Sudah lama saya bikin, semua belajar dari kecil," ujar Ibu Delilah sambil memperlihatkan sejumlah kerajian khombouw dengan beragam motif.

The prices vary, ranging from 50 thousand rupiahs for a small craft, up to hundreds thousand rupiahs. This craftsmanship is already became a community skills. Delilah, whom selling this crafts told me that she can make khombouw craft since she was a little girl, learning from her parents. "I've been doing this long enough, learn it since I was a child," she said while showing a number of khombouw crafts she made.

Pigs everywhere

Tidak hanya kerajinan yang saya temui disini. Pulau Asei menyenangkan untuk berkeliling, melihat jajaran rumah yang dibangun di atas air danau dan babi babi yang berkeliaran di sekitar pulau.

In Asei, you'll find not only khombouw crafts. This island is actually a nice place to walk around, seeing houses built on top of the water and also pigs walking everywhere around the island.

The church

Dari jajaran rumah ada jalan yang menuju ke bagian atas pulau. Di ujung anda akan menemukan gereja tua dengan arsitektur sederhana. Yang menarik bagian mimbar tidak seperti mimbar gereja pada umumnya, ada bentuk sayap dari kayu yang melekat pada mimbar.

Near the houses, you'll see a path leading to the top of the island. Just walk around five minutes and you'll find yourself seeing an old church. The design is simple, but the interesting part is the pulpit, I saw a form of wooden wings attached to the pulpit and its not common.

Gereja di Pulau Asei sebelumnya berada di area bawah. Namun pada masa Perang Dunia ke II, Sentani dan Pulau Asei berada dalam jalur merah penyerangan sekutu. Warga dahulu sempat mengungsi di kala perang bergejolak dan kemudian usai PD ke II, gereja kembali dibangun di bagian atas Pulau Asei.

Previously, this church located in the different location. During World War II, Sentani and also Asei is in the red line area, meaning that the location is in the targeted area. During the war, local people leave the island for a while and came back after the war ended. The church is rebuilt in the top area of the island.

Layers of colors in the sky

Pulau ini akan membuat anda merasakan tenang. Selain jauh dari hingar bingar, di kala senja Pulau Asei punya lokasi indah untuk menikmati matahari turun perlahan. Persis di dermaga pulau ini anda dapat mengamati sunset dengan foreground rumah tradisional dan perahu yang sesekali melintas dan sudah terlihat sebagai siluet.

This island gave me a peaceful feeling. Away from the busy and loud noises of the city and when the sun prepare to set, Asei has one of the great place to enjoy the sun disappearing slowly. At the dock you can watch the sunset, plus traditional houses and boats passing by, building a perfect silhouette.

Jika duduk dan menikmati ketenangan Pulau Asei sulit rasanya membayangkan area ini dahulu masuk dalam jalur merah penyerangan dan dibombardir sekutu. Ah, saya hanya berharap tempat ini selalu damai. This is a beautiful place, to beautiful to be ruined by human.

When I sat and enjoy this tranquility, it's hard to imagine that this area formerly in the red zone and bombarded during the World War II. Oh well, I just hope this place is always peaceful. This is a beautiful place, to beautiful to be ruined by human.
 

@marischkaprue - its hard for her to stop looking at beautiful sunset

Photos taken by Samsung NX300

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Harley Tour in Auckland

Saat kita traveling ke satu lokasi biasanya kita menyewa mobil, naik bus, naik kendaraan umum, bermacam cara untuk menikmati destinasi yang sesuai dengan kesenangan dan budget tentunya. Ada satu cara yang unik menikmati kota Auckland, New Zealand, yaitu berkeliling dengan naik Harley! Yes, this big vroom vroom motorbikes! And I say, why not?

When we travel we usually rent a car, get on a bus, take public transportation, or anything, much variety of ways to enjoy a destination that suits your interest and of course budget. There is a unique way of enjoying the city of Auckland, New Zealand, which is going around with a Harley! Yes, this big motorbikes vroom vroom! And I say, why not?

Konsep tur dengan motor Harley Davidson di Auckland sudah dimulai sejak tahun 2003 melalui Harley Tour New Zealand. Di tahun 2008 Baz dan Ali Howie membeli perusahaan tur ini dan menggabungkan dengan Bularangi Motorbikes NZ yang mereka miliki.
 
This Harley tour concept has been started since 2003 by the Harley Tour New Zealand in Auckland. In 2008, Baz and Ali Howie bought the company and combine this tour with NZ Motorbikes Bularangi they have.

Yang menarik, dengan paket tour ini saya dijemput pria pria berperawakan besar typical pengendara Harley. Mereka bahkan menyiapkan helm dan jacket kulit khusus untuk berkeliling Auckland dengan dibonceng naik Harley ini.

What most interesting is, with this tour package, a huge typical Harley rider man picked me up. They even prepared helmets and a leather jackets to get around Auckland with these motorbikes.

Choose this blue beauty and Sham as my host

Saya bukan penggemar Harley Davidson, namun siapapun sepertinya akan senang melihat jajaran motor besar ini menjemput dan konvoi bersama berkeliling kota. Peserta tour pun dapat memilih jenis yang disukai, mulai dari Ultra Classic, Softail, Roadking, Trike, Sportster, you name it, banyak jenis Harley yang dapat anda pilih untuk tur ini atau untuk anda kendarai sendiri dengan sistem sewa.

I am not a big fan of Harley Davidson, but I think everyone will excited to see these Harleys and also being in a Harley Davidson convoy around town is great. You can also choose your favorite type, there are many options, ranging from the Ultra Classic, Softail, Roadking, Trike, Sportster, you name it, many types of Harley you can choose for this tour or to drive themselves by renting on Bularangi.

Auckland Memorial Museum

View from Mount Eden, we can see the Sky Tower from here

Into the highway

Perjalanan berkeliling dengan motor Harley ini cukup panjang, saya dibawa berputar ke banyak lokasi di Auckland, mulai dari area downtown, menyusuri New Market, naik ke bukit Mount Eden, menyusuri Ponsonby hingga masuk ke jalan tol dan Auckland Harbour Bridge.

It took quite long enough. We go around a lot of locations in Auckland, from the downtown area, New Market, up the hill of Mount Eden, Ponsonby and also the highway into the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

View from Shoal Bay

 

Menikmati berkeliling dengan motor besar memang menyenangkan, jarak pandang begitu besar dibandingkan dengan naik mobil, ditambah semilir angin dan suara dari semua lokasi yang dilewati, and one thing for sure, we all look good on Harley!

Touring with big motorbike is fun, visibility was so wide compared by riding a car, plus the wind breeze and the sound of all the locations you visited, and one thing for sure, we all look good on a Harley!

With the gentlemen from Bularangi :)

@marischkaprue - does she look good on Harley?

Photos by Ferry Rusli

NOTES:

• Rate paket tour bervariasi, mulai dari 300 NZD (New Zealand Dollar) per hari. Cek selengkapnya dengan email ke harley@bularangi.com
• Rate varied, starting from 300 NZD (New Zealand Dollars) per day. More info, check by email to harley@bularangi.com
• Untuk reservasi paket bisa contact ke +6478636069 atau via email harley@bularangi.com
• For reservations, contact +6478636069 or via email harley@bularangi.com 

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Melihat Penyu Bertelur di Pulau Sangalaki

Saya sudah pernah bercerita tentang melepas tukik dan bagaimana kondisi populasi penyu saat ini terancam. Ada yang bilang, jika ingin mencintai alam maka kita mesti melihat dengan mata sendiri, mendengar dengan telinga sendiri dan menyaksikan apa yang alam ini miliki untuk kita.

I've share stories about releasing juvenile sea turtle and how sea turtle population are in danger. Some say, if you want to love nature then we must see with our own eyes, hear with our own ears and see what nature have for us.

Its always great to meet sea turtle in their natural habitat

Melihat penyu bertelur adalah pengalaman yang seru, sekaligus membuat kita berpikir tentang betapa mengagumkannya alam. Betapa siklus hidup dan putaran alami kehidupan untuk menjaga spesies tetap ada.

See turtle lay their eggs is an exciting experience, also make us think about how incredible nature is. How life cycle works to keep the species exist.

The Sangalaki Island

Sea turtle in Derawan Islands area

Di Pulau Sangalaki, Kepulauan Derawan ada lokasi yang pada masa masa tertentu selalu didatangi penyu, terutama penyu hijau, untuk bertelur. Pulau Sangalaki ini masuk area konservasi sehingga tidak ada penduduk di pulau ini. Hanya ada pos petugas penjaga dan beberapa unit resort yang terbilang baru.

On Sangalaki Island in the Derawan Islands, East Borneo, there is a location which always visited by sea turtles during a particular period of time, especially green sea turtles to lay their eggs. This island is in the conservation area so there is no local residents, only a small conservation building and a few new resorts for tourist.

The clear water in Sangalaki area

Bahkan, di Pulau Sangalaki tidak ada dermaga, kapal hanya dirapatkan di dekat batas air. Perairan di area Sangalaki pun sangat jernih. Saya ingat tiba di pulau ini pada malam hari dan terkesima dengan betapa beningnya air saat saya menyorotkan cahaya senter ke laut.

In fact, in Sangalaki you can't find any pier for boat. To get into this island, the boat will stand a position near the land. This island is still so natural. I remember arriving at the island at night and was struck by how clear the water is when I set my flashlight to the sea.

Namun tentu saja pesona utama Pulau Sangalaki adalah datangnya penyu untuk melangsungkan kehidupan generasi mereka di masa mendatang. Puncak penyu bertelur di Pulau Sangalaki adalah di bulan Agustus. "Sehari bisa sampai seratus penyu naik ke pulau ini," ujar Pak Lipu, penjaga pos dan petugas konservasi di Pulau Sangalaki. Saya tidak dapat membayangkan di pulau sekecil ini seratus penyu berbondong bondong bertelur. Ah, well, sometimes you gotta see it to believe it don't you?

But of course the main charm of this Island is when sea turtles came to keep their generations exist. The peak season for turtles is during August. "It might be hundred of sea turtle came every night during the peak season," said Mr. Lipu, a conservation officer works in Sangalaki. I can't even imagine in such small island a hundred turtles laying eggs. Oh, well, sometimes you gotta see it to believe it do not you?
 

Kami pun masuk ke area pos dan melihat ratusan tukik - anak penyu - di beberapa ember besar. "Mereka kami lepas besok," ujar Pak Lipu lagi. Saya bersemangat karena melepas tukik selalu jadi momen menyenangkan, tanpa saya sadari ada hal yang jauh lebih menyenangkan menanti saya.

 
We went into the post area and see hundreds of hatchlings - baby sea turtles - in a big bucket. "We will release them tomorrow" said Mr. Lipu again. I'm always excited to release sea turtle hatch lings, such a fun moments, before I know there is something even more fun awaits me.

Doing a bit of sand bath after spawning

Malam hari sekitar pukul 10 malam Pak Lipu memanggil kami. Saya dan teman teman membawa senter dan bergegas keluar pos. Saya mengikuti Pak Lipu yang berjalan sangat cepat. "Yang ini sudah selesai bertelur," ujar Pak Lipu sambil memberi kode bahwa kami boleh mendekat dan menyalakan senter.

Around 10 pm at night Mr. Lipu called us. We brought flashlight and hurried out. I followed Mr. Lipu who walk very fast. "This one already done laying eggs," said Mr. Lipu while giving a code that we could approach and turned on the flashlight.

Sea turtle in a sand hole :)

Penyu sensitif dalam memilih tempat bertelur. Jika ia melihat cahaya dan gangguan sebelum ia mulai bertelur maka penyu itu akan pergi kembali ke laut dan menunggu waktu lain untuk bertelur. Namun, saat penyu sudah mulai bertelur, kita dapat mendekat dan mengamati langsung.

A sea turtle is very sensitive in choosing where to lay their eggs. If it sees a light or got disturbed, the sea turtle will go back to the sea without laying some eggs and wait for another time to spawn. However, when it already start spawning we can get closer and observes directly.

Penyu yang kami temui pertama kali sudah selesai bertelur. Penyu ini sedang "mandi pasir," yaitu melempar lemparkan pasir hingga sebagian pasir menutupi tempurungnya. Setelah beristirahat penyu ini akan kembali ke laut sambil meninggalkan jejak seperti kendaraan tank mini di pasir.

 
The sea turtles we encountered the first time already done spawning. When we came she's doing some "sand bath," throwing sands until some of its shells are covered with sand. Then, after resting a while, the sea turtles return to the sea and leaving a trail like a mini tank vehicle pass through the sand.
 

Beberapa kali kami menemukan penyu yang sudah selesai bertelur. Hingga belasan penyu yang kami temukan, saya mulai berpikir mungkin belum jodoh untuk melihat penyu bertelur karena semuanya sudah selesai dan sedang mandi pasir. Namun, tiba tiba Pak Lipu memanggil lagi, kali ini ia menemukan penyu yang sedang bertelur. Saya langsung berlari tidak mau saat saya datang ternyata sudah selesai.

 
Several times we found the sea turtle already finished laying eggs. Until up to a dozen turtle that we found, I started to think maybe its not my lucky day to see sea turtles laying eggs. Suddenly, Mr. Lipu called again, this time he found the turtle still laying some eggs. I immediately ran since I don't want to miss the moments.

Penyu hijau yang kami temukan ini masih bertelur. Ia membuat lubang dengan kedalaman sekitar 60 sentimeter dan bertelur perlahan. Kami memperhatikan dari bagian belakang dan melihat telur keluar satu persatu, sangat seru :)

Then I saw it, a sea turtle laying eggs. She made a 60 centimeters deep hole and spawn slowly. We watched from the back and saw the eggs came out one by one, very exciting :)

Sambil bertelur penyu ini juga mendengus mengeluarkan napas seperti kelelahan. Dari matanya juga keluar air, seakan akan menangis, tapi bukan seperti manusia ia menangis. Penyu memiliki kelenjar yang bermuara ke mata mereka. Kelenjar ini membantu mengeluarkan garam yang terkumpul saat penyu berada di laut, dan saat di darat, air dengan kadar garam yang keluar ini juga membantu menahan agar pasir tidak masuk ke mata penyu.

During spawning, the sea turtle exhale and sound like she's so tired. Also, water came out from its eyes. But unlike humans, these sea turtles "cry" to get the salt out of their body. Sea turtle have glands that connects to their eyes. They remove the salt which been accumulate during their time in the sea by "crying." Also this thing keeps the sand from getting into their eyes.

Penyu termasuk binatang yang lama mencapai taraf dewasa secara seksual, di usia 30 hingga 50 tahun baru penyu bisa bertelur. Siklus bertelur penyu juga sekitar 2 hingga 8 tahun sekali, namun dalam masa tersebut ia dapat bertelur 6 kali dalam rentang waktu 3 bulan.

Turtles are old mature. they reach sexual maturity at the age of 30 to 50 years. Their spawning cycle also every 2 to 8 years. But during each spawning time, a sea turtle can spawn 6 times in a period of 3 months.

Setiap bertelur penyu bisa mengeluarkan 100 hingga 130 butir telur, namun secara alami yang dapat bertahan hingga ke laut hanya belasan tukik saja, yang kemudian dengan seleksi alam akan berkurang lagi di lautan lepas

Each time it spawn, a sea turtle can pull 100 to 130 eggs, but naturally only a dozen that will last into the sea, then the number will reduced again by natural selection on the sea.

a gentle touch after she laid some eggs

Predator tukik beragam mulai dari burung, kepiting, tikus, ikan besar di lautan dan tentu saja predator yang paling mengancam populasi penyu adalah manusia. I hope by seeing how they lay their eggs and how amazing nature is, you'll have a bit of love for them, dan menyadari bahwa rasa telur penyu atau daging penyu tidak sepadan dengan mengancam populasi mereka.

The predators are vary, from birds, crabs, rats, large fish in the oceans and of course the most threatening predator is us, humans. I hope by seeing how they lay their eggs and how amazing nature is, you'll have a bit of love for them, and realize that the taste of turtle eggs or turtle meat is not worth compare to how it would thread their population.

@marischkaprue - love diving with sea turtles

NOTES: 

WHERE
Pulau Sangalaki terletak di Kepulauan Derawan, Kalimantan Timur
Sangalaki Island located in Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan

HOW TO GET THERE
Ada dua cara akses ke Derawan, pertama ke Balikpapan terlebih dahulu, kemudian mengambil penerbangan lanjutan ke Berau atau ke Tarakan. Kemudian dari Tarakan atau Berau ke Kepulauan Derawan dengan menggunakan speed boat.  
There are two ways to access Derawan, first to Balikpapan first, then take connecting flight to Berau or Tarakan. Then from Tarakan or Berau to Derawan Islands by speed boat.  

STAY
Ada beberapa opsi penginapan: di Pulau Derawan, Pulau Maratua, atau bahkan di Pulau Sangalaki 
Sangalaki Resort
Rate: Rp. 1,2 juta/ person/ night
Informasi & booking: +628521238070/ +6255132866
email: admin@sangalakiresort.net 

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