Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine March 2014 | Page 143

Travel | Seram

On our final day, we attempt a visit to some
of the remote tribes that live inland in the
jungle. Buoyed by the adventurous streak of
our journey so far, we decide to take a boat
up one of the rivers to get there, a route
that has not really been tested before.
Our boat heads across the open waters and
into the wide opening of the river. On either
side are vast mangrove trees and palm fronds.
We spot several exotic birds – Seram is home
to an incredible array of birdlife including
parrots, cockatoos and over a dozen unique
species – and come across local villagers
tucked into clearings along the riverbank,
hacking away at Sagu trees and running their
pulp through a complex contraption made
from bamboo and palm leaves to make the
local rice-like staple, also called Sagu.
After a couple of hours heading upstream,
we start to realise that we have bitten off
more than we can chew. This is not a
well-worn tourist trail – this is real, wild
jungle. The waters grow more swampy,
the insects bigger and more numerous,
and we find ourselves frequently tangled
in mangrove roots as the river narrows
and the current grows stronger. Reluctantly,
we turn back, but we are encouraged by the
confirmation that we have truly broken
away from the beaten track, that this
really is a place where luxurious paradise
meets a genuine sense of adventure.

© Nancy Nehring / Getty Images

hamlet of homes built above the water –
and at dusk we return to Saleman to watch
the bizarre and impressive sight of thousands
of Lusiala birds streaming out of a hole in
the mountainside. They are said to carry
the souls of human ancestors, and no one
has yet figured out where these bat-like
birds go at night.

5 Senses – Sound

TWITCHERS’
PARADISE

Twitchers (bird-watching
enthusiasts), stop and listen
anywhere on Seram and you’ll soon
make out the exotic sounds of the
island’s incredible birdlife, much of
which is uniquely indigenous to the
island. Attempts to find them can
lead to serious expeditions into the
jungle undergrowth, but there lies
the promise of extremely rare
species such as the Salmon-crested
Cockatoo, Malukan King Parrot,
Lazuli Kingfisher and much more.

5 Senses – Touch

PARADISE

There are few feelings as blissful
as lying on the sands of one of the
Seven Islands – a short boat ride
out from Sawai Bay. These
incredibly perfect desert islands –
all soft, powdery white sand and
coconut trees leaning at precipitous
angles – are all the more luxurious
because you often have them all
to yourself. Soak up the sun or
wander into the impossibly
turquoise waters and feel the
true meaning of paradise.
Anda akan merasakan
kedamaian saat berbaring di pasir
Pulau Tujuh, yang dapat dicapai
dengan kapal dari Teluk Sawai.
Bersantai di pulau tak berpenghuni
yang mengagumkan ini – dengan
pasir putih yang lembut dan
lambaian pohon kelapa memenuhi
setiap sudut terjal – adalah
kemewahan tersendiri karena
terasa seperti milik pribadi.
Nikmati hangatnya sinar matahari
atau birunya air laut dan temukan
arti surga sesungguhnya.

Para twitcher, atau pengamat
burung, dapat berhenti di
berbagai tempat di Pulau Seram
dan mendengarkan kicauan
burung-burung unik nan eksotis
penghuni asli pulau ini. Untuk
menemukan burung-burung
tersebut perlu ekspedisi khusus
menerobos rimbunnya hutan,
namun bisa dipastikan Anda akan
menjumpai berbagai spesies
langka seperti kakaktua Maluku,
Nuri Raja Ambon, Cekakak Lazuli
dan banyak lagi.

The Birds of
Seram Island

Malukan King Parrot:
An adult Malukan
King Parrot measures
35–40cm (14in) in length,
has a red head and chest,
dull green outer wings,
mantle, dark purple-blue
lesser wing coverts and
tail coverts. It was valued
more than gold.

The Lazuli Kingfisher:
The Lazuli Kingfisher is
a species of bird in the
Alcedinidae family.
Its natural habitats are
subtropical or tropical moist
lowland forests, subtropical
or tropical mangrove forests,
and plantations. It is
threatened by habitat loss.

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