datang!

Selamat

Selamat Datang!My name is Methos Dimara and I live in the Raja Ampat archipelago.

In 2012 my parents and I set up Methos Homestay near Sawinggrai village on Gam Island. Although the homestay carries my name, I could not do without my parents’ help. My father is in charge of fishing and the maintenance of the bunga-lows, buildings and grounds. My mother takes care of the cleaning and prepares the traditional meals. I am the host and I accompany guests on different excur-sions. Naturally, we will all do our best to make your stay at Methos Homestay as pleasant as possible.

Besides my parents, there are other people who have helped develop the homestay to its current state. I met my friend Martijn in the summer of 2013 when he and his girlfriend were guests at the homestay. He was extremely impressed by Raja Ampat’s beautiful environment. He and I are tremendous nature lovers, which is why we will do everything in our power to preserve it. Together we are working on plans to stimulate the local population to become more conscious about environ-mental preservation. Martijn also supports me from the Netherlands by managing the website and answering emails.

If you choose to stay with us in our homestay, I am sure you will find it a truly re-laxing experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Sampai jumpa,

Methos

The homestayLocation, terrain, activities, prices and services

Methos Homestay is located in the south-west of Gam island, one of the many islands of the Raja Ampat archipelago. The island consists of tropical rainforest and is surrounded by coral reefs. This combination offers plenty of opportunities for different activities.

LocationBetween the mangroves, Methos owns a strip of beach, on which three bungalows are located. The stretch of beach is surrounded by colourful coral reefs and the jungle starts directly behind Methos Homestay. There are several activities that you can take part in to get acquainted with the environment. While you are on your porch enjoying the sun, you can hear the birds of paradise in the background.

Terrain and bungalowsThere are two ‘beach bungalows’ and one ‘mangrove bungalow’ on the premises. The traditionally built bungalows are made exclu-sively from natural materials such as bamboo, palm leaves and wood. The beach bungalows each accommodate two people and are situa-ted a few meters from the beach. From their verandas you have unobstructed sea views. The mangrove bungalow is larger and accommodates four people. This bungalow is situated in the mangroves and is built on stilts in the water. This bungalow has a large veranda where you can enjoy your meals. This bungalow also boasts a beau-tiful sea view.

Activities

Raja Ampat is known for its great diversity in terms of flora and fauna. There are several activities that allow you to experience the beauty the environment has to offer. You can sail through the mangroves, go Bird of Paradise watching, hike through the jungle, explore uninhabited islands and much more. To find out more about the activities we offer, please take a look in the EXCURSION folder!

Prices & servicesIn providing the following services, local people are involved wherever possible.

Towel and laundry serviceUpon arrival you will find a clean towel in your room. This is replaced every day. For a small fee it is possible to have your clothes washed (about € 2,50 per wash).

GeneratorFrom time to time (usually in the evening) electricity (220 volts) is supplied through the use of a generator. At that time, you can use the lights and, if necessary, you can charge electrical devices. For a small fee it is possible to make use of the ge-nerator (about € 1,50 per hour).

DrinksYou have unlimited access to coffee, tea and bottled drinking water. Soft drinks and beer are available at a charge.

Methos & familyMethos, Mina, Joob & Martijn

MethosMethos is the owner of ‘Methos Homestay’ and your host. Me-thos was born in Sawinggrai Village in 1988 and lives according to Papuan culture. He has extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Raja Ampat archipelago and is very environ-mentally conscious. He can tell you a lot about the Raja Ampat Islands, the jungle and the animals that live there. During ex-cursions Methos will introduce you to the most beautiful spots in the area. He and his family will do everything they can to make you as comfortable as possible during your stay.

MinaMina is Methos’ mother. She is a great cook and will prepare a traditional meal for you three times a day. Meals mainly consist of rice, fish, eggs and vegetables. Mina’s creativity ensures that each meal tastes different. Her specialty is gril-ling the freshly caught fish. Besides cooking, she cleans the bungalows and does the laundry.

JoobJoob, Methos’ father, is in charge of the maintenance of the grounds and the bungalows. He also takes his traditional boat out on a daily basis to catch fresh fish for your meals. He regularly joins tours and excursions to support Methos.

MartijnMartijn, a friend of the Methos family, was deeply impressed by Gam island and the Raja Ampat culture during a kayak expedition in Raja Ampat. Not only because of the beautiful scenery, but also because of the hospitality and cordiality of the local inhabitants. After getting to know each other, Methos and Martijn combined forces to further shape and expand Methos Homestay. Martijn lives and works in the Netherlands and provides backup for Methos Homestay by answering e-mails, promoting the homestay and managing the website.

The villagePlenty to see and do in Sawinggrai

Sawinggrai is the largest village in the vicinity of Methos Homestay and is about 200 years old. The village is located on Gam, an island of the Raja Ampat archipelago. About 40 families live in the village. Children aged six to twelve years old go to the local school (Sekola) or play outside while their mothers do the laundry and watch them. Their father is often at sea fis-hing or working on buil-ding his traditional boat.

The children are taught about their environment, such as currents, the coral reef and its fish, and the flora and fauna of the jungle from an early age. The craft of woodworking is also passed on from generation to generation because this (and fishing) are the traditional activities which are carried out by the men of the village.

The people in Sawinggrai are Protestants and therefore go to their local church (Gereja) each Sunday. The village also has a sewing workshop and a little shop on site, but it is very basic and only features local products. It is possible to buy some commodities like rice, soft drinks, chocolate and some personal care products. Not only the village itself is worth visiting, but the area around the village offers much to see. There is a long wooden jetty, the end of which is surrounded by fascinating coral and many beautifully coloured fish in clear blue water. On the other side of the jetty, towards the village, is the footpath leading to the Birds of Paradise. After only a few minutes’ walk, you can see these beautiful birds (also called ‘Cendera-wasih’) flying around.

There are two types of Birds of Paradise to be admired: the ‘Red Bird of Paradise’ (the icon of Sawinggrai Village) and ‘Wilson’s Bird of Paradise’. However, other birds such as the black and white Cockatoo, the Hornbill, the Kingfisher or the Parrot can also be found here. All in all, there is plenty to do and see in Sawinggrai.

Raja AmpatHistory, beautiful nature, population & culture

The Raja Ampat islands (also known as the ‘tetrarch islands’) are part of the pro-vince of West Papua on the Indonesian island of New Guinea. The archipelago consists of four larger islands: Batanta, Waigeo, Salawati, Misool and 2500 other smaller islands. In total there are 85 villages in Raja Ampat.

HistoryIn the past the Raja Ampat islands were colonised by a seafaring people from Biak, probably in the sixteenth century. The Biak hero Gura Besi plays an important role in the history of Raja Ampat; each of his four (Ampat) sons became king (Raja) of one of the larger islands, hence the name ‘tetrarch islands’. At that time there was also a close relationship with the Moluccas and the Sultanate Batjan located south-west of Halmahera. The Islam religion entered Raja Ampat through trade contacts. The word “Papua” has its origins in the Raja Ampat Islands. The populati-on regularly raided other islands, including those of the Moluccas. There they were called papwas, which was later corrupted to Papua. From 1948 to 1962 the Raja Ampat archipelago was part of Dutch New Guinea.

Beautiful natureAll the islands of the archipelago are covered by uns-poiled ancient rain forests from coast to coast. The mountainous interior is especially thickly wooded and there are mountains of up to 1200 meters. There are many plants in this area, growing on trees or on the ground, where little sun or rain reaches them. In or-der to get water these plants grow upwards along the trees. Flowers such as the Orchid and Bromeliad also grow in the rain forest. The countless treetops are home to Parrots, Cockatoos and Birds-of-paradise. The English biologist Alfred Russel Wallace, co-creator of Darwin’s theory of evolution, visited the Raja Ampat Archipelago in 1858. It was at that time that he disco-vered the Red Bird-of-paradise on Gam Island and studied these and other birds, like the Wilson Paradise. Both birds can still to be admired in this area.

This area also has plenty to offer under water. Recent scientific expeditions by Con-servation International and the Dutch Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis, highlight the area’s extraordinary wealth of marine biodiversity. In 2008 these organisations noted that Raja Ampat boasts 1.233 species of reef fish, 600 species of hard coral and several spectacular animals such as whales, dolphins, turtles and manatees. The islands Waigeo and Batanta, both surrounded by coral reefs, and northern Salawati are protected nature reserves. A Marine Protected Area Network has also been founded around and between some of the islands. Furthermore, West Papua is part of the Coral Triangle in order to help protect the coral reefs. Due to the in-accessibility and unfamiliarity of the area, the Raja Ampat archipelago is still as breathtaking now as it was centuries ago.

Population & cultureAs you may have read in the section about the his-tory of the Raja Ampat archipelago, the Biak people from Papua had a major role in its development. The local population is closely related to that of the island of Biak, which lies nearly 350 kilometers to the east of Raja Ampat. The language spoken by the locals is very similar to that of the Biak. As with the Papuans, the Bird-of-paradise plays an important role in the culture of the population of the Raja Ampat archipelago. The feathers of the Bird-of-paradise are traditionally used to make headdresses, ceremonial skirts and other female garments that are used during rituals. The men build traditional houses in the village, located on the coast. The interior is barely inhabited because of the almost im-penetrable vegetation of the tropical rainforest, so the islands are sparsely popula-ted. The main revenues come from boat building and fishing. Changes are however taking place as eco-tourism has been increasing in recent years. The local popula-tion is becoming increasingly aware of this change and are therefore encouraged by the government to think about nature preservation. The government is helping by requiring tourists to purchase a Marine Park Tag for the Raja Ampat archipelago.

That it would take 48 years to vi-

sit all the islands in Indonesia?

It takes 48 years to visit all the is-

lands in Indonesia when a new island

is visited every day. Indonesia con-

sists of 17.508 islands, divide that

by 365 days, and it would make 48

years.

That children in Raja Ampat are taught on boats?Children from 132 villages in West-Pa-pua get practical lessons on a school boat called “The Kalabia.” They are taught about everything regarding the sea, coral, and the fish. You’d think that these kids know what it looks like underwater, but strange-ly enough most of them have never seen the reef with a snorkel and pair of diving goggles.

That 70% of all the types of coral in the world can be found in Raja Ampat?More than 70% of all the ty-pes of coral in the world can be found in the Coral Trian-gle. Over 40% of all the kinds of fish swim here, and new kinds are still being discove-red! Keep your eyes opened during the snorkeling, who knows? You might discover a new kind…

That the whale shark can weigh up to 13.000 kilos?

A whale shark can grow up to thirteen meters in length, and can weigh up to

13.000 kilos. They are harmless to humans, despite these impressive num-

bers.

Did you know...

The largest turtles in the wor-ld appear in Raja Ampat?The Pacific leather sea turtle is the biggest of all turtles; they can grow up to three meters in length. They travel all the way from the west coast of North America to the place they were born: Indonesia. They do this in order to lay their eggs there.