Colourful Papuan birds

Having retired last night at 2030 (and also slept till midday yesterday), I was surprised to wake around 0600. Especially when my body was on NZ time (3h difference). I expected to feel really alert and raring to go, which is usually the case when I travel west. No, I felt sluggish.

After breakfast, I slowly got together all the things I required to apply for my travel permit at the police station. Walking there, I felt my energy levels rising. It might have been just too much sleep or cabin fever.

I was directed to a man who took my photocopies of my passport and entry stamp. I had forgotten to bring along my passport photos even though I had thought of it. He said that he would deliver my permit it to my hotel later and collect the photos at the same time.

I asked around for the shared taxi to the Bird Park and Orchid Garden. I was directed to an around-town shared taxi which took me to the terminal for the out-of-town shared taxi to Bosnik in the east. I hopped off at the Park/Garden which was about 5 minutes before Bosnik.

The park was in a jungle-like setting. It was obviously very humid and damp as the ground was largely covered in green moss. A good variety of birds were held in cages; the only one free to roam was one of the several cassowaries. This was my first exposure to Papuan birds and I was immediately struck by their beauty and colours.

Despite common reservations about caged animals, this placed made me realise the beauty of Papuan birdlife. If it helps local kids realise this and they grow up to become more environmentally-aware, then I think it can be justified.

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I waited by the road for about 40 minutes waiting for a taxi back to Kota Biak. Two went past but they were full. One of the locals suggested that I take the taxi to nearby Bosnik and commence my return journey there so I could get a seat. But before the next Bosnik-bound taxi arrived, another local had offered me a ride on his motorbike to Bosnik for a small petrol-tip.

The ride back into town was easy without having to change at the terminal. Some locals wanted to talk football with me but I’m pretty clueless on the subject. I did why there’s a few Dutch flags hanging around (which I noticed before the other flags like Germany, Brazil etc). I wondered if they’re pro-Dutch colonialism but they explained it was just a soccer thing. Apparetly while Papuans prefer to be independent, they don’t revere the Dutch era.

In the evening, I got a visit from a divemaster, Coolio, whom I had accosted this morning. From my patio, I had seem him taking a French group of four out in the boat. I had quickly walked out to speak to him about the possibility of joining them. The French group didn’t look too happy about it but Coolio had kinda talked them into it. It was all extra money for him I guess.

I had hoped to dive the wreck of the Catalina but they weren’t going there. Because of that, the inhospitable French group and needing to attend to my travel permit, I declined the trip. The price at IDR1.6m for two dives including all equipment was on the high side but still reasonable.