We harbour hopped for a couple of days finding soft water anchorages to rest then hoisted sails for an overnighter arriving mid morning in the Selat Sele channel to drop our hooks in a mud bottom river at Seget. This was a perfect rest stop for a day before motorsailnig 40 miles up the channel to Sorong.
Sorong is a large commercial port including an international airport. Mode of transportation is either BIMO which are small 6 seater van, typically dressed out according to the style of the driver or you hop on a motor scooter and pray. The harbour is very active with shipping traffic from small cruiseliners, to cargo ferries and a full complement of local Phinisis.
These old style vessels are each quite unique and are the large livaboard dive boats that ply these waters bringing passengers to the remote islands of Raja Ampat and dive spots of this area.
Our introduction to this quiet place was an early morning hike with guide Simon to see the Red Bird of Paradise. This gentle soft spoke man picked us up before sunrise and ferried us up the long and winding river inland. As we all booted up for the hike, I was impressed to see him lead bare footed. This was not a well laid path, but a combination of slippery rock face, roots and wild bush. After a spirited climb lasting the better part of an hour as daylight was dawning we arrived at a place he had obviously been before.
We didn't know where to look but as he started calling the birds using his own voice and a recorded loop on his phone, the birds appeared. We recommend the use of a good set of binoculars.
They were certainly impressive doing their mating dance and clucking and singing to each other...at times it was all quite frenetic.
Some were content to sit and watch their mates do the dance as they swished their long tail feathers. This was a real treat and a must do if you get the chance.
While there are other guides, we highly recommend Mr. Simon!
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