Backpackin Magazine English Version Vol. 2

7/31/2019 Backpackin Magazine English Version Vol. 2

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MIANGASISLANDHOW TO GET THERE

GO TOMIANGAS ISLAND

LOCAL CULTURE

MANAMIFOR THE CONTINUITY

OF SEA PRODUCTS

MY JOURNEY

MY MIANGAS THESIS

ACCESORIES : AIR PILLOW I COMMUNITY : SHARE TRAVELLER I BI NEWS : INFO TRIP

WW W.BACK PACKI NM AG AZ IN E. CO

BACKPACKIN

B A C K P A C K IN M A G A Z IN E . V O L U M E 2 . D E C E M B E R - J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1

FUN I RELAX I LOW BUDGET


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BACKPACKINDECEMBER-JANUARY 2011

YOURE

HERE

MY MIANGASTHESIS

YEAR AGO, IN THE middle of 2009, I was given

chance by my campus to show my loyalty to my

untry, as known as K2N, Kuliah Kerja Nyata or

al Lecture and Work. The 2009 K2N wasnt a

mmon one because we were asked to do some-

ng for one remote area in the northest area in

donesia, Miangas.

3

MANAMI, FOR THECONTINUITY OF SEA PRODUCTS

A YEAR, THERE are six forbidden months for

e society to not step in the sand and exploits sea

oducts through all the beach lines.

15

GALLERYMIANGAS ISLAND

pturing Miangas Island

23

HOW TO GET THERE :GO TO MIANGAS

THERE ARE FLIGHTS to Manado from Jakarta, Sura-

baya, Makassar, Balikpapan, Denpasar, Sorong,

Ternate, Jayapura, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

11

LALUGABECOMING INFERIOR

SEA PRODUCTS BECOME the priority. One meter

sh is only for Rp 50.000. Just like other sea shore

areas, Miangas has plenful sea products.

21

MELIKU NUSAFOR MIANGAS

INDONESIA WILL BE very disappointed if Miangas

taken by Philippines, just like when Ambalat was

taken by Malaysia.

25

COMMUNITY :SHARE TRAVELLER

O NOT MAKE THE COST as an obstacle to reach

your dream to explore the beauty of this nature!

This principle has become the fad of Share Trav-

eler community.

35

ACCESORIES :AIR PILLOW

SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE of the road, we need

something that we have to take inside the carrier

bag. Inappropriate packing will make it hard to get

the thing and put it back in order.

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Crazy act, Miangas -which count a

most northern island o Indone

were looking on Google Maps-

mitted as a part o Philippines. Indeed,

Miangas only takes 6 hours or the Philip

meanwhile or the Manado need 3 day

Miangas remains as a part o Indonesian

legally. Miangas is still using Rupiah an

red and white is still ying

there.

However, it is now.

What about 10 years ahead?

100 years later? Who can

guarantee Indonesia can

save Miangas as its part

consistently and the Phil-

ippines will not bother to

tamper the existing rules?

Backpackin thinks,

with enough inormation, will lure touris

tread Miangas. With so many tourists, be

the economy o Miangas residents wou

lited and the area is reduced rom the r

being stolen by neighboring countrie

also be shing or passenger ships requ

docked to Miangas to smooth the supply

basic needs.

In this Miangas edition, Backpacki

a lot o material supply o maps, writing

photographs rom Ferdinand RZ, Eko, Gh

Devi, and Tipa. Thanks guys.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

EDITOR IN CHIEF :

Ambar Arum

SENIOR EDITOR :

Muhammad Iqbal

TRANSLATORS :

Annisa M.F. Harahap

Anindya Leonita

Dea Maria Crista

Ryana Andari Purba

ART AND DESIGN:

Galih Permadi

Odie Destrana

MARKETING :

Jeremy Gemarista

Putri Uloly

WEBMASTER :

Kurniawan Aji Saputra

WEBSITE :

www.backpackinmagazine.com

CONTACT/ADVERTISING :

[email protected]

BACKPACKIN MAGAZINE STAFF

CHEERS FOR BACKPACKONTENTS


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MY MIANGASTHESIS

A YEAR AGO, IN THE middle o 2009, I was given achance by my campus to show my loyalty to my coun-

try, as known as K2N, Kuliah Kerja Nyata or Real Lec-

ture and Work. The 2009 K2N wasnt a common one

because we were asked to do something or one re-

mote area in the northest area in Indonesia, Miangas.

BY: EKO BUDI WA

MY JOURNEY

MY MIANGAS THESIS MY MIANGAS THE


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MY MIANGAS THEMY MIANGAS THESIS

At that time, I was still an active stu-

ent in campus. My experience in Miangas

or a month made me make the decision to

ail my dream to take Miangas as my the-

s topic. At rst, many people reused it,

ostly because o the location which is very

r away, but I still tried. But then, January

eather wasnt support me. Finally I went

here in April 2010.

There were many things that made me

interested in observing Miangas. I am sure

one day every people in Indonesia will give

their attention to Miangas, just like they did

on Sipadan-Ligitan islands (the islands that

were in conict with Malaysia red). Miangas

is the northest island in Indonesia, it is the

island that borders Indonesia and The Phil-

lipines. To go to The Phillipines only took 2,5

hours by boat, meanwhile to go to the sur-

rounding islands which are in Indonesia area,

like Tahuna and Melonguane, it took or about

24 hours.

But the access to that closest area

was limited by Indonesian Government be-

cause o the worrisome o The Phillipines

ruled Miangas. The conict between Indo-

nesia and The Phillipines was related to the

waters between Miangas Island (Indo

and Mindanao Beach (Phillipines), also

the bottom o the sea between Balut

(Phillipines) and Sulawesi Sea Beach

goes or less than 400 miles distance

The ownership o Miangas Isla

Indonesia resulted rom 1928 Arbitrag

cature in Den Haag. Phillipines was sti

the explanation that Las Palmas (PhFoto:

Ferd

iRosman

F,

Ke

lompo

k

6CMT

,K2NUI2009

,Eko

Bu

diWa


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ersion o Miangas) was in the square posi-

on based on 1898 Paris Treaty and this was

acked by the nding o Pardao (monument)

Magelhaens landing on that island in 1512.

hats why The Phillipines claimed Miangas

everal times and proposed the island to

nited Nation UNCLOS as part o their ter-

ritory. I was very interested in analising this

case.

From Jakarta, I ew to Manado. The

standard plane ticket was about Rp 700.000.

I ordered days beore the price would cost

Rp 500.000. Ater I arrived in Manado, I took

black taxi or Rp 120.000 until Bitung. Most-

ly the taxi was mobil sedan which is usually

parked in ront o the airport. Rp 120.000 was

the standard price. Usually the drivers would

asked or Rp 150.000 i he saw the attitude

o the passenger was like rst time coming to

Manado. No need to worry about the crimi-

nal rate there, it is guaranteed that Manado is

saved or new comer. The people are nice.

The ride took around 2-3 hours. Along

the journey, the common view was many res-

taurants selling many oods like bats meat,

mouse, pig and dog. On the let and right o

the road there were many coconut trees.

From Bitung I took Meliku Nusa boat, sat on

the deck, like other passangers. Actually there

were rented rooms on this boat but I chose

deck because I only had to pay Rp 50.000. It

needed extra ee to enter the room.

I kept sitting, looking at the sea and

observing people around me. I I got bored,

I talked to other passangers. They told me

about the islands group that we had through.

The islands was beautiul. They would eel

happy i newcomer who sees it would tell it to

other people so that the story would spread.

For me, they were pretty nice to strangers

like me.

There was something wrong with the

boat. No one sold ood. I thought the condi-

tion would be like in economy train in Java

that is ull with ood seller. It turned out to be

a big alse! Well, there was ood seller on the

deck, but it was complicated or me because

I brought many stus.

I preered to stay sit and hold this hun-

ger. One big mistake because o the wrong

assumption. One day I hold my hunger un-

til the boat moored in Tahuna Island. I went

straight to search or ood. Not many choices

and the price was very expensive! One wrap

o rice contained o egg and noodle priced

Rp 25.000. Argh! Wished I brought oods

rom Manado or Bitung, it would be cheaper.

Everything was expensive, including mineral

water. But what could I do? I had to bought

it. I bought many oods or my supp

boat.

On the third day, I arrived at M

When I went down rom the boat, it s

like everyone saw me and said, her

newcomer. What a handsome guy.

sure they were rarely visited by stran

act or my two-month visit, there w

strangers.

When I went down the boat, I w

terrogated a lot by the police. Well I to

a normal thing in Miangas because M

was the tip island and oten made as te

track to enter The Phillipines.

They would feel happy if newcomer who sees it would tell it to people so that the story would spread.


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I knew Miangas rom my last visit be-

ause last year I have stayed here or a month.

went straight to the house o the head o

he village. They welcomed me warmly just

ke they did on other strangers.

For two months, I stayed in the house

the village head, including eating there.

or this riendliness I got, they didnt want to

eceive my money. I gave the money to their

ds instead. For them, I was unite with them

nd they considered me as their own amily

ember and there was no paying or amily.

Every day, my activity was interview-

g the people about the border concept

hat is hooked with kinship, economy, and

he development o the area in the border.

I observed and get involved also with their

activities. I was interested to examined the

border issue here because rst, outside In-

donesia and South East Asia, the study o

border has been developed, mostly in West

Europe and North Americas social sciences

and it has become a new eld o studies.

Second, I was just a small group o an-

thropologist who give special attention in

the study o border in South East Asia. From

this study eld brought more attention about

the consciousness o border as social-culture

changing lab, especially in South East Asia.

From my writing, I would try to discuss a co-

heren concept about boundary, border area

and rontier area, also to identied research

questions and uture agenda o this study o

border.

I liked Miangas beach so much. It got

the characteristic o very clear water and

clean beach, just like beaches I ound in Lom-

bok and Bali. Its not just only the view that

was beautiul, the society also has their val-

ues that they still closely hold.

One aternoon, I sat on the beach, look-

ing at shermen came back rom the sea. At

that time, there was only ew people there. I

was asked to help the shermen to carry the

shes to the land. As a result, I got a sh as

big as hal human hand.

There was many surprises in Miangas,

including the telecommunication. There was

only one spot with only 100 meters o radius

o signal area. So, the people rom that island

can only call or text in that area. What was

more unique was that only seven people that

can use their handphones to call. I there is

other people who want to call or send texts,

they have to wait until that seven people n-

ish their call. That i they win the booty

lose, well they have to wait again.

There was an interesting experie

me. The ladies o Miangas oten irt m

were very happy i I respond it. All th

I respond normally to them. Holding

rom their irtness was very hard, b

they looked prettier everyday. The

many ways or me to marry them. Tha

until I went back, I wasnt tempted by

Believe it or not =P

*as what is told to Mohammad Iqbal


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HOW TO GET THERE

GO TO MIANGAS GO TO MIANGA

HEADING TO MIANGAS

1. You can take Meliku Nusa boat

The main route o the boat is B

(B) Tahuna Island (T) Miangas

(Mi) Melongoane Island (Me). It ta

days and 2 nights rom Bitung to Mi

in the good weather condition. (Tick

50.000). The departure schedule is o

a 2 weeks, at 8 P.M., but in irregular

The passenger will call Chie Adry t

the ino about Meliku Nusas schedul

Meliku has total route: B T M

(2) Mi Te (3) Mi Me B. Those a

main directions, but sometimes the

also drop the tourists in at the Siau I

Kawio, Tagulandang, Kawaluso, Mam

Marore, Karatung, etc. It depends wh

lands the tourists want to go. Thise

is turned once in a two weeks. The

stays 2 days in Melongoane and 3 d

Tahuna.

o

o

j

o

HEADING TO MANADO

THERE ARE FLIGHTS to

Manado rom Jakarta, Sura-

baya, Makassar, Balikpapan,

Denpasar, Sorong, Ternate,

Jayapura, Singapore, and

Kuala Lumpur.

FROM MANADO TO BITUN

1. You Can Take Illegal Taxi Servic

(IDR 120 ribu, 2-3 hours). The

taxi service is available until the last a

around 10 P.M.

2. Angkot Manado-Pal 2

(IDR 3.000, 1 hour) and then c

ues with small bus rom Pal 2-Bitung

2.500, 2 hours). Usually the small

available rom 5 A.M. to 9 P.M. Minibuavailable 24 hours.

USE BOAT

USE PLANE

FROM MALAYSIA/SINGAPURA

FROM SURABAYA/JAKARTAFROM BALI

FROM PAPUA


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TIPS

1. Respect the local culture.

2. During the trip rom Bitung to Miangas

and when you stay at Miangas, it is difcult

to nd ood and beverages, i any, must

be expensive. You better buy in Bitung or

Manado.

3. Take enough money. There is no ATM

4. Sleeping bag is the best choice i you

want to sleep comortably at the ship.

5. The wet wipes absolutely will help you i

you have to use the restroom, because the

clean water is rarely available at the ship.

6. Be careul with the temptation rom Mi-

angass girls or boys.

CONTACT

1. Chief Adry

(The chie o Meliku Nusa boat)

085240568118

2. Santini

(Melongoanes woman)

081356406083

7. Bring the sport equipments like v

ball or ootball.

8. Dont go to the pier at nights whe

sky is dark.

9. Bring the Barito (onions, chilli, t

toes), 1 kg each and share it at the

when you stay (armys station, navy

tion, Miangass Koramil station, etc.)

10. Use Telkomsel as your cellphone

vider. Only the signal rom that pro

you can use.

11. It is better or you to bring accu an

lights. You can stun the accu at PL

mys station, or at the house o hea

o the village (Apitalau),

THE ACTIVITIES

1. Tracking around Miangas beach or 2

hours. You have to ask or permission rom

Mangkubumi II and also ask the local peo-ple to accompany you.

2. Tracking to Tanjung Wora. It is connect-

ed with Miangas when the tide is began to

ebb.

3. Jumping rom the whar and swimming.

4. Hunting the souvenir at the local peo-

ple house. There are mat and hat-knitted

crats.

5. Going up to the lighthouse and then

continue to the shrine.

6. Trying Laluga (a kind o taro), Kenari

crab, Baboca (octopus), and Saguer (the

ermentation o coconut water).

7. Trying to eat raw sh that have been

ormulated.

8. Fishing at the pier.

9. Around the island by the armys rubber

boat (i it still available). Give them money

or the diesel uel around IDR 200.000 or

you also can take the navys speed boat.

GO TO MIANGAS GO TO MIANGA

BEST TIME TO MIANGAS

1. You have to avoid October until Novem-

ber i you want to go there, because the

wave is really dangerous.

2. The best moment is rom June to Au-

gust, because at this time the Manami will

be held.

2. You can take Daraki Nusa boat or Ber-

kat Takoda boat.

It is not recommended because it

takes longer time to go to Miangas rom

Bitung, around 7 days, and the schedule is

not in a certain time.

3. You also can take Kapal Putih boat.

The route o this boat is Bitung Ta-

huna and Bitung Melongoane. This ship

s available every day. You have to pay IDR

50.000 or 2 days trip. The departure rom

Bitung is at 8 11 A.M., and the departure

rom Melongoane is at 3 9 P.M. This boat

wont go to Miangas, but is is an alternative you missed Meliku Nusa boat and you

want to run ater it.

4. You can take flight from Manado

by Trigana Air to Melongoane.

The schedule is every Monday, Tues-

day, and Thursday (ee IDR 350,000),Ater

you arrived at Melongoane, you have to

take Meliku Nusa boat to Miangas.


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MANAMI,FOR THE CONTINUITYOF SEA PRODUCTS

LOCAL CULTURE

MANAMI

Y : MUHAMMAD IQBAL

IN A YEAR, THERE are six orbidden m

or the society to not step in the san

exploits sea products through all the

lines.

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Raja Ampat, Indonesia mainstay snor-

eling and diving place, has one local wisdom

hich is called Sasi. On that occasion, some

each-side areas are sterilized rom activi-

es. No person is allowed to take sea prod-

cts rom that beach part. That tribal law is

rongly held by the people. No one dares to

ass by that beach until the predicate o Sasi

each is untied.

Miangas has also that wisdom. Local

eople usually called it Manami. Firstly, the

eople Sasi-ing one part o the beach or

hree to six months. It is usually held in Janu-

ry until June. Myth said, i someone step on

he Sasi beach , he will be ned RP 500.000

nd get Tukit Tambor, which is to go around

iangas while beating a kind o drum and

ng with Bahasa Tanah (Soil Language), Mi-

ngas original language, which more or less

ean: I will never do this anymore. Besides

hat, he is obliged to give ood or the whole

llage in Miangas. Long time ago, there was

oreigner who sur in the Sasi beach. Well,

course he got the ne above.

Soil Language is the predicate or Mi-

angas ancestor language. It is said that rom

the beginning o Miangas, this language has

been used. The words are very dierent rom

Makassar or Manado language. Only a small

group o people who is able to masters the

language. In tribal ceremonies, Soil Language

is oten heard.

Until June, where sea waters decrease

and the moon is ull moon, then it is the sign

or Sasi to nish. The next morning, the main

P

MANAMI MANAMI


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vent is held. A long knitted young coco-

ut lea is made, special or that day. The

nittting is made perectly to trap shes

n the sea. All Miangas people must be

here that day, including old man and

omen and little children, no excuse.

ven tourists are obliged to come. So

l activities have to be stopped and all

eople in Miangas Island have to stand

a row on the beach line.

Everyone hold the knitting. Young

ds are placed in the part where the

nitted o coconut lea touch the beach,

eanwhile children are placed in the

hallow part o the beach. From 8 in

he morning, they have ready on their

osition. Those young lads hold up the

each as deep as 1.5 meters. They hold

n until 11 a.m., where the water is al-

eady decrease. The shes in the shallow

each have no choice than to go inside

he trap. The guys then drive those sh

o the beach side, no need to work hard

o sh.

Beore the shes are caught, there

the tribal procession rst. Chie tribal

re pleased to catch the rst sh. Ater

hat the ofcials o the area, then tourists or

uests are pleased to catch the shes. Those

shes are gathered then given to the people

Miangas. Days ater that, beach is permit-

ed rom stepping up and shes on the sea

re allowed to be catched or shed, until the

ext Sasi.

Unortunately, Manami as the local wi-

om o Miangas is starting to dissapear. This

ondition was clearly seen at the MURI (Indo-

esia Record Museum red) record breaking

MANAMI MANAMI

or the longest ag waving that was held in

the seaside o Miangas. At that time, Manami

was held too. It means that no one is allowed

to step on the beach. On the other hand, ag

waving must be done by stepping up on that

beach.

Then a small meeting was held be-

tween the elders o tribal. The big question

was, to deend tribal law or country law? They

agreed to give priority to country law. Finally,

the ag waving was held and the beach that

was on manami activity was being stepped

on.

CAKALELE

For important guests that come to Mi-

angas, the society have Cakalele Ceremony

to welcome them. Actually, Cakalele dance

is not only or important guests. Common

guests used to have the same dancing, but

since more and more people coming to Mi-

angas, then the dancing was limited or im-

portant guests. Only or welcomi

emonial. Common guests can as

welcomed by Cakalele dance, tho

It is said that in this dancing, the

gas people are praying or the gu

the guests have good heart, the

the guests would give positive co

tions or Miangas. I the guests ha

intention, they pray the guests

stay only or a short time.

Basically, Cakalele dance is a wa

which is to drive away bad people r

angas. Each dancer holds sword as a

readiness or war. Total dancer o C

dance are six to twelve people, plus

six women as the musicians. Those

people are the reprentatives o twelv

gan in Miangas. Roangan are a kind o

name in Miangas.

*as what is told to Mohammad IqbalFo

to:

Ferd

iRosman

F,

Ke

lompo

k

6CMT

,K2NUI2009

,Eko

Bu

diWa

Everyone hold the kniYoung lads are placed ipart where the knitted of cnut leaf touch the beach, mwhile children are placed shallow part of the beach.


12/25

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EA PRODUCTS BECOME the priority. One

eter sh is only or Rp 50.000. Just like

ther sea shore areas, Miangas has plentiulea products. No days without eating sh.

hough there are many shermen search-

g or sh, it doesnt aect the sea products

o decrease. Miangas is still given the grant

having many sh, even the shermen will

ve a sh as big as hal the human hand or

nybody who helped him carries the shes

om the boat to the sh sale. The price is

very cheap. One sh as long as human hand

priced or only Rp !0.000, even the one me-

ter sh only costs RP 50.000.Indonesian Government and ofcials,

who visit, oten give rice to the Miangas

people. At the beginning, it was the policy

to make the people doesnt have to travel to

The Philippines to search or rice, because

Miangas is very close to The Philippines.

LALUGA

But then, there is the time when the

there is no rice stock let or the boat to Mian-gas cannot through the sea due to high wave.

At these times, the true Miangas culinary is

out, the name is Laluga. Paro is grated then

boiled. The output o it is mixed with sh and

the gravy o the sh. That is Laluga.

Chili is the primary ood component

that must be always available or Miangas

people, though they are not the producer o

it. Usually, they get the chilies rom T

Their appetite are much alike the Me

ese.

SAGUER

A very plentiul Coconut garden

the Miangas people creative to conju

conut into unique oods. They oten

coconut water or a week and the

tation makes it a drink like toddy, wh

become the avorite o the local peop

name is Saguer and it is only drunk by

BABOCA

Baboca is the name or octopu

angas (Manadonese called Boboca).T

is normal, like any other octopus se

the sea side along Java and Sumatera

oods are made to rom the octopus.

One more terric thing is the Ketam

Crab. This ood is available in every co

Miangas. The size is as big as human

It takes a long time to boiled and pro

to be a nice ood. Be careul when yo

alone, because when ngers nipped

well......

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LALUGA

LALUGABecoming Inferior

Y : MUHAMMAD IQBAL

CULINARY

LALUGA

Fo

to:

Various

Sources

Baboca is the name for octopusin Miangas (Manadonese calledBoboca).


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GALLERY

CapturingMianas IslandACKPACKIN

PFerdi Rosm

& Kelompok 6 CMT, K2N UI


14/25

ON THE SPOT

MELIKU NUSA MELIKU NUSA

P

INDONESIA WILL BE very disappoint-

ed i Miangas taken by Philippines, just like

when Ambalat was taken by Malaysia. The

song with the lyrics From Sabang to Mer-

auke, islands are lined... have been amiliar in

the ears o the people o Indonesia, but not

with Miangas. I Sabang and Merauke are the

arthermost points in West and East o Indo-

nesia, Miangas is the most northern point o

Indonesia. It lies at the coordinates 05 35 N

- 126 35 east longitude, is listed in the Mian-

gas Village, Nanusa District, Talaud Regency,

North Sulawesi Province.

Meliku Nusa Ship is a major vessel that

used to go to Miangas rom Bitung (The most

northern harbor in Sulawesi). The Schedule is

twice a week but not always accurate. Only

God and the captain know the ship schedule.

The entire population o the Nusa Island that

passed by Meliku have the mobile number o

helmsman, Chie Adry (085240568118), i that

number could not be reached, it means that

Chie Adry is oating in the sea. His time on

the sea is almost the same as on the land.

This ship is quite riendly with new

people and presenting two rooms above the

steering wheel. Each room can be lled by 3

persons. Facilities in each room are TV, WC,

and AC. O course there is an additional ee,

Rp 150.000 or each room.

Actually, there is another ship that also

led to Miangas, named Nusa Daraki an

kat Takoda. But, both are rarely chos

cause it took a week or up to Miangas

transit at many islands, whereas with

Nusa only took 3 days. In addition, bo

oten ckle, sometimes leaving som

not. The vessels are not as as trong as

Nusa who dare to dock until Miangas,

in the North Sulawesi is known chall

enough to do so. In act, Indonesian w

MELIKU NUSA FOR MIANGAS

BY : MUHAMMAD IQB


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MELIKU NUSA

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MELIKU NUSA

have trouble against the Miangas.

For those who come to Miangas or the rst time, rst

thing to do is to visit the village heads house to convey

the purpose, whether research, roads, or nd a mate.

In general, society earns a meager living as a sh-

erman. Agriculture is made as a second livelihood. Co-

conut garden decorate almost every corner o Miangas.

They created a copra which can be sold to Bitung and

other places.

They live peaceully side by side. Its so peaceul

until the economic lie in Miangas almost can be said is

close to the death. In the past, when shermen returned

rom the sea, he would give away their catch to their

neighbors until the sh was gone. Now, theyre starting

to sell them.

Its a bit difcult to get a variety o ood. Sea-

ood is a source o protein that they can access easiest.

Occasionally the dog and the pig became a source o

protein interlude. Their Carbohydrate source is rom the

rice given by the government or rom laluga (a kind o

taro) that are embedded in Miangas. Provision o this

ree rice is one o concrete steps to protect the loyality

o Miangas people in Indonesia, as well as eliminate the

reason why people in Miangas sail to the Philippines.

For the visitors who come to Miangas

rst, its better to stay in one o the

and asked them to make ood or us

is no set price or the ood given to

as an illustration, a pack o rice with e

noodles on the islands around Miang

price about Rp 25.000.

Communication is still becom

problem in Miangas. There is only on

cic area that can receive Telkomsel

In this region that has about 7 me

Beach and Coral

Settlement

Garden/Farm (Coconut, Laluga, etc)

Fo

to:

Ferd

iRosman

F,

Ke

lompo

k6CMT

,K2NUI2009

,

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Bu

diWa.

Pe

ta:

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In general, society earnsmeager living as a fsher-

man. Agriculture is mades a second livelihood.


16/25

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Meliku NusaMeliku nusa

ameter, only 7 people are lucky to be able

o call with their own handphone and only

0 SMS sent to recipients luckily. At night,

his struggle becomes excited. When one

people turn o the phone, others are

acing to gain a ticket signal. No reeree or

ediator who provides the use o signal

equence. All depends on the alertness and

o course, luck.

For toilets, Miangas is lucky enough to

have a source o resh water rom the soil. Al-

most in every house there is a bathroom stall.

They have to draw them rst to the well to get

water. The location o that water source was

located in the middle o the township. Pump

machine has not been amiliar in Miangas be-

cause the water that is produced is also salty.

They preer to carry the buckets with a cart

that would take rom toilets. There were also

public baths. Residents oten use it or bath-

ing and washing clothes. They bath without

removing clothes.

Wells or bathing are distinguished

rom the source o drinking water wells. Must

not be exchanged even i occasional

despite already dierentiated like tha

is still well water or drinking, ater its c

its still taste salty. Mineral water sold in

gas, a price double the usual.

Education in Miangas is going

smoothly. Building or elementary sch

nior high school, and vocational scho

bravely standing. I you want to go

lege, the closest city which can be ac

is Manado. Most o the people in M

terminate their education only in junio

vocational school. Rarely continue to c

Uniquely, because o its small populatio

orce has the same people. A schoolma

playmate, yes thats it.

There is a beach with white s

the whole Miangas. I you expect a

ul snorkel spot, it is difcult, because

are no colonies o the dominant coral

beach sand. But on the beach, we n

ily get a blue starsh. There are many

colors, but the dominant is blue. Octo

also easy to nd on the beach. The wat

really clear, so its so easy to nd them

dering.

When the water recedes, we ca

to Cape Wora, a small island that is a

connected to Miangas. I it was high

connection is closed. There was no

lation. Local residents usually go th

hunt canary crabs and harvesting pa

can easily nd the crabs with their a

clamps wandering. Miangas is really u

*Like what was told to Muhammad Iq


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FIGURE

FERDI ROSMAN F. FERDI ROSMAN

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FERDI ROSMAN F.Building

MiangassTelecommunication

XPLORING ABOUT MIANGAS in the In-

ernet brought Backpackin to a great blog

ww.miangas.multiply.com which was cre-

ted by Ferdi Rosman Feizal. His writings are

retty un and describe Miangas activities,

specially in the development o Miangas

ommunications access.

Luckily, we met the employee o Telkom

Pekalongan on Facebook. The response

BY : MUHAMMAD IQBAL

was really warm when Backpackin asked

him to ll some pictures and text in Miangas

edition. Here are some o his thoughts and

experiences ater he has gone to Miangas or

seven times.

How bad is the situation o Miangas tele-

communication instead o other outer is-

lands in Indonesia?

Miangas telecommunication acility (astel)

is actually great. Within ourteen outer islands,

only Miangas and Marore already had this astel.

In the uture plan, or whats been in progress,

what will they do or Miangas telecommunica-

tion?

Theres a plan rom Serikat Karyawan

(SEKAR) Telkom, astel in Miangas will bu ild an in-

ternet cae, including WiFi, cooperating with DIK-

NAS. However, due to the unsupported-Telkom

and also Depkomino has a plan o the develop-

ment o Internet Masuk Desa (Internet goes to vil-

lage), so the Miangas astel is stuck until there.

Lucky, Telkom built Pico Base Transceiver Station

(BTS), so Miangas people can use mobile phone

(GSM) and the products o Telkomsel such as Sim-

pati, As, etc.

Pico BTS, which was built in the back yard

o Miangas pendopo, has capacities o eight ca-

nals: seven voice canals and one SMS canals with

the coverage o a hundred meter, so the people,

who want to have their phone calls and send text

messages, should go near the location o this an-

tenna.

Have you ever had a deathly experience that still

in touch with Miangas?

I boarded with a ast ship Valentine rom

Melonguane to Manado in the storm season (July

2008). The ship arrived in Dermaga Lirung (across

Melonguane), beore continued to Manado, the

wave was really big that night. I saw a ship which

got back to Lirung because o the wave.

Valentine, the ship that we boarded with, deter-

mined to continue to Manado. Our ship had been

hit by a big wave or approximately three hours.


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FERDI ROSMAN F.

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FERDI ROSMAN

uddenly, I heard something BRAK!

I could only pray that time. So many

assengers panicked and some o them

rayed loudly. It was really dark, so I did not

now exactly where it was. The only thing

know, almost all o the passengers threw

p. Ater the wave becalmed, I went to the

athroom in the back corner o the ship. I

aw vomit all over the ground. It was reallyinky.

What kind o things that make you long or

iangas? Why?

I long or the journey and the scenery,

specially the sea. The journey was really un

ecause I can stop by in some small islands.

What kind o daily culture that amazed

you?

The culture that still be guarded like

Manami, a tradition o catching sh tradition-

ally, which is held once a year. Second, ev-

ery guest that came to Miangas always wel-

comed with Upacara Penyambutan Tamu (a

ceremony o welcoming guest) in the quay

or beach where the ship arrived.

There is an issue that Miangas is made into

Filipinas territory. Is it right?

Its a lie rom the people who dont like

the government. Usually, that kind o prov-

ocation shows up when the storm season,

theres no ship that brave enough to go to

P

Miangas that time. The provocation is also

done by several journalists with exposing

the inormation rom those people. From

the inormation o secret service Kodam VII/

Wirabuana, these several journalists are very

similar to the journalists who provoke the

news in Poso etc.

Is the ree rice that the government sends to

Miangas people make them lazy to work?

Free rice is not always sent by the gov-

ernment. The rice dispatch usually done a-

ter the storm season or when a unctionary

came to Miangas. Because Miangas suddenly

became amous, so many unctionari

Miangas and hand over the rice.

I think theres no connection be

rice and lazy to work. In act, I predi

many o Miangas people are civil emp

or example district, village, and tax

sta, marine transportation service

bandar and Navigasi), community

center, elementary school teachers,

high school teachers, PLNs employe

tional Armed Forces o Indonesia (K

and Babinsa), police, etc. only a ew

become shermen.

I long for thejourney and thescenery, espe-cially the sea.


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DO NOT MAKE THE COST as an o

to reach your dream to explore the

o this nature! This principle has b

the ad o Share Traveler community.

name implies, sharing is a pledge that

be a role model o everyone in this co

nity, starting rom sharing the expens

sharing pleasure, sharing grie, sharin

sharing misortune, sharing everything

Share Traveler is a backpacke

munity that came about by chance. Srom the needs o people who wants

with a low cost, then they invite some

to do a trip together so that the cost

reduced. Addiction, trip ater trip wa

More and more people are gathered b

each member brings a new riend on

trip.

From that, the idea to orm a

COMMUNITY

SHARE TRAVELLER SHARE TRAVELL

BY : AMBAR

SHARE TRAVELLESharing is Beauti


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spontaneously emerged. So, on the ba-

sis o togetherness, the searching o the

name o the group until the groups motto

carried unanimously. All members submit

their proposals and their own ideas re-

spectively. Then through the process o

voting, the chosen name is Share Traveler,

and the motto is Share, Enjoy, and Pre-

serve. Hammer was knocked on March

30, 2010 at the Semanggi Plaza, Jakarta,

as well as a sign o the birth o this com-

munity.

Sharing is the most important value in

this community. Thereore, in every trip, its

members share the cost, ideas, and spirit.

Another important value is enjoy, which

is enjoying the beauty o nature during

the trip. While the preserve shows this

communitys commitment to protecting

the environment, customs and local cul-

ture in order to remain good as it is, a wise

commitment which is still oten overlooked

by other groups o nature lovers.

This community believes that by shar-

ing, the journey becomes more beautiul and

enjoyable. Each trip is simply and enjoyable

passed. These characters also appear in the

members mine.

Once a while Backpackin questioned

the meaning o the Share Travelers logo,

which thicken the letter H on the word share

and L on the word the traveler, logo or every

group should have a deep and philosophi-

cal meaning. Likewise Backpackin thought

at that time. However, with laughing and re-

laxed, Dwie Bayu, one activator o this com-

munity responded, Ah this is only or un.

Nothing really means anything.

Although less than one year standing,

Share Traveler has made many trips like climb-

ing to Mount Merbabu, the volcano Mount

Semeru, Mount Gede Pangrango, Mount

Argopuro, and the Ijen - Baluran Papuma

trip, Tangkahan trip (Sumatra), Coast Drini

trip (Gunung Kidul), Sumedang trip, Princess

Islands trip (Thousand Islands), and many

more.

For the uture, Share Traveler also has

a series o trips to various places in Indone-

sia, like beach, mountain, island, cave, water-

all, etc. There will be no end to explore the

beauty o Indonesia, and all the places will

be possible tovisit with Share Traveler who

will deal or the cost that can be reduced

into the most minimum price. Coupled

sense o kinship that is usually ormed

the process o sharing among its me

Share Traveler becomes a communi

is highly recommended i you want

riends to travel around Indonesia.

Share Traveler can be joined b

one who has the same spirit o sharin

search this group on Facebook, the

From there the trip invitations will co

to emerge. All people can join witho

restriction. The spirit o sharing in this

will make anyone who participate in

welcome and comortable, though the

just joined. So, what are you waiting

SHARE TRAVELLSHARE TRAVELLER

Sharing is the most important value in this community. Therefoevery trip, its members share the cost, ideas, and spirit.


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OR THOSE WHO HAVE READ Tales rom

he Road must have amiliar with the name o

atatita, an alumni o Gajah Mada University,

ajoring anthropology. She wrote an eth-ography note o her rst trip in that book. It

ells about how she can go to many places in

donesia and also outside this country.

She takes us to ollow her journey trac-

g ve countries in Europe or teen days,

arted rom Paris and ended in Athena. We

an understand Matatitas point o view dur-

EUROTRIP, SAFE & FUN

Going Around Europe with Matatita

Y : JEREMY GEMARISTA

REVIEW

EUROTRIP CHEERS UK!

CHEERS, UK!

Scrimping in London

and Its Surrounding

CITRA DYAH PRASTUTI, or usually called

Citra, is a scholar rom Indonesia who is

studying in University o London or her mas-

ter degree. She only gets 800 pounds in amonth or her scholarship money, yet she has

to pay or 400 pounds or her dorm.

In her opinion, having limited money

does not mean that you cant have a trip in

this Queen Elizabeths country. In this book,

she shows how to spend lower budget or a

living cost in London.

ing her journey to nine cities in Europe.

Matatita made this book more than

just an ordinary book with some historical

notes o the places she had visited. She alsoput a metro map o every city, inormation

about comortable and cheap accommoda-

tion, and some tips to be a sae emale back-

packer. This book can be a simple guide or

those who dream to cross the land o Europe

and eel the beauty o the Blue Continents

culture.

From her scr

lie, Citra can

low-budget-trip

E n g l a n d , started rom MancLiverpool, Stonehenge, until Scotland

plete with how to arrange the lowest

trip, the places you must visit, and als

sonal note about those places which

cheerully and energetically.

JUDUL BUKU :

Eurotrip, Safe & Fun

WRITER :

Matatita

PENERBIT :

Bentang Pustaka

TEBAL BUKU :

228 Halaman

PRICE :

Rp. 38.500,00

JUDUL BUKU :

Cheers, UK!

WRITER :

Citra Dyah Prastuti

PENERBIT :

Gagasmedia

TEBAL BUKU :

350 Halaman

PRICE :

Rp. 44.000,00


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THRIFTY AND HANDY ARE the best words

to represent travelling ala Backpacker. Nev-

ertheless, you cant orget the importance

o comort during the trip. Even though you

take economy class train, or maybe you ell

asleep at the bus or station, backpackers also

deserve the comortable on the road. One o

the method is you can bring air pillow wher-

ever you go.

Actually its not a new sophisticated

thing, but not all travellers bring it on their

BY : AMBAR ARUM

stus. Air pillow is really exible, simp

convinient. It is easy to carry and it d

take large space in your bag.

The way to use it is pretty simp

just have to pu it up until it get th

elasticity. Ater that, this 30 x 48 cm

is ready to accompany our sleep. At

wake up, you just only deate the pillo

put it back to your bag, and your trip

go. You dont need much energy to u

doesnt waste your time, and o cour

dont need large space inside your bag

it. How simple is that?!!

Besides the air pillow, you ca

ound it riends, which are air matress

Dutch-wie. The way to use is same as

pillow. But to the travellers, its too d

i you have to bring all those things,

just need to bring the air pillow. You c

the air pillow at stores, also you can bu

online shop, like Kaskus. How much

cost? You can have your own air pillo

25,000 145,000 rupiahs, depends

brand. Have a try!

ACCESORIES

AIR PILLOW AIR PILLOW

AIR PILLOW

Handy and Comfy!


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TIPS

SIMPLE PACKING SIMPLE PACKIN

TIPS:

Simple Packing

SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE o the road,

we need something that we have to take in-

side the carrier bag. Inappropriate packing

will make it hard to get the thing and put it

back in order. Besides, it can also make your

carrier bag heavier, thus it has a potential o

making damage in your shoulder.

These are the steps o packing that

we can do:

Y : AMBAR ARUM

1. Classiy your goods into several groups

that have the same level needs. First,

the stus that seldom used such as tent,

sleeping bag, or clothes. Then the stus

that will oten be used, or instance stove,

nesting, and logistics. Last but not least,

the stus that will always be used, like tis-

sue, camera, and ash light.

2. Start packing with puttin

least important stufs, and

continue with the stufs th

oten be used. For sleepin

clothes, and other stus

abric should be deated

will not take much place.

mize empty space.

3. Youd better put the

stufs that will always

be used in the top o

the bag or inside the

pockets o the bag. Soit will be easier to reach.

It is also valid to every visitor who is not a mountain climber. Classiy your goods into se

groups that have the same level needs. Arrange the goods in the bag, do not make a s

Then or the stus that will always be used, put them in the other parts o the bag tha

easier to reach or in a small bag.

4. I its possible, prep

small shoulder bag to

the small important s

during a ar journey. Su

ood (chocolate, honey

bread), camera, victo

and money.

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2010TRIPINFO

CommunitySocial Activities

During the asting month, many com-

munities do the social service activities in

many places. The SERGAP team shares with

the kids who live in the street and Kaskus In-

donesian Traveller shares with the Anak Akar

Studio, and Share Traveller Community with

the kids rom the orphanage.

BY : AMBAR ARUM

The inos below are about the trip

agendas during November and December

2010. The Backpackins editorial sta col-

lects some trip inos rom various communi-

ties, but we arent the event organizer or the

events. So, or urther inormation, you can

contact the community who held the event.

Dont orget to keep the beauty o our nature

and have a great adventure!!

The Adventures JustBegun!

AFTER THE CELEBRATION o ied, the

dventure spirit is back! Various communities

eld a mountain climbing in some places:

Go to Summit community

Bali Backpacker

Held a Rinjani Mountain tour (including

xplore Lombok),

Share Traveller

Goes to Argopuro Mountain, and

Odong-Odong Traveller

Has a trip to Sempu Island.

BI NEWS

INFO TRIP INFO TRIP

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Fo

to:

Ma

liq

Ka

ka

ban

Tour

dan

TIM

Sergap

DECEMBER

1. Lawu MountainThe climbing o Lawu MountainLocation: Central JavaThe dates not yet determinated

Organized by Sergap Indonesia TeamFacebook Group Account:TIM SERGAP INDONESIA

Website: www.sergapindonesia.com

2. BengkuluExplore BengkuluDates: December 23 27, 2010

Organized by Share TravellerFacebook Group Account: Share Traveller

3. Slamet MountainThe climbing o Slamet Mountainvia BlambanganLocation: Purbalingga, Central JavaThe dates not yet determinated

Organized by Share TravellerFacebook Group Account: Share Traveller


25/25

PRAYFORINDONESIA

WHEN NATURESNT FRIENDLY ANYMORE...

WE CANT DO ANYTHING...

WASIOR (WEST PAPUA)

September, 26, Flood Disaster

MENTAWAI ISLAND (WEST SUMATERA)October, 26, Earthquake and Tsunami

MERAPI VOLCANO (YOGYAKARTA)

www.backpackinmagazine.com

Documents

Backpackin Magazine English Version Vol. 2