Indonesia Inside

Pelabuhan Ratu is an isolated fishing village at the south coast of West Java in the Sukabumi Regency. It is about four hours’ drive from Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, whose residents love to visit the Teluk Pelabuhan Ratu Bay, once named "Wijnkoopsbaai" by the Dutch. The form is that of a large horseshoe and the first you notice are the enormous waves that can be very treacherous. The Javanese locals tell that the Indian Ocean is the home of Nyai Loro Kidul who reigns along the south-coast of all Java.

Myths tell about the legendary Queen of the South Sea, as the name of Pelabuhan Ratu means "Queen’s Harbor". Here in the bay of the harbor of the Queen the legend of Nyai Roro Kidul must have been created where drownings do regularly occur. Javanese locals who named this place "Muara Ratu" (riverside of the queen) do fear the South Sea Spirit-Queen who takes fishermen and swimmers to the dept of the ocean where the underwater palace is in her watery kingdom. So homage is paid to the Queen of the South Sea on April 6th. and in June when a garish thanksgiving festival is celebrated all along the coast.

The first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, was involved with the idea to build a hotel on the spot where the Samudra Beach Hotel is located. Here room 308 is specially prepared for the legendary Queen of the South Sea and is decorated with green furnishment which is the colour of the Queen. Outside of the balcony the top of a tree just reaches for the room and it is told this "ketapang" tree belongs to President Sukarno, because here he got a spiritual inspiration to construct the hotel. Anybody can stay in the room for a while to pray, to meditate, to ask some questions of spiritual matters. Because of all kind of strange events this room became the "Bewitched Room" …

Established in 1991, the Bunaken National Marine Park in Indonesia is one of its kinds. With 89,065 hectares of total area, the Bunaken Marine Park Indonesia attracts numerous travelers. After 30 minutes scenic boat ride from Manado you will reach the Bunaken National Marine Park. North of Sulawesi Island, the Bunaken Marine Park is a perfect place to meet the marine world.

The Bunaken National Marine Park in Indonesia has about 2,000 species of coral fish. You might come across giant clams, butterfly fish, shark, turtles, sea snails, whale, damsels, coelacanth, pygmy seahorse, frogfish, blue-ringed octopus and dugongs while diving in Bunaken Marine Park. The national park is filled with rich coral and fish life. The marine park extends out to five islands, namely Bunaken, Manado Tua, Montehage, Nain and Siladen.

The Bunaken Marine National Park Indonesia is a heaven for scuba divers. Try your hands on wall diving, drift diving and night diving in Bunaken Marine Park. For beginners, the park has several coral slopes. Divers can also immerse themselves in underwater photography. See schools of Barracudas and Jacks, reef sharks, Napoleon wrasses and many other marine species. Besides diving, one can also go for snorkeling. You can expect the level of visibility up to 25m making it a perfect place for snorkeling and diving.

The marine park has over 22 dive sites to take you to the underwater realm. Steep coral walls and seabed offer accommodation to an excellent variety of marine fauna. Watch dolphins bouncing around. The Bunaken Marine Park Indonesia always attracts diving enthusiasts and those who are interested in exploring an astounding marine world.