Ocean Story

Pearls of The North~Sangihe Islands

21 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment

by porites in Journey

In the hustling activity of WOC in manado, I’m sitting back in the office preparing for a presentation for the Mangrove Park pioneered by LPTP Manado and Danone-AQUA. The morning cold breeze welcomed me in the resort, and I heard that the Metro TV team is coming to our place. After the dives, I met Pritha Laura (Metro TV, Reporter) and her team while I was doing last preparation for the mangrove program on the 12th of May 2009. They were talking about going to Sangihe Islands and were asking if anyone from our resort is joining. The answer is NO. Few hours after the meeting, we got a call that says we got a Master of Ceremony (MC) for the occasion  on the 12th of May 2009. So, instead of me going for that, I’m delegated to represent our resort to go to Sangihe Islands with Metro TV team. After a very late notice of joining (another last minute notice trip), I prepare myself to depart to Sangihe Island. With a instant packing experience to the unknown, I start collecting all items that I need during the trip.

Departure day…… 12th May 2009, is my second trip to the “Nusa Utara” or northern island (some people call the sangihe archipelago that way). With my alarm waking me at 5am, I start my day in a rush to NDC(Nusantara Diving Center). After taking my dive equipment from the dive center. I rush to the Manado Port with Ms. Damayanti (Director of Yayasan Kehati) and Ms. Indah (Yayasan Kehati). On the way to the port, I wonder if I forgot anything on my baggage. When we reach the port I check my dive equipment again (didn’t get chance to re-check beforehand) just to find out that I’m missing my dive regulator. After consulting with Mr. Basuki and Mr. Erwin (both from Yayasan Kehati), they have some extra regulators for me to use. After boarding the ship to Tahuna and waiting for another hour to depart, we cast off towards Tahuna, the capital of Sangihe Islands Regency. With us on the boat are Ms. Lastri (Kompas), Mr. Ibrahim ‘Boim’ (APTN), Mr.Ridwan Gunawan (WOC Participant), PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol team, Ms.Adhita Setiadi (Trans 7), and some of Thailand Delegates. After 5 hours journey to Tahuna, we were welcomed by fishing boats goin around our ship at Mahangetang island. After unloading some of our team that will be staying there, rather than at Tahuna. The rest of us proceed to Tahuna, the capital of Sangihe Regency. When we arrive, we were welcomed by the Vice Regent of Sanghihe and the local government team. We were taken to the Regent office in the center of the city for a welcoming party. We were provided by traditional dances, songs, and FOOD!!! After more dances from local kindergarten, we went to Kolongan beach to watch boat race and sunset. From the beach we went to the hotel to have shower and take a little rest before dinner. During dinner on Teletubies Garden (strangely named) we were accompanied by an ensemble and a bamboo music band. We were invited to dance Empat Wayer(4 Propeller) with the people of Tahuna. Before midnight all of us went back to our hotels. We need to reserve our energy for diving on the next day. Early morning…….05:30am After awaken by the alarm again. I start my morning rituals to the bathroom. After the bathroom session, I went for breakfast (simple but satisfying). After the girls (Prita and Aditha) are ready to hit the road, we all went to the harbor to find our boat to Mahangetang island. The weather weren’t friendly that morning, cloudy and a little choppy on the surface. We went to the island to be welcomed by the Regency Secretary on the beach. After a few greetings we proceed to a villagers house to do briefing and sharing while waiting for the other dive team back from the sea. After 1 hour wait, at last we could go to the prized underwater volcano of Mahangetang island. Me and Adhita were placed together with Mr. Basuki on one boat (really small and scary). We need 10 minutes to reach the volcano from the beach. When all dive teams were ready to dive I start my entry just to realize that, the site is not for a novice or beginner diver. The current swept me right away. I ask for a current line to hold on while waiting my buddy Adhita to enter the water. Under the water, the current is torchering us while we were on the top of the volcano. After looking some bubbles going out from the rocks, we went deeper to the great blue. around 15 meters deep, the visibility starts to get better and I realize the beauty of the place. The coral cover is so dense and rich of variety. Wide angle picture are the best choice in this place. I found some aeolid nudibranches around the rocks. So, macro setting is recommended as well. When I think the dive is over, Mr. Cipto surprise me with another coral valley on the other side of the underwater volcano. The branching coral is covering most of the area. After the dive, we went back to the village to rinse the equipments and ourselves. We were served with a great lunch buffet by the villagers (they won’t let us get away with empty stomachs). Just before our departure to Manado, the rain pours down. With small boats to transport us to our ship, we start our de tour to manado. It was a great adventure on the Pearls of North. I have plenty of reasons to come back to Sangihe islands, the islands capture my heart right away. I will never forget the smiles and the beauty of that place.