The present life of
Mentawai people categorized as the legacy from Neolithic era and they have a
strong believe in nature spirit, for their life strongly affected by nature.
They believe that nature is the center of life. All the genuine attributes
make Mentawai a perfect place to gain cultural experiences, here you will
notice a very fascinating and indigenous culture, like traditional cloths,
art, music and the way of life. The entire culture attributes strongly
reflects their respect to nature.
Tattoo is one of the most important symbol for Mentawai people, its reflect
maturity, manhood and status. The art of this body painting inherit from
their ancestor. The tattoos ink naturally made from leaf.
Among the surfers, Mentawai is the best place to fill their demand for
challenges and natures beauty. The beaches offer one of the highest wave in
the world, 3 to 4 meters, totally challenge your gut. Once you grounded your
self in this hidden Paradise Island, next you will paddle out to the worlds
best surf. Dont call your self Surfer if you havent ride Mentawais waves
said most of the surfer to expressed their surfing experiences in Mentawai
There are four ultimate diving spot here in Mentawai ,Siberut,
Sipora, Pagai Utara (north Pagai) and Pagai Selatan (south Pagai). You can
find great waves here year round, but the best waves are during dry season,
March to October. Make sure you have the gut to explore all the glassy
waves, because the best way to entitled your surfing experiences remarkable
is through finding your own.
Getting There
-
Take flight from Sukarno Hatta air port, Jakarta to Tabing air port,
Padang-west Sumatra (flight served every day)
-
Trip from Teluk Bayur port, Padang to Mentawai island by Ferry.
Where to Stay
Lot of visitors
said, that the best housing to stay is the local people house. Offer
you a distinctive way of living in a unique architecture and
experience interacting with local people. Other wise you could stay
in a budget hotel in Siberut.
Moving Around
To
access all the beauties offered, you can use boat owned by local people. You
can find the boat a long the beach and the rate depend on your bargaining
power. Boost your taste with exotic and fresh sea foods that you can found
in the local restaurants run by local people. If you are lucky enough, you
can pick and cook your own sea food, but make sure you know the secret
recipe/spices from Mentawais people. For those who are not sea food lover,
you can find regular meals for your dining.
Souvenir Tips
Local hand made
souvenirs like traditional hats, traditional bag and accessories will be
genuine souvenirs for your relatives and friends. You can buy it in a
souvenirs shop or buy it from local people directly.
Other Things to See or Do
Beach Activities
Cultural Activities
-
Learn how to
perform the Traditional dances (war dance and gratitude to nature)
-
-
Mentawai is one of
the best place to conduct an Ethnographic study since its one of the
oldest tribe in Indonesia
Ecotourism Activities
As
the habitat for rare primate, the natural rain forest of Mentawai will be
the perfect place for research or other educational purpose. Here, you can
conduct research about
-
Snub-nosed monkey/Simakobu
(Simias concolor) monkey family eat leaf as primary food
-
Joja or Lutung
Mentawai (Presbytis potenziani) easily identified for the long tail,
white face and black hair head
-
Bokkoi atau Beruk
Mentawai (Macaca pagensis)
-
Kloss Gibbon/Bilou
or Siamang Kerdil (Hylobates klossii) famous for the beautiful voice,
different compared to general monkey
Travel Tips
-
Nature and culture
come to be understood and respected
-
Bring your own surf
board with you, because its may hard to find surf board shop in Mentawai
-
You may arrange
your travel using the local travel agent in Indonesia
-
Great wave can be
find year round, but best wave is during dry season March to October
-
Bring your personal
medicine
-
You may arrange
your visit by contact the travel agent and airline services in Indonesia
Photos Copyrigt :
www.freelinesurf.com.au
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