Swimming with sharks on undisturbed Karimun<\/p>\n
Agustina Wayansari and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post,
\nKarimun Jawa, Central Java<\/p>\n
A convoy of vehicles, from cars to becak (pedicabs), disturbed a
\nsedate Saturday afternoon on Karimun Jawa Island.<\/p>\n
They took up position on the jetty in anticipation of the
\narrival of the Muria ferry from Jepara, part of the twice weekly
\nservice connecting the island and the Java mainland.<\/p>\n
Karimun Jawa and 26 other islands are a district of Central
\nJava's Jepara regency, divided into three subdistricts with a
\ntotal population of some 4,000 families. Most are fishermen.<\/p>\n
Located north of Jepara, Karimun Jawa is the main inhabited
\nisland, but there are also settlements on nearby Kemojan as well
\nas Parang and Nyamuk islands.<\/p>\n
Public facilities are limited, with only one junior high
\nschool (most students continue their education in Jepara).<\/p>\n
Telephone service is limited to Karimun Jawa, with cellular
\nphone access a goal for the future.<\/p>\n
But part of the islands' potential tourist attraction is this
\nremote, undisturbed quality, a relatively short distance from
\nJava, one of the world's most crowded islands.<\/p>\n
There are many diving sites around the islands, including
\nshipwrecks.<\/p>\n
Just across from the Karimun Jawa harbor, there is also a
\nshark nursery on Menjangan Besar Island, which currently houses
\n10 black sharks.<\/p>\n
"It is quite easy to take care of these baby sharks," said
\nMrs. Sum who is responsible for the nursery.<\/p>\n
"We only need to feed them 3-4 times a week, with 10 kilograms
\nof fish at each feeding time."<\/p>\n
She added that Jakarta's Seaworld had acquired two white
\nsharks from the nursery for its collection.<\/p>\n
In contrast to white sharks, black ones are more passive and
\ncalm. A snorkling session with them proved that they are indeed
\nretiring creatures.<\/p>\n
In fact, they swam away.<\/p>\n
There are also barracuda and carp in the nursery.<\/p>\n
"These fish are for guests who are staying in the cottages,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
The cottages are simple and cheap, costing only Rp 45,000
\n(US$5.48) per night.<\/p>\n
Karimun Jawa is home to the Kura-Kura Hotel and Hotel Wisata.
\nKura-Kura Hotel is owned by the Central Java provincial
\nadministration and managed by Kura-Kura Resort.<\/p>\n
Hotel Wisata is owned and managed by the Jepara regency
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
A Kura-Kura Hotel staff member, Syaiful, told The Jakarta Post
\nthat the local administration should focus on developing the area
\nto draw tourists.<\/p>\n
"Providing hotels alone is not enough and the authorities must
\nalso improve the access here," he said.<\/p>\n
"I heard that they will operate a fast ferry next year which
\nonly takes three hours instead of eight."<\/p>\n
The local fishermen also rent out their boats for visitors to
\ncruise around the islands, with fares ranging from Rp 100,000 to
\nRp 200,000 depending on the length of the ride.<\/p>\n
Promotions are needed to get the word out to prospective
\nvisitors.<\/p>\n
For those who do make it to these parts, there are not many
\nsouvenirs to choose from. There are handicrafts made of
\nseashells, such as key chains, pins and boxes, but the quality
\nneeds to be improved.<\/p>\n
The island is also known for Dewa Daru wood which is believed
\nto have powers as an amulet. The problem is the wood is believed
\nto be so sacred that no ships or planes will carry it on board.<\/p>\n
A special ceremony is mandated to ask permission from the
\nspirits who are said to guard the island and the wood.<\/p>\n
With or without tempting souvenirs, a visit to this pristine
\nisland is worth all the hassle of getting there.<\/p>",
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