Alor's icy seawater phenomenon could be a tourist attraction

Antara, Alor, East Nusa Tenggara

Abbas, a motorcycle taxi driver, becomes high spirited when he talks about a rare natural spectacle in the village of Alor Kecil, Baratlaut district, Alor regency.

"There are times when the sea water turns cold as ice in a certain area during which many fish die. The latest occurrence of this phenomenon took place last week," said Abbas.

Residents had a great time collecting fish that had died due to the abrupt change in water temperature. It has became a tourist attraction.

According to Abbas, the chairman of the Northwest Alor Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Association, people from as far as Kalabahi, the capital of Alor regency, flock to the beach to see fish sprawling about when the water temperature turns icy. "In those conditions, we compete to gather the most fish. Many townspeople bring canned drinks to cool them in the seawater for several minutes," said the man who was born in Alor.

According to a former Alor regental councillor, Rahmat Marweki, 45, about a kilometer stretch of seawater will turn chilly along the coast of Alor Kecil village.

Due to drastic drop in water temperature in the Mulut Kumbang Bay area, the view to Kepa Island, which lays across from Alor Kecil village, is obstructed due to the formation of a cold mist on the surface of the sea.

Rahmat related that no one from outside of Alor could stand being in the water for more than several minutes, to depict how cold the water becomes in the bay area.

"But the children of Alor are used to it. They even go diving to catch fish when the water goes cold," he said.

Even though most of the residents of Alor Kecil earn a living from fishing, they do not sell the fish they collect. "Who could we sell them to when so many townsfolk have come down and gathered fish for themselves. So we just enjoy eating the fish with our families," said Rahmat, who is a Manglolong tribal figure from Makassar.

A customary leader from the Manglolong tribe, Muhammad Kare, 49, explained that the phenomenon most often occurred in the months of March and October, and in early April. But lately, the event has not taken place twice a year as it usually did.

Kare said that the natural phenomenon usually took place during the change of seasons. But of late, it has been taking place once every two months.

Despite that, when the phenomenon will happen cannot be predicted. He said that the icy conditions often lasted four or five days.

According to Rahmat, foreign scientists had once studied the causes of the natural phenomenon a few years ago, but was fruitless because diving in the area was difficult.

"The strong waves in Mulut Kumbang Bay makes the sea water here cold but not frozen," said the United Development Party (PPP) activist.

Rahmat said that a researcher from Australia had once attempted to explore an underwater cave believed to be the source of the icy water a few years ago, but always failed to reach the end, returning with no results.

He said the spectacle should be developed as a tourist resource for Alor regency. Moreover, the regency, a stone's throw away from Timor Leste, has an abundance of breathtaking coral reefs.

"The coral reefs in Pantar Strait are stunning. There are 14 snorkeling points and the underwater beauty is comparable with Bunaken," said Rahmat.

Rahmat said that tourism development in the area faced a number of obstacles, particularly in terms of access to the area.

The only modes of public transportation from Kalabahi to the area are minivans called oto, and motorcycle taxis traversing the small road that is full of potholes. The road from Kalabahi to Alor Kecil is being paved now.

Other means of transportation from Kupang to Kalabahi are ferries and airplanes that are not available daily. There are four flights from Kupang each week every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.

"Investors are not keen to invest in the area due to the transportation problem. Alor is like a sleeping giant possessing spectacular natural marine wealth," said Rahmat.

He explained that a number of facilities were available in the area, including cottages on Kepa island frequented by tourists on diving tours. Each cabin costs Rp 60,000 (US$6.50) with three meals provided per day.

"Tourists have actually been visiting Alor since 1978, but the pace of development here has not been rapid like Bali or Lombok," said Rahmat.