Jerry Adiguna

Youngsters in traditional costumes were basking in the warmth of the morning sun, proudly singing a song with typical Papuan rhythms aboard a boat in Manokwari waters, West Papua.

They were welcoming the arrival of Greenpeace’s renowned vessel, Rainbow Warrior, which was entering the port of Manokwari on March 11.

Flanked by several small boats belonging to local fishermen, the ship was moored at the port, and Rainbow Warrior captain Hettie Geenen disembarked, followed by crew members to receive warm greetings in the lively welcome ceremony.

The third-generation Rainbow Warrior arrived in Indonesia from the Philippines to deliver a message to conserve Indonesia’s nature through “Our Forest Our Future”, as well as to revive the enthusiasm of the younger generation, especially in Papua, now setting out to safeguard their forests.

The ship, which invited several media outlets, including The Jakarta Post for the trip, further sailed from Sorong to Raja Ampat from March 17 to 19. It is scheduled to reach Jakarta on around the third week of April.

The voyage of Rainbow Warrior represents a journey to induce self-reflection and raise awareness of prevailing tension between corporate interests that tend to exploit nature for financial gains and relentless efforts to conserve the environment by leading a conscientious way of life in greater harmony with the pace of natural evolvement.

A familiar motto is, therefore, worth observing: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and live a life that always goes hand in hand with nature.”