Visit rare birds and Sumatran tiger

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 06/23/2006 3:41 PM

Berhala Island is named after a Melayu Jambi King who was buried there. His name was Ahmad Salim who carried the title Paduka Datuk Berhala.

Volcanic rock leads visitors to the white sand of the two-kilometer beach. Coconut trees blow in the breeze as if to welcome visitors.

The island, which is inhabited by 40 families, is the perfect place for a holiday by the beach. There are a number of water-related activities such as fishing. Being able to cook your own fish right after you catch it is one of life's simple pleasures.

Other water activities are swimming and diving. The water is crystal clear, making fish really visible.

Visitors can also walk around the island or climb its 2,000 meter high hill. Its steep cliff is suitable for those who love rock climbing.

On top of the hill are the ruins of a Japanese fort and cannons. The mounts of the cannons are about 30 centimeters in diameter and the muzzle faces are about 17 centimeters in diameter.

Those wishing to go out to sea can ask a local fisherman. All heads of families on this island are fishermen. They will be happy to take you with them at night and bring you back in the morning.

In addition, visitors may also enjoy the freshness of Berbak National Park. The park is 162,700 hectares and is only several minutes from Berhala Island.

This swampy area is home to orchids. Records list at least 63 rare wild orchids in this area.

The national park also has various types of birds such as the spotted greenshank (Tringa guttifer), the sanderling (Calidris alba), the oriental plover (Charadrius veredus) and the broad-billed sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus). Generally, these birds are migrants, and are categorized as rare. If you are lucky, you might see a buaya sinyulung (swamp crocodile) or a buaya muara (Crocodylus porosus, saltwater crocodile), both known for their vicious nature. You may even get a chance to see the king of the wild, the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris Sumatreansis).

Visitors can also observe the activities of the Melayu Jambi tribe. These people live in stilt houses or in boathouses just on shore that always move when hit by a wave.

Despite being in a remote area, there are cottages belonging to the local government as well as medical services such as a Puskesmas (public health clinic).

Berhala Island can be reached from Jambi city by taking a two-hour drive to Kualatungkal Port, West Tanjungjabung. From there, you can travel by ferry or speedboat.

After an hour's journey by sea, the island -- a small hill surrounded by three small islands -- comes into view.

Text and photos by Jon Afrizal

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