Paradise Found The Island World of Raja Ampat

In the northwest tip of Southwest Papua, Indonesia, lies a Karst archipelago that just might be paradise on Earth for paddle sports lovers. The islands of Raja Ampat are covered in lush jungle and surrounded by clear blue water, friendly seas, and stunning bays filled with marine life and rock formations that feel more fantasy than reality. It wasn’t an easy journey, but for Michael Neumann, this sea kayaking trip would top any bucket list.

Michael Neumann

The road to paradise isn’t an easy one. Nor is it a short one. But otherwise, it wouldn’t be paradise. First, fly from Germany to Jakarta via Istanbul or Doha. All in all, around 14 hours of air time and a six-hour time difference, followed by an overnight stay in the bustling capital of Indonesia, with its eleven million inhabitants. The next day, leave the chaos of the city and continue east to Sarong, in West Papua. Flight time: another four hours and a two-hour time difference. This flourishing coastal town on the Indonesian island of New Guinea is the gateway to the island world of Raja Ampat. Here, you change to a small plane or board a ferry—like us. When we boarded the Fajar Indah II around 10 p.m.,we…

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Paddle World (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2024

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