Birdwatching Adventure: SAGU Foundation’s Ecotourism Experience at Isyo Hill’s
Each year, SAGU Foundation hosts an office outing, usually after a significant milestone, though the timing is often spontaneous. These outings provide an opportunity for our team to bond outside the office, and given our collective love for nature, we typically head to the beach.
This year, however, we decided to embark on a new adventure. We visited Isyo Hill’s in Rhepang Muaif, Nimbokrang, an ecotourism gem celebrated for its birdwatching experiences. Owned by the esteemed Mr. Alex Waisimon, Isyo Hill’s is hailed as one of Indonesia’s premier birdwatching destinations.
Lucia Runggeari and Romibo Rumaikewi, the coordinators of this outing, meticulously planned every detail to ensure a seamless and rejuvenating experience for everyone. They chose an inspiring theme for the trip: “Elevate your passion and connect with nature through the captivating art of birdwatching.”
Romibo Rumaikewi and Lucia Runggeari are coordinators of this office outing
Our journey to Isyo Hill’s was filled with anticipation and excitement. The picturesque landscapes and the promise of encountering rare and beautiful birds added to our eagerness. From the moment we arrived, the serene environment and the warm welcome set the tone for a truly remarkable experience. The facilities were exceptional, and we greatly admired Mr. Alex Waisimon, the owner, and Daud Wouw, our knowledgeable birdwatching guide.
The trip was nothing short of extraordinary, and our team has shared some insightful reflections from the experience. Dive into their notes and join us on this unforgettable journey.
Azarya Patty
The journey to Isyo Hill’s for birdwatching was a once in a lifetime experience. It was here I learned to appreciate nature and everything in it more, including the plants and animals. The most fascinating part was seeing the birds of paradise alive. One thing that stays deeply in my heart was hearing the meaningful stories from Mr. Alex and spending hours in the forest. It made me feel reconnected with Mother Nature and grateful for everything that God has given. The sights, sounds, and peace of Isyo Hill’s are something I will always remember and treasure.
Diana Kambuaya
It was an amazing and meaningful trip to Isyo Hill’s. As a teacher I spent years in classrooms but going into the forest of Isyo Hill’s gave me a new amazing experience. I did not go into it as a teacher but as a learner. I learned that nature (forest and animals) have high magnificent values from The Creator. They live with wisdom, respect and kindness. They represent the mightiness of God. Mr. Alex Waisimon sees these values, he taught us to see the greatness of God through trees and birds and glorify the Lord Jesus by giving us this land. These values that I can only learn when I sit, silent the noise in my head and listen to what nature wants to tell me.
Elisa Faidiban
On June 1 to 2 2024, we went for outing Isyo Hill’s in Jayapura. It took us around two hours to reach the destination from Jayapura city. The trip was filled with beautiful views and interesting conversations with the owner, Mr. Alex Waisimon. After that, we had lunch and prepared to explore the forest to see birds of paradise. This was the first time I saw the birds of paradise alive and free in the wild. It was an extraordinary experience. After that, we returned to the lodge for dinner and evening worship. The next day, we went to the forest again to see seven other types of birds of paradise. I am very grateful to Ms. Tisha who has provided time for us to refresh and to Mr. Romibo and Ms. Lucia who have organized the event.
Elisabeth Jakarimilena
The Isyo Hill’s trip was an opportunity to learn more about our biodiversity here in Jayapura and to learn from Mr. Alex Waisimon. I am truly inspired by the discussion with Mr. Alex on how local wisdom from his parents and grandparents have influenced him in his process of building and designing Isyo Hill’s as a place where we cannot only do birdwatching but also reconnect with nature and understand the role of each being in the richness of biodiversity. He also mentioned that the forest is a place for him to learn, and I think it is true. During the trekking, we visited different sites to birdwatch various species and along the way we got to see different species of plants and some animal prints that showed the biodiversity of the forest. One of the memorable moments is that Isyo Hill’s provided me with a lifetime experience to see birds of paradise in their natural habitat.
Febe Worabay
The trip to Isyo Hill’s truly enriched me with new knowledge, awareness, and a sense of responsibility. Connecting with nature is about understanding the balance within it. What Mr. Alex Waisimon taught us about the behavior of all living things in the forest, reminded me of how important it is for humans to treat all creatures with utmost respect. Listening to the sounds of the forest affected me emotionally as I thought about how many lives exist within it and how they complement each other. I feel more concerned about the environmental issues happening in Papua and how I can be part of the solution.
Gilberth Rifurareany
I was delighted to visit Isyo Hill’s as it inspired my Project-Based Learning work two years ago. With this opportunity, I learned numerous things from basic life skills to special skills such as understanding biodiversity in the forest. “To start a new thing and make a breakthrough we could always start from scratch,” said Mr. Alex Waisimon. This statement reminded me to start small, we are going to grow anyway. Also, observation and analytical skills are key skills he has in hand. This enables him to understand the environment better, to sustain the business while preserving the culture and nature simultaneously. To me, Isyo Hill’s is a great example of Community-Based Tourism in Papua as it empowers locals in the business and builds a strong foundation for the next generation through its Sekolah Alam (Jungle School) where kids are taught about nature and its biodiversity.
Janzen Faidiban
It was an amazing trip to a place I had never been before. This was the first time I saw the bird of paradise with my own eyes. I love when it rained in the jungle on the first day of exploring. I liked the accommodation, it was comfortable for me. About the workers and their guides, it was great to see young Papuans from the villages working there. Meeting Bapak Alex was also one of the greatest experiences, to hear the wisdom from his experiences and the reasons he built this place. Now, I understand why we need to protect the forests and wildlife in Papua because of this trip.
Johan Ginuny
Firstly, the discussion we had with Mr. Alex was wonderful. A lot of values and knowledge were shared by him, but there were two most impressive things. The first is that trees have a strong instinct not to collide with each other. When a branch grows to the left, other branches naturally adjust their growth to another side. Therefore, they do not collide. The trees can grow as tall as the sky, but they respect each other. The second is about an endless black line called asphalt. If you can’t
compete on asphalt, go back to your hometown. The second is when I interact with nature, the rainfall, gusts of wind, muddy roads, mosquitoes, and fresh air, make me feel like I am one with nature. By experiencing nature, I learned to give thanks and that everything is from God. My life should be able to coexist with other creations.
Kanaan Abidondifu
Visiting Isyo Hill’s for birdwatching to see the bird of paradise was an amazing experience. Learning about their colorful feathers, feeding habits, and unique mating dances was fascinating. Mr. Alex Waisimon shared his knowledge and answered many questions, making the experience even more insightful. Hearing the birds sing and watching them fly around was incredible. This trip highlighted the importance of protecting these beautiful birds and their habitats. It was a memorable adventure that deepened my appreciation for nature and its wonders. I like how I can see the business is using sustainable practices and, of course, giving an example of sustainable living. The serenity of the hills and the beauty of the birds left a lasting impression on me.
Maya Lestari (Azarya’s Spouse)
From Nature and the birds at Isyo Hill’s, I learned that my knowledge and skills are still lacking in order to protect what God has entrusted us. I need to have not only good but also accurate and comprehensive knowledge so that I understand how and what to do to take care of nature and myself. I also need to continuously and diligently develop my skills so that I know how to give the best to nature and the people around me, ensuring a harmonious and sustainable environment. Thank you, Isyo Hills, for this invaluable lesson. (Original text in Indonesian, translated to English using AI)
Rachel Mansawan
Isyo Hill’s is an ecotourism destination that aims to provide a wildlife experience in the northern rainforest of West Papua. During my trip, I gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of humans and nature, both striving to survive and thrive at the same time. Mr. Alex Waisimon shared that after living outside of Papua for a long time, he returned home with the knowledge he gained to develop natural resources in his village and enhance the marketing in the ecotourism sector. I believe that this mindset should be embraced by all Papuans. No matter how far we venture, home is
where we should return to contribute to its development.
Samuel Bosawer
It was a great experience to visit Isyo Hill’s where I was able to see the birds of paradise for the first time in person. Through Mr. Alex Waisimon, I was able to learn about the greatness of God who created all living things with all their uniqueness. One of which is the bird of paradise, which has several types with different habits. Mr. Alex Waisimon also told me how he struggled to build this place so that it could become one of the tourist destinations that helped empower the surrounding community. Hopefully in the future, we will always protect the Papuan forests which are rich in flora and fauna as the lungs of the world. (Original text in Indonesian, translated to English using AI)
Sonai Morin
The trip to Isyo Hill’s was an astonishing experience. I had a chance to connect with nature. The forest was part of Grime Valley, and I had the opportunity to see its rich flora and fauna. It was a remarkable experience. I was able to see wild boar, bandicoot, and cassowary tracks, and I was amazed by those sights because those animals are protected in the forest. Another meaningful aspect was seeing many birds of paradise freely roaming in the trees. An unforgettable moment was witnessing a male bird of paradise performing a small Yospan dance in front of a female. I had a big smile when I saw that event. I also learned so much from Bapa Alex’s wisdom about how he built Isyo Hill’s and how he includes young villagers in running his birdwatching business.Thank you, Ms. T, and thank you to the SAGU Foundation for organizing this awesome and unforgettable trip. And, of course, thank you, God, for your magnificent creations!
Yan Richard Irarya (Diana’s Spouse)
My experience of seeing the Cendrawasih bird directly in the wild, hearing its voice, and watching it play was truly the first time in my life. Isyo Hill’s in the Genyem area of Jayapura Regency is a protected forest where 76 species of birds can be found, and several types of Cendrawasih can be seen directly here. The strong determination led by Mr. Alex Waisimon to change the habits of the village community from hunting animals and logging to birdwatching tourism is a modern step we can take in Papua. With places like Isyo Hill’s, we can provide knowledge and experiences to us, the younger generation of Papua, to see the Cendrawasih bird directly and also to protect and preserve the forest that we have. An extraordinary experience, seeing the greatness of Lord Jesus through the lives and habits of living creatures in nature. Keep protecting Isyo Hills and the nature in Papua. God bless.
Tag:Adventure, Birdwatching, Ecotourism, Isyo Hill's, jayapura, Papua
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