Day-tripping to the Island of Doom

Last Sunday, once the monotony of going from home to office to home, and back again, with no break or change of scenery, even on weekends (because Sorong is a dive of a city; hot, sticky, dirty, uugh), I finally convinced Martin that we had to break the routine or I was going to go insane!

What better, uplifting destination that the Isle of Doom!? (Actually pronounced, and starting to be spelled, DUM) Their motto, as you can see in the sign below, is, Doom Kota Kami (Our City of Doom): Kecil, Aman, Menarik, Indah (Small, Safe, Interesting, Beautiful). In contrast to the ominous name, I found their claims to be true.



Pulau Doom is about a 10 minute, 20 cent, water taxi ride from Sorong.



It's a small, round little island that people say was the original 'Sorong'. As such, it has the complete set of social structures and facilities -- schools, government offices, church, mosque and market. Sorong was relocated to the mainland (I still say that even though they're all islands!) once the little island was all but overflowing; it is much quieter and greener than Sorong, as so won my immediate approval.



There are no cars, and few motorcycles -- only a parade of becak (tricycle taxi) travel the tiny cement streets on the island. We hopped on a becak, and were given the full tour of the entire island, both Martin and I riding cozily together in one (not an ideal state in the heat of the tropics). It cost us about two dollars.



Sometimes these becak drivers don't obey the rules!



And in the blazing mid-day sun, I think I saw more of them resting under the shade of a tree than working... it's too HOT!




I think we will go back again sometime, and now that we know there are several other islands all within reach of a day-trip from Sorong, maybe we won't go to the office 7 days a week! This is a picture of Pulau Buaya (Crocodile Island, so-named because of the distinctive shape, NOT the presence of the beast!)... maybe it'll be next weekend!?




Just a note: When looking for directions in the port city of Sorong you can't just accept the answer "pelabuhan" ("harbour", or "port")... as we found out when looking for the public transportation to the little island. You have to specify WHICH ONE! There is the fishing port, the tourist harbour, the 'regular' harbour, the oil & gas docks, and of course, the Pelni port (where the big passenger ships, Pelni, come to rest).


(In this pic you can see an example of the little yellow mini-vans that are public busses here in Sorong)