We spent some time exploring Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia, also called Pulau Doom, yet pronounced “Dom” Island. It was one of those quite unexpected destinations – a serendipity moment if you like.
Why were we at Doom Island in West Papua?
Contents
- 1 Why were we at Doom Island in West Papua?
- 2
- 3 Where is Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
- 4 First Impressions of Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
- 5 Second Impressions of Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
- 6 What we Noticed about Doom Island.
- 7 Some History of Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
- 8 The Final and Best Impressions on Doom Island
- 9 ***Watch for the Reggae School Boy***
- 10 A Christmas Obsession?
We were on our way back to the port city of Sorong, West Papua after a week of exploring the archipelago of Raja Ampat, one of the most beautiful and largely undiscovered, eco-marine parks in the world. If you want to read more about it, just head to Raja Ampat – Where Nature PhotoShopped it For You and Your Questions Answered About Visiting Raja Ampat, West Papua
Where is Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
Sorong is the gateway into and out of Raja Ampat, and anyone who comes to visit will arrive at the airport in Sorong. The town of Sorong is located on the beak of the Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua. Doom Island is just a 10-minute boat ride from Sorong, and totally worth the journey. The Sorong is famous for oil produce and has an interesting history, attracting significant interest from other countries.
First Impressions of Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
I will be the first to admit that as our boat pulled up to the wharf, I was wondering what we were there for. It is not the most inviting way to enter this island. In fact, it was very unappealing with litter, and walking through houses and sheds. It didn’t help that it was so hot that the only thing I wanted was an air-conditioned anything. Maybe our fabulous captain of our boat for the past week had pulled up at the wrong place. However, Lokal Pier is the main wharf on Doom Island, and it handles the local ferries to and from Sorong. It is also used for cargo, containers and petroleum products, and that might, but doesn’t, explain its appearance.
Second Impressions of Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
However …. And you could see this coming a mile off … what a transformation when we emerged onto the street. There was a line of brightly coloured becaks, which are like tuk-tuks, or more precisely pedicabs. Whatever you want to call them, I felt sorry for the men having to ride us through this heat, until we realised that this is the mode of transport that locals people use. This is exactly how the locals get around this very hot Doom Island because there are no cars on Doom Island.
This tour was organised for us, but as this is their normal mode of transport, it was not a tourist performance per se. It was just a lot more of us parading around this island, which measures just 4.5 kilometres to do a round trip.
The island is well laid out, and that is a nod to the influence of the Dutch on the island.
We have included a video at the end so that you see some of the journeys.
What we Noticed about Doom Island.
The first thing I saw as we got under the welcoming umbrella of the becak was a wall painting of Santa Claus, and Sinterklaas and Black Pete, or Zwarte Piet. The reason we know about this is that we have friends in the Netherlands in Zaandvort, who explained the tradition. We are also aware that political correctness has hammered a centuries-old tradition, but you can read about that here.
[clickToTweet tweet=”I still want to know why are the people of Doom Island, West Papua obsessed with Christmas? #travel #indonesia” quote=”I still want to know why are the people of Doom Island, West Papua obsessed with Christmas?”]
The next things to assuage our senses were the stunning gardens and flowers, and the brightly coloured houses. It was as if we were in a warp of some description. From litter and iffy conditions to this lush tropical island. And then one of the becak riders put on music – reggae or Zumba music as he told me. There is nothing like being on a hot tropical island, listening to music and see lush gardens, people at work and play, and discovering both mosques and Bethel churches co-existing harmoniously together. Apparently, the boys on Doom Island in West Papua, also like to dance and enter into b-boy competitions. Go Figure.
Some History of Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia
Until 1965, the major city of this region was located on Doom Island, and when the population got too big for this little island, the city of Sorong came into being and was moved to the mainland. Source: Indonesian New Guinea Adventure Guide David Pickell (Editor)
Sorong became an oil city when the Dutch arrived in 1908. Sorong town became known as a city by Heritage Attribute of Nederlands Neuw Guinea Maschcapeij (NNGPM), and evidence of the Dutch influence can be seen in Sorong, and most definitely on Doom Island. The NNGPM company began the oil drilling activity in Sorong in 1935.
Sorong remains an important oil city. Source.http://www.janesoceania.com/papua_history/index.htm
The grave sites on Doom Island, were prominent in our main loop around the island, showing many Dutch names. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the Dutch declared war on Japan, so the province became involved by virtue of its position and its resources, as part of the Dutch East Indies.
The Final and Best Impressions on Doom Island
What we saw on Doom Island, were children dressed immaculately coming and going to school. We saw a mix of children and adults of both Christian and Muslim faith interacting as one. We saw soccer fields, and goats grazing there.
We did visit some of the remnants of the Japanese presence on the island. On the island, we hear about dozens of man-made underground tunnel built during World War II. Remember that this was a very significant seaport and an obvious prize for many super powers. While some people have said it was a good thing to shake the yoke of the Dutch colonial rule, we were told quite plainly when we were looking at one of the Japanese caves on Doom Island, that “Dutch good, Japanese bad”. We were also informed that the caves on the island were not where the Japanese hid, but where the locals hid from the Japanese. This was a verbal exchange with an older man who had lived his life on Doom Island and needs to be taken as such.
We saw Dutch heritage buildings, people shopping, people waving to one another in the pedicabs, and waving at us. We were told that the Dutch used to go to a place called the Fun House in the 1950’s, where Dutch soldiers went to enjoy swimming, playing tennis, and dancing.Our becaks’ stop and we walk to the top of a hill, and there is a white bethel church, stark against the vibrant blue of the sky. A bunch of school boys ask can they get selfies with us, and they do, and they run off laughing. The view from the church is totally amazing, and you can see the bright blues and greens that we had come to know as the waters of Raja Ampat.
Doom Island in West Papua was a delightful surprise. I started out unimpressed but after seeing what we did in a small amount of time, I highly recommend that when you come to Sorong as you will, to get to Raja Ampat, then go to Doom Island. This is a strange little Dutch influenced island, with beautiful gardens, colourful houses, happy people, music playing, and people dancing. It is well worth the time. We would return to both Raja Ampat, and we both agree that next time, we will spend a little more time on Doom Island in West Papua, Indonesia.
***Watch for the Reggae School Boy***
A Christmas Obsession?
It is a very nice blog. The way you express the ethnic culture of Doom Island is very interesting. We can enjoy our holidays there. Thank you for the wonderful information
Thank you. It is a destination we knew nothing about, but remains one of our best memories. Check out the video we did, and look for the young school boy dancing reggae https://youtu.be/Quk7NuLn7pc
Great Tourist Spot
I would like to visit Indonesia. This area looks very interesting. I have never heard of it.
Thank you for sharing this; you have given me the foundation for planing my trip. Lovely photos.
You will love it. I would assume you are heading to Raja Ampat, so you may like to read this article that answers all of your questions about this unique area. https://contentedtraveller.com/questions-answered-visiting-raja-ampat-west-papua/
Amazing Place.Looks like an amazing trip! Would love to hear more details about where you stayed and the tour guides you used.
We didn’t stay on Doom Island. We were on our way back from Raja Ampat. Strong is 10 minutes away, but i would assume they have house stays on the beautiful Doom Island. Re. tour guides, the men on the bikes are the men who drive all locals around. Our guide was the guide from Raja Ampat.
What a great little place you have discovered.
So wonderful to explore a place before tourism sets in and you can’t get the feel for the local flavour.
it was one of those left of centre experiences, and one we will treasure forever. Did you like our video, and the school boy doing some reggae moves. https://youtu.be/pVYlC1113DM
Indonesia, Definitely a great place to visit!
Definitely agree with that, we love Indonesia.
I never knows Indonesia is these good. Great photographs too.
Indonesia is such a diverse, and wonderful place.
What’s up to every body, it’s my first go to see
of this website; this blog carries remarkable and truly excellent information designed for visitors.
Thank you.
seems like you guys had a good time. 😀 great photos
we did, and thank you.
Seems like an interesting place. Thanks for capturing your moments.
it was one of those places we were not expecting, and nor were we expecting to like it so much.
What is great about Doom Island is the influence of the other cultures, the harmonious existence of the different religions and the beautiful surrounding water. Oh, and the local seem friendly.
Totally agree, and this is what struck us the most. Everyone just got on.
Doom Island sounded a little concerning – as the title for a post and a place – but it looks and sounds like you found a great little spot! Indonesia really has so much to offer!
It had us perplexed also, but it ended up being a very happy place.
Discoveries like this are what make travel so great! And it’s so wonderful to see people of different religions living together peacefully. Thanks for sharing your discovery!
Isn’t it the best. When the school boy and the girl started dancing to the reggae music from the beak, it was the best moment.
I would like to visit Indonesia. This area looks very interesting. I have never heard of it.
Neither had we to be quite honest. Doom Island was one of those happy discoveries.
So glad you enjoyed your time on Doom Island in West Papua, and that your second and third impressions turned out to be much better than your first. We’re looking at destinations to visit in Indonesia for next year, so will add this to the list 🙂
Meg visit Doom Island on your way to Raja Ampat, which is a destination I know you guys would love.
I can’t believe it’s actually called doom island? Haha thats great. Indonesia is still pretty high on my Asia list, but don’t know if I would go out of my way to visit this area.
I think you would only visit Doom island on your way to Raja Ampat, which is definitely worth visiting. I wouldn’t go there out of the context of the entire trip.
I haven’t heard of Doom Island before. This is a completely new place for me. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the place. I liked what you’ve shared here as well as the photos. It must be a wonderful place to visit!
We had never heard of it before either. It was one of those really unusual yet lucky finds.
What a great find. Looks like a really interesting place. Hope I can check it out one day
Check it out on you way to the magnificent Raja Ampat.
This is a very interesting, these are very useful and practical tips. Thanks for these!
Thank you. Doom Island was one of those unexpected discoveries; serendipity if you like.
I love the Christmas obsession! I am drawn to anything Christmas related. I buy an ornament every time I travel from other countries or even states. Great post!
It was so intriguing, and we still don’t know why the Christmas obsession.
Photos are breathtaking. Makes me want to visit there. Loved this post.
Thank you. Doom Island was just amazing, hope you get to visit one day.
Sinter Klaas and Zwarte Piet in Indonesia? Mind boggling, there’s so much more to Indonesia than Bali and Jakarta. It seems like you’ve found another paradise to explore (except for the wharf I guess).
I am now on a binge of reading the influence of the Dutch in Indonesia. It was so profound as we saw in Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands (spice islands) and into Raja Ampat and Doom Island. It was such a contrast between the wharf and the actual island. It was an amazing discovery.
Being from the Northern Hemisphere, I still have a hard time reconciling hot weather with Christmastime, so seeing all the Christmas murals on a tropical island is a bit jarring. It really emphasizes that you’re not in familiar territory! Looks like an interesting place, and I’m glad you had a chance to explore enough to discover just how fascinating it is.
It was quite unusual for us to see so many Christmas murals also, when we least expected it. And we are from a hot climate at Christmas time.
This is a very interesting and “locals” looking island. I think this would be a good place to experience the local culture.
It was a unique place that changed from our first impressions to our last – in a good way.
Indonesia has never really been on my travel bucket list. I went there many, many years ago but have never been back. Your wonderful series makes me think that perhaps I should look at it again as a possible destination.
We are discovering places that we have never heard of, and now are definitely Indo lovers.
What a great little place you have discovered.
So wonderful to explore a place before tourism sets in and you can’t get the feel for the local flavour.
Did you ever discover what was going on with all the Father Christmas murals?
Still don’t know why the emphasis of the Christmas murals, and there is so little information on Doom island, that I am having trouble. Maybe someone will help me out with this mystery.