KETAWAI ISLAND SCENERY CHARMS FOREIGN YACHTERS by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 24, 2016 (Antara) - The annual international maritime event Sail Karimata Strait concluded in North Kayong, West Kalimantan, on October 15.

         But the journey of the participating foreign yachters continued up to Ketawai Island, an uninhabited island having the natural beauty of white-sandy beaches with amazing underwater scenery.

           Ketawai Island is located in Central Bangka District, about 18 kilometers from Pangkalpinang, the capital city of Bangka Belitung Islands Province. The island is renowned for its crystal clear waters, colorful fishes and coral reefs. 
     Because of its amazing panorama, the island has been included in the list of places recommended to be visited as part of the Sail Karimata Strait activities, which include Jambi, Riau Islands and Bangka Belitung Islands Provinces.

         Since the last few days, as many as 22 yachts from eight countries had anchored in Ketawai Island beach.

         The yachts were from Germany, France, US, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Singapore.       
    Five of them had arrived on October 15 and later left for Tanjung Pinang, while 17 just arrived few days back and planned to stay until October 24, Mukhlisin of the local organizing committee of the international maritime event, said on October 23.

         The Ketawai administration also organized traditional cultural and art performances to entertain the visitors.

         Together with local villagers, the foreign yachters also participated in the beach-cleaning activity and the release of 100 baby turtles.

         They also enjoyed the beauty of the island and the hospitability of the local people who enthusiastically greeted them.   
      "This is one of the most beautiful islands that we have ever visited. It's very pretty and we are very much charmed by it," Nilian, an Australia yachter, said.

           Nilian is of the view that the Ketawai Island is an ideal place for a yacht stopover, because it is very clean, pristine and hardly used for any developmental activities.

         "This island is uninhabited and it is managed nicely. It is clean, calm and has a large number of coconut trees. It is good for snorkeling too," Nilian remarked.

        The Australian yachter suggested that Ketawai Island be included in the Indonesian sailing guide, as the island is worth visiting by any yachter.

         Another yachter, Clara from New Zealand, said she was charmed by the beauty of the island and the local people who were very friendly.

          "I am very impressed. I never thought that we would be greeted warmly and cheerfully by the local inhabitants and government officials," she said.

          She promised to promote the island in her country and to bring her family and friends for a visit. 
      Indeed, the arrival of the foreign yachts on the island had attracted several local inhabitants of Koba village to the event. Using traditional fishing boats, they also paid a visit to the Ketawai Island 
   "I want to see the yachts and at the same time spend some recreational time on this beautiful island. We enjoy swimming in this calm beach," Aminah, a Koba inhabitant, said.

           Sail Karimata Strait is this year's version of the Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia series, which was previously called Sail Indonesia.

         The previous Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesian events were Sail Bunaken held in North Sulawesi in 2009, Sail Banda held in Maluku in 2010, Sail Wakatobi-Belitung held in Southeast Sulawesi and Bangka Balitung in 2011 and Sail Morotai held in North Maluku in 2012.

         Additionally, Sail Komodo was held in East Nusa Tenggara in 2013, Sail Raja Ampat was held in West Papua in 2014 and Sail Tomini was held in the provinces of Central Sulawesi and Gorontalo in 2015.

        Eight provinces and 36 foreign participants took part in the Sail Karimata Strait peak event in North Kayong in mid-October this year.

        Having more than 17 thousand islands, Indonesia considers the sea as one of the country's economic drivers that must be secured.

         "We are also pushing for maritime tourism development. We have Bunaken, Tomini Bay, Karimata Strait, Raja Ampat and many other (tourist attractions). We will develop the infrastructure and facilities, as well as push promotions, so that our beautiful places can be introduced domestically and internationally," Jokowi said in North Kayong.

          Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has promised to evaluate the annual international maritime event in order to upgrade it into a sustainable tourism program that could lure as many tourists as possible. 
   The government has also believed that events such as Sail Karimata will add momentum to the eventual strong culture of national maritime sports.

         One of the goals in this regard is to make Indonesia a world maritime sports center for all the athletes and people around the world.***1***
(f001/INE/o001)    
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/O. Tamindael) 24-10-2016 13:11:09