Here's a highly recommended 16-minute long movie documentary of Joey L.'s (and his team) excursion into the land of the Mentawai. It starts with the 10-hour crowded cargo ferry ride from Sumatra across the strait to the islands of the Mentawai, approximately 150 kilometers off the Sumatran coast.
The excursion took 2 years to plan and prepare, and we are treated to a behind the scenes look at the photo shoots along with snippets of the Mentawai's life. The amount of gear that Joey and his team had to carry was quite significant. This is not a destination where you show up with a couple of cameras and flashes. They had to lug heavy lighting equipment, large reflectors and lightboxes, cameras, lenses, video equipment, generators, food and so forth.
The most visible Mentawai tribesmen in the documentary are Bajak Tarason and Bajak Tolkot, who seem to have a pessimistic view of the Menatawai's future. They address the interference of the Indonesian government in their ancient tribal customs, and of the Christian missionaries who seek to change their belief system.
It's Bajak Tolkot who invites the world to visit the Menatawai islands, to witness their way of life before it's too late. I really hope very few people take him on this invitation. I realize that an influx of tourists could bring a much needed infusion of prosperity to the Mentawai, but it would also accelerate the demise of their way of life, or turn them into performers; wearing their loin cloths and brandishing their arrows for the tourists' cameras.
In the documentary, I've seen young Mentawai wearing graphic t-shirts, including one of Donald Duck, posing next to a traditional Mentawai tribesmen. So the infiltration has already started, and not before too long, the baseball caps will appear as well. It's a shame that similar cultures and traditional ways of life can so swiftly disappear.
My thanks to Cathy Scholl for the heads-up on this movie.
Joey L. : The Mentawai (The Movie)
Top Things to Do in Bali Indonesia
When in Bali make sure you don't miss these Bali highlights
Uluwatu Temple, perched on the cliff at the southern tip of Bali, is the most popular of the many Hindu temples scattered around the Island. Naturally being a temple, there is a strict dress code although sarongs and clothes can be rented at the entrance. Inside be watchful of the cunning monkeys that love snatching bags and cameras from visitors.
Tanah Lot is the second most popular of the many Hindu temples scattered around the Island. The Hindu sea temple is perched on a rock formation surrounded by crashing waves that can be reached at low tide. The temple provides a perfect foreground to a stunning sunset April to November.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located in Ubud 20kms north of Denpassar. Explore the three holy temples set in a dense jungle and populated by long-tailed macaques (monkeys). They look cute but don't feed them as they are wild animals with no table manners. Keep hold of your possessions as they are known to bag snatch!
Beaches - Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island. The eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas. Do not swim at a beach if a red flag is planted in the sand.
Surfing is taught by several surf schools teaching beginners and intermediates along the popular stretch of sand and gentle waves between Kuta and Legian beaches, while Seminyak offers intermediates a little more challenge with less crowds.
Waterbom Park is a water park (water slides, pools, tropical garden) a short walk from Kuta Beach, Kuta Square and opposite the Discovery Shopping Mall.
Bali Safari and Marine Park takes visitors through Indian, Indonesian and African wildlife eco-systems. Enjoy the water park, theme park rides, elephant rides, baby animal petting, animal & elephant shows.
Kintamani Volcano Tour is one of the most popular and spectacular sightseeing tours in Bali. Visit the cooler mountainous region of Bali where horticulture in the main activity. The main attraction for visitors is around Lake Batur and the spectacular view of the crater lake set in a vast volcano caldera. A climb to the summit of Mount Batur, still an active volcano, to watch the sunrise is an unforgettable experience for more energetic travellers.
Elephant Safari Park is a wonderful elephant sanctuary where visitors can learn about elephants and go elephant treking around the park.
White water rafting on the Ayung river is a fun and exhilarating experience while passing through rainforest, rapids and cascading waterfalls.
Lembongan Island Reef Cruise offers visitors a full day of water activities in Lembongan Bay. The boat ties up at a large floating pontoon where visitors can experience underwater marine viewing, a water slide, snorkelling, scuba diving, village excursions and a buffet lunch.
Watch the Sunset which is best viewed from the beach. Kuta's sunset is impressive during December's solstice when the sun is at its lowest, casting atmospheric shadows and a warm orange glow.
Spa Treatment is a great way to treat yourself and is available at many hotels.
Hot springs are found in several locations around the Island. Air Panjar, a hot springs set among a lush garden, is along the northern coast of the island, near Lovina.
Balinese Cooking Class is a great way to experience Balinese life and culture through learning about its food and cooking style. Learn about the exotic herbs and spices used in ceremonial and everyday Balinese dishes.
Golf is popular at several international standard golf courses featuring scenic views of Bali's mountains and coastline.
Scuba Diving and snorkeling are provided by various dive shop operators in Bali running day trips to many interesting scuba diving sites around Bali including Pulau Menjangan which is very popular.
As you can see there is a lot to do in Bali - one visit may not be enough!
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Diego Vergés: West Guinea
Diego Vergés is back at it again, and has completed uploading a couple of new galleries on his website. This time, the photographs (color and B&W) were made during Diego's recent West Guinea adventure in the Baliem Valley.
The Baliem Valley is also known as the Grand Valley, and is located in the highlands of Western New Guinea. It is occupied by the Dani people who are the subject of Diego's cameras and who, because of the impenetrable territory, were only discovered in 1938.
They are one of the most populous tribes in the highlands, and are found spread out through the highlands. The Dani are one of the most well-known ethnic groups in Papua, due to the small numbers of tourists who visit the Baliem Valley area where they predominate.
I ought to mention that Diego self-finances these trips, and has just spent 4 months in Indonesia and the Philippines. He tells me he has taken 17 local flights, and engaged a large number of porters for his lighting gear and other photo equipment in Papua and Siberut....all out of his own pocket. Incredible!
While I've posted three of Diego's Mentawai photographs in my last post, I've restricted this post to only one image so you'll have to drop by his website, and check the rest yourselves.
By the way, I imagine that the scarf dangling from the Dani's neck in the above photograph is an intentional strategic decision to mask the man's penis gourd.
Top 3 Best Vacation Spots in Asia
Most tourists from around the world find Asia as their perfect haven and the best place to spend their long planned vacation. Aside from its rich cultural heritage and magnificent beaches, it is much cheaper to travel in Asian countries too. Here are top Asian destinations you would love.
Thailand
Even if Thailand is unstable politically right now but still it doesn't stop millions of tourists every year to come to Thailand and spend their vacation in one of their beautiful islands. Phuket and Bangkok is the most visited place in Thailand because of its magnificent beaches. Not only that, people who love to shop can shop their hearts out in Bangkok.
Visitors enjoy their vacation not just from the things they see and do but because of the food too. They just love Thai cuisine, it is delicious and cheap as they say. Anywhere you go in Thailand you will find a place to eat especially in Bangkok. The streets are just filled with different kinds of restaurant offering different Thai dishes. You can also find world class restaurants which serves Thai cuisine as well as other International cuisine. Food is definitely a big thing in Thailand.
Indonesia
Indonesia is the largest archipelago of the world which consists of 17,508 islands. If you want to see nature at its best then Indonesia is the best place to spend your holiday. They have various tourist attractions to boast couple with the best modern amenities to make your holiday a comfortable one.
Indonesia is world renowned tourist destinations for their beaches, museums and temples and of course for its magnificent scenic beauty. Travelers, historians and other visitors never miss to stop by and take pictures in their famous towering temples and grand pagodas.
But of course one can't possibly miss their beautiful beaches most specially the spectacular white ones of Bali. Bali has become a world class tourist destination. Famous Hollywood movie stars often spend their vacation here. Perfect place too for newly weds who are spending their honeymoon in the island.
Philippines
Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Philippines is indeed boated of its glory by showing lots of tourist attractions in their 7,107 islands. The country is popular for its beautiful islands, white beaches, diving spots and a lot more. That is why millions of people from all over the world are definitely enticed by it beauty. Fortunately it's not only the places that attract tourists to visit the Philippines but also with their people. Filipinos are certainly compassionate and very hospitable that even strangers will feel at home with the place.
It is home to the world famous white beach of Boracay Island. Other famous beaches are found in Panglao Island, Bohol, and Palawan. Famous diving spots are found in Cebu as well as Bohol. Other tourist spots like Taal Volcano and Taal Lake at Tagaytay will surely hold your breath away. Other places worth to see are Negros, Panay Island, Siquijor and more. The list is just endless and it will probably take your lifetime to discover all of the beauty of the Philippines.
It is probably the reason why most foreigners choose to relocate here in the Philippines especially those who are well beyond their golden days. They choose to spend their retirement days in this country.
If you want to get more information more about top vacation destinations, try visiting topvacationdestinations.org, where you will find this and some more travel tips and reviews about top beach vacation destinations in Asia.
