Wamena is the district capital of Jayawijaya, Papua. To visit Wamena we had to fly from Jayapura to many commercial aircraft serving this route. Wamena is a major tourist attraction in the land of Papua, in addition to the Asmat, Kamoro, the Korowai, Yani Ruma and so on.
Wamena is located in a valley with a height 2500mdpl, so it's cold. Do not need air conditioning in the inn or hotel2 there.
Known as the Wamena Baliem Valley where Dani inhabit almost the entire region. Some of them are still using ancient aka clothing the naked, with only using a penis sheath or sali to cover their genitals. It is a tourist attraction in itself. Other attractions that can be visited in Wamena is the mummies that are hundreds of years in Kampung Kurulu, Habema beautiful lake at an altitude of 3500an masl, saltwater lake, settlement Dani in honai-honai, the summit of Mount Trikora and so on.
Wamena is also a foothold to visit other exotic regions such as Korowai in Yani House, which is a tribe that lived in the tree, then Mek in Anggruk Yali tribe who lived in honai-honai (traditional house) in the mountains. Or it could be to Asmat where people live on top of a swamp. But of course, for venturing into these tribes we have deep pockets, because of transportation only to the region is by plane belonging to missionaries such as MAF and AMA, be it reguter or charter.
First landed in Wamena of Jayapura we would be invaded by the porter, guide (guide) and souvenir hawkers who tirelessly to offer his services. If we are not interested, we have to firmly say no! Sometimes we have to be like this. If we say later, they will chase continued until whenever, follow us to the hotel, we pursue the next day again, until we are tired, bored and eventually buy their souvenirs.
Transportation in Wamena there are 3 kinds, beca, public transportation and car rental. From the airport if we are not a lot of stuff we could use a rickshaw to reach the hotel, or on foot, because almost all of the hotel's location is not too far from the airport. If using rickshaws, bargain before speeding up and told me not to, because kadang2 brother rickshaw which local communities and spurred a new cepat2 bacaknya use the brakes (if you remember) when it is rolled, enter drains or menabarak another rickshaw. Proven Wamena many doctors in health centers treating patients from accidents rickshaw.
It would be nice if want to Wamena and will use your services we ask them first to a friend who has been there, so know exactly, your quality of life, or we shall be asked to local residents, the owner of the hotel, local car rental and other resources that can unbelievable.
Make sure your that we use to understand and master the location and customs of society Wamena. Because sometimes they knowingly and tipu2 in order to get money from us. Agree with your first, how much to pay him per-day and where we travel destination. Affirm your task also looking for anything like transportation, restaurants, directions, location of tourism and so on. Make a deal on paper because if there is no evidence of a dispute.
During the trip just love cigarettes, is more than enough. Do not serve demand extra money for a particular object, because it could so he would do the same thing in another tourist attraction. Honor your love when the activity is over in the itu.Jangan love to borrow money for any reason, such as asking half of the salary or the other, because it could be he will disappear and never come back. Follow and obey the agreement at the beginning.
Although we are close emotionally, feel confident with a guide or porter, do not believe it to them, do not just leave valuables to them if not forced, and we can not supervise them carefully. Do not love them a big amount of money to buy goods, because they could be instantly disappear.
Same deal could also be used for transporting goods or porter. Exactly the same guide, we also need to know exactly how rates porter per day, how much weight should he bring, how food, drink and lodging for the porter.
Most importantly make sure valuables such as laptops, cameras and other electronic goods are not taken porter. We bring your own. If it does not allow us bring their own because of the weight. So make sure valuables are carried by porters who we trust and never miss a single moment of our control.
Be friendly and kind to guide and porter, communication must be established well, but remain vigilant and do not fully trust them. Provide goods such as cigarettes and betel association. Make them comfortable working with us, so they want to do whatever we want. During kebutuha association goods such as cigarettes, betel, we continue to supply food to them then most trips will be smooth.
Many interesting sights are the object of digital photos or camcorder (video), as the Dani who use penis sheath, or Jibawa market. Dani people notoriously mercenary, until now, the era of red paper money is gone, they know the currency now. When we look they take a picture (photograph) them, siap2 they will come and ask for money, the amount not tanggung2, if not noisier love to taste and blurred. If you want safe and not bother, use a long lens to take pictures of them, so they do not know. If caught cepat2 go from there. Imagine how difficult make a film with a big camera.
If you just want to go sightseeing around Wamena to Kampung Kurulu or want to see can we Baliem River Kijang car rental, rent is relatively ranged 300-500rb, if you want to Lake Habema must use double axle car and rent expensive 2-3 jt, alternating . The rental price is usually beyond that if more fuel is very expensive rare get 25rb / liter.
Wamena is famous for the exorbitant price of basic necessities. Due to its location in the valley and transport them to other areas of air transport dalah. Then the basic needs citizens Wamena send via air. So no wonder the start of cigarettes, drinks, food and so on are very expensive there. Rice with chicken in a simple cheapest food stalls can 45rb.
If we're going on a long journey and a long enough inland in Wamena and baggage we masig possible, it would be nice if we buy groceries in Jayapura, because the price is much cheaper.
Due to the location of the town of Wamena in the valley and 2500mdpl altitude, the air is very cold especially at night, it shall bring a warm sweater. Prepare raincoat because of high rainfall there. Sleeping bag is very helpful to keep warm while sleeping, when a thin blanket provided hotel and not warm.
If we wash their own clothes, when drying should never drying out (page) without supervision, because it could be all gone in an instant. Leave to dry our laundry only hotel clerk, after that we love her tips.
There is no problem with communication in Wamena town, cell phone signals from multiple carriers still be able to be used. However hp signal lost when we were out of town. Other communication option is to kiosks or internet cafe, but the speed is very slow.
Congratulations adventurous and do not forget to pray.