"Raised At Papua New Guinea - Irian Jaya" Sorong by RoyJava

Sorong Travel Guide: 78 reviews and 123 photos

SORONG

Born at the Indonesian island of Morotai we moved to Nederlands Nieuw Guinea (in Dutch!), for now named Papua Province, former Irian Jaya (or Barat = West), when I was a baby-boy. Our place was Sorong at the very western tip of the Bird's Head, the name for that area because this looks like the head of a cassowary (kasuari, an emu-bird).

My childhood was a rather protected one, the truly colonial style, with having plenty of all material matters. I just didn't know better than that ... That glamour we enjoyed as child, created a very happy time in this way.

Right along the beach with white sand and palms, with the reality of the jungle as background, we got spoiled and raised ... and immigrated to Holland when I was 10 years old.

I got lucky to return to Sorong ... a must because of my Holland immigrant dream about Sorong all the time ...

My Sorong VT Pages became a rather extensive update, especially for some kids I've been raised with. With nostalgic feelings and a lot of fun, hope you'll have a pleasant stay, thanks for visiting.

Papua Info - in Dutch

Best Papua Province by Laszlo

Happiness is not a place,... it is a direction ...
- Bill Sands -

Sorong-City ?

police-officer

Although we had a "rich" life, Sorong has always been no more than a main street and some off-streets. Ofcourse all did change, especially the landscape (no more jungles), but still Sorong is a deathly silent hamlet. It is the Pertamina oil company which developed Sorong to its now-a-day "city-life". And still you can find a police-man doing the traffic (see pic) in the early morning, like in the "old days". That looks so cute, so mollify ...

Sorong Indah

sorong-indah-painted

Sorong Indah means literally "Beautiful Sorong" ..
What can I add more ... as my special supplements to VT Tours?
I enjoyed my stays at Sorong, Irian Jaya, ...
As well in former time as the several returning times ...

The Word "SORONG"

WEATHER SORONG

Pros and Cons

Pros:Memories, childhood, rough country, jungle, birds, ocean-life,
Cons:Malaria, militarism, suspicious people
In a nutshell:Memories never die, nor will Sorong ...

Last visit to Sorong: May 1998
Intro Updated Oct 17, 2010
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (65)

FIREFLIES - Lightning Bugs Favorites (10)

As kids we loved to watch the "Fireflies", of the "lightning bugs". Strange enough these creatures got very seldom... more travel advice

STONE HILL Things to Do (17)

Sorong has some "hills" where you can have some great views. Some are the Heuvel/Hill, the Kraanheuvel (Crane Hill) and... more travel advice

PAPUA JAYA? Local Customs (9)

Pak Wajoj we met at his home in Klademak. He once worked for N.N.G.P.M. (Nederlandsch Nieuw Guinea Petroleum... more travel advice

Long-boat To DOOM Off The Beaten Path (13)

You may visit the DOOM-Island by motorized long-boat. In former times the quay used to be next to harbour. That has been... more travel advice

Shopping (2)
See All Papua Stuff
Nightlife (1)
Going Disco
Warnings and Dangers (4)
See All Watch The Play!
Tourist Traps (2)
See All Glittering & Glamour?

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (13)

Reply
- Report abuse
NTSpikes Mar 28, 2010 at 8:38 AM

Just note that Papua New Guinea is an independent country. It shares a common border with Papua (Indonesian). Sorong is in West Papua (indonesia). Can be confusing. Would have been easier if New Guinea was one big country. Spikes. Port Moresby (PNG.)
Reply
- Report abuse
SLLiew Feb 6, 2007 at 12:49 PM

Incredible page on Sorong. What an adventurous childhood it must be in Sorong. Thanks for your e-card, may be you know someone there who can send me a real one or I'll wait to your "homegoing" :)
Reply
- Report abuse
meiyergani Jan 2, 2007 at 4:24 AM

Hi, how are you, Happy New Year 2007, when come and visit Indonesia? Sukses Selalu, Selalu Sukses.
Reply
- Report abuse
bpacker Sep 24, 2006 at 11:25 PM

It looks like you grew up in a great place - thanks for sharing about the bird of paradise, yes, wildlife is worth protecting.
Reply
- Report abuse
Mety Feb 19, 2005 at 6:52 AM

Thank you for taking me back to the place where I grew up from 1951-57, it is amazing to see all those pictures. If anyone was at school there, please contact me.Meta
Reply
- Report abuse
hunwagner Feb 15, 2005 at 7:47 PM

Easily the most detailed Papua page on VT as yet. Lots of insider's info! I really should start making my own... ;-)
Reply
- Report abuse
ukirsari Feb 15, 2005 at 10:06 AM

mas roy, potret di papua indah sekali. love them very much. yes .. peace for us!!!! @rie
Reply
- Report abuse
Jim_Eliason Jan 29, 2005 at 4:46 AM

fantastic page with a great personal touch!
Reply
- Report abuse
Daja123 Jan 14, 2005 at 2:02 PM

I never heard so many interesting things about the country Sorong you lived in. I especially wonder about your back to childhood.
Reply
- Report abuse
cadzand Oct 24, 2004 at 1:53 PM

Great visit to your roots. Back to childhood memories. Thansk for sharing