TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lake Sentani, one of Indonesia’s largest lakes, is a must-visit destination for nature and culture travel addicts. The vast of lake water surrounded by green, small hills is like a mirror to the flocks of white clouds floating on the blue sky above it.

Life around the lake that is nested in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, is no less interesting. Variety of crafts that reflect culture of its surrounding residents has created vibrant and colorful life around the lake. Legend has it that life on Papua land begun from a dragon rider.

The legend begun with the dragon rider being strandd around Sentani. The dragon died but its rider survived and started new civilization around the lake. What’s left from the dragon is, according to the local belief, a group of 22 small islands that are located in Sentani Lake. The dragon’s tail is on the west and its head on the east.

The islands are now inhabited by Sentani tribe, who have formed 24 indigenous villages. During the World War II, the islands were used as a training field for landing amphibi planes. The training field was built by the Japanese but was acquired y the United States in 1944. One of American war legend, General Douglas MacArthur, is believed to had lived around the lake which is located 75-meter high above the sea level.

If you are curious about the charm of its natural and cultural wonder, you are welcomed to visit the Lake Sentani Festival (FDS) which will be rolled starting from June 19 to 23.

Jayapura Regent, Mathius Awoitauw had promised that tourists will not get bored in the annual festival.

Under the theme of “Budayaku Kesejahteraanku” (My Culture, My Prosperity), the 2015 FDS will feature culture exhibitions and various competitions.

TIM INFO TEMPO