Hiking and Birdwatching in Sorong of West Papua

Visitors who travel to Raja Ampat will first have to fly to Sorong city. The city is located in mainland West Papua province of the Republic of Indonesia. I often receive questions from tourists whether there are other natural attractions around Sorong regency which they can see before or after visiting Raja Ampat islands.

Female Eclectus Parrot

The lowland forest in the suburb of Sorong regency is a new destination for tourists who want to explore the biodiversity of tropical rainforest. The forest is the natural habitat of birds, reptiles, insects, mammals and marsupials. I introduced it for the first time on the internet in November 2014.

a male Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

Birdwatching
Tropical birds of New Guinea that thrive in lowland rainforest can be seen in the valley. Shining flycatcher (Myagra alecto), Sulphur crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Pinon Imperial Pigion (Ducula pinon), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Western crowned pigeon (Goura cristata), Blyth's hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Moustached Tree Swift, and Lesser birds of paradise (Paradisaea minor) are some of the many birds of New Guinea that visitors can watch while walking through the forest.

Western-crowned Pigeon

Hiking through the rainforest of Klasow valley is easy because the land is flat. However, the footpath to the display tree of Lesser Birds of Paradise is steep and slippery. It is approximately one hour on foot from the village. Visitors have to walk for at least 1 hour to reach the lek of the birds that is located near Klasow river.
Visitors can watch the birds in the mornings and in the evenings. Male lesser birds of paradise compete against one another to win the heart of female birds.

Lesser Birds of Paradise

When the weather is good, the courtship dance performance usually lasts for 3 hours from 6 to 9 a.m.
After watching the paradise birds, visitors could walk back to the village and do birdwatching along the way. Binoculars, spotting scopes and laser pointer will be very useful during the morning walk.
Leg-cramps and muscle pain are not very common among tourists, but there were some cases where  tourists experienced them. Dehydration, salt depletion and fatigue of long day walking on the trails caused these severe leg cramps. When these signs happened, I immediately stopped the hiking tour and returned to our guesthouse. In the jungle guesthouse, I served instant noodle and gave it to my client who suffered it.  The soup of the noodle contains salt that would reduce the cramps. The noodle soup resupplies her body with new electrolytes. To ease the soreness or pain in the muscles and joints, I gave gentle massage using coconut oil. I applied the oil on my palms, warmed them up and then gave relaxing massage to the tensed musles.
Massage also increased the flow of blood that brings nutrients and oxygen to underlying tissues. It relieved muscle tension, and stiffness. Birding could be continued around the clearing area of the forest.

Birding in the Forest Edge

The clearing area around the jungle village is a good place for birding in the afternoon particularly between 16.00 to 18.00 local time. Birds such as friarbird, moustached tree swift, large fig parrot, red cheek parrot, and black lorry often fly and perch in the nearby trees. Children in the village with their sharper eyes can spot birds in distant trees faster than most of the visitors.

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra

What you need to bring:

• Water shoes or trekking shoes and long sleeve clothing that will protect you from insect bites when you sleep. You also need t-shirt that is suitable for tropical climate that is usually hot during the day
• Torch
• Rain poncho
• Insect repellent lotion. Apply it on your skin, and the clothes that cover your body, including areas over your neck, armpits, chest, crotch and ankle. This is very important to protect you from tiny insects that can go through your clothes and bite your skin. 
• Bring binoculars or digital camera with super telephoto lens if you want to take pictures of the animals that live in the jungle.
• Extra batteries for your camera.

Itinerary of Rainforest Tour:
Day 1
Transfer from Sorong city to lowland forest of Sorong by 4WD pick-up car. You will stay in a guesthouse (basic accommodation) in the jungle. Birding can be done directly along the forest edge. After dinner, I or local villager will accompany you to have a night walk in the jungle to find wallaby. Sometimes Papuan frogmouth or fruit bat can be seen too. We will use flash or torch. If you are too tired to do the night walk, we could do it in the second night.
Day 2
Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will leave your camp to walk deeper into the jungle to explore its biodiversity. Deer, wild pigs and wallaby live in the jungle of the valley. Our targets for this morning are Lesser Birds of Paradise and Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise. If we are lucky, we could see them. At night, after dinner, local guide can accompany you to find cuscus possum that usually comes out at night to find food or to mate.
Day 3
We will go trekking and birding in the hill forest. Usually, Hooded Butcherbird, Western-crowned Pigeon, Black-capped Lory, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Frilled Monarch and King Bird of Paradise.
Day 4
This is your last birding day, the easiest way to explore the forest is to walk around the forest through old logging tracks that are located near the village. Birds such as Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Large Fig Parrot, Magnificent Riflebird, usually come to villagers' garden to find grains such as corn, peanuts and green beans. In the afternoon, 4WD pick up truck will transfer you back to Sorong city.

Unpaved road leading to Klasow valley

Costs:
This depends on the number of participants and duration of the tour. Traveling in a group of 3 or 4 people will make the price cheaper.

The Lowland forest is located in the west of Sorong city. Visitors need to rent a 4WD Pick-up truck to reach the valley. You could contact me if you want a more customized trips and different itinerary.

Booking

Please, send me (Charles Roring) an email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or text message to my cell phone 006281332245180. I will be happy to arrange your trip to Sorong forest or other parts of West Papua.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Also read:
Birdwatching Tour in Sorong Lowland Forest
Birding in Sorong regency
Birding tour in Sorong regency of West Papua

Cruise Ships Visit Manokwari

Motor vessel Oceanic Discoverer visited Mansinam island of Manokwari twice this month. It was the second ship that entered Dore bay this year. The first one was Caledonian Sky. As the capital of West Papua province, Manokwari regency is the center of government administration in the bird's head region of New Guinea. The arrival of tourists in this town will attract the attention of the local government.

Cruise Ship Oceanic Discoverer in the waters of Manokwari

According to the plan of Cruise Asia, bigger cruise ship will visit Manokwari in 2015. We expect Coral Princess to come on 6 February 2015 when the guests will be able to watch Cultural Parade that are attended by tens of thousands of participants who come from all corners of New Guinea and several regencies in Indonesia.

The Symbol of Eternal

Blyth's hornbill is the symbol of eternal love. If one of them dies, the one that lives will fly alone for the rest of his or her life.

A couple of Blyth's hornbill was flying in the sky - Photo by Charles Roring

You could see Blyth's hornbill if you go birdwatching in the rainforest of Klasow valley of Sorong regency - West Papua. Contact E-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com

Rainforest Tour in Sorong Regency of West Papua

Sorong regency is the entrance gate in West Papua province of Indonesia for visitors who want to go to Raja Ampat islands- the most popular destination in the world for scuba divers. Sorong city itself is located on the mainland New Guinea. Unfortunately, very little information about tourist attractions of this regency is available on the internet. Geographically, Sorong is surrounded by mountains and lowland areas.
Malagufuk village in Klasow Valley
There is a valley in the east of Sorong city called Klasow. Lowland tropical rainforest that covers the valley is the natural habitat of various species of tropical plants, insects, birds, and mammals of New Guinea. Some terrestrial wild orchids can be found in the jungle of the valley too. Its flat land is suitable for visitors who are interested in hiking, birdwatching and exploring the ecosystem of rainforest.

terresterial orchids

Jungle Walk in the lowland forest
Wake up early in the morning and start walking along the banks of the river or footpaths to see the wild animals that live in the lowland forest of Klasow valley.  Because animals  and plants depend on water we could see birds, butterflies and some reptiles while we walk. Night walk is also recommended if want to see nocturnal animals such as cuscus possum, bandicoot and kangaroo.

small stream in Klasow valley

Birdwatching
Bring a bridge camera with telephoto lens such as Nikon Coolpix P900 or a D-SLR Camera with at least 600 mm lens if you want to take pictures of birds. Sulphur crested cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Kingfishers and pigeons live in the forest of Klasow valley. Blyth's hornbill like to eat wild nutmeg fruits in the jungle whereas cockatoos can easily be recognized by their loud shrieking sounds in the middle of peaceful atmosphere of the forest.

Papuan hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)

Where is Klasow valley?
Klasow valley is located in the east of Sorong city. There is a village in the valley. Its name is Malakutuk. Look at the following map.

How to get there?
It is easy to go to Klasow valley.

• Fly from your country to Jakarta and then 
• Take a domestic flight to Sorong city (Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Express Air and Lion Air have got regular flights to Sorong city every week)
• Before flying to Sorong, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com or by sending text message to my whatsapp: 006281332245180. 

Cost: It is expensive to travel alone. You could travel in a group of at least 2 to 4 people or more to share the cost. I could make a budget calculation if you contact me by email before you come.

Duration of the rainforest tour

You could choose to stay for 3 days/ 2 nights or more in the jungle of the valley to explore the wildlife of New Guinea. Because there is no hotels in the jungle, visitors will stay at simple wooden houses built by the local people. You plan to stay longer, make sure that you buy enough food from Sorong city.

Rainforest in Klasow Valley

What to bring

Wear water shoes or jungle boots
Buy a small bottle of insect repellent lotion and apply it all over your body.
Bring extra batteries for your camera
Buy enough food and drinking water if you plan to stay longer

Logging versus Sustainable Tourism

We promote rainforest tour to Klasow valley of Sorong regency to reduce and to stop selective logging operations and to empower the indigenous Papuan people to take up sustainable development and eco-tourism for improving their quality of life. Because the indigenous Papuan people who live in the valley are still new to and in the very early stages of developing their eco-tourism program, be more tolerant for their lack of experience and professionalism when serving you as their guests.

If you still need more information, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Watching Western Parotia in Arfak Mountains

Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata) is one of the thirty seven species of birds of paradise that live in New Guinea  It lives mostly in the bird's head region of West Papua. This bird does not have feather as colorful as the famous Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) but it has other characters that have attracted the attention of a lot of birdwatchers from around the world.

Male Western Parotia have display ground that he uses to attract female parotia with his skills in performing courtship dance. In the mornings and in the afternoons, he lands on the ground to clear it from any fallen leaves and twigs. He shouts loudly to call female Western Parotia. While waiting for them to come he will practice his dance skills.
During late February and March, male Western Parotia are more active. They are in mating season. Male parotias compete on another to win the hearts of female parotia. They will show their best performances to the female parotias. When they dance, they look like ballerinas.
Mupi Gunung 
There is a village located deep in the dense forest of Arfak mountains that I highly recommends for birdwatchers. Its name is Mupi Gunung. Various species of paradise birds thrive in the forest around the tiny village. There are only three families in Mupi Gunung village.
To reach it, visitors must walk for 9 hours through dense forest. Villagers have prepared a house for the visitors to who want to stay for several nights.

Besides watching Western Parotia, visitors can enjoy trekking in the forest to see tree kangaroo. Other animals that live in the jungle are wild pigs, deer, cuscus possum, soa-soa, blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, pinon imperial pigkeon, and a great variety of butterflies, beetles and other insects.

Warmarway located further south is another rainforest tour destination that is more affordable to visitors. Here tourists can enjoy snorkeling to see colorful fish such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, grouper, and moorish idol. While walking in the jungle, visitors may see Lesser Birds of Paradise, Birdwing butterflies, Cuscus possum, monitor lizard, and various other species of insects that make Arfak mountains as their natural habitat.

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta city (the capital of Indonesia)
• Take a domestic flight to Manokwari city (check the website of Garuda Indonesia Airways, Sriwijaya Air, Express Air and Lion Air)
• When you have arrived in Manokwari, you could stay for one night at Swissbel hotel, Aston niu hotel or Mansinam beach hotel for making some preparation before going to Arfak range. I can arrange your trip to Mupi Gunung, getting travel permit from the polic, buying food, and getting a transport vehicle.

Please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you still need more information about rainforest tour in Arfak mountains. written by Charles Roring

Aquarium Design in Japan - a program from NHK World

I have just watched a program on NHK WORLD about how the Japanese design their aquariums. I was amazed to see the beautiful underwater environment created by the Japanese aquarium designers for their marine gardens.
When visitors see giant fish tanks through crystall clear walls they got an impression as if they are diving and breathing inside coral reef.

Japanese fish tank designers use natural materials such as drift wood, water plants, corals, a great variety of fish and lighting techniques to make the artificial water environment in the aquarium look natural. The use of curved glass walls, man-made curved walls and separate acrylic fish tanks alligned together side by side are some of the many innovations or tricks which the tank designer develop. For them aquariums are the works of art.
The Japanese like to have aquariums in their houses to recreate underwater marine or river environments in their living rooms or kitchens.

Even though the designs of the fish tanks are so good, I still believe that the best environment for the fish is at their own natural habitat i.e., at sea and the rivers. by Charles Roring

Rainforest Tour in Arfak Mountains near Mupi Gunung

by Charles Roring

Tropical Rainforest in Mupi Gunung

As a private tour guide I frequently accompany tourists on various trekking and camping trips in the tropical rainforest of West Papua. The region is now under the administration of the Republic of Indonesia. The most popular destination is Arfak mountains.
There, visitors will be able to see pristine rainforest which is the natural habitat of birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles. Most of the visitors who go trekking in the Arfak range stay for at least 3 days/2 nights to 4 days/ 3 nights. They watch paradise birds, western parotia, and cuscus possum and tree kangaroo.

Mupi Gunung
There is a very small hamlet located deep inside the jungle of the range. Its name is Mupi Gunung. We need to walk up and down steep the slopes of the range through dense forest for full day to reach Mupi Gunung. From that base of trekking, we can explore the forest to see its wildlife. Tree kangaroo, cuscus possum, porcupine, lesser birds of paradise, wild pigs and deers live in the forest.
I highly recommend Mupi Gunung as your next destination for rainforest tour if you really want to see pristine rainforest ecosystem. You have to be physically fit and strong to do this tour.

Where is Mupi Gunung?
Mupi Gunung is a forest area located in Arfak mountains. It is in the south of Manokwari city - the capital of West Papua province.

Susnguakti Forest - The Alternative Trekking and Wildlife Watching Destination

Lesser Birds of Paradise

If you are looking for a nice place and more affordable location for rainforest tour, I will recommend Susnguakti forest. It is located further south of Manokwari. Here, the rainforest is in very good condition.
The animals are also the same. You can watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, and Cuscus Possum if you really want to see wild animals of Arfak mountains. Tree Kangaroo may be seen in higher elevation area of the range.
In Susnguakti forest you can do several activities such as

• Watching Paradise Birds and other tropical birds
• Do night walk to see cuscus possum, glowing mushroom
• Enjoying taking a bath in jungle stream whose water is fresh

How to get there?

• Take an international flight from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
• After that fly from Jakarta city to Manokwari. Airlines that fly to Manokwari are Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Express Air and Lion Air
• When you have arrived in Manokwari, call me (Charles Roring) or send text message to my cell phone (+6281332245180). I will arrange your trekking trip to Susnguakti forest.

Tips

• Change your money to Indonesian Rupiahs when in Jakarta
• Bring watershoes or jungle boots if you want to go trekking in Arfak mountains
• You need insect repellent lotion
• Bring extra batteries and memories for your camera
• You need to do regular exercise for at least one or two months before taking this tour.

Please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 if you are interested.

Broken Corals along Manggewa Beach of Mansinam Island

Last week when I made a short trip to Manggewa beach of Mansinam island, I was surprised by the physical appearance of the beach. I was very sad to see it. Broken corals had washed by the waves to the shore.
In general, there are several factors that cause damages to the coral reef.
Natural factors

• Corals brake during heavy storms. Ordinary waves cannot brake corals.
• Certain species of parrotfish bite corals. They play a very important role in the production and distribution of coral sand. The white sand that we usually see in tropical islands is produced by the fish. Waves also grind small size broken corals

Broken Corals scaterred along the Manggewa beach of Mansinam island

Human Factors

• Illegal fishing techniques using explosives and nets in the coral reef area continue to cause severe destruction of marine environment.
• Irresponsible tourism activites may also cause significant damages to coral reef. Snorkelers must not do their activities over coral reef particularly in shallow water and during low tide.
• The operation of ships in coral reef areas.
• Construction of man-made structures and land reclamation.

My Conclusion
From my personal observation in Manggewa beach, I strongly believe that the broken corals were caused by irresponsible fishing practices. Some fishermen had used explosives in the waters near the beach. Local government of Manokwari regency and the communities in Mansinam island must apply tougher actions to stop these practices. by Charles Roring

White Sandy Beach of Mansinam Island

by Charles Roring
Mansinam is called as the island of civilization by Papuan people. This small island is located inside Dore bay of Manokwari. Every day pilgrims like to visit Mansinam to see the cross monument that is located at the beach. The monument was constructed to honor the works of Carl William Ottow, his wife and Geissler who landed on 5 February 1855 to preached Gospel for the first time to the indigenous Papuan people.
In 1858, Alfred Russel Wallace landed on Mansinam and met them. He carried out research works on the mainland of New Guinea for several months where he collected some birds of paradise and insects.

Air Salobar beach in Mansinam island near Manokwari city

I visited Mansinam last week as part of my survey trip to promote it to foreign and domestic tourists. I explored the south and the east parts of the island in the afternoon to see whether its white sandy beaches were still in good condition. Much of its southern region was still covered by forest, very suitable for birdwatching and nature walks in the mornings. Unfortunately, the Manggewa beach "at the back" of the island had been covered with broken corals. Four years ago, it was still in good condition. Now, the fine white sand had been mixed with broken corals. They landed on the shore during wave season between November and March.
The southern coast of Mansinam was better. Air Salobar was still in good condition. I highly recommend it for visitors who want to enjoy swimming and family picnic. I took some pictures of this white sandy beach. Pandanus trees grow along the beach separating the grass and the white sand.
Some parts of Arfak range decorated the scenery with its blue slopes. The range is a recommended destination for conservation scientists who want to do research works on tropical rainforest and its complex ecosystem.
Coral reef could be found along the south-eastern coast of the island making it as a good place for snorkeling and even scuba diving.
During World War II, American planes torpedoed or bombed tens of Japanese ships in Dore bay. Some of them could be found at the sea floor around the island. Manokwari is the best destination in Indonesia for shipwreck diving.

I and my friends returned to the city again by water taxi. It was a nice trip and I would like to visit Mansinam island again in the future.
If you are interested in visiting Manokwari, please, contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com.

A Visit to Air Salobar Beach of Mansinam Island

I had a short visit to Mansinam Island yesterday afternoon. I explored some of its white sandy beaches that are facing Arfak mountains. One that I highly recommend to visitors is Pantai Air Salobar. This is a good site for swimming, snorkeling and barbecue party.

For birders, the recommended site is the "back of the island" where sighting of kingfishers, eagles, fregate birds and doves is possible particularly early in the morning. Contact me by email: peace4wp@gmail.com if you plan to visit Manokwari.

Abrasion in Mansinam Island

Environmental Destruction
Abrasion at the southeastern tip of Mansinam island can be seen at the following photograph. Most of the people who live in the western coast of island are not aware of this situation. Slowly but sure, Mansinam is getting smaller. I made this picture when I visited the island. Mansinam is surrounded by coral reef. A large percentage of the island is still covered with forest. In recent years, human activites have caused more damages to the reef and the forest. Pilgrims who visit Mansinam also leaves large amount of plastic and metal wastes from food wrappings, bottles and cups of mineral water and cans of softdrinks.
Yet, this tropical island still attracts tourists who come from all corners of the world to see its coral reef and Japanese and Dutch shipwrecks that sank during World War II.

The Island of Civilization

Mansinam is a small island in Dore bay of Manokwari regency. It was the island where 3 German evangelists (Carl William Ottow, his wife, and Geissler) landed on 5 February 1855 to preach Christianity for the first time to the indigenous people of Papua. The nearby mainland of Papua was still covered with pristine rainforest and warring tribes who fought one another for territorial claims. From a small number of followers, they spread to mainland New Guinea and to all corners of West Papua and developed into a large church. The church built schools, opened health clinics and played a significant role in stopping tribal wars. Towards to the second half of the twentieth century almost all of the population had been christened. The landing day (5 February) is celebrated every year by the Christians in Papua and its surrounding islands. Thousands of people wear colorful costumes and perform traditional dance along the main streets of Manokwari city between 4 to 6 February.

Mansinam now is visited by pilgrims who want to see the place where the earliest missionaries lived and worked.
Saving Mansinam
The island can still be saved and its coral reef preserved. People must stop mining its beach sand and stop logging its small forest. Wastes that are drifting from the nearby Manokwari city has to be stopped too. Otherwise this precious marine environment will be destroyed forever. by Charles Roring

Watercolor painting of Black-capped Lory

I am drawing and painting a bird this week. Its name is Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory) with the background of tropical rainforest in Arfak mountains near Warmarway village.
As a matter of fact, this painting is not finished. But I haven't updated my blog for more than a week. So, I decide to upload this painting and write some description.
Yunus Sayori, a local villager from this village always guide me when I go trekking with some tourists. We usually spend one or two nights in the jungle to see paradise birds, cuscus (a nocturnal animal) and tropical plants of the mountains.

Title: Black-capped Lory
Media: watercolor on paper
Size: A4
Painter: Charles Roring
Date: 17 August 2014

The tropical rainforest of Arfak mountains near Manokwari city has often been my art inspiration. When I guided tourists on various trekking trips, I saw beautiful birds such as lory, sulphur crested cockatoo, lesser birds of paradise, Papuan frogmouth, blyth's hornbill and many other birds. I also saw glowing mushrooms, wild flowers, bamboo trees on the slopes of these mountains.
If you are interested in trekking in the jungle of Arfak mountains, please contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. I can arrange a trekking trip for you where you will be guided by Yunus Sayori and other villagers from Warmarway.

Sketch of a Padlock

There are two padlocks in the shop that I run. Both of them look the same. I use them for locking the doors of my shop at the end of the day when I finish work. Today I decided to sketch one of them.

I put the padlock on my working desk and decided to sketch it using a 2B Graphite pencil. I also used charcoal pencil and black ink gel pen to darken and sharpen my drawing.

Figure drawing of a sleeping lady

Human figure is one of the most difficult subjects to draw or paint. When we draw a tree, we do not worry about making mistakes. We can add branches or leaves as many as we like.

When I began sketching this lady in reclining position, I had to make sure that the length of the feet and thighs are in balanced proportions to her body, arms and heads.
Marie's soft charcoal pencil was my tool for sketching this female figure. It could produce black lines that build a complete  form of this nude lady. The charcoal pencil is getting shorter and I have to buy another one. Unfortunately, there is no art supply shop in this town.
In addition to using classic media such as watercolors and charcoal stick, I also like to try and practice with digital illustration tools. In the past I used Macromedia Freehand which was very intuitive but it is not updated by Adobe anymore. So, I decide to use another vector drawing software called Inkscape. It has got tools similar to Freehand and also a very intuitive software.
Commission Drawing
I receive commission drawing based on the photographs of the subjects that I am required to draw. The subject can be figure drawing (portraits, children, reclined nudes and etc.); animals (dogs, horses, cats, etc.) and other interesting and artistic things. Please, contact me by email to: charlesroring@gmail.com

Drawing Flying Fish

Drawing flying fish would be very difficult if we don't see it from closer distance. I often see flying fish when I travel by PELNI pasenger ship. I don't give particular attention because the fish looks very small seen from the main deck of the ship.
Years ago when I visited a small village in Ambon island, I had the opportunity to eat this fish. I could inspect detailed forms of the water animal that can fly.

Some of my drawings

I used charcoal pencil to draw the fish. Then I apply blue color to make my drawing looks better. Before posting the artwork on this blog, I sharpened the dark lines of the fish applying black ink on the drawing. Flying fish has got streamed line body. It can move faster in the water to escape from predator.
Because I was planning to use these flying fish in my Redbubble T-shirt design, I cut them out of this picture and added some blue wave illustation below the fish. I used Adobe Photoshop 7 and Inkscape to do the job. Here is the result:

Exocet - The Flying Fish

I hope that you will like it.

Drawing of Seashells

I like going to the beach. I go there to swim, enjoy snorkeling and take lots of pictures of colorful fish and coral reef. On my last visits, I began collecting small sized seashells which I would use later for my drawing or sketching practices. Last week I arranged them on the table and started to draw them.

I made the sketch using graphite pencil and sharpened the lines of the seashell drawing with charcoal pencil. Later, I used black gel ink pen to create darker outlines of these beautiful houses of marine mollusk.
With Samsung Tab 3 in my palms, I took picture of my drawing and cropped it in Adobe Photoshop Express. The above picture is the result. Hope that you like it. The whole process takes a few days to complete because I only draw in my leisure time.
Samsung Tab 3 is now an old smartphone tablet but it is still powerful in supporting my works. I have got some applications installed in it. Some of them are Aviary, Polaris Office, Video Downloader, TMEyePro and WhatsApp. I used Google Chrome as my browser to upload this picture to my blog. Hope that you like it :-)

Vector Illustration of Phinisi Boat

Phinisi is a traditional sail boat from Celebes island. It has been to carry cargoes that are delivered throughoud remote islands in this Indonesia. Today, it is attracting the interest of tourists who want to explore the exotic beauty of this tropical archipelago. Using Macromedia Freehand MX, I created this sail boat not as a technical drawings for production purposes but as a digital artwork for use in printing or web. Because the original Freehand MX file is a vector graphic, it does not loose its sharpness when being enlarged. This is a very intuitive drawing software that I have ever learned. Unfortunately it has not been updated by Adobe. People who want to buy Freehand are recommended to buy Adobe Illustrator. Despite the offer with discounted price, thousands of Freehand "loyalists" still use the software. Many have moved to using Corel Draw or open source drawing software such as Inkscape.

Today, the demand for Phinisi sail boat is still increasing particularly from tourism sector. Indonesia is the most favorite destination for marine tourism. Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, Triton Bay, and Cendrawasih bay are some of the places where tourists go diving with this type of boat that is called liveaboard.
In the past, sails were the prime mover of Phinisi boats. Now, they are only installed as decorations. Under the main deck of the boats, marine diesel engines are installed to drive the boats in all weather conditions. The combination of sail and diesel engine may reduce the consumption of fuel oil but it is not always the case in tourism industry. The sails are mainly installed to attract tourists. They are fully functional but they are not the prime mover of the boats.
The text that I added on the picture can be removed if you buy the vector file from me. Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in buying the vector file of the phinisi boat.
You can use it for prints on T-shirts, postcards, ceramic mugs and other interesting articles.
If you need a logo or vector art for your company or events,  you can contact me too. I use Macromedia Freehand MX to create vector artworks and I can save the illustrations in jpeg, png or eps files.