Gunung Meja Forest
Gunung Meja Mountain Tourism Forest is in the middle of Manokwari city, the capital of West Papua province. The distance from the city center is only about 2 kilometers, although close, the condition of Gunung Meja Forest area is very different from the city area. The lush trees form the main part of the mountain. The sun was unable to fully penetrate the dense trees in the forest. You will start to smell the fresh scent of green plants. The sound of crickets and cicadas was shouting even though it was still daytime.
About 800 m from the entrance of the Gunung Meja Tourism Forest, there is a monument to the presence of Japanese soldiers in Manokwari during World War II. The location is not too big, only a small garden with a gate and 2 memorial monuments. This monument was indeed made by Japanese government, when they picked up the bodies of Japanese soldiers who had died and were buried in the Gunung Meja area. The Japanese government in cooperation with the local government of Manokwari agreed to make this monument to commemorate those who died in the struggle. Even though it seems sad, from this place we can see the view of Manokwari city from a height.
Gunung Meja Tourism Forest is actually a protected forest area owned by Manokwari. Not only rich of historical value, this mountain also has a variety of flora and fauna. You will meet many plants such as teak trees and fauna like bats throughout the mountain region. In fact, if you are lucky, rare birds like the Taun-taun (Hornbill) occasionally show themselves. This mountain is like an oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Manokwari's modernization.
The humid air and rich forest vegetation will make you not believe that this forest is in the middle of a modern developing city. This forest is so calm. One of the unique things here is that you will find a rainbow tree. Height can reach 40 meters. This plant grows only in eastern Indonesia, such as Sulawesi, Seram Island in Maluku, and Papua. Apart from being tall, the trees used for the pulpwood and paper-making industries have unique bark, striped like a rainbow or resembling army clothes. If you see a pile of trash right under the tree, it's peeling bark. For some people who have come here many find millipedes and various kinds of mushrooms, such as ear mushrooms and toadstools.
Trekking is the best way to explore natural beauty in this tourism forest. You will find 19 caves, where the 4 large caves can be found behind the shady trees. Reporting from various sources, there are other spots that no less refreshing, such as 23 springs. This area is what gives life to the surrounding community when it is hit by drought during the dry season.
