Who hasn’t heard of Doom Island? Doom Island is unique because it holds many stories from the Papuan people’s past, as well as traders, Europeans, and people from all over the world.
This was the only Dutch administrative center, even before a European-style government system existed. A traditional government and trade network already exists on the island of Doom.
Doom Island Papua New Guinea
For those unfamiliar with Doom Island, it is an old city located about 2 kilometers west of Sorong City in West Papua New Guinea. The island is only about 10 minutes away. It’s not surprising, given how little media attention the island has received.
The island is beautifully organized. This is due to the island’s history as a Dutch occupation area. The Netherlands had arranged for this island to be one of the best in Papua.
When visiting this island, you can still see remnants of the colonial era. The island is not particularly large. As a result, you can walk around this lovely island and take in the scenery.
You can travel by boat (Jhonson) for Rp3.000 (less than a dollar) per passenger. Alternatively, you can travel by speedboat.
Since the colonial period, the island has been home to the Sorong people. The island has a lot of tourism potential.
A Guide to Doom Island
Anyone visiting Raja Ampat will fly into Sorong, which serves as the entry and exit point to the region. In West Papua, Sorong is a settlement that may be found on the Bird’s Head Peninsula’s beak.
A short 10-minute boat ride from Sorong will take you to Doom Island, which is well worth the trip. Other nations are very interested in the Sorong because of its fame for oil production and fascinating history.
Doom Island Sorong Now
Doom Island’s existence is still iconic. Indeed, for some Dutch army veterans who served on this island, Doom will always be a fascinating place to visit.
Many foreign tourists, particularly Dutch and Japanese citizens, come to Doom Island on their own to reminisce and walk around, remembering their existence there.
There are numerous buildings with distinctive Dutch architecture. As a result of excellent management by the local authorities, the island has become a stunning tourist destination. There are enough additional resources to welcome guests.
Visitors can take advantage of various facilities, including places to pray, such as mosques and churches, and a variety of modes of transportation, including becak and ojek, the mode of local transportation.
Doom Island Uniqueness
Doom Island, often spelled Dum Island, refers to the island’s abundance of fruit trees. On this island, many fruit trees flourish, particularly breadfruit trees.
Doom Island is not particularly large; it only covers an area of roughly 3.5 km2. The newcomers, typically from the Javanese, Butonese, Bugis, and Toraja ethnic groups, live on the heavily populated island of Doom Island.
Doom Island was once a property of the Malibela Dynasty, a prestigious Moluccan family. The first people to live on this island where those in charge of keeping an eye on Soop Island and South Nana Island, the other two islands that are part of the Malibela family.
The architecture of the buildings on Doom Island is very different from that of any other Papua region, including Sorong City’s mainland.
Houses on stilts and wooden houses are the most common housing in Papua. Regardless, the structures on Doom Island are Dutch-style houses with famously strong and neatly arranged constructions.
Dutch Colonial Era public facilities, such as “the pleasure houses,” churches, army barracks, government officials’ housing, Hoofd van Plaatselijk Bestuur offices, water wells, and diesel power plants, are still firmly built everywhere. Doom Island doesn’t feel like it’s in the Sorong City area.