Have you ever heard about Meja Mountain? The mountain is located in the center of Manokwari city. For those who love strolling around the city but want to enjoy nature sceneries, Meja Mountain is the destination you must visit.
As a mountain, this one is actually a lowland with lots of greenery along with flora and fauna. This is why locals love to hangout and stroll around the mountain.
Overview
During Japanese colonialism in Indonesia, the mountain was used by Japanese forces to protect themselves from the Allied troops.
When the Japanese forces had no option to run, Meja Mountain became their last defence from American and Allied troops. The Allied forces were attacking from the sea, forcing the Japanese to stay hidden in Manokwari.
Today, Meja Mountain has become one of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists.
Other than seeing the beauty of mother nature, the history of this place is always intriguing to learn, after all. West Papua, more than anything, is home to heartwarming history.
Why Should You Go to Meja Mountain?
Meja Mountain is such a unique name. “Meja” is the Indonesian word for “table”, which according to locals, the mountain looks like a table from afar. And if you happen to visit this place, here are things you will enjoy.
#1 Witnessing various flora and fauna
Not only is West Papua famous for its underwater trips, but this place also offers tons of beauties through the collections of flora and fauna. As mentioned earlier, Meja Mountain is a lowland dominated by trees and plants.
When you stroll around the destination, you will find lots of teak trees and various wild plants. Other than that, bats and birds are typical in this area. Hornbills may show up a few times during your hiking or trekking.
Meja Mountain allows its visitors to enjoy fresh and clean air for free. Other than that, the surroundings are quiet and calm – you may only hear some birds chirping, and other animals talk to each other from where you are standing.
Thus, if you love hiking or trekking or walking around the wild, Meja Mountain is a must-visit place in many ways.
#2 Visiting old bunkers
As briefly explained earlier, Meja Mountain was used by the Japanese forces to stay hidden from the Allied. They later built a bunker spread on the valley of the mountain.
Today, some bunkers are still available for tourist destinations but the rest are gone or buried. Locals also use some bunkers to collect water on the mountain.
#3 Learning history
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West Papua comes with a series of unforgettable memories and history. This is why you will learn new things by exploring West Papua, especially Manokwari.
Meja Mountain itself is quite a silent witness of what happened in the past, especially during the colonial era. Besides bunkers and stories, you will find a memorial erected by the Japanese Government, dedicated to all Japanese who fell in WWII.
The Japanese government agreed with Manokwari before putting two pieces of memorial right before the mountain entrance. Don’t forget to snap some pictures while strolling around this place, after all.
Summary
Meja Mountain is the locals’ favourite, and of course, you can enjoy the same thing. If you are down for camping, hiking, strolling around the wild, or enjoying the beauty of mother nature, this place should’ve not to be missed.
Manokwari always remains special for everyone who has come and visited. And regardless of your favourite destination, it seems like you will always find what you like in West Papua.
