The tropical paradise not only in
Bali, but of course in this Kalimantan island. This paradise beach of
Derawan Archipelago in
East Kalimantan will radiate its enchanting splendors in a series of festivities as the elaborate event of
Derawan Festival 2013 gets underway, scheduled to take place from
21st June to 22nd September 2013.
Carrying the theme “Derawan for the Future”, the event, centered in the Berau Regency will be an international promotion program aimed to introduce and further promote the wonders of the Derawan Arcipelago as part of the Wonderful Indonesia and the Visit East Kalimantan campaign.
Officiated on 24th February 2013 at the Hotel Aston Samarinda in the capital of East Kalimantan, the festival consists of a series of activities that will last for three whole months with highlights in June and September.
Kicking off the festival will be a Dive Tournament and the Live on Board Festival which will be held in the seas around the Derawan Archipelago from 21st to 30th June 2013 to be participated by mariners and dive enthusiasts from all over the archipelago and abroad.
On 13th to 15th June 2013, a social charity program aimed to aid the local population of the Berau Regency entitled Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya Operation is organized by the Indonesian Navy.
Then the pinnacle of the festival will occur on 15th September 2013 with the Official Opening Ceremony in the Berau Regency to be led by Indonesia's President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono, along with other government officials. The opening ceremony will be followed by a Gala Dinner. There will also be an Exhibition which will last until 22nd September 2013. Participating in the exhibition will be the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Ministry of Trade, the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI), Tour Operators, Dive Operators, and various small and medium businesses.
From 15th to 20th September 2013, yachts participating in the Sail Indonesia 2013 Yacht Rally and the Cruise to Derawan will enter Derawan. The Route of the Sail Indonesia 2013 will have taken yachts from Davao to Talaud-Sangihe-Bitung to Derawan, while the Cruise to Derawan will have taken international sail enthusiasts on a course from Phuket to Singapore-Anambas-Kinabalu and on to Derawan.
There will also be the Bhakti Kesra Nusantara Operation conducted by the Navy on 13th to 15th September 2013 and the International Seminar on Coral Triangle Initiative and Small Islands from 16th to 18th September 2013. On 22nd September 2013, the audience and participants will be entertained with an Open Entertainment Stage featuring Indonesian top singers and traditional art performances.
Wrapping up the excitement, participants in the festival will be taken to the waters around Derawan, Maratua, and Kakaban islands for a Fishing Game tournament on 23rd to 30th September 2013.
Competing for the Chief of the NAVY’s trophy, the tournament will be a team competition in which participants are top anglers in the country and abroad.