How a Simple School Visit Keeps a Story and Connection Alive

By Widya Hapsari

The Nusa Ulan kids ran to the beach right after mengaji (Qur’anic recitation at the mosque). They lined up, buzzing with excitement, waiting for us with big smiles like welcoming a long-awaited uncle who brings sweets and fun stories.

Our return to Nusa Ulan felt a little bit emotional. Before the 2024 visit, our last trip was seven years ago. It was our tour leaders, Anastasia, who initiated reconnecting, followed by Dion in 2025. It was truly heartwarming to see how they still remembered us and genuinely welcomed us back.

Visiting the School in Nusa Ulan

The plan was simply to visit the nutmeg plantation, explore the village, and get a sense of the community. However, the kids had their own itinerary, and we happily followed them.

They were the ones that led us to the nutmeg plantation that day, guiding us across a small stream and onto the rocky path that opened into the nutmeg forest. I bet our local guide had the easiest job ever because the kids took over the pride in leading.

While our guides explained the story of Papua’s nutmeg forest, the kids were busy chatting with me, asking where the guests came from and what life looks like in their faraway hometown. Before we knew it, they pulled us to see their school.

The Chaotic, Fun, and Warmth that Feels Like Home

At the school, Seatrek delivered a bundle of stationery donated by guests, like crayons, books, and educational puzzles. The teachers and children warmly received the donation. During the visit, Dion, I, and the teachers held an impromptu round of educational talks and quizzes, with goggles as prizes. It was chaotic, noisy, and fun! The energy of Nusa Ulan’s kids sparked something in all of us.

After the activities, the teachers offered local hospitality by cooking banana pancakes for us, which, of course, we shared with the kids too!

Visiting Nusa Ulan felt like returning home after a long journey; it felt like the familiar warmth we remembered.

Story and Connection That We Keep Alive

Further along the Sorong-Kaimana sailing route, we also visited Kapatcol Village after an early morning trek to see the Lesser Bird of Paradise. In some occasion of village visit, we were welcomed by a cultural dance performance prepared by the kids for our arrival. These performances are more than entertainment, but powerful acts of cultural preservation.

Hundreds of traditional dances have disappeared or survive only in fragments. Generational gaps and modern lifestyles have shifted interest among younger generations. The lack of documentation puts indigenous art forms in a vulnerable state. In many remote areas, traditional dance is not just a performance but also an act of identity, storytelling, prayer, and heritage that is passed down through movement rather than books.

By giving students a stage, it could become a moment of pride and create an audience that listens with respect. Seatrek hopes to play a small part in keeping these traditions alive. To make the dance performances more dynamic, students and teachers often blend traditional dance with modern local music, producing something unique while staying rooted in ancestral expression.

Indonesia’s local artists and musicians are still trying to preserve and embrace their cultural roots, something that belongs to them. The rapid pace of change and shifting interests in today’s world are undeniably impacting cultural preservation. On each journey, Seatrek intends to empower local communities to present meaningful experiences for themselves and for you.

How Can You Take Part in SeaTrek’s Sailing for Good Initiative?

If you are a past guest, I believe you can feel the joy in the kids’ smiles. If you plan to join us in the future, you’re welcome to bring useful school supplies or share knowledge, skills, or stories that encourage meaningful exchanges with students and teachers. Talk with our tour leaders on board, and they will be happy to accommodate you.

The laughter, energy, and joy we share have been beautifully reciprocated. Moments like this remind us why we are Sailing for Good.

Thanks for always sailing for good.