Tidung Island-Where Simple Life Creates Economic Independence.

Tidung is one of the islands located among compound islands called Thousand Islands at the northern part of Jakarta. This island can be reached from two places, from Muara Angke by traditional boat for about 2 hours and from Ancol waterfront by speed boats which only needs around 30 minutes.

Muara Angke is a small harbor at north Jakarta where many traditional boats and ships rest and available for rent. There are two kinds of ships there, the ones which have been modified as commuter ships which take people who want to go to and fro to one of Thousand Islands and Java Island, and the other types are fishing ships and boats which takes fishermen to catch fish around Thousand Islands and Java Sea. Sailing by traditional ships from Muara Angke is much cheaper than if you take speed boat from Ancol. Because of its more limited speed, a traditional ship gives more opportunity to enjoy the sea breezes and the scenery, moreover no one gets seasick during the sailing.

Tidung is basically an attractive island where visitors can enjoy interesting activities like diving, snorkeling, watching the sunset at Tidung main island and sunrise at small Tidung, especially for Jakarta residences who live in the hustle and bustle of a big city and need a gateway which is not so far from the city, or you can only mingle with local people who are very friendly.

Although there are some other coastal areas around Jakarta which offer similar attractions, but Tidung island has a specific attraction that other places don't. At Tidung visitors (tourists) are welcome to stay at local residences spread out on the island so that they can mingle with local people closely. Many houses are still kept in their original appearance as residences but the interior are mostly renovated to be glossier by changing the floors with ceramics tiles, install air conditioner in the bedrooms and the cleanliness is always well maintained. They are rented at reasonable prices which may different subject to food and facilities included in a package.

There are many interesting activities people can do on Tidung island, one of them is riding Betor to see around the island. Betor is an acronym of Becak motor (motorized pedicab) which is able to carry 4 persons including the driver. Two passengers can sit in front and one passenger sits at the back behind the driver. You'll get a unique sensation riding betor specially when the driver tries to keep the balance the betor when it has to share the street with other betors coming from opposite direction. The driver has to maintain safe distance and speed so that his betor won't be out of control either crash into the ditch on the left side nor bump their peer betors . Taking betor is cheap, you can go around the island for 10,000 rupiah only or less than 1 USD.

There are two other popular modes of transports besides betor. Local people like to go places by motorbike while tourists enjoy riding rental bicycles to roam on the island although many interesting locations are close to one another (except Dermaga Cinta and Small Tidung island) so that they can be reached on foot.

Dermaga Cinta or Pier of Love is a long wooden pier which connects main Tidung with small Tidung. You can see beautiful views here with frolic people swimming, banana boating, jet skying at the sea or just strolling on the pier. Many also hike to small Tidung through the winding pier like what I did with my family. Some film makers took the romantic scenes at Dermaga Cinta for its supporting ambience.

The woods at some locations of the pier were mouldered so that walkers had to watch their steps when passing on it. Below the pier we could see clear sea water which allowed us to see its beautiful beds with corals and schools of colorful fish swimming around .

Small Tidung is an uninhabited island which has white sands carpets its beaches. Many photographers took pictures on this island in the morning to capture the beauty of sunrise, which combines with the white sands has created wonderful scenery.

The local government also cultivates mangrove trees to protect the beaches from erosion.

Trickle down effect is generally known as when an economic activity in one area is able to move other sectors. The effect flows down and brings benefits to other people who work in different fields either related or unrelated with the driving economic activity. That's what happens on Tidung island, although tourism is not as flourishing as in Bali or Yogjakarta, but people's initiative has made the process of trickle-down effect take place there.

Tidung people are friendly and helpful, so don't be afraid of getting lost on the island since they'll readily help you when you ask for directions. They make a living from some sources, fishing is the main source of income to mostly local residents besides renting houses to tourists, running event organizers for accommodating tourist activities on the island, opening some stalls like food stalls and small stalls selling some prime commodities. Many Tidung people also work as government employees who provide health service at the Center of People's Health, or at the Councelling Center under the Department of Fishery which hold councelling for the cultivation of some consuming fish like grouper fish to local fishermen.

The characters of being friendly and helpful make Tidung residents familiar to each other very well and always show solidarity. They often show it by sharing activities which are intended to help each other (known as Gotong Royong). One of the activities I noticed was when some housewives around the homestay we rent prepared food to be served to us the renters. The homestay owner relied on the nearby neighborhoods to prepare for our meals instead of preparing it by themselves. Doing this way, not only will the owner the only side who get income but also other people at nearby areas get benefits, so on this island I could witness the drip down effect in economy .

When there is no communal activities nor go to sea, Tidung people have some ways in enjoying their life. Men usually stay at home preparing fish nets or they take a nap to get physically ready for the upcoming fishing or just play around with their children. After cooking and preparing the family's food, women like to socialize with neighbors. Socializing, specially with homestay owners, is important to maintain friendship (or let's call it network) so that they know whom to contact when there is a "dine project" for their homestay guests.

Tidung, a small island on the tip of Special Region of Capital City (Jakarta) which still shows its humbleness.