The story of homecoming fighters sailing thousands of kilometers to meet their families
The long journey of travelers from eastern Indonesia to the western region presents many stories during the voyage.
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A number of passengers see the loading and unloading activities of KM Dobonsolo at Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024).
The gleaming lights of KM Dobonsolo illuminate Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024) evening. The ship belonging to PT Pelni was slowly approaching the edge of the pier. After that, the passengers who had been waiting began to board the ship.
One of those on the ship was Zaenal (26). After waiting since afternoon, the homecoming fighters were finally on board the ship on Wednesday at around 22.00 WIT. For Zainal, the two weeks before Eid is the right time to start his homecoming journey to his hometown in Subang, West Java.
Using the KM Dobonsolo, he will sail towards the final stop at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, with an estimated arrival on Sunday, April 7th, 2024. That means, Zaenal will sail for approximately 11 days and dock at nine stopping ports.
From Jayapura, the ship will sail towards the Yapen Islands (Papua), Nabire (Central Papua), Manokwari (West Papua), Sorong (Southwest Papua), Ambon (Maluku), Baubau (Southeast Sulawesi), Makassar (South Sulawesi), Surabaya (East Java), and make its final stop at Tanjung Priok Port.
Also read: At the Beginning of the Homecoming Period, Thousands of Homecomers Leave Jayapura by Sea
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KM Dobonsolo when about to dock at Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024).
If drawn in a straight line, to reach the final port, a traveler will travel a route of about 3,700 kilometers. That distance is equivalent to traveling from London, England, passing through European countries to the Anatolian Peninsula in Turkey and arriving in the West Asian region at the end of the country of Syria, namely the City of Al Bukamal.
"After spending so much time on the ship, usually by the time we reach our destination, we are already very familiar with each other," Zaenal joked while sitting on the deck of KM Dobonsolo.
Also read: Losing Train "Ticket War", Homecoming Fighters Saved by Free Homecoming Program
On the night of departure from Jayapura, PT Pelni recorded approximately 1,900 travelers boarding a ship with a capacity of 2,500 passengers. The KM Dobonsolo was particularly popular, especially for migrants from Sulawesi who will disembark at the ports of Makassar and Baubau.
On the other hand, for Javanese migrants, now is the perfect time for homecoming through sea routes. This is because the ships are predicted to arrive before the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which is estimated to fall on April 10, 2024.
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KM Dobonsolo passenger boarding and descending activities at Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024).
Sea transportation is an option for going home because the rates are pocket-friendly. The ticket price from Jayapura to Jakarta is IDR 1.2 million. Much cheaper than air transportation on the same route, which costs up to IDR 5 million.
For Zaenal, the choice of going on a homecoming journey via sea route may indeed be a long and tiring journey. However, on the journey, there will be many stories while crossing several open seas, from the Pacific Ocean, Seram Sea, Banda Sea, to the Java Sea.
“The journey can be boring. "But, sometimes when you're in the middle of the open sea you actually meet new people and can chat a lot with people from other areas," he said.
Also read: Extreme Weather, Pioneer Ships in Papua Asked to Be Careful When Homecoming for Eid
Because we were on the ship for so long, usually by the time we arrived at our destination, we were already very familiar.
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The activities of a number of passengers in the KM Dobonsolo corridor when they were about to depart from Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024).
Similar impressions were expressed by Nurumiah (32), another passenger who will disembark at the Surabaya Port. This is the third time she has used the sea route to return home after migrating for around seven years in Jayapura.
Feeling bored during the journey, according to Nurumiah, is inevitable. Especially when crossing the vast ocean with high waves. However, interacting with passengers from other regions will leave a profound impression.
“For example, passengers usually bring their own food even though they are given food on the ship. "We usually exchange food," he said.
Also read: More than 700,000 homecoming travelers will pass through ports in Eastern Indonesia
In addition, a story of a long journey at sea also comes from the homecoming fighters who continue to sail, even though they did not get a ticket. It is a struggle to still be able to reunite with their family in their hometown.
For example, La Heba (41), a passenger heading for Baubau Port, admitted to not having a ticket, resulting in not receiving any food from the ship operator. Therefore, she had to be resourceful, especially since the price of food on board is relatively expensive.
"Taking a Pelni ship is the cheapest option when going back, but the expensive part is the cost of meals on the ship. However, that can be managed," he said.
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Activities of KM Dobonsolo passengers when they were about to depart from Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024).
La Heba stated that she usually buys food at every stopover port. In the port, the price of the food usually ranges from Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000. The price is certainly cheaper compared to the food in the ship's cafe which ranges from Rp 30,000 to Rp 50,000.
“Usually at every port (stop), there are food sellers on board the ship. "The price of Rp. 10,000 is enough," he said.
Ship facilities
Meanwhile, many passengers are enthusiastic about the various facilities on board. Awaludin (29), a migrant from Cilacap, Central Java, considers these facilities as an attractive option for passengers to enjoy their journey.
"On the ship, there is a library, cinema, cafe and karaoke facilities. "You can also just sit on the outside of the ship to enjoy the sunrise and sunset in the middle of the open sea while chatting with other travelers," he said.
Also read: Time to Cruise with the Pelni Ship
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KM Dobonsolo passenger boarding and descending activities at Jayapura Harbor, Jayapura City, Papua, Wednesday (27/3/2024).
Meanwhile, Bahisam (31), a homecoming headed to Makassar Port, admitted that he was curious about the nuances of Ramadan while in the middle of the open sea. Starting from sahur, ngabuburit, breaking the fast, to Tarawih prayers while sailing the sea. Moreover, it was his first time going home by sea transportation.
"There are many stories, for example, experiencing prayer on a boat swaying with waves when in the middle of the ocean. This has become a unique and special experience for me," he said.
Also read: 12 Pioneer Ships Withdrawn, Pelni Passengers for Eid 2024 Predicted to Decrease
Meanwhile, PT Pelni ensures that there are adequate facilities on all the ships that transport travelers. Head of Operations and Services of PT Pelni Branch in Jayapura, Andang Gumilang, states that there are various facilities that can be enjoyed by passengers on the ship.
Let's mention cafes, minimarkets, polyclinics, mini cinemas, and prayer rooms. Pelni also ensures that various facilities are made as comfortable as possible to support the high enthusiasm of the community during the mudik period.
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Passengers watched a film showing at the KM Kelud cinema while sailing from Medan, North Sumatra, to Batam, Riau Islands, on Tuesday (27/2/2023) evening. The existence of a cinema is to ward off boredom among passengers. The rate is IDR 15,000 per person once watching.
At KM Dobonsolo, Andang stated that the enthusiasm of long-distance travelers is quite high, especially for those who come from Java and want to celebrate the holiday with their families in their hometown.
"Our ships are equipped with complete facilities. Moreover, we have conducted various maintenance and testing to ensure that these ships are safe and can provide passenger comfort," he said.
Head of the Class II Jayapura Harbor Master's Office and Port Authority (KSOP), Agustinus, hopes that the travelers can maintain order during the voyage. He also urges the public not to bring too many items.
In addition, the physical condition of the migrant and other family members also needs to be considered, given the long travel period. Agustinus hopes that the presence of posts at every port that has started operating from March 26 to April 25, 2024, can provide a smooth journey for the migrant travelers.
