INDO JIWA - 110’ Sulawesi Schooner
North Sumatra : Holidays With a purpose.J

Join Channa and Ruby Senaratne onboard the 110’ Indo Jiwa and make a difference to the lives of the Hinako Islanders!

10 days of surfing the world class waves of The Hinakos and Nias and working with the Hinako Islanders to get them back on their feet after the hell they have been through over the past 2 years since the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami and the March 2005 Earthquake.

Ruby and Channa Senaratne first visited the small island of Asu, off the coast of Sirombu, Nias, for their honeymoon ten years ago, they ended up spending 4 years there. During this time, they became involved in the life of the community, running a small café, holding playgroups and medical clinics and attending church.

They learned a lot about the local culture and customs, and the livelihoods and issues that affect the people. These people retained a special place in their hearts. Ruby and Channa spent a total of 8 years in Indonesia, working in the surf charter industry and owning a furniture factory. They are fluent in Indonesian language.

After hearing the tragic news of the tsunami Channa and Ruby felt the need to go back and help the people they had come to call family. The "Holidays with Purpose" idea had already been in the planning stages for some time.

The decision was made to combine the boat trips with the rehabilitation of Nias and its industry. The March earthquake further solidified their resolve to go and help.

Because we believe that poverty is wrong and that as citizens of this earth it is our responsibility to help and combat this. There is an imbalance of wealth in this world and all too often money given in good will is misused or never reaches its intended destination.

We are not simply an aid project, we are about helping these communities to become self sufficient with their own natural resources. We give you an opportunity to contribute directly to a project, both physically and financially. You will see first hand where you finances are going and you will be able to stay in contact should you wish with the project and it’s progress.

Guests from the Holidays with Purpose charters will come into the village projects and become part of them, helping out where needed. They will contribute their energy, skills and love and in return will receive the satisfaction of personally helping to fight poverty and empower to peoples lives.

LOCATION

Your trip begins in Medan in Northern Sumatra. Many international airlines fly to Medan from Singapore, Malaysia or other Indonesian cities. Here you transfer to the domestic terminal for a charter flight with Suzi air to Guningsitoli on Nias Is. where Channa and Ruby and the crew of Indo Jiwa will meet you.

The area the Holidays with Purpose takes you is far off the beaten tourist track. In some areas you may be meeting people who have never spoken with a foreigner in their lives. We ask you to respect the local culture and customs by following a few etiquette guidelines. By doing this you will find that your trip will be more enjoyable as you will gain the respect and friendship of the local people.

ACTIVITIES

Surfing : The surf of Nias and the Hinako Islands is world famous. There are numerous uncrowded breaks, some well known others well kept secrets…a selection of some we can tell you about here… Lagundri Asu Bawa. Others you will have to come and see for yourself…

Diving : If you hold a dive certification the Indo Jiwa is equipped with a compressor, 4 dive tanks and BCD's.

Snorkeling : The islands around Nias are coral atolls where you will discover an amazing array of underwater environments. There is even an old Dutch shipwreck to explore off the island of Bawa.

Fishing : From tropical reef fish, yellowfin tuna, and mackerel to lobster, if you are a seafood lover you will be in heaven. There is nothing quite like the thrill of catching it yourself and eating that night for dinner.

Sunbaking, Swimming and Beachcombing : Crystal clear lagoons surrounded by white palm fringed beaches…minus the lines of umbrellas and beach hawkers, it doesn’t get much more perfect than this.

Hiking and Historical Exploration : Come for a journey back in time and discover relics of an ancient culture. Traditional houses over two hundred years old, purposely built to withstand earthquakes are still standing. Ancient megaliths tell stories of the past. If history and culture is your thing there are mysteries to be uncovered in the jungles of Nias.