Thunder Stones - Rocks from Outer Space

During my last visit to Kwau village in the mountains Arfak of Manokwari regency, Hans Mandacan - the tour guide showed some stones to me. The stones were not much different from the granite rocks which are common in nature. But one thing that attracts my attention was the smooth surface of the stones. In addition, certain edges of the stones are rather sharp. I asked Hans, "have the stones been polished before?" He replied, "no."

The villagers call them, batu guntur meaning thunder stones or thunder rocks. According to them, these stones fell from the sky when there was heavy rain. Huge thunder was an indicator for the falling of the stones. A stone could be found at the place where a lightning hit the earth's surface. Hans said that when the stone hit a tree, it will split it. Furthermore, when the stone landed on the ground, it will create a hole or crater in which there are a number of plants located in the vicinity will die.

In my opinion, most likely these stones that came from outer space are meteors. Frankly, I am not an astronomer so, it's difficult for me to determine whether the rocks in front of me were from outer space or not. I've said on the above paragraph that the surfaces of the stones are smooth and the edges, rather sharp. Possibly they had experienced frictions with the air when traveling through the atmosphere. Therefore, it makes sense also if these thunder stones were really from the outer space.
Hans and Samuel said that when such stone hit the earth's surface, it will create a sound like a bomb. Personally I have never seen how a rock from space hit the Earth's surface, but the stone's remarkable speed could make it more like a bomb when it hits the ground.
If you are interested in visiting Kwau village to see the thunder stones,  or study herbal medicine, you can contact me, Charles Roring, via email: peace4wp@gmail.com. I will be happy to arrange your trip to the region.

WALKING TOUR IN FARMLAND OF MINAHASA HIGHLAND

The highland of Minahasa is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in nature. There is a small town called Sonder which is surrounded by farmland, hill forest, paddy fields, fish ponds and water streams. Visitors can explore the villages and meet local people to see how they work in their agricultural land. 

Subdistrict Sonder in the highland of Minahasa

Most of the villagers in Subdistrict town of Sonder work as farmers. They grow rice, corn, banana, papaya, durian, duku, cabbage, carrot, spring onion, and etc. They also run pig, poultry and fish farms. 

Visitors can visit the farmland to buy some fruits or vegetables and try cooking them at the homestay where they stay.

Agricultural crops in Minahasa highland

There are birds and butterfly that can be watched in the forest, farmland and paddy fields. Visitors can watch them if they bring binoculars.

In higher elevation forest of Sonder, there are Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-faced Munia, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Sulawesi Drongo, Crimson Sunbird, and etc. The best time to watch them is early in the morning between 06:00 to 10:00. 

Sooty-headed Bulbul

Black-crowned White-eye

Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Sulawesi Fantail, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker

There is a small forest in the middle of Sonder town at the slope of Tounelet village. Birds that can be watched include Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Sahul Sunbird, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Slender-billed Crow, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, and etc. 

In paddy field, more birds could be seen. If we do early morning and late afternoon walks, we could see Finch-billed Myna, Zebra Dove, Collared Kingfisher, Black-naped Oriole, Brown-throated Sunbird, White-eye Drongo, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Sunda Teal, White-browed Crake, Cinnamon Bittern, White-breasted Woodswallow, and etc. Visitors need to bring binoculars in order to watch these birds.

Water birds in paddy field: Barred Rail, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret and Eastern Yellow Wagtail

For butterflies, there are Blanchard's Tree Nymph Butterfly, Blanchard's Wood Nymph Butterfly, Clipper, Common Birdwing, Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly.

Bringing a camera with telephoto lens is not a must but it can greatly enhance the birdwatching and butterflywatching experience. 

Clipper, Lime Swallowtail, Gigon Swallowtail, Sacred Tabby, Great Eggfly butterflies

Traveling to Minahasa Highland

The entry point to this region is Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi province in the Republic of Indonesia. International visitors can fly to Jakarta, or Surabaya or Denpasar. After that, they can continue their trip to Manado by taking domestic flights served by Garuda, Citilink, TransNusa, Batik Air and Lion Air. 

Flight route to Minahasa

Car route to Tomohon and Sonder in Minahasa highland

There are also international direct flights from Singapore to Manado by Scoot Air and from Guangzhou to Manado by China Southern Airlines. Arriving in Manado city, visitors can continue their trip by car to Tomohon town or Sonder town in Minahasa highland.

If you are interested in traveling to Minahasa highland to enjoy your holiday exploring the forest, farmland, paddy fields and villages of Subdistrict Sonder, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. I could organize your trip and guide you in Minahasa. 

Also read:

• Birding in Higher Elevation Forest of Minahasa
• Birding in Paddy Fields of District Sonder in Minahasa Highland
• Walking Tour, Birdwatching and Butterflywatching in District Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Birdwatching in Minahasa Highland
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder
• https://wildlifeminahasa.blogspot.com