Artist, journalists plant coral, release turtles at Sikuai

Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Some film artists including Christine Hakim, West Sumatra tourism officials and foreign journalists planted coral reefs and released a number of young green turtles at Sikuai Island beach here on Friday.

 

The event took place at the New Sikuai Island Resort, one of West Sumatra's tourist destinations, about one hour by boat from Padang, capital of West Sumatra province.

 

The group who included movie  actress Christine Hakim and some foreign journalists were making a six-day visit to West Sumatra at the invitation of the provincial branch of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) and the local tourist office, starting from Friday (Feb.20).

 

In addition, Rikwan, the Sikuai Island owner and several officials of the local tourist office also participated in the social activities.

 

The artists and  journalist  left the Dermaga Bahari for the Sikuai Island,  about 50 hectares wide and 400 meters high, by boat.

 

The Sikuai Island resort is about three miles from Padang beach.

The artists and journalists were also scheduled to attend the launching of a tourist train on Saturday (Feb 21) which will be operated by the provincial administration in a bid to lure more tourists to the province.