Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

I spent a relaxing weekend in Bandung, which is a short three hour long comfortable train ride from Jakarta. Upon arrival, Rashidah and I set out to our hotel, Ibis Styles, and relaxed for the night after having dinner on Braga Street, which is the center of night life in Bandung. 

The following morning we headed to Tangkuban Perahu, a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1983, located 30 km north of Bandung. Enjoy the scenic view on the way to Tangkuban Perahu...

Panoramic View

Bandung Countryside

Rashidah and I

Arriving at Tangkuban Perahu I learned of its folklore. From Wikipedia, "The name translates roughly to "upturned boat" in Sundanese, referring to the local legend of its creation. The story tells of "Dayang Sumbi", a beauty who lived in West Java. She cast away her son "Sangkuriang" for disobedience, and in her sadness was granted the power of eternal youth by the gods. After many years in exile, Sangkuriang decided to return to his home, long after the two had forgotten and failed to recognize each other. Sangkuriang fell in love with Dayang Sumbi and planned to marry her, only for Dayang Sumbi to recognize his birthmark just as he was about to go hunting. In order to prevent the marriage from taking place, Dayang Sumbi asked Sangkuriang to build a dam on the river Citarum and to build a large boat to cross the river, both before the sunrise. Sangkuriang meditated and summoned mythical ogre-like creates, green giants, to do his bidding. Dayang Sumbi saw that the tasks were almost complete and called on her workers to spread red silk cloths east of the city, to give the impression of impending sunrise. Sangkuriang was fooled, and upon believing that he had failed, kicked the dam and unfinished boat, resulting in severe flooding and the creation of Tangkuban Perahu from the hull of the boat."

Panoramic View

Had a wonderful pungent sulfuric odor.

Bulé Fame

The path that hugs the outer rim of the dormant volcano.

I'm waiting for Calvin Klein to call.

More of the path surrounding the outer rim of Tangkuban Perahu.

Artistic Rashidah Photo

  

One of the many vendors making a living on this volcano.

The other highlight of my trip to Bandung was the Lembang Floating Market. You purchase 5,000 RP or 10,000 RP chips to pay for excellent inexpensive "street" food.

Inside the Entrance

The small lake where the market floats.

The market also has traditional Indonesian homes and farming exhibits to explore.

Food Time!!!!

Not the greatest photo, I know, but home to possibly the greatest satay I've ever had. Outstanding!

Couldn't leave without having several steamed dim sum buns.

I normally play Batman, but I'm working on my Captain America.

A view of many of the floating stalls.

A view of Braga Street, which is the main promenade of Bandung.

The trip ended on a high note visiting one of my fellow BBS teachers and friends, Trevor. He lives in Bandung and teaches at the BBS-Bandung campus. We joined him at a local bar on Braga Street and he graciously entertained us with his singing and dancing prowess. Alcohol did not have any influence on his decision to join the performers.

Komodo Dragon National Park & Labuan Bajo, Flores Island, Indonesia

Welcome to Labuan Bajo, the port city to Komodo National Park, found on the western edge of Flores. If you were to simply skip my introduction and proceed to the beautiful pictures of scenery below you would be rudely surprised by what Labuan Bajo actually looks like. The city is directly on the bay and consists of a one way road. On each side are restaurants catering to tourists and diving/touring companies taking eager travelers to Komodo National Park. The streets, filthy, and the smell, fish, such is the the essence of a seaside town.

After landing, Rashidah and I hopped on a pair of ojeks (a scooter taxi) and headed to Golo Hilltop Hotel. Found at the top of a hill a few kilometers from Labuan Bajo, I was pleasantly surprised by this hidden treasure. Run by a pair of Dutch women, it had an outstanding view of the ocean, excellent service, and a shockingly good westernized breakfast that was most welcomed.

View from Golo Hilltop Hotel

Another Angle

The first day was relaxation and exploration of Labuan Bajo. Our only objective was to secure our trip to Komodo National Park and fulfill my childhood dream of being among Komodo Dragons. We rented a scooter and explored the town relatively quickly before Rashidah and I haggled with several of the locals and obtained inexpensive all-inclusive tickets. It should be noted that this was mostly due to Rashidah's ability to speak fluent bahasa.

I was a little skeptical of the purchase considering the merchant had an unsettling sly look about him and consistently used the phrase "no lie", which immediately caused me to question his integrity. My unease was exacerbated the following day when a French couple that joined us on the trip was obviously taken advantage of and paid significantly more than we did for their tickets. The merchant again ended each sentence with "no lie", which everything he said were obvious lies. However, I did my best to let it all go and remain as optimistic as possible despite my previous Indonesian experiences when there always seemed to be unforeseen complications. We set out...

View from the Bow

Typical landscape of Komodo National Park

Ever since I was a kid, I grew up watching Godzilla at obscure hours of the night with my Dad or at my cousin's house. Godzilla often portrayed as a lizard exposed to radiation from nuclear testing, I always most closely associated him with the largest lizards in the world, Komodo Dragons, thus my childhood fascination with these legendary animals.

Greeted at the pier by several of the local tour guides, we were taken to the registration area to pay for our park fees. On the way, I had my first experience with a Komodo Dragon.

Our group was walking along a path when the tour guide paused and pointed out to a field where he claimed there were Komodo Dragons. Unable to see them I walked off the path and neared a dirt laden patch underneath some trees. I looked out into the distance and was disappointed that I couldn't see the Komodo's. I lowered my head in defeat, but hastily jumped back when I realized I was standing five feet from one of them. I couldn't believe how well they were able to blend into their environment. Don't take my word for it, what do you think?

I came a little to close to these Komodo's

See Her?

How about now?

Rashidah and I at a hilltop during our tour of Rintja Island

Rintja is a green, slightly brownish hilly expanse of land littered with tall palm trees. It immediately reminded me of another childhood favorite...

Water Buffalo 

Young Komodo Dragon

Komodo Dragons are the largest living species of lizard in the world, growing to up to 3 meters (10 ft) and weighing up to 70 kilograms (150 lb). Their unusual large size is attributed to island gigantism, since they have no other competing predators on the islands. Young Komodo Dragons live high up in trees the first few years of their life eating invertebrates and birds; they avoid adults at all costs. The adults graduate to larger mammal prey, but will also scavenge if necessary.

According to our guide, new research suggests that Komodo Dragons may have a third eye (not in the traditional sense) on the top of their head that allows them to sense movements from any angle. Komodo's have a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue that they use to detect, taste, and smell stimuli, similarly to many other reptiles. Interestingly, male Komodo's have a similarly shaped penis due to females having reproductive organs behind either their left or right leg. They lay about 20 eggs in September that hatch in April. The babies then move instinctively to the trees before being consumed by a cannibalistic adult. These are fascinating incredibly unique animals.

Komodo Dragon Nest

Komodo's under the Ranger Houses

My National Geographic Submission

Komodo's have a debilitating bite, there saliva is loaded with bacteria, some studies have found up to 57 different strains. When they bite their prey, they wait. Eventually, the infection from the overwhelming amount of bacteria causes sepsis and death, then the Komodo's feed. Scientists do not understand how Komodo's are able to live with the overwhelming amount of bacteria found in their saliva, it shouldn't be possible.

Overall, I saw Komodo Dragons, monkeys, a water buffalo, and a poisonous snake that scared the wits out of our tour guide on Rintja.

Pink Beach, one of only a handful in the world

Sunset and a night spent sleeping on a boat with strangers. Tomorrow Komodo Island and more dragons!

Welcome to Komodo Park!

Rashidah & I, Komodo Dragon Walking Trails

Interesting Komodo Origin Story

Another National Geographic Submission

Young Komodo Dragon on a Hilltop

Rashidah & I on Sulphurea Hill 

Overall, simply an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations. I was blown away by how smoothly the 2 day boat trip went, the comfort I received at the Golo Hilltop Hotel, and putting a big check-mark through an item on my bucket list. This was unquestionably my favorite part of Indonesia that I have visited. I only hope that my future experiences will approach the amount of enjoyment I had on this trip.