Komodo National Park with Tublin

I was incredibly excited to see one of my best friends in the world, Bryan, for Christmas this year. I had anxiously awaited his arrival for days and could not wait to set out together on a land and sea Indonesia adventure over the next few weeks. When planning the trip, I did everything I could to expose him to a variety of experiences that would effectively illustrate how diverse and eclectic Indonesia is in terms of culture, religion, biodiversity, ethnicity, and customs. Thus, I decided to begin our journey in my favorite part of Indonesia, Komodo National Park.

This being my second trip to Labuan Bajo on Flores, the port city of Komodo National Park, I am not going to repeat the details from my original blog post. Feel free to peruse my previous post to gain more details about the city and interesting Komodo Dragon fun facts.

Based on my previous enjoyable experience at Golo Hilltop Hotel, I decided to enjoy another stay. After checking into our hotel, we took the 15 minute walk to main street to search for our lunch.

Bryan Enjoying Padang Looking at the Main Street of Labuan Bajo

Lunch Followed with Indonesia's National Beer... Bintang

After a satisfying lunch and a few beers, we set out down the street to haggle a good price for our overnight boat trip to both Rintja and Komodo Islands, being sure to keep an eye out for someone selling tickets who did not look completely untrustworthy. On my past trip with Rashidah we were able to secure tickets for 700,000 Rp each. Unfortunately, Bryan and I were not as lucky... I suspect it had something to do with us being bule (white people) or my inferior bahasa skills... we paid 1,000,000 Rp each, which honestly was still a solid price considering others paid more.

Rural Flores

Following our semi-successful bartering escapade, we decided to rent a pair of scooters and explore rural Flores for the remainder of the day. The freshly paved road wove its way through the mountains and jungle leading us on a calming and enjoyable ride. It was not to last however, the rain began and our once calming ride in the countryside turned into a fairly treacherous return journey to Labuan Bajo.

The following morning we awoke early and set out for the primary purpose of our visit to Flores, Komodo National Park! When Bryan and I reached the dock, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that we would have the boat to ourselves as the others in our group had dropped out that morning. This led to a much more relaxing, comfortable, and spacious trip, which I would gladly pay an additional 300,000 Rp for every time. On my previous trip with Rashidah, we had to share the boat with five other tourists, which made for a cramped and confined 48 hours. This time around I was able to stretch out and more leisurely trek on both islands.

Islands in Komodo National Park

Islands in Komodo National Park

Typical Meal

Bryan & I Arriving at Rintja Island

Welcome!

Bryan & I

My Christmas Day was spent trekking and exploring Rintja Island with Bryan. The tour guides even let me use their walking stick, which is the last line of defense against the Komodos should they attack. The top of the sturdy stick is used to pin the head of the Komodo Dragon against the ground if they charge. Luckily, I was in no such danger. As long as you keep a safe distance and do not pester the Komodo Dragons they will likely leave you alone. I say likely because they are still reptiles, the most unpredictable and instinctual class of animals on the planet.

Holding a Walking Stick

Bryan & I on Rintja 

Unlike my first trip to Komodo, that night I was able to see the large flying foxes, which are the world's largest bats. According to Wikipedia, their wingspan stretches 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and they normally weigh 0.65 to 1.1 kg (1.4 to 2.4 lb). They are enormous! On my last trip they flew out too near dusk and I could barely see them from a distance. This time they came out a bit earlier and flew directly over our boat blanketing the sky with their large sinewy wings, but don't worry; they solely eat fruit and nectar. I only wish I was able to get a clear photo of them, but I have neither the skill nor tools to capture such an image at dusk.

The following day Bryan and I explored Komodo Island.

Before

After

Bryan & I on Komodo Island

Walking with a Komodo

Walking with a Komodo

In an unexpected twist, Bryan and I came across this Komodo strolling down the walkway. Rather than avoiding our new found friend, we decided to follow her for a while before departing the park.

Walking with a Komodo

Komodo

Fulfilling my childhood dream of seeing the real world Godzilla for a second time was as enjoyable as my first trip. I love this place and would travel here again in a heart beat. The scenery is sublime, there are unique animals in their natural environment, the snorkeling is outstanding, there is plenty of trekking, and the calm water is crystal clear. What more could a conservationist ask for?

Bryan and I's next stop will be Bali and the Gili Islands.

Bali Class Trip

When people think of Indonesia, Bali is typically the first place that comes to mind. It is one of the largest tourist destinations in the world and Kuta, Bali is equivalent to Cancun for Australians. The striking colors, unfamiliar music, Hindu statues, gorgeous beaches, picturesque rice paddies, immense biodiversity, surfing, and distinctive dance make this a memorable place to visit. Drugs, exploration, women, relaxation, partying... nothing is out of reach on this island. It also conveniently happens to have the best infrastructure and most widely spoken amount of English in Indonesia. Culturally, the island is overwhelmingly Hindu (85%), which is in stark contrast to Muslim dominated Java (>90%).

Map of the Trip

My three day excursion to Bali was due to a class field trip. Having been to Bali previously, this was a much more educational trip than my previous foray, which overwhelmingly revolved around partying and relaxing. Our first stop was Taman Safari Indonesia, the Bali Safari and Marine Park, which exceeded my expectations considering I'm normally anti-zoo. However, this place seemed more cognizant of conservation and providing the wildlife with more space than most zoos. The space was obviously insufficient, but nowhere near as claustrophobic as other places I've visited.

Tigers Napping

Zebras at the Watering Hole

Meeting the Elephants 

Meeting the Elephants

These trained elephants put on a performance that raised awareness about conservation and their dwindling numbers throughout Southeast Asia. According to National Geographic, "in financial terms, a living elephant is as valuable as 76 dead elephants." Consider that...

Majestic White Tiger

Snoozing Leopard

Our next stop was Tanah Lot, meaning "land sea" in Balinese, which is a unique rock formation that rises from the ocean. Atop Tanah Lot sits a temple claimed to be the work of a famous 16th century Hindu explorer and traveler. When the traveler saw the rock he felt it was a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods. It is believed that venomous sea snakes guard the temple from evil spirits. It is one of seven sea temples on the Balinese coast that are within eyesight of each other (Wikipedia). Depending on the time of day, the tide may or may not allow you to walk to the base of the rock and temple.

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot

Land Revealed by the Tide

After our first full day, I had the organization of over a hundred and fifty 13 to 15-year-olds to look forward to that and the following night. The checking-in was an ordeal and my night rounds checking on students were a nightmare. It should go without saying that I got little to no sleep over the course of those three days.

The following morning, we headed to Dreamland Beach...

Dreamland Beach

This is a video from my first visit to Dreamland Beach in September 2013. It reveals the serene, peaceful atmosphere present at this restorative beach of relaxation.

Dreamland Beach

Dreamland Beach View from the Cliff-Side Hotel

My Form Class

That afternoon we went to Desa Wisata Penglipuran, which is home to a small village that performs traditional Balinese dance and exquisitely detailed Hindu temples. The dance is coordinated to gamelan music and is dramatized using the face, hands, eyes, arms, hips, and feet. The intensity expressed through the dancers' eyes are simultaneously seductive and terrifying. The dances represent a wide variety of meanings; the majority are connected to Hindu rituals, but may also be used to welcome guests or purely as entertainment. It is believed that the dancers become possessed by spirits in a trance state during the performance as dance is symbolic of the perpetual dissolving and reforming of the world (Wikipedia).

Balinese children begin learning movements from their mothers as soon as they are born. They begin learning how to position their hands to music before they can walk and officially begin training as young as seven (Wikipedia). The hand positions and gestures, or mudras, are traditionally Hindu and similar to those used throughout India and Southeast Asia.

Legong Balinese Dance

The gamelan orchestra is positioned to the left of the dancers...

Legong Balinese Dance

Now time to explore the village...

Main Walkway

Hindu Temple

Hindu Temple

Exquisite Detail

Balinese Hinduism is slightly different from traditional Hinduism. According to Wikipedia:

"The fundamental principle underlying Hinduism is that there is order in the cosmos, known as dharma. There is also a disordering force, adharma, Hindus seek balance and harmony between these two forces, thus freeing themselves from the never-ending cycle of reincarnation, attaining a state called moksa.

Balinese Hinduism divides the cosmos into three layers. The highest level is heaven, or suarga, the abode of the gods. Next is the world of man, buwah. Below this is hell or bhur, where the demons live and where people's spirits are punished for misdeeds on earth."

Rangda & I

Rangda is a demon queen in Bali; she leads an army of evil witches against Barong, a lion or dragon and the leader of the forces of good. Their battle is dramatized in Balinese dance representing the eternal battle between good and evil. In parts of Bali, Rangda is viewed as protective as well as feared. Rangda is similar to the traditional Hindu Durga, the wife of Shiva. 

Barong

Private Home Courtyard for Prayer

That evening we attended a Kecak Balinese dance. This dance is unique, rather than a gamelan orchestra, the score is composed of a choir of a hundred men repeatedly saying the phrase "kecak" at varied speeds and volumes throughout the performance. The performance is based on pieces of the Hindu epic poem Ramayana, which is considered one of the two great works of Indian literature.

The story goes... Due to an evil trick, Prince Rama, the legal heir to the throne, was exiled from the realm of his Father Dasaratha. Accompanied by his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana, they went into a forest. While they were in the forest, the demon King Ravana found them and lusted after the beautiful Sita. Accompanied by the shape-shifting demon Maricha, Ravana and Marica made a plan to steal Sita. Marica transformed himself into a golden deer and succeeded in luring Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita. Ravana making use of the opportunity, kidnapped Sita and took her to his palace. Discovering the deception, Rama and Lakshmana set out to rescue Sita from the clutches of the demon king. With the help of Garuda (bird deity), Hanuman (monkey deity), and Sugriva (monkey king); Rama destroys Ravana's army under the command of his son Indrajit. Finally, Rama succeeds in safely rescuing his wife.

Students Learning Gamelan

Our final day was spent at the ARMA Museum & Resort located in Ubud, Bali. At the museum, the students learned to play in a gamelan orchestra, created offering baskets called canang sari, learned to Balinese dance, and made batik. Our final activity was perusing the museum, which was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. I took photos of my favorite pieces.

Students Making Offering Baskets

ARMA Museum Painting

ARMA Museum Painting

ARMA Museum Painting

ARMA Museum Painting

Close Up

Close Up

ARMA Museum Painting

Traveling to Bali with my form students was an incredible experience. Between the incredible cultural performances and sleep deprivation, I'm sure I will not soon forget it.