Tuesday, February 9, 2010

biggest crocodile 15 m

The biggest crocodile in the world 15 m long .... wow...it catched on Pakedai coast - west borneo island indonesia.....how do they catch it ??? hmmm





Sunday, December 20, 2009

WAKATOBI, INDONESIA ISLAND OF DIVER'S DREAM !!!

As you might imagine in the beautiful waters of Indonesia, the fish are plentiful as well as the reef. I was told this over and over, and so my expectations were high, but Wakatobi waters and diving did not disappoint, in fact I was even more surprised than I thought I would be. This is my and my buddy's first trek into the Pacific, and I'm afraid we are spoiled for future trips, but that doesn't mean we won't go back. The diving was all its cracked up to be, but so it the resort.

The worst part of this trip is the traveling itself. Although we flew with Singapore Airlines and they do know how to make this trip as bearable as possible - even in Economy Class. I highly recommend them. The attendants are pleasant and delightful the whole way. The other thing to remember is that not only are you traveling half way around the world (east or west), you are also traveling to the Equator, so you have two large plane flights ahead of you. We trekked from DFW to LAX, to Tokyo to refuel, then to Singapore where we had a 6-hour layover. We checked into theTransit Hotel there and it is very simple, plain and very nice respite on this long trip. I highly recommend it. It
costs around $50 for a 6-hour stay with an ensuite bathroom. Please remember this hotel books up so make your reservations about 4 months in advance.

We traveled with Island Dreams and Ken Knezick and I can not say enough wonderful things about the details they all attended to for us. If this is your first (or one of your many) I highly recommend traveling with Ken and Island Dreams. Ken was on the trip and once we arrived in Bali made sure that all of us were met and gathered and taken care of. Having traveled internationally lots, I know all the intricacies that can and do happen, and Ken took care of all of these, without any fanfare or half the time without the group knowing anything had been done. In hindsight, this was good, cause about this time, my buddy and I were just taking in all the environs and not really paying attention to the business at hand! We stayed at a beautiful boutique hotel in Bali, Alum Kul Kul, where we had a wonderful feel of the country. The next morning we woke up to a wonderful breakfast buffet in the open-air lobby (we're on the Equator, so there's no need for too much protection except from the occasional rain, but our morning was comfortable and had a breeze from the ocean view. We then took a bus back to the airport to take our charter flight to Wakatobi.

Wakatobi (Wangiwangi, Kaledupa, Tomea and Binongko Islands) is named after four other islands in a small string of islands off the Southeast coast of Sulawesi which is the middle "upside-down Y" shaped island. We take our charter flight to Tomea the closest island to Wakatobi, and then a very short ferry ride on one of the dive boats to the resort. We are greeted by the most cheerful and energetic staff I've ever seen. They take over completely where all you have to do is walk to and from your hut and meals, and the dive boat. They really have set up a marvelous system to allow you to see and do the maximum amount of diving in the shortest amount of time. Each boat is split into two groups which allows the divemasters to be more specific about what you would like to see and better serve you. On the first dive you will be asked to perform some basic scuba skills just so they can tell your scuba level of diving, however we unfortunately had one of those wild currents (if you've done some of the wild-current dives in Cozumel, that's what this is), and we were doing good to stay in as a group, much less do any serious diving exploring or photography. Later in the week we did this dive a number of times, and the current was never this strong.

A word on currents here, cause this, as a photographer was one of my main concerns. As the diving went on, what we discovered is that the currents can be strong here, but they also seem to last for a short time and can in the middle of a dive, change. Don't kid yourself, these currents are dangerous, and if you know how to dive in wild currents, you're OK. This is one of the things that makes this a dive trip for more experienced divers. No open water newbies here - it just won't be that enjoyable for you. But for experienced divers, this is a piece of cake. Some dives, I would just tuck my camera under my arm and enjoy the ride, till the current died down, and then start shooting photos again. The boats were always close, and although my buddy is an air hog, and we were usually last in and first out, the boat was always close by to pick us up, no matter which direction the current seemed to be going or at what speed. And I have to ad, that the reef was so gorgeous at such shallow depths that when we would do our safety stops, it was usually among a plethora of reef and fish
and was NEVER boring! Some dives, we would just whirl right along with the current and not worry about the speed, and some dives the current was negligible which meant lots of fine opportunities for photography.

Our daily schedule was to rise to a beautiful sunrise, to have a breakfast of custom prepared eggs, juice, pastries, and international cuisine buffet, then off to change clothes and to the dive briefing in the Long House (the main building @ Wakatobi). After the briefing, everyone boarded the dive boat, where your gear and full tanks were waiting. The dive sites were usually 10-15 minutes (if that) from the resort, with a short trip to the next dive site, and an hour interval time, and a dive briefing on the boat for the second dive, then dive, then return to the resort, where you would change into dry clothes for lunch. The dry clothes may seem like a bother, but I liked it as it made the eating more special and you felt as though you were in a restaurant not an eating hall! A leisurely amount of time (usually time for a short nap), then the afternoon dive briefing in the Long House, afternoon dive, return to the resort, and plenty of time to clean up and change into dry clothes
for the restaurant and dinner...

After dinner we would saunter over to the dive shop and analyze our morning nitrox tanks....

.....and then trek out to the jetty bar for a nice night cap or just to enjoy the beautiful southern sky...

...you can see the Milky Way, Southern Cross - the the southern hemisphere's
counterpoint to Big Dipper, North Star - the little luminescent shrimp who leave a stream of glow-in-the-dark trails. Then off
to your beach hut....

for another night of snooze before another day of great diving.

The talk about the plethora and number of types of fish and reef and marine life is not over-blown here. This is the crossroads between two great oceans, Indian and Pacific and you can tell this is an area that has an over-abundance of life on the reef. I'm not a tree-hugger, but I did have the feeling that I was diving in a very special area, sort of like visiting an
antique china boutique in which everything had been beautifully preserved and I was going to do everything I could to make sure that I left it in the same condition I found it. Granted, the remoteness of the location and the difficult and time it takes to travel to Wakatobi will keep it from becoming a huge tourist joint, but if you are a diver who is looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, this is well worth giving up a couple of short trips to make this one great trip. Either as a celebration or just as a reward for whatever reason, this location has to be on your to-do list. It is a must. From the service, diving, dive sites, accommodations - everything gets an A+, which makes this a must do trip. And do it with Ken Island Dreams cause
they will make this so painless, you won't even know you've been through customs!!!

UJUNG KULON NATIONAL PARK

Ujung Kulon National Park is the first national park, founded in Indonesia. The park (80,000 ha) lies on a peninsula in south-west Java and includes the islands Pulau Peucang, Pulau Panaitan and the Krakatau archipelago. On 1 February, 1992, the Proposed Ujung Kulon National Park complex and the Krakatau Islands Nature Reserve were declared a World Heritage Site. The borders on the north, south and west side of Ujung Kulon are made up by the Indian Ocean. The Honje mountain range, including the highest point of the park Gunung Honje (620 m), forms the eastern border. The Indian Ocean is the main access route.

Habitats in the park consists of lowland rainforest, swamp, mangrove and beach forest. Vegetation on Pulau Panaitan consists of dry-beach forest, mangrove forest and lowland rain forest which is characterized by an abudance of palms. On Anak Krakatau, the island that came into existence after the Krakatau exploded, flora and fauna are still young. Small animals and birds gradually colonize the lava island. The principal flora consists of grasslands, beach forest, lowland rain forest and moss forests at the higher altitudes.

The most important reason to declare Ujung Kulon a National Park is the existence of the almost-extinct Javan Rhinoceroses in the area. The population of these extremely endangered animals in Ujung Kulon is estimated to be 50-60. The remaining Javan rhinos, around 2 to 8 rhinos, are believed to live in Vietnam`s Cat Tien National Park. Valued for their horns, they face a serious threat from poaching. Some cultures believe that the powdered rhino horn will cure everything from fever to food poisoning and will enhance sexual stamina.

Getting There
Ujung Kulon National Park is accessible by boat (5-6 hour) from Labuan. You can get to Labuan by minibus from Jakarta (3-4 hour) or Bogor. An other possibility is to take a bus with destination Merak from Kalideres bus station in Jakarta. Get out in Cilegon and from there catch a bus to Labuan.The boat from Labuan leaves for Pulau Peucang or Tamanjaya. Coming from Sumatra by ferry, your journey will end in Merak. From Merak, take the bus to Jakarta, jump off in Cilegon and from there see above. There may be minibuses going all the way from Merak to Labuan.

A cheaper alternative to access the park runs over land. From Labuan you may take the HM minibus (from Serang bus station) or a taxi to Tamanjaya (about Rp. 250,000, 3,5 hrs). In Tamanjaya you’ll be able to arrange a boat to Pulau Peucang (Rp. 700,000), Pulau Handeleum (Rp. 200,000) or Pulau Panaitan (Rp. 900,000); mooring and boat entry permits are not included. Krakatau is best visited from Labuan. Please Bargain !!

Where to Stay
Permits, local guides speaking only bahasa Indonesia (about Rp. 50,000/day, excluding meals and cigarettes), English-speaking guides (Rp. 100,000/day, excluding meals and cigarettes) and accommodation can be arranged at the PHPA office in Labuan, or at Kagum in Jakarta. You can also find accomodation in Ujung Kulon. But it’s always best to plan ahead.

Other Things to See or Do
Round Pulau Peucang and Pulau Panaitan you’ll be able to snorkel and dive among beautiful coral reefs.

TOBA LAKE

Lake Toba (Indonesian: Danau Toba) is a lake, 100 km long and 30 km wide, and 505 m. (1,666 ft.) at its deepest point, in the middle of the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra with a surface elevation of about 900 m (3,000 feet).




History of Toba Lake

The Toba eruption (the Toba event) occurred at what is now Lake Toba about 67,500 to 75,500 years ago. It had an estimated Volcanic Explosivity Index of 8 (described as “mega-colossal”), making it possibly the largest explosive volcanic eruption within the last twenty-five million years. Scientiest of Michigan Technological University deduced that the total amount of erupted material was about 2800 cubic km (670 cubic miles) ? around 2,000 km? of ignimbrite that flowed over the ground and around 800 km? that fell as ash, with the wind blowing most of it to the west. By contrast, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens ejected around 1.2 cubic km of material, whilst the largest volcanic eruption in historic times, at Mount Tambora in 1815, emitted the equivalent of around 100 cubic kilometres of dense rock and created the “Year Without a Summer” as far away as North America.
The Toba eruption was the latest of a series of at least three caldera-forming eruptions which have occurred at the volcano. Earlier calderas were formed around 700,000 and 840,000 years ago.
To give an idea of its magnitude, consider that although the eruption took place in Indonesia, it deposited an ash layer approximately 15 cm (6 in) thick over the entire Indian subcontinent; at one site in central India, the Toba ash layer today is up to 6 m (20 feet) thick and parts of Malaysia were covered with 9 m of ashfall. In addition it has been calculated that 1010 metric tons of sulphuric acid was ejected into the atmosphere by the event, causing acid rain fallout.
The subsequent collapse formed a caldera that, after filling with water, created Lake Toba.


Most of the people who live around Lake Toba are ethnically Bataks. Traditional Batak houses are noted for their distinctive roofs (which curve upwards at each end, as a boat’s hull does) and their colorful decor.
in 13 up to 16 June every year will be held Toba Lake Festival , this festival is centered around Toba Lake. The festival features traditional sport, boats races, cultural performance and contemporary shows, horse races, water sport competitions and local handicrafts exhibitions.

MOLA-MOLA

During such moments when we are relaxing under the sun, we dread the spotlight of curious stares and we could become agitated, even furious, if a stranger suddenly brushes against us. We may feel such uninvited contact to be intrusive, bursting our holiday bubble - besides, our sunscreen suit now has a clean spot where we might burn!

The ocean sunfish may empathize with us. This fish is commonly known as the mola, a name that comes from the Latin word meaning 'millstone' in reference to its round shape. It is called poison lune (moon fish) in France, schimmernderkopf (swimming head) in Germany, and manbou (flipping wheel fish) in japan. It is one of three members belonging to the Molidae family: Mola mola, the common mola; Masturus lanceolatus, the sharp-tailed mola; and Ranzania laevis, the slender mola.

In Indonesia, Mola mola can be found in the waters around Nusa Penida, one of the three 'sister' islands located off the eastern coast of Bali. They 'arrive' in the area around June, specifically in Crystal Bay and Blue Corner, and usually stay till October. They use these few months to sunbathe like many seasonal holidaymakers hence their name.

Spending most of their time in the upper 40-50m of the ocean, the mola restore their body temperature with the heat from the sun by floating horizontally to soak up the rays. In the afternoons, the fish dive repeatedly to 100-300m and occasionally to depths of over 600m and in the evenings, the rest near the surface.

They also use this time to bathe, as in cleaning their bodies. Amazingly, the mola can host up to forty different parasites on its skin; for this reason it is wise for us not to touch it unless you want a sample of marine parasites.

As it sunbathes near the ocean surface, the mola acts as a free buffet for seabirds and cleaner fish. So if we meet a mola, it is a good idea not to disturb them during their food-supplying program. Besides, in touching the fish we will remove the outer layer of mucus that protects it against infection.

Spotting a mola during a diving trip is a wondrous, joyous experience. Despite our excitement, however, it is important to be courteous to the fish.

During their sunbathing 'holiday', our awe-filled gaze will not disturb them as long as we maintain a minimum distance of 3m when the fish is at a cleaning station, and a minimum distance of 10m the fish is considering an approach to the reef or appears unsettled. It is also best that we do not make any unnecessary noice, so as not to disturb the rhythm of marine music.

Coming accross the mola is a lucky meeting that may inspire a Kodak moment but don't use flash, because it disturb them. Be careful no to block their escape route, and swim ahead of or next to the fish so as not to startle their friendly cleaner fish with bubbles from our breathing apparatus.

The sunfish live on a diet of jellyfish, supplemented with zooplankton, squid, fish, larvae, crustaceans, algae, eelgrass, and various seabed invertebrates. With such items on their menu, the fish increases its weight about 60 million times as they grow from larva to adult. A mola at California's Monterey Bay Aquarium apparently gained 346kg in only 14 months! Obviously, the sunfish do not have a problem with obesity.

A mola reaches its full size in 10 years, attaining a vertical span of over 3m from it dorsal to anal fins and weighing about 1000kg, and enjoy an underwater lifespan of an average 20 years.

These unique ships with their parasitic passengers also carry a secret. While it is known that female sunfish lay their eggs in the water for the males to fertilize externally, no one has ever witnessed the mola spawn in the wild. A few of the mola's spawning areas have been identified, but it is believed that there are many more areas yet to be discovered.

WILDLIFE OF BALI AND LOMBOK


FOREST
Much of Bali and Lombok was once covered in forest, including large areas of lowland rainforest. Much has been destroyed; causes include volcanic eruptions, coffee and coconut cultivation and collection of firewood. Lush forests still grow on Bali's southern and western mountain slopes. On the drier, northern slopes the forest is deciduous.

Giant golden orb weaver
, common in lowland areas.

The black-winged starling is an endangered species that lives in the deciduous forest of nortwest Bali, as well as in open grasslands.

The long-tailed macaque monkey is often seen in forest, on roadsides and around temples.




VOLCANIC PEAKS
After volcanic ash is deposited by an eruption, centuries pass before the formation of soil capable of sustaining a rich plant life. However, the slopes are soon colonized by mosses, grasses and ferns, and there is a diverse
bird life. On the grid northern and eastern slopes grows a grassland vegetation often punctuated by lontar palms.



The mountain white-eye gathers in treetops, uttering a characteristic high-pitched call.

The helmeted friar bird inhabits the arid mountain areas of Lombok

The senduduk flower, with its exotic pink petals, is found in mountain scrub.


RIVERS AND RICEFIELDS
Some 150 rivers flow through the gorges of Bali and Lombok, assisting irrigation of the rice crops. Here birds, frogs, toads and spiders can live on planthoppers and other small pests which cause damage to the rice itself. The birds include egrets, herons, ducks and small finches.

The Java sparrow, a red-billed native of Java and Bali, is found around river gorges and ricefields.

Toads live in the damp habitats such as ricefields; here they survive on the diet of insect, including grass-hoppers, beetles and crickets.

COASTLINES
The beaches, coral reefs and shallow waters around these islands support a huge variety of marine life, even in developed areas such as Sanur. Although little true mangrove forest remains, mangroves still absorb the force of waves, helping to reduce coastal erosion.

The lionfish, while visually attractive, is poisonous to touch. It lives in waters off the smaller islands around Bali.

The green turtle is endangered; it is hunted for its meat, sometimes used in Balinese ritual.

BEST ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION : KOMODO NATIONAL PARK


If one day your friend asked, “Have you ever seen a dinosaur?” and you said “Yeah, sure! At the movie…!” then you really have to pack your bag and go straight to Komodo National Park (Taman Nasional Komodo), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia. Because what’s you’re going to experience is the real deal!

Unforgettable adventure with the Komodo Dragons

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the closest prehistoric creature that we can still see alive, not just from the Jurassic Park movie. Komodo has muscular body, with almost 10 feet (3 meters) in length and more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms) weight, Komodo dragons are definitely the biggest lizard on earth.

Komodo Dragons are very athletic. They can run fast, climb a tree, swim, dive, and in the end they got very hungry and get to eat… and then they eat a lot (almost 80% of the prey) in a single feeding. If any animal can run away from Komodo Dragons attack, they won’t survive for long. Komodo dragons tongue is very deadly, because it contains some gross bacteria that kills. You really don’t want to kiss them! Weird thing is, despite the toxicity of a Komodo Dragon’s bite, Komodo Dragons bitten by their own species seem unaffected by the bacteria. That’s not fair! :D

The only place you can find Komodo Dragon living in his natural habitat, is in Komodo Islands, Indonesia. It’s the most unique eco-tourism destination in the world. To get there, the easiest way is to go to Denpasar, Bali and use airplane from there to the nearest city to the island, Labuan Bajo. From Labuan Bajo, you can rent a boat to start the adventure in the islands. Make sure you visit the island around July – October, because the dragon likes it hot!

In the island, you can immediately start the journey to watch the life of Komodo Dragons, enjoying the suspense of Komodo Dragon’s arrival, exploring the land (guided by the trained park guide armed with a branch with a forked end that were used to poke Komodo Dragons in the nose), walking through the dry savannah, smell the beautiful flowers and spoil your eyes with the breathtaking view of the beach and the hills. It’s almost like a wonderful journey to the prehistoric past!

Taste of Paradise

Who knew! Komodo Dragon has perfectly choose to life in a peaceful paradise :D One of the most famous beach in Komodo Islands is the Pink Beach. It has pink sand, the perfect blue sea and the green hills. You will want to spend your time a little more longer here. Don’t forget to use your sunblock :)

The unique plants and other wild animals

In 1980, Komodo Islands (consist of Komodo, Rinca and Padar Island) was declared National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect the distinctive animal, Komodo dragons, and other fauna and flora that make up their environment. That’s why, here you can also see wild pigs, buffalo, eagle, and also beautiful native trees and flowers.

The Komodo National Park administrative offices are located in Labuan Bajo in west Flores. An information center and travel agents where transportation to and from the Park can be arranged are also found in Labuan Bajo. The majority of tourists to the Park pass through the Loh Liang ranger station nestled in the sweeping arc of Slawi Bay on Komodo island. This is the largest facility in Komodo National Park with bungalows and rooms, a restaurant and a dormatory for the park rangers.

The most popular tourist activity is a hike to the Banugulung viewing area, a two-hour roundtrip level walk that originates from Loh Liang. Hikes to other areas of Komodo are also possible, and vary from one to two days: Gunung Ara, Poreng, Loh Sebita, Gunung Sata libo, Soro Masangga. On longer walks overnight accommodation can be arranged at ranger posts at Loh Sebita and Loh Genggo. For certified divers there is a compressor and diving equipment available for hire at Loh Liang as well as masks and fins for snorkellers. Handicrafts made in the nearby village of Komodo are for sale at the arrival jetty.

The hiking on Rinca is less strenuous than that on Komodo, and has the added attraction of viewing the wild horses and monkeys which are not found on Komodo. On Rinca wild buffalo are more common and easily seen as well. On the north side of the island, behind Rinca village, is a large cave with a resident bat colony. Rangers at both Loh Liang and Loh Buaya are readily available to lead walks, and are knowledgeable about the local fauna and birdlife.

The under water glory

Not only great on the land, Komodo Islands also have a great under water scene. The variety of marine life for scuba diving in Komodo rivals the world’s best dive destinations. This is the world’s epicentre for marine diversity and you’ll see loads of stuff here on a diving cruise that you just won’t see anywhere else in the world, from sunfish, mantas, dolphins and eagle rays to pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, clown frogfish, nudibranchs and blue-ringed octopus, all at home amongst a spectacular range of colourful sponges, sea squirts, tunicates and corals. Komodo Islands is simply the best place to dive!

Best sunset

Enjoy sunset view with the best scenery of Komodo islands, it’s peaceful and calm. Take some pictures to upload on your photo gallery and enjoy a sip of coffee to wrap the day.

Learn new culture

After you’re busy taking Komodo photos, you can relax for a while and mingle in Labuan Bajo local market. Buy anything local, like souvenirs or cultural accessories. Get in touch with the smiling and happy people, accept their generosity, learn some new phrases and get to know their culture. You always can find some great values in them.

I’ve spent years of my teen life in NTT and I’ve travelled to some of the most interesting places there. I still can feel the amazement when I saw endless beautiful savana, I can almost see some horses running around the dry grass and some cockatoo flying right above my head. It’s just too exotic and every time I remember it, I just want to go back! You’d know how it feels :D

Komodo National Park is currently among three destination in Indonesia that has been qualified in the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign held by the New 7 Wonders Foundation (two other candidates is Lake Toba and Krakatau Island). You may support Komodo National Park to become the New 7 Wonders of Nature by voting through the following the URL:

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/vote_on_nominees/

Have a great adventure!

Note: This article is also submitted to Bubu Awards V06. Alhamdulillah I win the competition. Click here to read my creative process of writing this post.

Image Sources:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thejerk/292140488/in/set-72157600175423244/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thejerk/292161411/in/set-72157600175423244/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/odesya/3230371453/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/abra_kadabra/3214984666/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/komodo_underwater/3612758085/in/set-72157619533201724/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raxzanema/2599106923
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pat_cahalan/357623385/

Article Sources:

http://www.indonesia.travel/destination/37/komodo
http://www.komodonationalpark.org/
http://www.komodo-gateway.org/getthere.html
http://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-indonesia-komodo.php