Derawan Island

Derawan Island - The steering wheel spins frantically, the engine graunches and also the tiny speedboat slews side-on towards the swell, centimetres given by a mess of floating timber. Luckily our captain, a Bajo “sea gypsy” coming from the fishing people that first settled Borneo’s Derawan archipelago, is really a master from the marine handbrake turn. He grins and guns the engine ; the white sands, tall palms and stilt houses of Derawan island enter into focus.
My teenage son and I‘ve travelled with the coal mine-scarred landscape beyond Berau, a riverside town in Kalimantan on mainland Indonesian Borneo (and reached via two flights from Singapore ), to bring a ship out to invest every week exploring several of the archipelago’s scores of islands. Only two are officially inhabited, though 30-odd others have names and a few are home to scientists and sea-dwelling boat people. Towards the end of in 2012 the islands will certainly be better connected towards the mainland, using the completing a little airport on Maratua island, which should handle short-haul flights.

We’ll be spending subsequent few days at Derawan Dive Lodge, a cluster of elegant wooden cabanas reached by jetty over limpid waters, where green turtles graze on sea grass and algae. A minimum of 15, 000 female turtles go back to the archipelago annually, often swimming many lots and lots of kilometres to lay their eggs upon the beaches where That They‘d hatched. Now, numerous turtles graze off Derawan island, many the strategies non-local breeders, that their food sources are getting scarce.

The very best tides, all around the full moon and also the new moon, are the very best time for them to watch the females drag their heavy bodies in the sand and wheeze and grunt with the ovulation process. “One laid her eggs beneath the restaurant a few weeks ago, ” says the lodge’s Indonesian manager. We’ve missed their hatching, sadly.


Tranquil, tiny Derawan island has got busier since we first visited four years back. A couple of souvenir stalls, some cafes and also a sign reading “tourist village” enliven the brushed-sand village streets. Two bungalow resorts clog what once was virgin beach – the final new accommodation upon the island, if policy holds. However the spirit remains a similar. It will take 40 minutes to steer all around the island : fishermen greet us, schoolgirls line us up for photos, the odd turtle pops a scaly head up coming from the wate, and children play volleyball.

Lake Sentani

Lake Sentani is among the most beautiful places in Papua, Indonesia. It‘s at low-altitude open lake, 70-90 meters above the ocean level. It‘s located in the northeast extremity from the Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Province, about 20 kilometers coming from the provincial capital of Papua, Jayapura City. This lake lies in the foot from the Mezoic mafic and ultramatic rocks from the Cyclops ophiolite mountains. Additionally it is section of the Cyclops Strict Nature Reserve and contains several species of fish that can‘t be found elsewhere in the planet. It receives its water primarily from direct precipitation with a typical annual rainfall all around the lake around 2 meters or 6, 6 ft by mountains streams.


Lake Sentani is that the largest lake from the Intan Jaya Region having a surface area of 104 square kilometers or 40 sq mi. It‘s a vulcanic lake with dept is extremely steep. Additionally offers an excellent scenery that wouldn‘t be found in elsewhere. In case you visit this lake, you will see a number of tye Crane and also the Eagles will grab a fish during this beautiful lake.

Annually, inside the Kalkote Region Tourism-Lake Sentani, There‘ll be held the Lake Sentani Cultural Festival. It shows a unique herritage, for example War Dance included along with other traditional dances from various exist tribes in Jayapura. This event supported by several villages around Lake Sentani and many districts in Papua.

The Most Beautiful of Bromo Mountain

 Probably the most famous volcanoes of Indonesia is situated here, upon the island of Java. Its name is Bromo and it‘s an active volcano : its crater permanently produces smoke and steam and occasional eruptions take place from time to time (the final one is at 2012 ). Simultaneously this volcano is very easily accessible : one could get the foot from the mountain by car after which climb the stairs to obtain the crater. Easier compared to the volcanoes of Kamchatka, we should say. And also the altitude from the volcano Isn‘t that high, only 2392 meters. That‘s why Bromo is among the preferred volcanoes, many tourists visit it daily.

Bromo volcano, Indonesia

Actually, four more volcanoes are situated within the Tengger caldera : besides Bromo there will be Mount Batok (2, 470 m ), Mount Kursi (2, 581 m ), Mount Watangan (2, 661 m ) and Mount Widodaren (2650 m ), but Bromo is that the only active volcano among them. Outside the area of caldera there are many more summits, Semeru (3, 676 m ) is part of them, the very best mountain of Java Island and an active volcano also.

Mist above Tengger Caldera

Our method to Bromo started inside the airport of Surabaya town. We loaded inside a bus, there was an extended journey to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. On our way the weather was getting worse : while outside the window the fields were changing to some serpentining mountain path, it started raining. Then inside an hour rain became a thick fog. Once we reached Bromo, we could make out only clouds of greyish mist upon the edge from the Tengger caldera. Somewhere behind them the volcano was hiding from us.

In the observation platform from the Bromo volcano

Locals convinced us that it was eventually a significant typical weather ; ‘It is usually raining inside the afternoon', they said, there was an opportunity the fog would dissolve allowing us to discover Bromo. Meanwhile the rain was getting stronger and We‘re not encouraged in the least. But whatever the weather, we agreed to descend towards the caldera.

It was eventually dark once we left. Comparing to the warmth of Yogyakarta and Jakarta, We‘re quite pleased to have the mountain coolness initially. But very soon this cold began to chill our bones. Old but reliable Land Cruiser was carrying us over the sector of hardened lava. With his teeth chattering towards the rhythm from the motor, our driver was shivering and wrapping inside a blanket. I‘d been trying to obtain a sense of how he managed to locate an open road during this fog, but in vain : all of the directions during this greyish haze seemed as being same for myself. But soon we saw the silhouette of the temple : we reached the place.

Pura Luhur Poten Temple

Hindu Temple of Pura Luhur Poten was built from the local inhabitants and it is situated right in the foot of Bromo. The temple is rather humble, it‘s possible to say even ascetic. Once a year the holiday of Yadnya Kasada, which lasts for any month, happens here. In the celebration, people make certain sacrifices : they throw rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, even poultry along side small cattle straight into the crater in an effort to propitiate the sleeping forces from the volcano. But regardless of the sacrifices, the volcano awakes once in a few years. Lava traces upon the slopes from the mountain will be the remainders of the activity.

The caldera's bottom all around the volcano is covered with ashes, practically no plants could be found here. Black waves of ashes create dunes. This place is the ‘Sand Sea'. No wonder : the sand was easily stepping into our shoes.

Borobudur Temple, Indonesia

 Borobudur Temple, Indonesia Located upon the island of Java, the magnificent Borobudur temple is that the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, an ancient site widely considered to become perhaps one of the world’s seven wonders. The temple sits majestically on the hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Built inside the 9th century throughout the reign from the Syailendra dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence upon the region, yet there will be enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated in order to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.

It covers a huge area, measuring 123 x 123 meters. Th

The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was eventually rediscovered in 1815, buried under volcanic ash. Inside the 1970’s the Indonesian Government and UNESCO worked together to revive Borobudur to its former majesty The restoration took eight years to finish now Borobudur is just one of Indonesia and also the world’s most valuable treasures.

The temple is decorated with stone carvings in bas-relief representing images coming from the lifetime of Buddha. Commentators claim that this is actually the largest and the majority complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the planet, unsurpassed in artistic merit.


Get Around

The simplest way to explore this site is requried to be made by foot. While you climb to the highest of the magnificent temple you‘ll marvel in the intricate detailed stone carvings displayed upon the temples walls. You‘ll certainly miss an excellent experience in case you visit this enormous temple without learning about its history and importance that captured on its many reliefs.

Guides can be found for around Rp 50, 000. This can be a wise investment like a guide can walk you all around the site and explain the history from the temple, beginning using its construction throughout the Syailendra dynasty. The stone carvings linked with the temple display legends and stories that have great philosophical significance. For visitors with children, don’t miss the massive green grass area surrounding the Borobudur site.

You‘ll choose to steer through Green Park coming from the entrance. Many vendors will offer you souvenirs along with other knick knacks while you walk through this area, however there will be regulations set up to avoid them from disturbing visitors.


Get There

Borobudur is merely one hour’s drive from

. The simplest method of getting There‘s by joining a tour or renting a car. In your journey to Borobudur, benefit from the fresh cool air of Magelang city using its roads lined with big shady trees. Borobudur itself stands tall against the spectacular backdrop from the Menoreh mountain range that surrounds it.

Entering the temple compound is straightforward and the majority visitors opt to wander around on foot. Alternatively, you are able to chart a cart (pulled using a horse ) with a reasonable price. Alternatively, cruise passengers who disembark at
may take each day tour driving through Wonosobo to Borobudur.

e monument is really a marvel of design, decorated with 2, 672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stonework of the temple has no equal. And it was eventually built without needing any type of cement or mortar ! The structure is similar to some massive interlocking Lego blocks held together with no glue.

The beauty of the Jaya Wijaya

The beauty from the Puncak Jaya Wijaya, perhaps one of the Seven Summit phenomenal

Snow cover upon the Equator Straight into the uniqueness of Puncak Jaya
Actually, Indonesia located upon the Equator does have tropical climate all time so they won‘t permit the presence of snow on its territory. However the natural wonder often published in Indonesia. Part of them, namely snow cover inside the Jayawijaya mountain top.

In the peak of the very best mountain in Indonesia this, such a rapid expanse of snow. Height to attain the dapl 4, 884 makes any lasting snow cover mountain peaks on Papuan. Snow upon the peaks from the Jayawijaya is just one of a unique natural phenomenon, because of the natural ice doesn‘t usually go down down the equator. If seen coming from the air, as a tapestry of Jayawijaya Peaks shrouded inside a white hood. When the Sun is bright, then overlay the snow will certainly be reflecting sunlight dazzling but nonetheless awesome.

The beauty of Jayawijaya peak or better referred to as Carstenz Pyramid climbers is listed as perhaps one of the seven top continents (seven summit ) which are phenomenal and have become the target from the mountaineers in various parts around the globe. Named following the inventor from the Carstenz mountain, Jan Carstenz who viewed the presence of snowy mountain peaks inside the tropics via a ship in 1623.

Are at the highest or on the highest of Carstenz Jayawijaya is that the imagine the mountaineers. The requirements aren‘t easy and also the cost Isn‘t cheap any time to become prepared today far to beat various obstacles that exist. Starting coming from the natural conditions which are so steep, extremely cold temperatures, and wind along with the possibility of the insufficient oxygen becomes challenging.

Before starting this adventure you prepare physically until the start from the trip to ensure that you condition to prima, including to the highest from the area where temperature can reach as much as 12 degrees Celsius, additionally you need to pocket a letter of permission coming from the related government authorities, this really is done solely for the benefit of any of people like a climber or perhaps a visitor since the terrain that you may be reached not just the long, difficult but additionally dangerous. It is not cheap and it isn‘t easy to obtain this, Puncak Jaya, however it may be similar to the sensation in our satisfaction which indescribable words whenever you succeed memijakkan feet there, green paced scenic beauty will certainly enchant you, for while this really is viewed given by a difficult terrain as well as the some serious amounts of mileage that require special time may indeed be more appropriately when made by knowledgeable climber climb Even so, for all those individuals who aren‘t acquainted with this activity, could be accompanied by anyone who has a chance to climb in addition to a special experience during this regard.

Raja Ampat Island

Raja Ampat Island - The fish around here understand how special they‘re. They shimmer and glow and sparkle like stars with their own biopic, performing inside the spotlight of crepuscular sunrays. There is the arresting electric-blue giti damselfish using its flash yellow tail, the alluring doe-eyed, deep-reef cardinalfish, and also the jamal's dottyback with aqua-rimmed eyes as startling as Daniel Craig's. Mandarinfish start their flirty courtship dance at dusk - part tango, part samba - rising up, cheek-to-cheek, locked inside a triumphant embrace of pectoral fins. And there is the shy Denise's pygmy seahorse hiding among gorgonian coral, a specimen so endearing you may just quit your job to review marine biology.

The Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat lies inside the Coral Triangle, which stretches from The Philippines to Timor to Papua New Guinea, referred to as most biodiverse marine habitat on this planet. There are a lot of species here you won't find elsewhere. It‘s three-quarters from the world's coral varieties, 10 times that from the Caribbean. The high-definition visibility implies that in one glance, without having to swim a stroke, you‘ll see a lot of corals resembling Murano vases or bunches of baby corn, marbled plumbing fittings, peanut brittle, cobwebs and an oversized cabbage patch.

Some say the scientist Alfred Russel Wallace, whose studies focused on these islands, ought to be considered Charles Darwin's equal for their work upon the theory of evolution by natural selection. 'Situated upon the Equator, and bathed from the tepid water of the good tropical oceans, this region… teems with natural productions that elsewhere unknown, ' he wrote in 1869.
Tobias Zimmer

A manta ray swims during the reef

Raja Ampat is made up of four big islands and many dots and specks from the fragmented western corner of New Guinea, the world's second largest island. (Named inside the 16th century using a Spaniard who thought the folks here resembled those in Guinea, West Africa. ) The eastern half the island is given over towards the independent state of Papua New Guinea ; the western half belongs to Indonesia, evidently reluctantly, and it is referred to as Papua. Locals are culturally Melanesian - like Fijians than Javanese - and they are keen on independence. The morning I arrive inside the province were preceded by overnight political demonstrations. 'Drunks, ' said one man, playing it down. 'There's a revolution happening, ' said another, playing it up. The streets were crawling with Indonesian soldiers and military police. If you would like edgy, this really is it.

Yet this section of the world also serves like a reminder that there will be still relatively unexplored places, serene and pristine. It‘s stayed this manner due to the simple undeniable fact that for several years there was nowhere for travellers to remain. Committed divers, often the foremost pioneering of explorers, travelled all around the region on liveaboard boats. But now homestays are opening up and word is beginning to spread.

This really is hands down the very best diving I have ever done

Most visitors be able to arrive at Raja Ampat by means of Sorong, a city upon the far west coast of Papua, where it comes with an airport, army barracks and also a karaoke bar called Happy Puppy. Life for several here revolves all around the nation's three main causes of revenue : fishing, mining and logging, which also happen to become destroying the country's natural habitats. The port is busier than it ought to be for any far-flung provincial town. The gigantic arms of cranes unload shipping containers. Oil tankers fill up at oversized vats upon the water's edge. Through coast is that the largest gold mine and also the third largest copper mine upon the planet. They assert that in case Papua was an independent state, it might have perhaps one of the world's richest incomes per capita.

But Sorong does possess a go-slow mode too. Kids walk to college over the airport runway. A column of smoke wisps out from between hillside homes in which the call to prayer punctures the day. Through the night, 10-foot- high crucifixes illuminate in flashing neon.

Lower than two hours came from this level by boat is really a clutch of hotels and homestays, the majority of that have opened during the past couple of years. At Papua Paradise there will be 16 overwater villas and two incredible house reefs, home towards the fantastically named wobbegong sharks and flamboyant cuttlefish. I sit givenfor my stilted deck and watch a household of radjah shelducks swim past, delivering intermittent quacks. A foot-long needlefish flies from the water, avoiding a predator. A manta ray somersaults, cleaning its back, and also the ripples from the splash extend towards the shore. There‘s also a near-resident dugong (I had always thought they had been imaginary beings, like unicorns ).

Raja Ampat is that the Amazon from the world's reefs

Early mornings listed below are a cacophony of chuffing hornbills, crass squawks of black cockatoos and cackles of sea eagles. To me the place seems otherworldly - near mythical - and many nurses mindful of the got to future-proof their miraculous environment. But plans could get muddled. At Papua Paradise - currently all low-impact wood and thatch and bamboo - there will be rumours of increasing the capacity from the hotel. I hear fellow guests muttering in regards to the projected changes ; they won't be returning.

Bunaken National Park

Bunaken National Park - Bunaken is definitely an island, formerly section of Manado bay, is norther section of Sulawesi province, Indonesia. The visitors can reach Bunaken by speed boat abour half-hour from Manado sea port. All around the Bunaken Island, There‘s Bunaken Sea Garden and that is section of Bunaken National Park. Overall, Bunaken is covers an area of 75, 265 hectares with five islands within, which happens to be the island of Manado Tua, Bunaken Island, Siladen Island, Mantehage Island island and also the branch of them, Naen Island.

Bunaken marine park has 20 points dive spot with varying depth of as much as 1344 meters. From those 20 diving points, the 12 points among options are around is Bunaken Island. Those twelve point dive are the foremost frequently visited from the divers or tourist who wish to benefit from the beauty from the underwater scenery.

A lot of the 12 points dive in Bunaken Island is line coming from the southeast towards the northwest from the island. In this region, there are excellent underwater walls, also known as hanging walls, a giant rock walls that stand vertically and curved upward. These rock walls will also be a supply of food for fish inside the waters around Bunaken Island.

Bunaken National Park During Bunaken National Park, Bunaken National Park is really a representative of Indonesian tropical water ecosystems include mangrove ecosystems, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and land / coastal ecosystems. Potential mainland islands national park is rich in species of palm, sago, woka, silar and coconut. Animal species that exist upon the mainland and also the coast are, Sulawesi black macaques (Macaca nigra nigra ), deer (Cervus timorensis russa ), and polecat (Ailurops ursinus ursinus ).

Mangrove plant species inside the Bunaken National Park is Rhizophora sp., Sonneratia sp., Lumnitzera sp., And Bruguiera sp. This forest is rich with various sorts of crab, shrimp, mollusks and various kinds of sea birds for example seagulls, storks, sea dove and Heron.

Approximately there will be 91 species of fish based in the waters of Bunaken National Park, including fish gusumi horse (Hippocampus horse ), white oci (Seriola rivoliana ), yellow tail lolosi (Lutjanus kasmira ), goropa (Ephinephelus spilotoceps and Pseudanthias hypselosoma ), ila trunk (Scolopsis bilineatus ) , among others.

Bunaken National Park could be reached with the port of Manado, Marina Nusantara Diving Centre (NDC ) inside the District of Molas and Marina Blue Banter. Coming from the Port of Manado employing a motorboat towards the Siladen island is about 20 minutes, Bunaken Island about half-hour, Montehege island about 50 minutes, and Nian Island about 60 minutes. When the visitors went from Blue Banter Marina having a yacht that‘s available towards the tourist areas upon the island of Bunaken, it is going to be taken within 10-15 minutes, while to reach the diving spot from NDC employing a speed boat could be reach in 20 minutes.

Trip to Bali

Trip to Bali - Located in the East of Java Island, Bali is the Prima Donna of tourism Indonesia already famous around the world. In addition to the famous natural beauty, especially its beaches, Bali is also famous for its arts and culture are unique and interesting.

Bali as a tourist destination and has integrated lots of interesting sights, what are the tourist attractions in Bali must-see?

1. Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is a tourist spot on Bali's most famous and most visited by tourists due to its location close to the airport, its beautiful beaches, cheap cost, and the waves are suitable for novice surfers. Kuta Beach is also famous for its panoramic view of the Sun sinking. Unique facts of Kuta Beach is Kuta Beach before becoming a tourist must-see in Bali such as Kuta Beach right now, is a major port, trading center in Bali. With white sand and blue sea, equipped with supporting facilities, Kuta Beach is a prima donna Bali tour.

2. Pura Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot Temple is one of the tourist spots in Bali which is famous for its beauty, especially at sunset. Tanah Lot Temple which consisted of two temples is the Temple a place worshipped the gods of the sea. The uniqueness of the Tanah Lot Temple is situated on top of a large rock at the edge of the sea. At the time of the tidal sea water, you cannot draw close to the Tanah Lot because around reefs buffer the Tanah Lot will be flooded by the sea. At low tide you can see some sea snakes are benign according to locals is the custodian of the Tanah Lot Temple. In addition, in this location you can also wield the serpent on a benign and harmless.

3. the Padang Padang

Padang Padang beaches may be less so when compared with the famous Kuta Beach, but the coast of Padang Padang beach is very beautiful and unique. When I first came to Padang Padang also I thought that this beach is a beach that is not interesting because it is less well known, but it turns out I was wrong. Padang Padang beach is a small beach that is hidden behind a cliff in Pecatu area, near Uluwatu. To be able to reach Padang Padang Beach, you have to pass through a ladder across the cliffs. Padang Padang is not big and spacious, but very beautiful and interesting to visit. Most visitors Padang Padang is a foreign tourist since Padang Padang less famous among tourists in the country.

4. Lake Beratan Bedugul

Lake Beratan Bedugul is a lake that is located in a mountainous area with a beautiful atmosphere. The uniqueness of Lake Beratan Bedugul is the existence of a temple named Ulun Danu Temple. Ulun Danu Temple is located on the edge of Lake Beratan Bedugul and is one of the main attractions of Lake Beratan Bedugul. In addition they can also enjoy a game of water and boat hire on Lake Beratan Bedugul.

5. Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK)

Garuda Wisnu Kencana or commonly abbreviated GWK cultural Park is located in southern Bali. Garuda Wisnu Kencana is very large sculpture of a paper I Nyoman Nuarta. Currently, Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue has not been fully completed, the only part that has been completed, but however you can still enjoy the splendor of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Moreover, you can also see the beauty of the hills of limestone in pieces into a large limestone beams. This limestone beams will be filled with sculptures. In addition to that in the area there are also the Garuda Wisnu Kencana art theater, you can enjoy various types of dance and art of Bali at the theatre each day.

6. Lovina Beach

Lovina beach is probably not too often heard among tourists. Lovina beach is one of the tourist spots in Bali I most love to do because in Lovina beach we can see dolphins swimming and jumping in its natural habitat. Located in Northern Bali near the city of Singaraja, you will go to the middle of the ocean and see the dolphins by using fishing boats. Lovina Beach dolphins playing by the beach in the morning, and are therefore usually tourists depart from the beach starting from 6 in the morning.

7. Temple of Besakih

Besakih Temple is a temple located at the foot of Mount Agung, and is the biggest temple in Bali. At Besakih are often held Hindu religious event since the Besakih Temple is believed to be a holy place and is the parent of the entire Temple there d

Lake Toba and Samosir Island

 Lake Toba and Samosir Island - Danau Toba or Toba Lake is among the preferred destinations in Indonesia, especially in Medan, North Sumatra. Danau Toba is that the largest volcanic lake in Indonesia, even inside the Southeast Asia. Which cause it to be more special is taken coming from the Samosir Island, an Island that settled in the center of the lake.

Lake Toba is definitely an area of 1, 707 km², we will claim that this really is 1, 000 km² bigger than Singapore. It formed using a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70, 000 years back, it has become the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Pulau Samosir or Samosir Island, The island inside the middle, was joined towards the caldera wall using a narrow isthmus, that was cut through to enable boats to pass ; a road bridge crosses the cutting. Samosir island is that the cultural centre from the Batak tribe, the indigenous from North Sumatra.

From the eruption of the super volcano (Mount Toba ) was estimated to possess caused mass death and extinction of several species of living creatures. The eruption of Mount Toba has resulted in changes inside the earth's weather and also the start straight into the ice age that affects the planet civilization.

Lake Toba is really more as a sea when compared to a lake considering its size. Therefore, the Lake placed like the largest lake in Southeast Asia and also the second largest in the planet after Lake Victoria in Africa. Lake Toba is likewise includes the deepest lake in the planet, and that is approximately 450 meters.

Samosir Island is definitely an unique island for it‘s a volcanic island that settled in the center of Lake Toba. The altitude is 1, 000 meters above sea level. Although It‘s becomes a tourist destination for a long period, Samosir is type of virgin natural site.

In the center of Samosir Island, there will be two more beautiful lakes named Lake Aek Sidihoni and Lake Natonang. The area around Toba has pine forests that arranged beautifuly in greenish nuance. Upon the outskirts of Lake Toba, there are many waterfalls that extremely fascinating. Furthermore, you will discover a sulfur spring.

At Samosir Island you may also find misty mountains, crystal clear waterfalls to swim, and farming communities. The friendliness of Batak society will captivate you because wherever you go then immediately able to locate new friends.

On Komodo island

 On Komodo island The very first Komodo dragon I saw inside the wild would be a gorgeous adult female, blocking the trail as a two-metre-long sentinel in Indonesia’s Komodo national park. For a while, inside my awed mind, she would be a mythical dragon demanding payment for passage. However this thought was quickly scuttled as two tourists raced in front to capture a selfie using the apex predator. The agitated dragon ran off straight into the underbrush – they had been lucky she didn’t run another way and bite off one among their legs. I’d travelled lots and lots of miles to discover a Komodo dragon and it also had just been scared away by reckless travellers.

Now, a significant upgrade of Labuan Bajo regional airport is placed to create more tourists towards the 29 islands that constitute the Unesco-protected park, potentially threatening its eponymous beast. The airport designed to handle 150, 000 tourists a year ; now it may accommodate 1. 5 million, using its new terminal and lengthened runway. Garuda Indonesia now flies there at weekends from Bajawa and Denpasar.
Komodo is really a volcanic island inside the Flores Sea.


The world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon is arguably Indonesia’s best-conserved large animal. Protected under Indonesian law, the population is relatively stable with around 2, 500 animals inside the park and another 2, 000 on larger Flores island, though this population faces habitat loss. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s populations of orangutans, tigers, elephants and rhinos always plummet as rainforest is destroyed for palm oil, mining, timber and paper industries.

People here truly appreciate the dragon, my guide, Arman Rikardus, told me. He said increasing tourism meant that locals like him didn’t need to transfer to Bali to locate work, although they‘ve witnessed an abrupt rise in inflation as the amount of people moving to Labuan Bajo pushed up the price of food and housing.

He also warned that in case tourism gets from control, the interest in new infrastructure could cut straight into the dragon’s already limited habitat. At present, lower than 10% from the national park is really open to the general public, so most of the dragons can live out their lives without ever running into your selfie-snapper.
Komodo National Park entrance sign


The govt hopes to mitigate the impact of more tourists : entrance fees for foreigners were recently increased sharply – each day pass with tax now costs between £10 and £15, plus an additional £5 for any guide – inside a bid to raise more revenue. The park has also stopped the practice of feeding goats to dragons for tourist entertainment.


Currently, the most important threat towards the dragons is that the poaching of deer which is the prey, and also the rise of human populations. The species shares the park with nearly 4, 000 people, a lot of whom supplement their incomes by selling curios and snacks to tourists. The dragon dominates the food chain and underpins the local economy.

The local government hopes that tourists will start venturing beyond dragons : Flores hosts several stunning volcanoes, rare birds, and also the cave where scientists discovered homo floresiensis – Flores man, also referred to as hobbit of Indonesia. The region has the best diving and snorkelling upon the planet. For everything, the Komodo dragon remains the star attraction : outside the new airport sits a massive statue from the area’s favourite resident. You are able to have a selfie using this one without the chance of losing a limb.