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Thread: Indonesia part 3

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    Default Indonesia part 3

    Probolingo is the port of call forthose wishing to go to Boroboudor to visit the second largestBhuddist Temple in the world.
    It was built around 300 AD over about100 years or so. There are a lot of questions as to the exact dateand as to why there, but obviously at some time that part ofIndonesia may not have been of the 'faith'.
    Built from Blue stone, Granite andother local stone it recahes up some seven levels and at the top anumber of Stupors inside of which are staues of Bhudda. Having beenthere twice previously we decided not to go again, a wise choice asit was according to those who did go like a mad house of tourists onsteroids.


    The failthfull would make their way tothe top through levels of enlightenment until reaching the Buddas atthe summit. For some reason, still unknown, it was abandoned afterabout 200 years and after a local volcanic eruption was covered involcanic ash. The story is that it remained covered by the ash forabout 800 years until rediscovered by Sir Stamford Raffles, thefounder of Singapore, who paid for the cleaning and restoration ofit. The carvings around the various levels are so graphic and welldone, carved on hard stone no doubt with primative tools and withgreat care.


    It is one of those places not welladvertised to tourists unlike Anka Wat in Cambodia which is thelargest of such temples. Outside of Indonesia I have never seen itadvertised and had we not gone to Java all those years ago may nothave seen it. The nearest capital city is Yogjakarta and it wasa fromthere we original went to see it.


    The figures given here as to dates arethose from the Department of Tourism in Indonesia, so much is notknown about the temple and indeed many parts of the region. Indonesiais made up of 17,508 islands many unibnhabited but those that areshare in a multitude of historical facts, some well known others alittle obcure.


    Our last port of call, and maybe themost fascinating was the island of Komodo.
    Region Komodo is almost center in theIndonesian island chain and is unique in it's structure, culture anddemographics. Situated about 200 miles East of Bali it is hom to theKopmodo dragon, the world's largest lizard.


    An island surrounded in mystery almostunknown to the West before the start of the 20th century.It is hot, beautiful and howm to the earths last dinosaur. There area further 24 islands that make up the Komodo national park.Established as such in 1980 it is now UNESCO world heritage site asone of the 7 new wonders of thr modern world.


    There is very little known histoey ofthe island, the original people being nomadic Bajau and Bugisfishermen who were technically under the rule of the Sultanate ofBima. How early the island was first inhabited is unkown but was usedas a prison by the Sultan who dropped off the very worst of thepeople there.


    Naturalist Alfred Wallace wrote of thedragons in 1869 but very few followed up until around 1921. AnAmerican pilot flew low over the island and became the first Westenerto see the dragons . In 1926 an American adventurer Douglas Burdenheard stories from Indonesian pearl divers about the dragons. Heorganised an expidition to bring back the first two dead dragons.


    These creatures are cold blooded sobest seen once the sun is up. They grow to around 10 feet in lengthand weigh in at about 300 pounds. But for all of this they can sprintat about 15 MPH.


    The female lays eggs in a mound similarto that of the Cassawory. About 35 will be laid and depending on thedepth at which she lays them will determine the sex of the new born.
    Near the top of the mound thetemperature will be around 35 degrees and this will produce males.Lower where it is cooler females will develop.


    During the year they will live inburrows up to 3 meters deep and two meters long.


    When it is time for the eggs to hatchthe female will reappear and as the young come out of the mound shewill eat them. Only the fittest, the ones who can run up the nearesttree, will survive. This keeps the population at a steady numberwhich is currently estimated to be in the order of about 3,000 on theisland.


    They can swim and dive to depths of 15feet often eating fish and small water creatures. But the main dietis the local animals on the island. There are deer, Buffalo, WildPigs and a few other such animals.
    Most can outrun the dragon, but theyare smart, venomous with a forked tounge similar to that of a snake,thay will wait by the water holes where the others animals come todrink. Once bitten by the dragon they die within about two days. Thedragons then smell them out and eat. Once a month is all they needto survive eating up to 80% of their body weight at a sitting.


    The current population of the island isabout 2,000 and a maximum of 1,500 visitors are allowed on the islandat any one time. It is thought the current inhabitants are descendedfrom the prisoners dumped there by the Sultan and that they matedwith visiting fishermen.


    During my many travels around the worldI have visited many islands and have a fascination by many.
    Often so much is within a small landmass as to make one wonder just how they manage it. But this islandof komodo is something else. Without a doubt the most pristine,fascinating, beautiful and welcoming I ever ever seen.
    Happy daze John in Oz.

    Life is too short to blend in.

    John Strange R737787
    World Traveller

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    Default Re: Indonesia part 3

    Now John
    How many times must I tell you!!!!

    Take up writing Books mate you will do very well ,as you have the talent there and I know a great Imagination (not saying all the stories are that of course)
    Really though think on it ,you may yet become famous and in the Headlines!

    Great rendition of your Trip mate good reading !!!
    Thanks
    Cheers
    Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website

    R697530

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    Default Re: Indonesia part 3

    Good on yer John, More, more,
    I think Indonesia is the most fascinating country in the world, a place of such extremes and beauty , and that includes the people,
    I can never forget the six months I spent in those Islands in 1960, before civilisation caught up and changed it for ever. and not for the better.
    A pure paradise.
    Cheers
    Brian

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