Indonesia Raya Tourism

Pasola is the name of a war game tournament played by two groups of selected Sumbanese men. They riding their decorated selected horses fling wooden spears at each other. (The government allows the ritual game to take place, but the spears much the blunt). Pasola is a traditional ceremony of the Sumbanese held in the way of uniquely and sympathically traditional norms, every year in February and March and has become the focus of attention of the people since it is a part of the sacred homoge to the Marapu.
M A RA P U
Pasola is, above all, the most exciting ritual of Sumba-where else in the world can you see colorful horsemen trying to kill each other? Where else in the world can you see the shedding of blood, the lost of and eye, and occasional death coloring the event and being the part of the game?. The ceremony occurs during February in Lamboya and Kodi and during March in Gaura and Wanukaka. The main activity starts several days after the full-moon and coincide with the yearly arrival to the shore of strange, and multihued sea worms - nyale. The precise date of the event decided by Rato during the wula podu (the month of pasola the fasting month).
The Meaning And its Advantage
Pasola is derived from the world Sola or Hola meaning a kind of a long wooden stick used as a spear to fling each other by two opponent groups of horsemen. The horses used for this ritual are usually ridden by the brave and skilled selected men wearing traditional customes. In its wider and deeper meanings Pasola really not only is something worth looking on but also is something worth appreciating, for there are still other elements bound tightly behind it. The people of Sumba believe that the ritual has a very close link to the habit of the people since it arranges the behavior and the habit of the people so that the balanced condition between the physical - material needs and the mental-spiritual needs can be easily created; or in other words the ritual is believed to be able to crystallize the habit and the opinion of the people so that they can live happily both in earth and in heaven. In addition to it, Pasola is also believed to have close relation to the activity in agriculture field, therefore any bloodshed (of sacrificial cattle or men participating in the game) is considered the symbol of prosperity that must exist. Without blood Pasola means nothing to them. Those who die in the pasola arena are believed to have broken the law of tradition during the fasting month. Pasola that always takes risks, however, is accepted by the people in a very hospitable way and sportive.
The Origin and It's Legend
It is said that thousand of years ago there were three brothers-one of them named Umbu Dula coming from a village called Waiwuang (now Wanukaka) intended to collect rice in the Village of Masu Karera, in the south coast of East Sumba. They, however, lied to the villagers that they wanted to go fishing. After a long time they had not returned, the villagers become so worried that they might have been stranded, lost, or even dead, so the villagers went to search for them, but in vain. Being lonely for a long time, Umbu Dula's wife, Rambu Kaba, fell in love with Tedo Gai Parana, a man from Kodi, and decided to marry him. When finally the three brothers came back to Waiwuang, all the villagers greeted them with mixed feelings. Despite tje joy caused by the arrival of the three brothers, Umbu Dula began to feel sad to hear that his wife had escaped to Kodi with Tedo Gai Parana and that they had decided to get married and lived a happy life. The three brothers and the villagers then began to run after Rambu Kaba and her partner and found them on the foot of a hill. Seeing Umbu Dula among the people of Waiwuang, Rambu Kaba burst out crying but she being too ashamed refused to return to Waiwuang.
The relatives of Tedo Gai Parana, therefore, had to pay the bride price (dowries) to Umbu Dula in the form of buffaloes, horses, a set of ornaments, some spears, and swords, and a unique giff of sea - worms, called Nyale. Nyale usually, appears in February and March (several days after the full-moon). After the bride price ceremony the people of Kodi invited the Waiwuang to have a game of Pasola as remembrance of the event, so that the sorrow caused by the escaped of Rambu Kaba could be forgotten.
Since then the celebration of the time of nyale has been held with pasola games, and people connect the appearance of nyale with the harvest. The greater number of nyale appear, the more abundant harvest it will be. The pasola ceremony is usually preceded by several other rituals, done in fasting month Wula Nyale or Wula Podu such as self purification, Pajura (traditional boxing), the welcoming of nyale, which is done on the beach at dawn. These rituals are headed by ratos.
During the purification period there are a lot of prohibitions such as weeping for the died, striking gongs, wearing jingles ankles-bracellets, putting on bright dresses, killing animals, passing the pasola area, and crossing the river estuary. Affer the purification period the Pajura is held. Before the games starts the rato who leads the ritual makes an announcement of the game rules. After the announcement, to ratos throw their spears to start the game. This is immediately followed by hundreds of horse - riders racing their horses and while shouting throw their spears towards their opponents. Customarily, when someone is hurt the game will become more enthusiastic. After the games the participants return to their villages and are welcome as herois returning from the war. Then the thanksgiving ceremony is held by sacrificing castles no Marapu toask for fertile soil and bountiful harvest. This is pasola, a part of Sumbanese life; a life full of laughter and joy and hope for the bright future.


Pasola is a thanks giving ceremony to the ancestral spirit of people from Sumba Island – East Nusa Tenggara.
More then 50 men riding horses which divided into two groups – from upper and lower villages. Before they start, the Rato ( Traditional priest leader ) Prays in between of two groups, then he throw a spear to start the game. Immediately followed by those horse riders race their horse and throw their spears toward the opponent over and over. This is a blood sacrifice…..! You never find it in the world.

This ceremony happen only once in a year ( FEBRUARY and MARCH ) and date could not be predicted in advance, it is always not in the same date every year. It depends on RATO’S decision which is announced one or two weeks before.
Please stay in touch with us. Read more!

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Sumba island has a great and unique position respect to the Sunda Banda archipelagoes, it is one of the biggest island on the East Nusa Tenggara region beside Flores and Timor. It represents an isolated sliver of probable continental crust to the south of active volcanic islands (Sumbawa, Flores ) within the forearc basin (Fig.1). It is situated to the north of passage from the Java Trench (subduction front) to the Timor Through (collision front). It does not show still the effects of strong compression in contrast to islands of the outer arc system (Savu, Roti, Timor), while the magmatic units make up a substantial part of the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphy.
Sumba island covers an area of 11,150 square km which is now populated by about 350,000 people. Generally the climate similar to other part of Indonesia where a dry season (May to November), and a rainy season (December to April). The island of Sumba is well known of its sandlewood, horses, impressive megalithic tombs, typical hand woven textile ("ikat"), and still untouched beautiful beaches. There are two entering point in to Sumba island from anywhere in the Lesser Waingapu & Waikabubak (Tambolaka). These are the people could enter

Sumba has a unique culture and their social life. Sumbanese are traditionally divided into three level of social life : (Raja/King) - Maramba, Customary Official - Kabihu, and Slaves - Ata. Sumbanese are living from farming, cattle breeding, rice-field farming and trading. Ones owns cattle will contribute to their social status such as if they had more cattle giving them a higher social status.
Most Sumbanese are Christian (Catholic and Protestant), however, and part of them are still strongly keep their native and original religion called Marapu. Most cultural objects are related to the Marapu religion such as the shape of traditional houses, ceremonies, or kings' graves and tombs.
The Customary houses designed in high-peaked roof to store the heirlooms and store. It is divided into male and female section, and generally surrounded by impressive megalithic tombs. Their famous ceremony are the wedding and funerals. where they usually sacrificed animals pigs, buffaloes, cattle, and horses.
The Megalithic tombs are made from the hard stone forming the megalithic shape. This covered by rectangle flat stone supported by four pillars about 1,5 meters high. The Megalithic tombs are actually located in the front of their houses
A primitive Sumbanese art objects strongly related with a social functions of Merapu belief. The carved stones and wood statues are representing the death, Merapu, and as medium for their contact. Metal ornaments and jewelry are usually for wedding ceremonies, and are related to the social status
Sumba Island has a unique position with respect to the Sunda-Banda arc as it represents an isolated sliver of probable continental crust to the south of active volcanic islands (Sumbawa, Flores ) within the forearc basin (Fig.1). It is situated to the north of passage from the Java Trench (subduction front) to the Timor Through (collision front). It does not show still the effects of strong compression in contrast to islands of the outer arc system (Savu, Roti, Timor), while the magmatic units make up a substantial part of the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphy.
Bathymetrically, Sumba stands out as a ridge that separates the Savu forearc basin (> 3000 m depth) in the east and the Lombok forearc basin (> 4000 m depth) in the west. Seismic refraction studies show (Barber et al., 1981) that it is made up of 24 km thick continental crust (Chamalaun et al., 1981). Based on the results of tectonic studies helped by paleomagnetism and geochemistry, several workers considered Sumba as a microcontinent or a continental fragment (Hamilton, 1979 ; Chamalaun and Sunata, 1982 ; Wensink, 1994, 1997 ; Vroon et al., 1996 ; Soeria-Atmadja et al., 1998 ).
Three main geodynamic models for Sumba have been reviewed by Chamalaun et al. (1982) and Wensink (1994) as follows : (i) Sumba was originally a part of the Australian Continent which was detached afterwards when the Wharton basin was formed, drifted northwards and subsequently trapped behind the eastern Java Trench (Audley-Charles, 1975 ; Otofuji et al., 1981), (ii) Sumba was once part of Sundaland which was drifted southwards during the opening of the Flores Basin (Hamilton,1979, Von der Borch et al., 1983 ; Rangin et al., 1990) and (iii) Sumba was either a microcontinent or part of a larger continent within the Tethys, which later was fragmented (Chamalaun and Sunata, 1982).
Three distinct calc-alkaline magmatic episodes have been recorded during Cretaceous - Paleogene, all of them characterized by nearly similar rock assemblages (i.e pyroclastic rocks, basaltic - andesitic lava flows and granodioritic intrusions). They are respectively (i) the Santonian - Campanian episode (86-77 Ma) represented by volcanic and plutonic rock exposures in the Masu Complex from Eastern Sumba, (ii) the Maastrichtian-Thanetian episode (71-56 Ma) represented by the volcanic and plutonic units of Sendikari Bay, Tengairi Bay and the Tanadaro Complex in Central Sumba and finally (iii) the Lutetian - Rupelian episode (42-31 Ma) of which the products are exposed at Lamboya and Jawila in western part of Sumba. No evidence of Neogene magmatic activity has been recorded so far. Read more!

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History
Flores owes its name to the Portuguese, who called its eastern most Cape Cabo Das Flores, meaning Cape of Flowers. The island diverse cultures have enough similarities to suggest that they developed from common ancestry, differentialed by geographical isolation and varying influence of outsiders. Long before Europeans arrived in the 16 century, much of coastal Flores was firmly in the hands of the Makasarnese and Bugis from southern Celebes ( Sulawesi ).
As early 1512, Flores was sighted by the Portuguese navigator Antonio de Abreu and Europeans had probably landed by 1550. The Portuguese involved in the lucrative Sandalwood trade with Timor, built Fortresses on Pulau Solor ( Solor island ) eastern of flores island .and at Pulau Ende ( Ende island ) south coast of central of Flores. In 1561 Dominican Priests established a mission on Pulau Solor. Christianity was a successful import and today a church is the centerpiece of almost every village.In the 17 century, the Dutch kicked the Portuguese out of flores. Ternate and Gowa ( a part of Molluceas island ) also ceded all their rights on Solor, Flores and eastern Sumbawa to the Dutch, giving them nominal control, but it was too complex and isolated to rule effectively. Around 1850 the Dutch purchased Portugal’s remaining enclaves in the area, including Larantuka , Sikka and Paga. Even into the first decade of the 20th century, the Dutch were constantly confronted with rebellions and inter – tribal wars. Unrest continued until a major military campaign in 1907 subdued most of the tribes of central and western Flores. Missionaries moved into the isolated western hills in the 1920’s.
Flores is holding its breath for provincial statues . This will be a huge development for the island, as it is currently under the jurisdiction of Kupang and the Nusa Tenggara Timor ( NTT ) government and has only limited control over its affairs.

Geography
The island’s turbulent volcanic past has left a complicated relief of V – shaped valleys, knife edged ridges, and a collection of active and extinct volcanoes.
One of the finest volcanoes is the caldera of Kelimutu in Central Flores, with its three colored lakes. There are 14 active volcanoes in Flores. Only Java and Sumatera have more. The central mountains slope gently to the volcanoes plunge steeply into the sea.
In the island is part of one of the worlds most geologically unstable zones, and earthquakes and tremors hit every year. In December 1992 an earthquake measuring 6,8 on the Richter scale, and then massive tidal wave that followed it, killed around 3000 people in eastern Flores and Flattened much of Maumere.
The rugged terrain makes road construction difficult, although Flores is only about 375 km long, its main east – west roads winds, twists, ascends and descends for nearly 710 km – that is almost 2 – for – 1.

Climate
The rainy season ( November to March ) is more intense in western Flores, which receives the brunt of the north – Flores highest peak ( The 2400mGunung Ranaka ), gets an average of 3350mm of rain every year. But Ende , Maumere, have only 1140mm and Larantuka recevest 770mm.

Population and People
Difficulities of communication have contributed to the diversity of Flores cultures .In the remote areas, some older people don’t speak a word of Bahasa Indonesia and their grew up in purely animist societies. Physically, the people at the western end of the island are more Malay, while the other in habitans of Flores are more Melanesians. The island 2 million people are divided into five main linguistic and cultur4al groups. From west to east these are the Manggarai ( main town Ruteng ) ,the Ngada ( Bajawa ), the closely related Ende and Lio peoples ( Ende ) the Sikkanese ( Maumere ) , and the Lamaholot ( Larantuka ).

Religion
Around 85% of the people are Catholic but in rural areas particularly, Christianity is divided onto traditional beliefs. Animistic rituals are still important here for a variety of Occasions, ranging from birth, marriage, and death to the building of new houses, or to mark important points in the agricultural cycle. Even educated, English – speaking Floreness still admit to the odd chicken, pig ,or buffalo sacrifice to keep their ancestors happy when rice is planted or a new field opened up. In former times, it took more then animal blood to keep the Gods and spirits friendly, there are persistent tales of children or virgin girls being sacrificed. Muslims tend to congregate in the coastal towns such as Ende where they make up half population.


f all incredible sights in Nusa Tenggara the colored lakes of Kelimutu are undoubtedly the most spectacular. The three lakes are set in deepcraters at an altitude of 1.690m asl and are near the summit of the Kelimutu volcano ( Keli means mountain and Mutu is crater / steam).
They have a habit of changing color and most recently the largest was light turquoise, the one next to it was dark brown and the third one was black.
No – one was managed to fully explain the cause of the colors or why they change, except to suppose that different minerals are dissolved in each lake. The moons cape effect of the craters gives the whole summit area an ethereal atmosphere that can be quite creepy when clouds blow ion after 8am .
There is a story among the locals that the souls of the dead go to these lakes: young people’s souls go to the warmth of Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai ( Turquose lake ), Olds people to the cold of Tiwu Ata Mbupu ( Brown lake ) , and those of thieves and murders to Tiwu Ata Polo ( Black lake ).
Kelimutu has attracted sightseers since Dutch times and today there is a paved road up to the lakes from Moni, 13,5km away at base of the mountain. There is a staircase up to the highest lookout, inspiration point, From where all three lakes are visible.
There is wonderfully spacious feeling up here and you can scramble around the perimeters of two of the lake craters for a bit of solitude. Take care though, as the Scree is loose and it is hell of along way down. Hope for a sunny day sunrise is stunning and the turquoise lake reaches it’s full brilliance in the sunlight. More fantastic if we visit at 6 o’clock in the morning. Read more!

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Komodo National Park ( KNP )was established in march 6th 1980 and designated as A Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1986.Also as a world heritage site in 1991 by UNESCO.Administratively the Park is in Komodo sub Distric West Manggarai Regency –East Nusa Tenggara –Province – INDONESIA.Geographically ,It laid between Flores Island ( East Nusa Tenggara ) and Sumbawa island ( West Nusa Tenggara )

Komodo National Park covers about 173.300 hectares consisting of 40.728 hectares of land and 132.572 hectares of sea. There are three largest islands namely: Komodo island is 33.937 hectares, Rinca island is 19.627 hectares and Padar island is 2.017 hectares .Most of it’s topography is mountainous with the highest peak is Stalibo at 735 m asl.

The weather is dry with average annual rainfall of 500 – 1000 mm.
Rainy season occurs during January – April. Compared to the other Region in Indonesia, Komodo National Park supports a limited number of wild plant and animal species. Only the species which could adaptation to dry environment that will survive. It could only by found about 244 species of terrestrial plants and 16 species of amphibians.

About 70% of the park covers by savanna vegetation dominated by grass , such as setaria adhaerens , chloris –barbota and hetropogon confortus. Also presence of Lontar ( berassus flabellifer), and bidara ( zizypus jujube ) Beside savanna you also found moonson forest,cloudy mountain forest and mangrove forest.

Coral reef of the Park is one of the most beautiful coral reef of the world – a great number and variety of fishes ( more than 1000 species ) corals ( 260 species ),sponge (70 species and other invertebrates could be found in many sites of this park. Species of corals in the park such as acropora spp, favites, sp leptoria sp ( brain copral ),fungia sp ( mushroom coral ),sarcophyton sp and xenia ( soft coral ) beside that you can also watch many species of gorgonians , sea fans ,sea pens anemones with crown fish, star fish, christmast tree worms, clams ( tridacna sp ) crabs, etc.
The examples of coral fish is butterfly fishes, angle fishes, lion fishes, scorpion fishes, damsel fishes, groupers, moray, wrasse, etc.

Komodo National Parkl is being home for other wild animals like : Timor deer,( cervus timorensis ) wild buffalo ( buballus buballis ), wild horses ( equus sp ) and long tailed macaque ( macaca – fascicularis ) Numerous of birds such as Lesser - sulphur –crested – cockatoo,, ( cacatua sulphurea parvula ), Colared king fisher ( Halcyon chloris ) Timor – helmeted friard bird ( philemon buceroides Neglectus ) and orange – footed scrub – foul ( megapodius reinwartd )

On the coastal zone and sea area you could see many species of sea birds such as Reef heron ( egreta sacra sacra ),giant heron ( Ardea sumatsana) ,Bridledtera ( sterna anacthetus ) and black napped tern ( S.sumatrana mathewsi).Also be found raptors sudas white headed kite ( haliastur Indus ),White goshawk ( Accipiter novaehollandine sylvestris ),white bellied sea- eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster ) little falcon ( Falcologiperis hanieli ) and fish hawk ( Padion haliaetes ) On the off shore,You also could be found Blue whale ( Balenoptera Musculus ),Minke whale ( B.acustorostrata ) Dolphins cgrampus griseus,stenella longirostris,S.attenuata , Steno brendanensis,Peponocephala electra,and Delphinus delphis. Two species of sea turtle that founded are common green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) Manta Rays ( Manta birostris ) also live in the Park.

1. Basic Facts.
The first encounter and written by JKH VAN STEYN in 1911. Scientific identification of VARANUS KOMODOENSIS by P.A OUWENS in 1912.
When frightened, Komodo dragons can run up to 18 km / h for short distances. Usually they run at a slower pace of 8 – 10 km / h. Large dragons usually weigh up to 90 kg ( 198 pounds ) The largest Komodo dragon ever measured weighed 195.9 kilograms ( 365 pounds ) but this might be because its belly was of food. It is too difficult to tell difference between male and female dragons without checking for a special scale pattern that males have on their underside at the base of their tale However , one way to tell the difference in fully grown animals is that very large dragons are usually male.
The largest recorded Komodo dragon length is 3.13 meters ( 10 feet 2 inches ).Female Komodo dragons rarely grow over 2.5 meters ( 7 feet 6 inches ) in length.
Komodo dragons remain large because there are no other large predators to compete with. Scientists believe that komodo dragons can live up to 50 years, maybe longer. Komodo dragons can swim at lest 500 meters. However, they become sluggish in the water because the water cools their body temperature down. The young dragons spend most of their time on the trees but dragons over 1.5 meters long can not climb well .Dragons over 2 meters long are too heavy to climb the trees.
Komodo dragon are cold – blooded, they are constantly regulating their body temperature. In the early morning, they must warm – up their body in the sun. If their body temperature drops too low, the food in their stomach can rot and cause regurgitation or even death. However, Komodo dragon’s body temperature must not exceed 42 degrees Celsius ( 108 degrees Fahrenheit ).When it is too hot, they have to rest and seek shade to prevent their body from over – heating. Dragons are most active from 6 to 10 am in the morning and again from 3 to 5pm in the afternoon. During the rainy season, Komodo dragons stay in the burrows if they are too cold. Komodo dragons sleep at night because it is usually too cool for them to be active. They will sleep where they will not loose to much heat. They sleep at the edge of the savanna and monsoon forest, or in burrows. The average sleeping burrow is only 75cm to 1.25m in length. The Komodo dragons will use the burrows of rodents. Palm civets, wild boar, porcupine ( on Flores ) and those made by other Komodo dragons. Nesting burrows, on the other hand, are about two meters long.

2. Population and Habitat.
Komodo dragons are only found in Komodo, Rinca, Gilli Motang and a small part of northern and western Flores. They are recently extinct in Padar. They are not exist any where else on earth.
Komodo dragons need protection as they are considered endangered due to their extremely limited range. Komodo dragons are thought to have live over a larger area but may have been forced out of other island due to human population pressures. As well, the formations of the islands are always changing over time. May be it is difficult for them to cross the water now because too strong currents and wider water crossing.
Dragons can be found almost everywhere on Komodo and Rinca. They can be found in the monsoon forest, in the savanna, on the beach, on the mangrove swamps and in burrows. Sometimes the younger ones are found in the trees. The Komodo dragon’s range is mostly from sea level of 450m above sea level. Komodo dragons surveys taken in the year 2003 account for 1.300 komodo dragons in Komodo island, and 1.200 Komodo dragons in Rinca. This figure is lower then surveys made in prior years, which recorded population ranging from 1.062 – 1.772 dragons in Komodo and 1.110 – 1.344 in Rinca. This recent decline in population seems to be in the young and juvenile categories. However, differences may be due to the method of survey than an actual decline in population.
For every female, there are about three males. Perhaps a small percentage of females is a natural response to keep the Komodo dragon population from growing too quickly.

3.Origins.
Komodo dragons are one of the oldest living lizards. Direct ancestors of the Komodo dragon ( Varanidae family ) lived 50 million years ago. Komodo dragons may have descended from a larger lizard from Java or from Australia ( Megalania prisca ) , which existed 30.000 years ago.
Komodo dragons could be from Asia or Australia.On theory is that dragons island – hopped from Java to Komodo. Another theory is that they swam from Australia to Timor until they reached Flores. About 18 .000 years ago the sea level was approximately 85 meters lower then it is to day. Because the shallower shelves of the island were exposed as dry land, the Komodo dragons might have been able to easily their way from Flores to Rinca and Komodo island.

4. Reproduction.
Female Komodo dragons start mating when they are seven years old and male dragons start mating when they are eight years old. The mating season of the Komodo dragons is normally from July to August although mating behaviors have been observed during have been observed during other months as well, but generally during the dry season. Female komodo dragons lay up 15 to 30 eggs at a time. The average number of eggs is about 18 per clutch per year .The female often lay their eggs in a burrow Sometimes they use the mound of the scrub fowl. Female dragons dig several false funnels so that predators can’t find the eggs easily. The Komodo dragons eggs incubate for eight to nine months, the eggs usually hatch in March or April. With it is size of Komodo dragon eggs is 8,6 cm long, with a diameter of 5,9 cm and weight of 105 grams. The eggs are about the size of swan eggs.The shells are soft and leathery.
Komodo dragons use their tongue to detect scents and smells. And also the tongue to pick up chemical particles in the air and ground, then put them in their Jacobson’s organs located on the roof of their mouth. Jacobson’s organs are a kind of “Super nose”. Dragons can detect scents up to five kilometers away. However, they can smell up to 11 km away depending on the direction of the wind.

5. Hunting and feeding.
Komodo dragons are carnivorous and not very particular about their meat .The adults mainly prey on deer and wild boar and sometimes other Komodo dragons. If they can, they will hunt buffalo, palm civets, rats, and birds. They will also eat domestic animals like dogs, chickens, and goats. Occasionally they will eat snakes, sea turtle eggs and monkeys. Komodo dragons prefer to eat animals which are already dead (carrion ). Also the dragons usually attack sleeping animals or wait in ambush.
If they can’t kill prey immediately they will try to bite the animal on the leg or on the throat. Later, they will follow and wait for the animal to weaken and die before they eat it.
Komodo dragon’s saliva is very high septic. There are over 60 types of bacteria in the dragon’s saliva and at least one of them can cause septicemia. After being bitten, they prey can take a day to a couple of weeks to die from blood – poisoning. They have small, sharp, curved teeth for grasping and ripping. A komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of its body weight at one time. For example, researchers saw a 42 kg dragon eat a 30 kg in 17 minutes. Dragons eat almost everything, leaving behind only 8 – 13% of the carcass. They can eat whenever there is opportunity. If there is no prey, they will scavenge. They can go without eating for several weeks. Dragons usually eat or kill about once a month. The droppings of the Komodo dragon are white due to the presence of uric acid. All reptiles and birds have this in their droppings as well. Also the droppings has not contains of water. The body of dragons will try to conserve water in their body instead, especially during the dry season when water is scarce. Komodo dragons need to drink water, but often. They drink a lot when it is available. They drink very little in the dry season from April to November. Dragons can get 70% of their water requirement from their prey.

6. People and Dragons.
Komodo dragons have no natural predators but deer poachers are their biggest threat. Timor deer an essential part of the dragon’s died and the prey / predator balance is critical for the Komodo dragon to survive. At least eight people are thought to have been attacked by dragons, and one tourist is thought to have been eaten by dragons in the 1970’s.The komodo dragons are not longer fed so that they can resume their natural activities. By feeding the dragons, they where relying too heavily on humans for their food. Komodo dragons are opportunistic scavengers. They come to the ranger station because of the smell of food .They are still wild animals and are not tame. Their behavior is unpredictable.
The best thing to do is to get out the way. If you run, the dragon may follow. Climbing the tree is an option if the pursuing dragons is too large to climb the tree itself. Komodo National Park requires that all visitors be accompanied by a ranger for safety reasons. The rangers have experience in dealing with dragons and carry a stick to stop the dragons from. The people of komodo island revere the Komodo dragons as a mystical ancestor and treat the dragons with respect.


lores island, the exotic place least visited by the foreigner. It is worth to visit the destination.
It has strong ethnic touch with typical tribal work of civilization, more people still influenced by the animistic beliefs. The nature settings are so beautiful, there are soaring volcanoes, colored crater lakes, forests, beautiful sea gardens with white sands beaches, and prehistoric Giant animals too.
Flores is a big, rugged remarkably beautiful island .Dominated by a string of volcanes, the long impenetrable terrain has divided the island into many distinct ethnic groups. There are interesting cultures here, with layers of traditional beliefs beneath the prevalent Christianity. Read more!

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Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). It is among the world's largest reptiles and can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. Click: the komodo dragon
Other than the Komodo Dragon twelve terrestrial snake species are found on the island. including the cobra (Naja naja sputatrix), Russel’s pit viper (Vipera russeli), and the green tree vipers (Trimeresurus albolabris). Lizards include 9 skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae), limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and, of course, the monitor lizards (Varanidae). Frogs include the Asian Bullfrog (Kaloula baleata), Oreophyne jeffersoniana and Oreophyne darewskyi. They are typically found at higher, moister altitudes.
Mammals: Mammals include the Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), the main prey of the Komodo dragon, horses (Equus sp.), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), wild boar (Sus scrofa vittatus), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus lehmanni), the endemic Rinca rat (Rattus rintjanus), and fruit bats. One can also find goats, dogs and domestic cats.
Birds: One of the main bird species is the orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius reinwardti), a ground dwelling bird. In areas of savanna, 27 species were observed. Geopelia striata and Streptopelia chinensis were the most common species. In mixed deciduous habitat, 28 bird species were observed, and Philemon buceroides, Ducula aenea, and Zosterops chloris were the most common.
MARINE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
The marine area constitutes 67% of the Park. The open waters in the Park are between 100 and 200 m deep. The straits between Rinca and Flores and between Padar and Rinca, are relatively shallow (30 to 70 m deep), with strong tidal currents. The combination of strong currents, coral reefs and islets make navigation around the islands in Komodo National Park difficult and dangerous. Sheltered deep anchorage is available at the bay of Loh Liang on Komodo’s east coast, the South East coast of Padar, and the bays of Loh Kima and Loh Dasami on Rinca.
In the North of the Park water temperature ranges between 25 – 29°C. In the middle, the temperature ranges between 24 and 28°C. The temperatures are lowest in the South, ranging from 22 – 28°C. Water salinity is about 34 ppt and the water is quite clear, although the waters closer to the islands are relatively more turbid.
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS :
Indonesia is the only equatorial region in the world where there is an exchange of marine flora and fauna between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Passages in Nusa Tenggara (formerly the Lesser Sunda Islands) between the Sunda and Sahul shelves allow movement between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The three main ecosystems in Komodo National Park are seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. The Park is probably a regular cetacean migration route.
MARINE FLORA :
The three major coastal marine plants are algae, seagrasses and mangrove trees. Algae are primitive plants, which do not have true roots, leaves or stems. An important reef-building algae is the red coralline algae, which actually secretes a hard limestone skeleton that can encrust and cement dead coral together. Seagrasses are modern plants that produce flowers, fruits and seeds for reproduction. As their name suggests, they generally look like large blades of grass growing underwater in sand near the shore. Thallasia sp. and Zastera spp. are the common species found in the Park. Mangroves trees can live in salty soil or water, and are found throughout the Park. An assessment of mangrove resources identified at least 19 species of true mangroves and several more species of mangrove associates within the Park's borders.
MARINE FAUNA :
Komodo National Park includes one of the world's richest marine environments. It consists of forams, cnidaria (includes over 260 species of reef building coral), sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and bony fishes (over 1,000 species), marine reptiles, and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs). Some notable species with high commercial value include sea cucumbers (Holothuria), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and groupers. Read more!

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Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia, identified by WWF and Conservation International as a global conservation priority area. The Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores at the border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTP) provinces. It includes three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of land. The total size of Komodo National Park is presently 1,817 km2. Proposed extensions of 25 km2 of land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine waters would bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km2

HISTORY :
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.
The majority of the people in and around the Park are fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku Bajau were originally nomadic and moved from location to location in the region of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make their livelihoods. Descendents of the original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their culture and language is slowly being integrated with the recent migrants.
Little is known of the early history of the Komodo islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima, although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate other than by occasional demand for tribute.
DEMOGRAPHICS :
There are presently almost 4,000 inhabitants living within the park spread out over four settlements (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, and Papagaran). All villages existed prior to 1980 before the area was declared a national park. In 1928 there were only 30 people living in Komodo Village, and approximately 250 people on Rinca Island in 1930. The population increased rapidly, and by 1999, there were 281 families numbering 1,169 people on Komodo, meaning that the local population had increased exponentially. Komodo Village has had the highest population increase of the villages within the Park, mostly due to migration by people from Sape, Manggarai, Madura, and South Sulawesi. The number of buildings in Kampung Komodo has increased rapidly from 30 houses in 1958, to 194 houses in 1994, and 270 houses in 2000. Papagaran village is similar in size, with 258 families totaling 1,078 people. As of 1999, Rinca’s population was 835, and Kerora's population was 185 people. The total population currently living in the Park is 3,267 people, while 16,816 people live in the area immediately surrounding the Park.
EDUCATION :
The average level of education in the villages of Komodo National Park is grade four of elementary school. There is an elementary school located in each of the villages, but new students are not recruited each year. On average, each village has four classes and four teachers. Most of the children from the small islands in the Kecamatan Komodo (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, Papagaran, Mesa) do not finish elementary school. Less than 10% of those which do graduate from elementary school will continue to high school since the major economic opportunity (fishing) does not require further education. Children must be sent to Labuan Bajo to attend high school, but this is rarely done in fishermen’s families.
HEALTH :
Most of the villages located in and around the Park have few fresh water facilities available, if any, particularly during the dry season. Water quality declines during this time period and many people become ill. Malaria and diarrhea are rampant in the area. On Mesa island, with a population of around 1,500 people, there is no fresh water available. Fresh water is brought by boat in jerrycans from Labuan Bajo. Each family needs an average of Rp 100,000.- per month to buy fresh water (2000). Almost every village has a local medical facility with staff, and at least a paramedic. The quality of medical care facilities is low.
SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ANTHROPOLOGIC CONDITIONS :
Traditional Customs: Traditional communities in Komodo, Flores and Sumbawa have been subjected to outside influences and the influence of traditional customs is dwindling. Television, radio, and increased mobility have all played a part in accelerating the rate of change. There has been a steady influx of migrants into the area. At the moment nearly all villages consist of more than one ethnic group.
Religion: The majority of fishermen living in the villages in the vicinity of the Park are Muslims. Hajis have a strong influence in the dynamics of community development. Fishermen hailing from South Sulawesi (Bajau, Bugis) and Bima are mostly Moslems.
The community from Manggarai are mostly Christians. Anthropology and Language: There are several cultural sites within the Park, particularly on Komodo Island. These sites are not well documented, however, and there are many questions concerning the history of human inhabitance on the island. Outside the Park, in Warloka village on Flores, there is a Chinese trading post remnant of some interest. Archeological finds from this site have been looted in the recent past. Most communities in and around the Park can speak Bahasa Indonesia. Bajo language is the language used for daily communication in most communities.
TERRESTRIAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
Topography: The topography is varied, with slopes from 0 – 80%. There is little flat ground, and that is generally located near the beach. The altitude varies from sea level to 735 m above sea level. The highest peak is Gunung Satalibo on Komodo Island.
Geology: The islands in Komodo National Park are volcanic in origin. The area is at the juncture of two continental plates: Sahul and Sunda. The friction of these two plates has led to large volcanic eruptions and caused the up-thrusting of coral reefs. Although there are no active volcanoes in the park, tremors from Gili Banta (last eruption 1957) and Gunung Sangeang Api (last eruption 1996) are common. West Komodo probably formed during the Jurasic era approximately 130 million years ago. East Komodo, Rinca, and Padar probably formed approximately 49 million years ago during the Eocene era.
Climate: Komodo National Park has little or no rainfall for approximately 8 months of the year, and is strongly impacted by monsoonal rains. High humidity levels year round are only found in the quasi-cloud forests on mountain tops and ridges. Temperatures generally range from 170C to 340C, with an average humidity level of 36%. From November through March the wind is from the west and causes large waves that hit the entire length of Komodo island’s west beach. From April through October the wind is dry and large waves hit the south beaches of Rinca and Komodo islands.
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS :
The terrestrial ecosystems are strongly affected by the climate: a lengthy dry season with high temperatures and low rainfall, and seasonal monsoon rains. The Park is situated in a transition zone between Australian and Asian flora and fauna. Terrestrial ecosystems include open grass-woodland savanna, tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest, and quasi cloud forest.
Due to the dry climate, terrestrial plant species richness is relatively low. The majority of terrestrial species are xerophytic and have specific adaptations to help them obtain and retain water. Past fires have selected for species that are fire-adapted, such as some grass species and shrubs. Terrestrial plants found in Komodo National Park include grasses, shrubs, orchids, and trees. Important food tree species for the local fauna include Jatropha curkas, Zizyphus sp., Opuntia sp., Tamarindus indicus, Borassus flabellifer, Sterculia foetida, Ficus sp., Cicus sp., ‘Kedongdong hutan’ (Saruga floribunda), and ‘Kesambi’ (Schleichera oleosa).
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA :
The terrestrial fauna is of rather poor diversity in comparison to the marine fauna. The number of terrestrial animal species found in the Park is not high, but the area is important from a conservation perspective as some species are endemic.. Many of the mammals are Asiatic in origin (e.g., deer, pig, macaques, civet). Several of the reptiles and birds are Australian in origin. These include the orange-footed scrubfowl, the lesser sulpher-crested cockatoo and the nosy friarbird.
Reptiles: The most famous of Komodo National Park's reptiles is the Komodo Read more!

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AMERICAN CUISINE

Clipper's American Seafood
Wisma Kyoei Lt. 26
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 3
Jakarta 10220
Phone: +62-21-5723288

Country Kitchen
Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah
Jakarta Selatan
Phone : +62-21-7397086

CHINESE CUISINE

Ah Yat Abalone
Midplaza 2 Building, LG FL.
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5707333
Fax: +62-21-5739922

Chinois Chinese Bistro
MidPlaza 1, B1 Floor.
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5700550 / 5706200 ext. 2088

Forum Shark's Fin & Seafood
Mulia Tower Lg-03
Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav 9-11
Jakarta
Phone: +62-21-5257310

Grand Tungkok Seafood
Menara BTN Lt.6
Jl. Gajah Mada, Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-3856888

Raja Laut Seafood
Jl. A. Yani Kav. 72-73
Jakarta Timur
Phone: +62-21-4243503

Summer Palace
Gedung Tedja Buana Lt. 7
Jl. Menteng Raya No.29
Jakarta Pusat
Phone : +62-21-3142970

Tung Hai
Jl. Cideng Timur No.59
Jakarta Pusat
Phone : +62-21-3864352

Ming Seafood
Gedung Setia budi I, Lt. I
Blok B1-8
Jl. Rasuna Said Kav.62
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-5210505

Happy Valley Seafood & Shark Fin
Jl. Asia Afrika No.6-A Sanayan
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-5732309

Golden Island Bird's Nest Chiu-Chau
BRI Center Park
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 44-46
Jakarta
Phone: +62-21-5713388

Prince Garden Seafood
Wisma Kyoei Prince, Lt. 4
Jl. Jend. Sudirman
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-5723338

Nelayan Garden Seafood
Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 22
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-2523341

Taipan Regency
Gedung JITC Lt. XI
Jl. Mangga Dua Raya
Jakarta Utara
Phone +62-21-6016228

Nelayan Village
Mall Pondok Indah
Lt.11/245-246
Jl. Metro Pondok Indah
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-7506771

Plaza Bintaro Lt.11-N2
Jl. Bintaro Utama 3A
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-7353808

CONTINENTAL CUISINE

Cappellini Cafe & Pub
Gedung BRI Center Park Lt.9
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.44-46
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-5713411

Oasis
Jl. Raden Saleh No.47
Jakarta 10330
Phone: +62-21-3150646

Pete's Tavern
Plaza ATD, Basement
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav.3
Jakarta Pusat
Phone : +62-21-6012944

Marquee
Menara BNI Lt. 32
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.1
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-5701813

Koi Gallery
Jl. Mahakam I/No. 2
Jakarta Selatan
Phone : +62-21-7206843

Red Lobster
Wisma Metropolitan II, Lt.16
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.31
Jakarta Pusat 12929
Phone: +62-21-5711659

DUTCH CUISINE

La Bodega Grill
Jl. Terogong Raya, Cilandak
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-7697798

Le Bistro
Jl. KH. Wahid Hasyim No.75
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-3909249

FRENCH CUISINE

Memories
Wisma Indocement
Ground Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.70-71
Jakarta 12910
Phone: +62-21-

JAPANESE CUISINE

Bushido
Hotel Sahid Jaya & Tower
Ground Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-5700723

Chikara - Tei
Midplaza 1, Basement Floor.
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5744318

EBEYA Steak House
The Plaza Residences Jakarta Lobby Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5724751 / 5724752 / 5706200 ext 4741
Fax: +62-21-5724728

Honzen
InterContinental MidPlaza LG Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5707796 / 2510888 Ext. 4736

Kushiyaki UMENA-DORI
InterContinental Midplaza Jakarta, LG Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-570 7795 / 572 3920
Fax: +62-21-5723920

Kirishima
Atria Square
Standard Chartered Bank
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 33A
LT.25, Jakarta 10220
Phone: +62-21-5704851

Le Matsuzaka Grilled Steak House
Gedung BRI II Center Park Lt.9
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.44-46
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-5713295

Restaurant Suntory
BCD Tower Lt, 20
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.26
Jakarta 12920
Phone: +62-21-2506201

Sakana
MidPlaza 1, Basement Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5746452

Shima
The Aryaduta Jakarta
Main Lobby Floor
Jl. Prapatan 44-48,
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-3844825

Taichan
Midplaza 1 Building, Basement Floor.
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5706200 Ext. 2001

KOREAN CUISINE

Arirang Korean Restaurant
Jl. Mahakam I No.28
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-7397032
Jl. Gereja Theresia
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-3100149

Kodel House
Ground Floor
Jl. Rasuna Said
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-5221545

Han Soo Ra Restaurant
BRI Center Park Lt.9
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.44-46
Jakarta 10210
Phone: +62-21-5713396

The Grill
MidPlaza 2, Lower Ground Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5706210 / 5706200 Ext. 5020

INDIAN JEWEL CUISINE

Palki Pub & Indian
Mulia Center Lt 4
Jl. Rasuna Said Kav. X-6 No.8
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-5229447

Jewel of India
Jl. Kemang Selatan No.31
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-7800689

ITALIANO CUISINE

Cafe Marco
Wisma Metropolitan I Top Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: +62-21-5254736

II Punto
Lobby World Trade Center
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav.29-31
Jakarta 12920
Phone: +62-21-5211818

Scusa, Italian Restaurant
Hotel InterContinental MidPlaza
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-2510888 ext. 6605

Va Bene
Mulia Tower
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav.9-11
Lower Ground 9
Jakarta 12930
Phone: +62-21-5222550

Zigolini Italian
Mandarin Oriental
Jl. M.H. Thamrin
Jakarta 10310
Phone: +62-21-3141307

THAI CUISINE

Her Sea Palace
Jl. Cideng Timur 63,
Jakarta
Phone: +62-21-3805280

Singapore Ping Restaurant
Jl. KH. Wahid Hasyim No.123
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: +62-21-3803670

Baby Buddha, Thai Cuisine & Lounge
MidPlaza 2, First Ground Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5707774 Read more!

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