Komodo, Sumbawa, Lombok, and the Indonesian Spice Islands. Cruises from Bali.

The Lesser Sunda Islands
Shore Programs & Excursions

Sumbawa & Sumbawa Besar (or Badas)
-- the Island's Ancient Capital

The island of Sumbawa is located between Lombok and Komodo and stretches 280 kilometers in an east-west direction and between 15 and 90 kilometers north-south. The terrain is rough and mountainous without any fertile plain. The eruption of 2,850 meter high Mount Tambora in 1815 was according to the "Guinness Book of World Records" the greatest in known history during which over 150 cubic kilometers of rock and ash were propelled upward.

Diving and Snorkeling Badas, also called "Sumbawa Besar", is the ancient capital of the western part of Sumbawa. In the 14th. century, this island became prosperous through trade in native horses, rare timber, and the fragrant sandalwood. The Buginese of South Sulawesi introduced Islam to Sumbawa and installed a lineage of royal sultans in Bima in the east. A Muslim adventurer from South Kalimantan seized the throne in Sumbawa Besar in 1820.

The town and its surrounding villages offer insights into this centuries old culture. The various ancient tribes living on Sumbawa are divided into two linguistic groups which for many centuries could not understand each others languages. During your visit to this island you'll experience a mixture of multiple cultures and exotic customs.

The Island of Komodo
-- the last home of fierce dragons from the Jurassic age.

Komodo, a hilly island of dry tropical savannah, is located between Sumbawa and Flores about 500 kilometers east of Bali.

The 600 people living in the island's only village are descendants of convicts sent in the past from Flores to Komodo as a punishment.

The island is the home of deer, wild boar, sulphur-crested cockatoos, noisy friar birds, and rare, mound-building megapode birds. Ballen whales and dolphins are often sighted in the water, and so are sharks, sea snakes and saltwater crocodiles which can reach 7 meters in length. The Komodo National Park is the habitat of the world's largest pre-historic lizard, also known as the "Komodo Dragon".

The Komodo Dragon (varanus komodensis) was discovered as late as 1911. This huge monitor lizard is a relic from the age of the carnivorous Dinosaurs about 130 million years ago. Everywhere else in the world these fierce reptiles have been extinct since the Jurassic age. Their current number on Komodo is estimated to be around 1,600. There are also about 600 dragons living on nearby Rinca island and some others on Flores.

Komodo Dragons grow up to three meters in length and weigh as much as two hundred kilograms. They have fearsome looking jaws which can disjoint to swallow large chunks of their prey, strong legs with sharp claws, and a tail which is a dangerous weapon. Their flicking, forged tongue protrudes up to half a meter and is used to taste and smell. They are said to be able to smell a prey from 8 kilometers away.

In spite of their size, these huge reptiles can run very fast, and they are good swimmers and climbers. They are not afraid of the sea, and one dragon which was exiled to Flores after killing a 12 year old boy on Rinca island returned on its own, swimming back. Young dragons can sometimes be seen in trees preying for monkeys. Adults devour deer, goats, wild pigs, as well as members of their own species, and they can even swallow whole young water buffalos. A number of humans including Western travellers have been attacked and killed when exploring the island on their own.

Visiting the Komodo Dragons
After an early breakfast you start in small groups the easy 4-kilometer walk into the wildlife preserve around 7:00 a.m. when it's still cool and the dragons are most active. You are escorted by experienced Park Rangers and will be able to safely view and photograph the dangerous reptiles at close range from a special area surrounded by a fence. You might see one or two dragons already during your walk to the "dragon area" where you will see at least three or four but sometimes many more of these huge lizards.
After lunch back on board you will be able to visit "Pink Beach" which offers excellent snorkeling.

Lombok -- Bali's different Neighbour

Lombok -- Bali's eastern neighbour -- is often described as "Bali before Tourism". Large areas of this island are still rather untouched, and many people are as poor as Bali's inhabitants were 40 or 50 years ago.

A visit to these villages -- where people still live in primitive mud huts with a dirt floor and without doors, and have hardly any personal belongings, decent medical care or a chance to obtain reasonable education -- is highly recommended for those visitors who like to complain that Bali has been "spoiled" and the locals have "not preserved" their way of life.

Fauna and flora in Lombok are also quite different from Bali because the island is located East of the "Wallace Line" and governed by Australian climatic influences. You won't see much of Bali's lush green tropical vegetation but instead only bananas and coconut palms, many thorny plants, and scrubby, barren hills. The island is towered over by one of Indonesia's highest mountains, the 3,726 meter high, still active volcano Gunung Rinjani in the North.

The natives of Lombok, the Sasaks, are officially Moslems which, however, unofficially retain many of their ancient animist beliefs and practices. They grow rice and, to a lesser extent, coffee, kapok, tobacco, and cotton. The island is also known for traditional weaving, plaited basketware, bags and mats, and it's worthwhile visiting some villages specializing in one of these crafts.

The island's capital is Mataram where you can visit an interesting local market. All international standard hotels are located near Sengiggi Beach, although there are also a few nice beaches (without proper hotel facilities) on the other side of the island. The three Gili islands are a short boat ride away from Sengiggi and offer white beaches and crystal clear water -- ideal for snorkeling and diving. However, accommodation on these tiny islands is quite primitive.

	Private Vacation Villas in Bali -- You can rent a private villa in Bali with one to seven bedrooms, tropical garden with private swimming pool, all amenities, and trained household staff.

	BALI HOTEL BARGAIN FINDER -- Take advantage of the GUARANTEED lowest rates at famous luxury resorts and budget hotels in Bali. Reserve on-line to save 70% and more on your hotel accommodation.

	BALI TODAY -- an Insiders' Guide. -- Continually up-dated information on What to see & do; how much it costs; food, restaurants & nightlife; even on getting married in Bali. Includes a detailed map of Bali and a link to "The Bali Travel Forum".