Tag Archives: Indonesia

Wildlife Wednesday

“A nose like that has one advantage: it keeps your feet dry in the rain.”

1 Comment

About 3 months ago, I was in the rainforests on the island of Borneo, sleeping next to bands of proboscis monkeys. They’re funny looking, with big noses, prominent bellies, and long tails. I laughed while watching their playful antics at dusk and the early morning hours – they jump between branches, trying to find the best place to sleep.  I am so grateful that I was able to have the chance to see them in person. Proboscis monkeys are endangered because they can only survive in the rainforest on one island in the world, and there is still a big problem with trees being cut down to sell and to make space for palm oil plantations.

I’m posting about them today in honor of Earth Day. If you donate to any of a number of wildlife organizations before the end of April, Google will match your donation. If you’re willing to donate even a little sometime this year, it is worth it to do it in the next week from the link below. As a fun bonus, the Google Doodle has a quiz to tell you which animal you are. I found out that I am a wooly mammoth. Take the quiz yourself, and let me know what your spirit animal is!
https://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2015

*PS- quote from the play Cyrano de Bergerac

Street Food Saturday

Market food from Solo

Leave a comment

While we were in Solo (you might find it as Surakarta on the map), we went to an old market. We tried rice that was cooked in banana leaves until solid and sticky. To eat it, the “log” is then cut into slices and topped with shredded fresh coconut meat. Delicious!
We also got a free snakefruit from the vendor. It gets the name from the peel. It is not super sweet, but I like the mild flavor – it tastes somewhat similar to lychee and rambutan to me.

Uncategorized

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Leave a comment

To get to the other side!

On this trip, we’ve seen plenty of chickens crossing the road, and much bigger animals as well. Matt got this great shot of a cow walking on the streets inside the Golden Fort, Jaisalmer.

DSC06278_1

There was a whole herd of cattle being driven down the street in a town we drove through near the Tamil Nadu/Kerala border. (The street was also decorated for a festival!)

DSC02304_1

And of course, while in the Thar Desert, we saw camels crossing the road (also shaggy goats and donkeys)

wpid-dsc05991_1.jpg

Uncategorized

Selamat Tinggal, Indonesia

Leave a comment

After just under a month touring Indonesia, it was very hard for me to say goodbye (or more properly in Bahasa, “Selamat Tinggal”).

I confess that I was already predisposed to like Indonesia and was really excited to see the country for the first time, but my visit completely exceeded my high expectations. Not only do I want to go back, I definitely encourage everyone to go!

wpid-dsc08204.jpg

Indonesia has amazing natural beauty, and it would be easy to spend a whole trip watching the indigenous wildlife you can’t find anywhere else. The soft sand beaches leading to turquoise waters could convince almost anyone to spend a day as a beach bum. If the above isn’t enough, there are also bubbling volcanos and sulfur springs to climb, coral reefs to snorkel, and giant trees that according to local tradition contain the spirits of the ancestors.

Borneo

For me, the natural beauty is only a piece of why I am happy I went to Indonesia. I have been fascinated by the farmland flowing over the steep volcanic ridges, been enchanted by the food showcasing flavors and ingredients completly new to me, and completely won over by the warmth and kindness of the people I’ve met.

IMG_20150201_095713607

Let’s just say that I’m in love…. and if you can make the trip to Indonesia, send me pictures 🙂

DSC08816

Tea for Tuesday, Uncategorized

Steep Hillside Plantation!

Leave a comment

While on our fun roadtrip around Java, we visited the area around Mount Lawu. Much of the steep hillsides were covered in tea plants.
I hadn’t known how bushy the tea plant looks before this trip. After my youth seeing the farms on the American midwestern plains, I definitely didn’t imagine farms on steep steep slopes. (The tea plants like the cooler temperatures from the higher elevations)
So I bring you a photo of a tea plantation in Java…

Tea plants growing on the hilllside in Java
and if you were wondering, unprocessed mature tea leaves are slightly bitter and have almost no hint of the flavor of the final beverage – I had to try 🙂

Wildlife Wednesday

Here be Dragons

1 Comment

DSC08632

On January 28th, we boarded a boat to Rinca Island to search for Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park. The short 2 hour journey took us by some spectacular sights. The water was gorgeous shades of green and blue. The landscapes were incredible to behold. Upon our arrival to the island, we encountered some long-tailed macaques searching for their favorite local snack, the fiddler crab.

DSC08634

DSC08702

Shortly down the path, right under the warning sign, we encountered our first dragon. Rinca Island has over 2200 Komodo Dragons currently living on it.

DSC08636

Soon after we met the ranger who would guide us through the park, we happened upon a large male dragon.

DSC08644

Other smaller dragons were wandering through the forest nearby.

DSC08654DSC08658

A water buffalo was bathing in a stream. If a dragon bites a big healthy buffalo like this one, it could be a week or two before the buffalo dies. Usually multiple dragons will enjoy the feast.

DSC08671

Per UNESCO’s decision 20 years ago, the dragons are not fed by rangers but hunt their entire diet. Rinca has the dragons natural prey animals, deer, and wild pigs for the adults, and birds and lizards for the juveniles. (PS: did you know they live in trees for their first few years?)

DSC08648

If you visit Flores Island, hop on a boat to Rinca Island or Komodo Island and view these magnificent beasts in their natural habitat for yourself. As the old sailors’ maps say “Here be Dragons.” Only in Indonesia.

DSC08640

Uncategorized

Candi Ceto (Ceto Temple)

Leave a comment

Candi Ceto is a Hindu temple that appears to float high above the clouds. It is located on the western slope of Mount Lawu. Since it was built in the 15th century, it has a more Javanese architecture than the Indian-inspired temples of the 7th century. One of the traits that make it worth a visit is its many statues representing masculinity. Candi Ceto is still used as a place of worship today.

DSC07778

Tasty Thursday

Gado-Gado, my new favorite Indonesian food!

1 Comment

While on our road trip around the island of Java, our guide Heri encouraged me to try Gado-Gado. I was able to try it twice, and I am addicted. If making it at home, you could easily make it for a number of different diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, chicken-lovers, just to name a few).

The dish is served cold, and consists of coarsely diced pre-cooked foods topped with a peanut sauce like a dressing. Between the two versions I tried, there were potatoes, green beans, water spinach, tomatoes, carrots, tempeh, tofu, shredded chicken, mung bean sprouts, boiled eggs, and shredded cabbage. One version was also topped with pieces of crisp rice crackers, which soaked up the sauce really well.

The peanut sauce was simple yet delicious. It is made from roasted peanuts, palm sugar, chilis, and lemon leaf. (Some versions also contain tamarind) Then all the ingredients are ground together (mortar and pestle style) into a thick, paste-like sauce that is a slap of pure joy to the palate.

Uncategorized

Sunrise at Mount Bromo

Leave a comment

 

Sunrise from the Mt. Bromo overlook.

On January 21st 2015, we woke up at 3 AM, hopped into a Jeep, and off-roaded through the “sea of sand”  to watch sunrise at the Mount Bromo overlook. The scenery did not seem real. We were high above the clouds near an actively billowing crater. The gathered crowd consisted of people from all over the globe, each anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sun. After sunrise we headed back down. We traversed the “sea of sand” on foot while most rode on horseback to the stairs leading to the crater’s rim.

The stairs to get to the crater of Bromo. Steep!

The stairs were very steep, the air had a faint aroma of sulfur, and the views were unforgettable.

The crater of Mount Bromo: this volcano is still active, and last erupted in 2010.