Result for : beautiful birds bays and the underwater world

In Search of Wallace and His Living Treasures

the brain of a Russel Wallace and could read more clearly the illuminated page of Nature. - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle In collaboration with Dr. George Beccaloni – naturalist, Wallace expert and head of the Wallace Correspondence Project –In collaboration with Dr. George Beccaloni – naturalist, Wallace expert and head of the Wallace Correspondence Project – this exclusive SeaTrek itinerary honours Alfred Russel Wallace in the 150th year since the publication of his seminal travelogue, The Malay Archipelago. Like Wallace, we will ...

Sailing in the Wake of Wallace

and exotic Indonesian islands in the wake of the legendary British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1854, Wallace set off on a voyage to the Malay Archipelago (now Indonesia and Malaysia), where he spent eight years, collecting more than 125,000 specimens. His book “The Malay Archipelago” is the region’s most famous travelogue; it has been in print for nearly 150 years. Wallace’s observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait between the ...

From Nutmeg Plantations to Birds of Paradise

will journey to almost-forgotten Banda Islands, which were once the world’s only source of nutmeg, shaping the history of colonialism in the East Indies from the 16th century onwards. Here, we can climb a volcano, marvel at the beauty of the scenery, visit the majestic Fort Belgica, wander through the shady nutmeg plantations, and barter for spice at the market. Cruising north, we will then explore the spectacular region of Raja Ampat, one of the most noteworthy ecological niches on ...

Sacred Dances, Textiles and the Forgotten Islands

the culturally outstanding Eastern Sunda Islands to the true gems of nature – the Southern Moluccan Islands, we immerse ourselves into the strong traditions of the islands’ tribes with their famous textiles and tantalising dances. We then meet the last traditional whale hunters before exploring the remote southern Moluccan Islands, known for their exceptional natural beauty – both above and below the turquoise blue ocean. This tour offers a balanced mix of cultural highlights and exploration. Note: The price of this cruise ...

From the Spice Islands to Sulawesi - Sailing the Undiscovered Frontier

the spice entrepot of Ternate to the shipbuilding port of Bitung in North Sulawesi as we travel around the islands that fringe the Molucca Sea. Not only does this brand-new itinerary have an extended cruise programme of 14 days, it also packages so many highlights in the one journey such as birds of paradise, black-crested macaques, remote island cultures, rare maleo birds, Bajau sea gypsies, exotic birdlife, volcanic peaks, and ample opportunity for snorkelling on fantastic coral reefs and in lakes filled with freshwater ...

The Scents of the Spice Islands

The Moluccas are the original Spice Islands; a magical destination, beautiful, remote and unspoiled, with a long, fascinating and turbulent history. For millennia these fertile volcanic isles were the world’s only source of the ‘holy trinity’ of rare spices; cloves, nutmeg and mace, which were once worth their weight in gold. On this 12-day voyage of discovery you will be transported back in time as we wend our way between dramatic volcanic islands interspersed with stops at pristine white-sand beaches ...

Tribal Weaving of the Lesser Sunda Islands Pre-Cruise

There are many “must see” weaving highlights in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia but not all of them are accessible by boat. We therefore want to offer our guests a four-day pre-cruise option to visit some of these villages overland.  We begin on the island of Timor with the first of several encounters with royalty. From there we fly to Ende on the island of Flores where we visit a small Lio weaving cooperative, followed by a traditional mountain ...

Tribal Weaving of the Lesser Sunda Islands with David & Sue Richardson

CANNOT MARRY  The diverse Lesser Sunda Islands, stretching eastwards from Bali, offer the most amazing landscapes and a glorious cornucopia of weaving for textile lovers. Here women not only continue to make their traditional cloth on back-tension looms but continue to wear it as well. There is kaleidoscopic variety of patterns and designs – every region of every island has its own unique textile culture, its own style of dress, and its own motifs. Together we will explore the extraordinary ...

The Scents of the Spice Islands

the Moluccan Islands, the original Spice Islands; a magical destination, beautiful, remote and unspoiled, with a long, fascinating and turbulent history. For millennia these fertile volcanic isles were the world’s only source of the ‘holy trinity’ of rare spices; cloves, nutmeg and mace, which were once worth their weight in gold. Be transported back in time as we wend our way between dramatic volcanic islands interspersed with stops at pristine white-sand beaches with no other tourists in sight. Relish the ...

Wallace Trails & Sails

and exotic Indonesian islands in the wake of the legendary British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection.  In 1854, Wallace set off on a voyage to the Malay Archipelago (now Indonesia and Malaysia), where he spent eight years, collecting more than 125,000 specimens. His book “The Malay Archipelago” is the region’s most famous travelogue; it has been in print for nearly 150 years. Wallace’s observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait between ...

Indonesia's Exquisite Birds of Paradise

Whether you are a mere nestling who is new to bird watching, a fully-fledged birder, or a seasoned twitcher, this 10-day (9-night) ornithological adventure through the remote, rainforest-clad islands of northern Raja Ampat and North Maluku, which includes a two-night stay at the famed Weda Resort on Halmahera, is a fantastic opportunity to add some significant numbers to your life lists. No other feathered family is as beautiful, or displays such diversity of plumage, extravagant decoration, and courtship behaviour as ...

Wallace Trails & Sails II

 unforgettable cruise will travel to remote exotic Indonesian islands in the wake of the legendary Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection and author of the most famous travelogue about the region, The Malay Archipelago. Like Wallace, we will go in search of the stunningly beautiful Birds of Paradise, which he regarded as “…one of the most beautiful and most wonderful of living things.” Our journey on-board the Ombak Putih will visit some of ...

Wallace Trails & Sails

and exotic Indonesian islands in the wake of the legendary British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1854, Wallace set off on a voyage to the Malay Archipelago (now Indonesia and Malaysia), where he spent eight years, collecting more than 125,000 specimens. His book “The Malay Archipelago” is the region’s most famous travelogue; it has been in print for nearly 150 years. Wallace’s observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait between the ...

Papua's Whale Sharks & Birds of Paradise

beautiful experiences in the world. This exciting expert-led cruise follows in the footsteps of British naturalist and explorer, Alfred Russel Wallace. Wallace’s observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait between the islands of Bali and Lombok, and Borneo and Sulawesi, led to his proposing the zoo-geographical boundary now known as The Wallace line. In 1858, Wallace conceived the theory of natural selection independently of Charles Darwin. It was published, along with a description of Darwin’s own theory, ...

Indonesia's Exquisite Birds of Paradise

Whether you are a mere nestling who is new to bird watching, a fully-fledged birder, or a seasoned twitcher, this 10-day (9-night) ornithological adventure through the remote, rainforest-clad islands of northern Raja Ampat and North Maluku, which includes a two-night stay at the famed Weda Resort on Halmahera, is a fantastic opportunity to add some significant numbers to your life lists. No other feathered family is as beautiful, or displays such diversity of plumage, extravagant decoration, and courtship behaviour as ...

Jewels of Raja Ampat

the most noteworthy ecological niches on the planet, with views among the most stunning that you are likely to behold in a lifetime, the Raja Ampat archipelago is a region characterised by rugged and steep limestone coastlines covered with virgin rainforest extending right down to the water’s edge. Many of the fish, corals and crustaceans that live in these waters are found nowhere else on Earth. During this cruise, we will take you on a far-reaching exploration of what is ...

Raja Ampat Through the Lens

and Thijs Heslenfeld will take you on a far-reaching photographic exploration of what is without a doubt one of the least visited but most memorable adventure destinations on our planet. With camera in hand and Thijs expert guidance, you will be able to hone your camera skills in one of the most photogenic places in the world for natural history and splendour. Each morning, Thijs will provide a short lecture on a specific topic. After that you can put all that into practice, ...

Corals, Cultures & Dragons

the eastern seaboard of Sulawesi and across the Flores Sea to the Komodo National Park, where we will encounter many of Indonesia's iconic highlights among its huge diversity of cultures, landscapes and wildlife.  Cruising from the North Sulawesi port of Bitung and heading south to finish in Flores, we will explore the many islands and atolls of this spectacular region, with the opportunity to visit remote villages and cultures, go trekking and birdwatching, see conservation work in action with local NGOs, do ample snorkelling ...

Jewels of Raja Ampat with Marine Biologist Joe Mueller

the most noteworthy ecological niches on the planet, with views among the most stunning that you are likely to behold in a lifetime, the Raja Ampat archipelago is a region characterised by rugged and steep limestone coastlines covered with virgin rainforest extending right down to the water’s edge. Many of the fish, corals and crustaceans that live in these waters are found nowhere else on Earth. During this cruise, we will take you on a far-reaching exploration of what is ...

Wonderful Komodo Cruise

the Komodo Islands have to offer both on land and in the sea. The natural beauty of these islands and the surrounding waters will unfold before you, from the highest ridges of Rinca Island to the minutest details within the colourful coral reefs. Our focused tour of the small group of islands and atolls around Komodo includes a ranger-led trek through the Komodo National Park in search of the famous Komodo Dragons, and visits to local villages, as well as ...

East Indies Exploration: Culture, Sea & Spice

the spice entrepot of Ambon in the Moluccas islands offers a fascinating look at the colonial history of Indonesia and its role in the international spice trade during the 17th century. This 12-day tour travels in an eastward arc capturing the maritime route of the early colonials who traversed the Indonesian waters in search of the precious spices found within this small band of islands. As we cruise through the Lesser Sunda islands you will be transported back in time as you ...

Wonderful Komodo Cruise

the Komodo Islands have to offer both on land and in the sea. The natural beauty of these islands and the surrounding waters will unfold before you, from the highest ridges of Rinca Island to the minutest details within the colourful coral reefs. Our focused tour of the small group of islands and atolls around Komodo includes a ranger-led trek through the Komodo National Park in search of the famous Komodo Dragons, and visits to local villages, as well as ...

East Indies Exploration: Culture, Sea & Spice

the spice entrepot of Ambon in the Moluccas islands offers a fascinating look at the colonial history of Indonesia and its role in the international spice trade during the 17th century. This 12-day tour travels in an eastward arc capturing the maritime route of the early colonials who traversed the Indonesian waters in search of the precious spices found within this small band of islands. As we cruise through the Lesser Sunda islands you will be transported back in time as you ...

Bugs, Butterflies, Bats & Dragons

The great evolutionary scientist, J B Haldane was once asked what he had learned from his study of nature and all of its wonders. He replied that if indeed a Creator existed then he had “an inordinate fondness for beetles”.   How right he was, for there are over 350,000 species of beetle and counting, and it is because of this that Ray and Angela Hale, both highly experienced and well-travelled naturalists, are leading a cruise with us as guest experts for ...

David and Sue Richardson

and Sue are passionate researchers and collectors of Asian textiles and since first visiting Indonesia in 1980, David and Sue have systematically visited every part of the archipelago, both overland and by sea using a variety of local vessels. Over the years David and Sue have assembled one of the finest and most comprehensive private collections of Indonesian and other Asian textiles, many of museum quality. They are members of the Textile Society of America as well as the Oxford

Jeffrey Mellefont

the Australian National Maritime Museum, where he had a long career as a publisher and editor. Formerly a blue-water mariner, celestial navigator and skipper, Jeffrey became a specialist marine writer and photographer and has made a lifetime study of the fascinating maritime world of Asia and in particular of Indonesia. He has published extensively on these subjects in both popular and academic journals. Jeffrey has been visiting Indonesia since 1975 when he was immediately drawn into the maritime life of

Thijs Heslenfeld

the world, focusing on the planet’s most remote and unhospitable corners. His images are characterised by careful composition and an eye for the smallest details that people tend to overlook. He prefers natural light and doesn’t like styling. His work covering seven continents has been published in magazines worldwide such as National Geographic, GEO Saison, Professional Photographer and Holland Herald. He has published six award-winning photo books on remote places like Antarctica, the Amazon, the Australian outback and the deserts

Ray & Angela Hale

and Angela Hale have travelled the length and breadth of both Indonesia and Malaysia in search of endangered species. They have discovered and photographed hundreds of species from the endearing Orangutans to the tiniest of insects. Over the last 20 years, Ray has delivered many lectures around the world and is passionate about reconnecting people with nature and conserving the Earth’s endangered animals. His aim on this trip is to ensure that the guests, be they entomologists, wildlife photographers, experienced

Dr. George Beccaloni

and historian of science, who worked at London’s Natural History Museum (NHM) for more than 20 years on butterflies and other insects. He enjoys natural history photography and travel, and has visited Indonesia five times, twice as a speaker on tours. George has studied Wallace’s life and work for c. 16 years and is the founder and Director of the Wallace Correspondence Project. In 1999 he set up the Wallace Memorial Fund, which restored Wallace’s grave in Dorset and paid

Dr. Kees Groeneboer

and 30-year resident of Jakarta, Dr. Kees Groeneboer is passionate about the spectacular birdlife of his adopted homeland. He has travelled extensively though Indonesia’s eastern isles on countless missions to see, hear, and identify as many as possible of these graceful, colourful and often-endangered denizens of the forests and the cliffs. He often shares his enthusiasm with others by leading specialist bird-watching cruises aboard the Katharina during which he embellishes his bird expertise with his in-depth knowledge of Indonesian history

Joe Mueller

and how interrelationships make up the essential nature of life. Joe’s passion for nature is infectious and, when combined with his encyclopedic knowledge, is inspirational for people of all ages. He’s developed and coordinates the Natural History Program at College of Marin and is the 2008 recipient of the Terwilliger Environmental Education

The Islands of Spice with Lawrence Blair

the surprisingly little-visited North West Moluccas. This was a journey between the ancient sources of the two main spices which fired the spice trading days: nutmeg, from the Banda islands, and cloves from Ternate and Tidore, to the north. The Bandas are fairly frequently visited by live aboards, but the islands to the north are not. They are all staggeringly beautiful, and being close to the centre of the Coral Triangle, their limpid waters are full of life. The Ombak Putih is

A SEATREK SAILING ADVENTURE TO RAJA AMPAT, THE LAST PARADISE ON EARTH

the predominant colour in the picture-postcard image of the tropics is blue, Raja Ampat in Indonesia’s Western Papua is decidedly green. Here, translucent turquoise waters lap the scorching white-sand beaches, coral reefs are identified by shining ribbons of aquamarine, and secret lagoons form the settings for emerald gems. The green theme persists in the deeper, distinctly jade-coloured channels that run between the many islands, morphing to milky mint in the narrow, river-like passages, all of which reflect the unrelenting verdure

SAILING TO THE SPICE ISLANDS IN SEPTEMBER 2019

SeaTrek this September on an epic 12-day Spice Islands cruise in the company of our special guest, 'ship's naturalist' Dr. George Beccaloni, a world authority on tropical plants and animals and the Victorian explorer Alfred Russel Wallace, as he leads us on a search for birds of paradise, black monkeys, the world's largest butterflies, and takes us snorkelling along the abundantly rich reefs of the Coral Triangle.     Click here for the full day-to-day schedule   Contact us now and ask how you

WHALE SHARKS IN OUR MIDST - A TOUR LEADER'S FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT

the night before we were scheduled to (hopefully) swim with whale sharks. I could tell they wanted their sleep, but they were also very eager to get up and swim with these gentle giants of the deep. The group was very relaxed, so I promised them a long nap tomorrow if we managed to actually swim with the whale sharks.   hidgwuidguig   It was June, 2019, and this would be our second time visiting the area where the whale sharks congregate on our Bali to Komodo

Indonesia's Beautiful Birds of Paradise

“Birds of paradise glisten like seldom glimpsed denizens of an Asiatic harem, who are clad in gold of many hues and dipped in the purple of dawn.” Thomas Forrest, The Breadtree Fruit, 1784.   Click on the video above to see the Wilson's Bird of Paradise mating display - Video courtesy of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.   No other bird family is as beautiful or as rich in diversity of plumage and courtship behaviour as the flamboyant birds of paradise, of which there are

The Mysterious Caves of Tomolol

The spectacular destination of Raja Ampat features karst topography, with limestone and small karst islets so undercut by waves that they look like mushrooms, covered with rich green jungle to create an extraordinary landscape of rock islands. With all this limestone around, it is not surprising that erosion has also created a labyrinth of fascinating caves and narrow passages to explore, the most famous of which is the mysterious cave system of Tomolol on the east coast of Misool Island,

Spice Islands Eclipse: Astronomy, Celestial Navigation and the Spice Trade.

the sun in the historic spice islands. In March 2016 a total eclipse of the sun tracked across the Indonesian archipelago, from Sumatra in the west to the remote, eastern group of islands called the Moluccas. It was some three hundred years since a total solar eclipse had taken the same track through these historic islands of spice. At the time of that previous eclipse, the Moluccas were dominated by the United Dutch East India Company. This corporation of armed Dutch merchants

Wayan And The Turtle King

And The Turtle King… Whereabouts in the world are you based, Yvette? Right now, I`m based in Canada. I`ve been a scuba diving instructor and English teacher for most of my life, which means that I`ve lived in lots of countries, from Indonesia to Egypt. Teaching is a great way of exploring our beautiful planet, above and below the waterline. How often do you get into the ocean? My life is usually arranged around being near water. I first learned scuba diving and freediving

The Garden of Good and Evil – Indonesia’s Fabled Spice Islands

ine if you will, a tropical paradise: a miniscule string of emerald green islands immersed in an aquamine equatorial waters, far from the cares of outside world. The shorelines of these lush island gems playfully alternate between dense jungle, volcanic lavaflow, dramatic cliffs, and white dreamy beaches. The warm equatorial sun, and rich volcanic nutrients have all magically combined to create pristine and colorful sub-aqua wonderland In fact, the water is so clear that one can see the brilliant coral

FROM THE SPICE ISLANDS TO SULAWESI: SAILING THE UNDISCOVERED FRONTIER

the ancient spice capital of Ternate to the shipbuilding port of Bitung in North Sulawesi as we explore the islands and seas that fringe the Molucca Sea. Not only does this brand-new itinerary have an extended cruise programme of 14 days, it also packages so many highlights in the one journey such as birds of paradise, black-crested macaques, remote island cultures, rare maleo birds, Bajau sea gypsies, exotic birdlife, volcanic peaks, and ample opportunity for snorkelling on fantastic coral reefs and in lakes filled with freshwater

The Manhattan Transfer and the Rhunhattan Tearoom

the 350-year anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Breda in 1667 which ended the second Anglo-Dutch war. In one of the clauses in this document the Dutch exchanged the island of Manhattan for the nutmeg growing island of Rhun in what was to become the Dutch East Indies and therefore gained a complete monopoly over the nutmeg trade. The nutmeg fruit showing the nut with its bright red outer covering of mace (Ian Burnet) This was not just the real

The Dutch Church in Banda Neira

The church in Banda Neira was established in the 1600s to serve the residents of the Dutch colonial occupation of the remote Banda Islands. Behind the building can be seen the summit of the volcano named Gunung Api ,or Fire Mountain. The original wooden church was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt in 1852 in this neo-classical style. With its solid Doric columns, white plaster and sturdy brickwork, it is a good example of a provincial Dutch-era church and is now 

Manuk Island – A Bird Sanctuary in the remote Banda Sea

The last stop on our East Indies Spice Exploration Voyage 2016, before reaching the Banda Islands, is the tiny island of Manuk which is just the tip of a volcano which pokes itself above the Banda Sea. The Ombak Putih approaches Manuk Island Manuk is an andesitic volcanic island that rises 3000 meters from floor of the Banda Sea at the easternmost part of the Indonesian island arc. Because of its steep cliffs and rocky coast it is almost impossible to land

So Beautiful, They Can Only Have Come From Paradise.

the four main species of birds we encounter on our SeaTrek cruises so you can familiarise yourself with the beauty that is the Bird of Paradise. Click the pictures to see a short video on each bird. Wilson's Bird of Paradise Red Bird of Paradise Wallace's Standardwing Bird of Paradise King Bird of Paradise   Credits to the illustrious Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Explore more at

The Fabulous Flying Fox (Fun Facts and How To See Them)

the back deck of the Ombak Putih at Satonda Island at dusk off the north coast off Sumbawa, cocktails in hand, we witnessed an arcane sunset mission as tens of thousands of flying foxes emerged in a steady throng from the forest, reminiscent of a fleet of enemy aircraft intent on avoiding radar detection. Unlike their smaller cave-dwelling cousins, these large fruit bats hang out in camps high above the rainforest floor, keeping cool by fanning themselves with their huge wings, which

Wallace Trails and Sails

and Sails’: Well, I Don’t Know About Anyone Else, but I Certainly Had Fun! This year’s ‘Wallace Trails and Sails’ cruise has just ended. As ever, it was sad to say goodbye to everyone in Sorong – it’s amazing how close you can get to fellow passengers during an 11-day cruise which just throws random people together. This year’s cruise had many of the elements of the two previous Wallace cruises but together with the cruise leader, Caroline Delman, we introduced

A Rarity: Whale Shark Researchers Tag Female of the Species

the Species “Susi” the whale shark, pictured above, swimming in the Pacific after being tagged. (© Abraham Sianipar) Editor’s note: In March, a team of scientists from Conservation International Indonesia tagged a female whale shark — the first ever tagged in West Papua. The shark, named “Susi” after Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), Susi Pudjiastuti, will give scientists new insight into how the diving and movement behaviors of female whale sharks differ from those of male whale sharks. In this report, Erfa Canisthya,

Pinisi and the Art of Boatbuilding in Sulawesi Recognised by UNESCO

and the art of boatbuilding in Sulawesi recognised by UNESCO Posted on 24 January 2018 by Jeffrey Mellefont LEFT: Pinisi trading ship on the Barito River, S.E.Kalimantan, 1983. RIGHT: Patorani fishing boat, Makassar Harbour 1985. Photographs: Jeffrey Mellefont. UNESCO heritage-lists Indonesian wooden-boat building Across the 17,000 equatorial islands comprising the Republic of Indonesia, the ingenious arts of timber boat building have been a crucial enabler of human ventures from prehistoric times until today. As ports, kingdoms and states developed, distinctive traditions of boat building and seafaring underpinned trade, politics and warfare,

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS? COME, LET US SHOW YOU HOW AND WHEN.

and Komodo. Since then, we have had the honour of taking many of our guests to this semi-secret location to swim and snorkel with these magnificent creatures, and each one of the guests has been simply blown away by the experience. So successful has it been that we are officially changing the itinerary in 2020 to include the whale sharks in many of our Dances, Dragons & Magical Lakes departures.   HOW LONG IS THE WHALE SHARK SEASON? What this new discovery means is that in addition to our

iNDONESIA'S SPICE ISLANDS – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

the fields of botany and zoology, geography and oceanography, ethnography or cultural studies – something for everybody, in other words. “Scents of the Spice Islands”, sailing the Moluccas from Ternate to Banda each year in September-October, is an extraordinary time capsule: a voyage into a fascinating past that comes vividly to life virtually everywhere we anchor. For a start, we’re in the island realm of history’s greatest mariners. The people of the Moluccas are descended from a race of seafarers whose

Subak – The Cultural Landscape of Bali

the beauty of its sculpted rice terraces. These vibrant green plantings and layered mirrors unfold like giant stairways from the mountains to the sea. Known as ‘sawah’, the padi fields of Bali are a thousand years old, and achieved through an ancient system of aquatic engineering. Irrigation is critical to Balinese wet-rice agriculture because of the long dry season that extends from April to October, while the substance of rural life is dependent on the accuracy of the water flow as

WHALE SHARKS - GENTLE GIANTS OF THE SEAS

the largest living fish species, and swimming alongside these magnificent creatures is one of the ultimate bucket-list experiences. Although they resemble the whales from which their common name is derived, they are not whales but sharks. They belong to the group called Chondryichtyes, which includes sharks, rays, and skates. The enormous whale shark can grow up to 12 metres in length and weigh up to 20 metric tonnes, which is about the size of a small bus, but on average

The Prettiest Flight

the start of SeaTrek’s Dances, Dragons & Magical Lakes’ cruise, make sure you get a window seat and don’t even think about reading a book. Instead, sit back and relish one of the world’s prettiest flights. If it’s a clear day you’re in for a treat, and – if you’re on the left-hand side of the plane – you’ll see a string of volcanoes, beginning with Mt Agung in Bali followed by Mt Rinjani in Lombok. Flying over the elongated

Island Etiquette: The Protocols of a Village Visit

the same way that you wouldn’t dream of entering someone’s house without ringing the doorbell, our tour leaders here at SeaTrek would never contemplate bringing a group of guests to a remote island village without first getting the thumbs up from the ‘Kepala Desa’ (the head of the village). It’s very important to establish a relationship with the people that we’re going to be meeting and reassure them that we will be respectful of their privacy.  When we’re researching

Sumba Heart and Soul

l clinging tightly to its animist traditions, Sumba Island is a destination seductive to the soul.  Here are a just a few reasons why we find Sumba such a sensational destination. SUMBA- WHERE ANCIENT TRADITIONS RUN DEEP Hanging precariously off of the Nusa Tenggara Archipelago like a delicate pendent on a chain,  Sumba is a gem of an island whose remote obscurity seems to have allowed it to escape the very passage of time. With its rugged rolling savannah and low limestone

Here be Dragons! (All You Ever Need To Know About Komodo National Park)

THE STUFF OF LEGEND - IT'S A MODERN-DAY FACT  In a time when the shape of the world and its boundaries were shrouded in mystery, ancient mariners and map makers would scrawl the warning “Here be Dragons”, along the borders of their parchment charts. The indication of giant lizards and sea serpents was intended to serve as a warning for fellow explorers, suggesting that what lay in the unexplored regions of the earth was as terrifying as it was enticing. Although you might

Home of the Bugis Boat Builders – Wera, Sumbawa

and seven billowing sails, the traditional Indonesian sailing ship known as a pinisi evokes a bygone era. SeaTrek’s vessels Ombak Putih and Katarina are built in the pinisi style. Built by hand in the traditional manner, they continue the living spirit of majestic sailing ships from the golden age of sail, which ended in the West in the early twentieth century, but thrived until recently in the waters of Indonesia. Today the name ‘pinisi’ lives on in big, motorised timber traders

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 – 1913): Naturalist Extrordinaire

the greatest naturalists of all time. Not only did he jointly publish the theory of evolution by natural selection with Charles Darwin in 1858, but he made very many other major contributions to biology and to subjects as diverse as glaciology, astrobiology, anthropology, and epidemiology. Thank you to the BBC for this short video about AR Wallace, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Wallace spent eight years (1854 – 1862) travelling in the region he called the Malay Archipelago (Indonesia and neighbouring countries), studying

Five Tips On How To Pick The Perfect Adventure Vacation After 50

the plethora of choices available, the challenge is picking the perfect adventure. If you’ve never done this before it can be daunting. So much so that we can easily end up going to a safe default, like Hawaii. Or Florida. Or the next state over. This is what having too many choices can do: confuse, befuddle and overwhelm. When we begin our journey, and an international vacation/adventure is indeed a journey, it’s all about taking it as we go. It’s about learning

THE GENTLE DUGONG (8 FUN FACTS)

can reach a length of 2.5 metres and weight up to 900 kilos. Dugongs have a flat tail and flippers like a whale, but are more closely related to the elephant. Dugongs are purely vegetarian and have large, wide mouths with an upper lip designed for feeding on the roots of sea grass, of which it can eat up to 40kg a day. Dugongs are not a very fast swimmers, only travelling at around six miles per hour, although they are capable of speeds of up to

But I Could Never Do That. That’s Right … Until You Try.

The beach was a long, perfect stretch of sugar sand. No rollers, no pounding surf. Gary and Deborah stood in the warm salt water. “But it’s hardly up to our calves,” Gary said, curious, but still wary. “Precisely, said Frank. Frank Hyde is a partner of SeaTrek Sailing Adventures based out of Bali, Indonesia. The rest of the guests were swimming out on top of the coral, enjoying the breathtaking view. Frank, a lifetime man of the sea, was in his element.

The Last of the Sea Nomads

and 1.5m wide. She visits land only to trade fish for staples such as rice and water, and her boat is filled with the accoutrements of everyday living – jerry cans, blackened stockpots, plastic utensils, a kerosene lamp and a pair of pot plants. Diana is one of the world's last marine nomads; a member of the Bajau ethnic group, a Malay people who have lived at sea for centuries, plying a tract of ocean between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. The

Beware Of The Boogeyman: He’ll Catch You If He Can.

the origin of the term ‘boogeyman’ – that shapeless mythical monster, which jumps out of the wardrobe at night to frighten little children? In many cultures, the allusion to the boogeyman is used by parents to frighten their children into good behaviour, but in Indonesia, the boogeyman or “Bugis” man is real. The Bugis are the master shipbuilders and seafarers of South Sulawesi. Their exceptionally strong pinisi schooners – upon which the design of the Ombak Putih and the Katharina is

Expert Review: Indonesia's Jewels of Raja Ampat

the language of Bahasa Indonesia, is a vast seascape comprised of more than 1,500 islands covering an area of 40,000 km² of land and sea. Well known to divers for years, this area is just now being discovered by travelers that like to stick a little closer to the surface. The pinisi motorsailer Ombak Putih—meaning “white wave” in Bahasa Indonesia—was to be my home for exploring Raja Ampat, and I cannot think of a more appropriate ship for the adventure

THE ALLURE OF THE KOMODO DRAGON (11 FUN FACTS)

the image to see male Komodo dragons fighting. Footage courtesy of Chris Bray Photography.   1 - The period between May and August is when you might be lucky enough to witness the fierce fighting of rival Komodo dragon males. During this time - which is the  dragon mating season – the large dominant males will fight each other intensely over females and territory 2 - Komodo dragons, called ‘ora’ or ‘land crocodile’ by the locals, are the world’s largest living lizards. They can grow up to 3m long

Island to Island – Textile Tour in Eastern Indonesia

and Sue Richardson initially through their extensively researched publication on Central Asian textiles – Qaraqalpaqs of the Aral Delta. As we connected on social media I was intrigued by their technical passion for textiles and an upcoming textile tour of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Eastern Indonesia that they had planned. Needless to say, Jack and I marked our calendars anticipating our first travels in this varied culture. Sue and David Richardson partnered with a company from Bali named SeaTrek and

SWIMMING WITH STINGLESS JELLYFISH

the world, with only about 20 having been discovered. SeaTrek has the distinction of knowing the locations of four of them, which we take our guests to experience first hand to snorkel with amongst them. To find out more about them we sat down with marine biologist, Professor Joe Mueller of the College of Marin in California and resident expert on two of SeaTrek's end-of-year Jewels of Raja Ampat cruises, and asked him a few questions about these unique creatures and their habitats. Where

ONLY IN SULAWESI: THE MIGHTY MALEO BIRD

These ground-dwelling, chicken-like megapodes sport a two-tone plumage of coal-black uppers and soft, peach-pink underparts, while the bare, multi-coloured skin of their heads is capped by a strange, bulbous protrusion called a casque – an adornment affectionately described as a football helmet or a walnut. The birds have been threatened with extinction for decades due to the harvesting of their huge, nutritious eggs, as well as the loss of nesting sites and habitat destruction due to encroachment, illegal logging, floods

DOING WHAT YOU LOVE. LOVING WHAT YOU DO. FREEDIVING WITH SEATREK.

    There are three things that I love the most in this world; freediving, travelling and making new friends. Here, I want to share a little bit about my first love, freediving. Dani Mulyana -- SeaTrek Tour Leader      Enjoying the beautiful underwater world with just a snorkel, a mask and a set of fins and being able to get as close as possible to all the marine creatures that live  down there is such a wonderful and addictive feeling for me. And what makes it possible is that I’m

Collaborating to Create Cleaner Seas

the planet, the Java and Banda Seas are filling up with plastic. Indigo V Expeditions and SeaTrek Sailing Adventures in Bali hope to help change that. SeaTrek Sailing Adventures was founded more than 25 years ago and has been headed by Seattle couple, John Priebe and Marla Araki, for the last 18 years. The company is now taking steps to position itself to be a conservation-oriented company driven by marine-based tourism. Director Frank Hyde is heading up the effort utilizing his 20-plus years as

Attenborough: The forgotten story of Alfred Russel Wallace

Russel Wallace was a pioneering naturalist who discovered thousands of new species, published numerous books and conceived the most important theory in biology independently of Charles Darwin: evolution by natural selection. But whilst Darwin has gone on to become a household name, Alfred Russel Wallace has largely remained in his shadow to this day. On the 100th anniversary of Wallace's death, Sir David Attenborough tells the story of this extraordinary explorer and explains why Wallace is, in Attenborough's opinion, the "most

AI Identifies Heat-Resistant Coral Reefs in Indonesia

The Ocean Agency/The Ocean Agency funded by Paul G. Allen Philanthropies Arecent scientific survey off the coast of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia suggests that some shallow water corals may be less vulnerable to global warming than previously thought. Between 2014 and 2017, the world’s reefs endured the worst coral bleaching event in history, as the cyclical El Niño climate event combined with anthropogenic warming to cause unprecedented increases in water temperature. But the June survey, funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s family foundation, found the Sulawesi

DID WE FIND A NEW SPECIES?

The small tender gently beached as the outboard motor fell silent. The water was crystal clear and warm to our legs as we stepped out of the boat on to the shore. This was Kenawa, a small uninhabited island half way between Lombok and Sumbawa. This was the beginning of an adventure for my self and my fellow travellers. As my new friends marveled at the soft white sand between their toes and prepared their snorkel gear I did what

Nutmeg: Facts & Figures

the sixteenth century it was worth its weight in gold. The early history of Southeast Asia was driven and moulded by the Arab, Chinese, Malay and European adventurers who sailed in search of the fabulous wealth that it offered. The exotic nutmeg – or Pala as it is known in Indonesia – has a very rich heritage.  Read on for some fascinating facts: Nutmeg is indigenous to the volcanic soils of the Indonesian Banda Islands, and in the 15th and 16th centuries,

THE WINDS OF TRADE

the doldrums? This was a situation that the sailing captains of old had to avoid at all costs. It was when the wind would die down to nothing and they would have to sit around in the doldrums – the belt of low air pressure along the Equator – sails flapping, with no prospect of getting fresh food or water any time soon. Fortunately, this was a rare situation because the trade winds tend to blow reliably from the east

THREE STARS UP - NOW FOR THE FOURTH

the SeaTrek philosophy is sustainability of the people, the cultures and the natural environment of Indonesia (and indeed the planet), and we are committed to helping wherever we can. This is why we are delighted that we achieved Three Starfish out of a possible five in our inaugural audit by WWF in their Signing Blue programme. A WWF-Indonesia initiative to foster Responsible Marine Tourism (RMT), it allows providers to assess their level of sustainable practices, and involves intensive auditing, interviews with staff and crews, and

KEEPING A CHECK ON OCEAN PLASTICS

the planet, the Java and Banda Seas are filling up with plastic. Indigo V Expeditions and SeaTrek Sailing Adventures in Bali hope to help change that. SeaTrek Sailing Adventures was founded more than 25 years ago and has been headed by Seattle couple, John Priebe and Marla Araki, for the last 18 years. The company is now taking steps to position itself to be a conservation-oriented company driven by marine-based tourism. Director Frank Hyde is heading up the effort utilizing his

What To Bring On Your SeaTrek Cruise

Clothing The tropical climate means you can safely leave all of your warm weather gear at home. Bring cool cottons, T-shirts and shorts. We cruise during the dry season in each of the regions that we visit but rain is always a possibility so bring a lightweight waterproof jacket; it can sometimes be a bit windy on the boat and this will also help keep you warm. Likewise, a lightweight fleece could be useful for pre-dawn trekking or if there is

The Life-Giving Lontar Palm

The lontar fan palm can be seen all over Indonesia, yet many of us are unfamiliar with it, mistaking it, perhaps, for the coconut palm. Its versatility is extraordinary. Its trunk, which can grow to 30 metres in height and to a thickness of about 90 cm is hewn for beams and posts; its branches are cut for walls and fences; and its broad leaves are woven into baskets, birdcages, water vessels, fans, hats – including some that have been

Pearl Culture

The magic secret of the pearl is a mystery of origins. Believed to reflect the soul of an oyster, a natural pearl is an accident of nature, formed when an irritant – such as a parasite or a piece of debris – causes the mollusc to secrete a fluid that coats the invader. This irritant forms the nucleus of the pearl, then layer upon layer of the coating, known ‘nacre’, is deposited on the irritant until a lustrous pearl is

In Search of the Five Holy Springs

the “Lost Coast”, a string of fishing villages, collectively known as Amed – the start-point and finish-point for Seatrek’s Komodo cruises – on Bali’s eastern tip. Hugging a dramatic coastline of steep headlands, coves and coral reefs, Amed is a wonderful destination for those who wish to escape. We had heard a story about Toye Masem – five sacred springs, all within close proximity of each other, with each one purported to spout a different taste. Knowing that these aquatic sources

A Day at the Races

The rough narrow racetrack through the rice fields was lined with thousands of people; illegal betting was rife, and I had just escaped being trampled to death by a pair of magnificently decorated bull buffaloes. We were at Negara in West Bali, watching the famous buffalo races. The sport, believed to have originated as a simple ploughing contest, is staged every year between July and November. Despite my near-death experience at the side of the track, the non-existent safety measures, the

Komodo’s Cockatoo

the beautiful birdlife. A notable white-feathered resident of Komodo Island is the yellow-crested cockatoo (cacatua sulphurea) also known as the lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo and not to be confused with its larger Australian cousin. The parrots’ namesake, Sulphurea Hill, with its spectacular outlook over Loh Liang Bay, is a great place for spotting them, and if you don’t see them you will almost certainly hear them, screeching to each other across the valley while they go about their business of the

Keeping Traditions Alive with Marine Tourism

and New Zealand guests on this handsome motor-sailer, during a 12-day voyage through some of the most historic – and most remote – islands of our vast, archipelagic neighbour, the Republic of Indonesia. My role was to deliver nightly lectures about the maritime history, cultures and traditions of the islands we were sailing through. It’s a truly extraordinary maritime world of 17,000 islands, and one in which the Australian National Maritime Museum has taken an increasing interest over recent years. The

Six Tips for Isolating Yourself in Paradise

and a bit of time can be daunting. All too often we fall into default mode, which is Disney World, or Costa Rica (because it’s close) or choices that are easy, or seemingly accessible. The problem with this kind of planning is that everyone else does the same thing. As a result, you’re guaranteed large crowds of tourists. I know: not only did I grow up in Tourist Central (Florida) I also worked for Disney World on Opening Day- yeah, THAT

The Funeral of a King

and ask us if this is what they wear every day. The answer is no – just like us they keep their best costume for special occasions for ceremonies. Fortunately for our guests, our visits during the Textile Tour count as a special occasion. The importance of textiles for ceremonial occasions was drummed into us on our latest visit to the island of Sumba. During our previous visit there in May 2015, we were honoured to be invited to the funeral

Balinese Feasts and Travel Tales Aboard Katharina

The Katharina on Seatrek’s ‘2015 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival’ (UWRF) cruise. The UWRF cruise is an annual event, which started in 2014, for which a writer (or two) attending the festival is invited to join and contribute with some literary input, storytelling and thought-provoking conversation. For this cruise, Tony Wheeler – co-founder of Lonely Planet, and Janet De Neefe – Founder and Director of UWRF, restaurateur, and owner of Casa Luna Cooking School, were the celebrities. Janet and her team

WHY SULAWESI IS SO SPECIAL

the Island of Celebes, in many respects the most remarkable and interesting in the whole region, or perhaps on the globe, since no other island seems to present so many curious problems for solution.” (Alfred Russel Wallace 1876)   This quotation from the great Victorian naturalist and explorer, Alfred Russel Wallace, sums up nicely why SeaTrek has chosen Sulawesi as the main attraction of our new 14-day cruises starting in 2020, for it is a mysterious place filled with species found nowhere else on earth. Sulawesi is

SNORKELLING WITH SEATREK

the easiest and most rewarding way to explore the splendour of Indonesia’s underwater world, home to the greatest marine biodiversity on the globe. This is why snorkelling is a daily activity on our Seatrek cruises. A mask and snorkel allows you to breathe at the surface with your face underwater, giving you a glimpse into an extraordinary kaleidoscopic world you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.     Regardless of one’s fitness level, snorkelling is something that nearly everybody can participate in, including

WHITE EYES, BURNING LIKE FIRE

the Wakatobi white-eye is finally considered its own species. Seán Kelly Say hello to the bird world’s newest additions: the Wakatobi white-eye and the Wangi-wangi white-eye. Discovered in the Wakatobi Archipelago southeast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, these birds could reveal more about how other species of white-eye have evolved. Zoologists from Trinity College Dublin led by Nicola Marples, along with researchers from Halu Oleo University in Sulawesi and with support from research expedition organization Operation Wallacea, had been studying birds in and around Sulawesi for 20 years.

TWO IMPORTANT REASONS TO VISIT RAJA AMPAT THIS DECEMBER

and how interrelationships make up the essential nature of life. Joe’s passion for nature is infectious and, when combined with his encyclopedic knowledge, is inspirational for people of all ages. He’s developed and coordinates the Natural History Program at College of Marin and is the 2008 recipient of the Terwilliger Environmental Education Award. On our two cruises with Joe, swimming with stingless jellyfish will be one of the major highlights. To read more about Swimming with these fascinating creatures, click here as Joe

Total Detox...Are You Up For It?

the eye could see, there was sea. Bathwater warm, punctuated by leaping porpoises, the occasional hump of an island in the distance. Royal blue, turquoise, full of life. The ironwood deck, smooth and clean, stretched to the bow of the ship Katharina, soft spume hitting our faces. The sun was brilliant, but shadowed by the big canvas covering that provided daytime shade. Around the deck was a variety of chairs, including cushioned areas where you could stretch out and nap. Nap. Come on, man, when’s the

SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS

The Ombak Putih was moored in the bay off the village of Bolango Botubarani near Gorontalo, North Sulawesi.  We’d travelled 12 hours from Bali, changing planes in Surabaya and Makassar, before finally reaching our destination. When we stepped aboard the boat, we were given the good news that there had been a sighting of whale sharks earlier in the day. “Will they come back tomorrow morning?” I wondered out loud. The answer was “Yes, probably” because the local fishermen were

OUR STORY IS A WINNER

and GLP Films Win Travel Weekly's 2018 Magellan Award for Their Cruise Marketing Video about Raja Ampat and their Traditional Pinisi Ships.   The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honour the best in travel and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all. Travel Weekly have announced GLP Films’ Cruise Marketing Video for SeaTrek Sailing Adventures as a 2018 Magellan Award gold winner in the “Cruise Lines” category. The winners were selected from entries spanning the U.S. and around the world by a panel of top

Recycling for a Better Tomorrow

rsquo;s responsibility - EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!   “There is no such thing as 'away'. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” – Annie Leonard, Proponent of Sustainability. Taking care of the Earth is a responsibility that we all share. Did you know that up to 40% of your household waste can be recycled and reused? Here in Bali, Waste Collection & Recycling company, ecoBali, promotes responsible waste management and creates green awareness and eco products with the aim towards

Why More Aussie Families are Choosing Digital Detox Adventures

There is no denying that it is getting harder to switch off in our increasingly connected lives. Research shows that Australians are spending roughly 10 hours a day glued to screens and that number is even higher for Gen Y and office workers. With that in mind, it really is no surprise that the number of Aussies seeking out ‘digital detox’ holidays has increased significantly. SeaTrek Sailing Adventures, a boutique cruise company operating two traditional wooden pinisi boats across eastern

A MANTA NAMED OMBAK PUTIH

the family don't come around that often, but in December 2018, SeaTrek Sailing Adventures was delighted to welcome a new and very unexpected member to the fold.   As our tour leaders were leading a snorkelling session in Raja Ampat on a Jewels of Raja Ampat trip, our group came across an individual reef manta ray gliding along in the shallows. Our quick-thinking tour leader Dani Mulyana took out his camera and managed to take the beautuful shots below, capturing her unique markings in the process. He sent the images

Ten Tales Of Ternate & Tidore

the clove-perfumed island of Ternate. Ternate and neighbouring Tidore are ancient Islamic sultanates. They were once the world’s only source of cloves, through which their rulers became among the wealthiest and most powerful sultans in the region. Much of their wealth, however, was wasted on fighting each other. Ternate’s volcano, Gunung Gamalama, erupts with unsettling regularity. It dominates the entire island leaving only a narrow coastal strip and the lower slopes of the mountain for plantations. Since 1538, it has erupted 60

In a Nutshell

the fabled Banda Islands on any one of SeaTrek’s spice cruises and at some point you will find yourself wandering through the beautiful and bountiful nutmeg forests, each one a vast orchard tucked beneath a towering old-growth canopy. The nutmeg tree is sun-sensitive and therefore cultivated under the cover of the soaring kenari trees, which can reach up to 50 metres in height. Many of them are more than 300 years old with buttressed roots that grow out from the

Swimming with Manta Rays

the footage. To see more from them, please click here One of the highlights of a SeaTrek Dances, Dragons and Magical Lakes is the opportunity to snorkel with giant manta rays in the park, which despite – and because of – the strong currents, is one of the most interesting places in Indoneaia to see them. One of the sites we visit is a cleaning station, a specific location where manta rays come to get cleaned by parasitic copepods and a

Bali’s Secret Fleet: a Glittering Armada

These could be the world’s most spectacular traditional fishing craft, but their home port is a remote estuary on the Indonesian island of Bali that few visitors ever see. SeaTrek expert lecturer, Jeffrey Mellefont, unveils a boatbuilding tradition steeped in ritual, religion and magic. Article reproduced with permission of the Australian National Maritime Museum, from its quarterly journal Signals (No. 110 March 2015). View

A Magical Wishing Lake

the day since Tambora had erupted and caused the tsunami that had filled Satonda’s crater with seawater. I was standing at the side of the lake, and I had a dilemma. In 2000, I had visited the lake for the first time. I had made a wish and it had come true. It was the type of wish that doesn’t come true immediately – along the lines of “I wish I could still be living in Indonesia and still be

Bali's Mt. Agung Volcano Updates

the latest eruptions in the first week of July 2018. While Bali continues its conversation with the great God of the Underworld residing under Mt. Agung, we at SeaTrek Sailing Adventures want you all to have a better idea of what is going on here from our perspective. While some see disruption, we see opportunity, and we are moving mountains (pardon the pun) to ensure that there is minimal disruption to our operations in the event of further volcanic activity. The

Huge New Turf Marine Reserve Established in Raja Ampat

there are livelihoods at stake, competing interests from tourism to industry, not to mention illegal fishing, pollution and climate change to take into account! The bottom line is that a lot of stakeholders all need to come on board in order to establish marine reserves - and more importantly, to manage them effectively in the long term. That takes time and a lot of sensitive negotiation.  Over the past year, USAID has partnered with the Indonesian government and US NGO Rare to work with local

COME SAIL AWAY WITH ME

the release of 'Come Sail Away With Me' by Styx, and we think it perfectly captures what it's like to sail on Ombak Putih or Katharina on the seas of Indonesia.   Click the image below, turn up the volume, and let the wind take you away.     If we have inpired you to want to get out on the ocean with us, email us and find out

KEEPING YOU SUN SMART

the sun, and the last thing we want is to see you suffering from an unnecessary sunburn. By following these five simple rules for sunscreen application, you can maximise your protection from the sun's UV rays, allowing you to stay safe and comfortable as you soak up the tropical heat.   1) Apply it Early: Sunscreen doesn't have an instant effect, so make sure you apply it at least 30 minutes before you go in the sun, not just the water. 2) Reapply After

PELAGIC OR REEF? (4 EASY WAYS TO IDENTIFY YOUR MANTA RAYS)

and sooner or later you will come across both species:  the Pelagic (Oceanic)  Manta Ray (Manta birostris) and the Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi). These massive elasmobranchs (the scientific term for all cartilaginous fishes such as sharks, skates and rays) can often be found around cleaning stations, where they get parasites removed by specialises fishes such as wrasse, and swimming on the currents feeding on plankton.   Pelagic Manta Rays in a chain, where they are feeding on plankton in the current. Image: Alamy.   HOW

Revisiting Playfulness: Do We Get Old When We Stop Playing

f www.Sixtyandme.com The four Indonesian boys, all small but ranging in age from 12 to 14, led us along a tree-lined path. The fenceposts to either side of us as we left the island village were sprouting trees, a testament to the proliferating growth and superb soil of these many islands. You simply cut off a branch, plunk it into the soil, and voila! Another tree leaps into life. Just one of many wonders. As we followed – and ‘we’ included mostly people in

A RIGHT OF PASSAGE AT TENGANAN VILLAGE

the walled stronghold of Tenganan, a large crowd gathers to cheer on the ritual ‘mekare-kare’… Tenganan is one of Bali’s original pre-Hindu settlements; a unique, 700-year-old village, hidden in the hills three kilometres north of Candi Dasa in East Bali. Here, the residents – the Bali Aga people – practise a time-honoured lifestyle based around ritual and ceremony, bound by strict ‘adat’ (customary law) practices to maintain purity. The mekare-kare is an annual theatrical fight between the young men of the village,

WALLACE'S GIANT BEE

the many news reports about the recent ‘rediscovery’ of Wallace's Giant Bee, the largest species of bee on planet Earth. Well, it never really went missing as there have been a number of sightings over the years since 1859 when Alfred Russel Wallace discovered it on Bacan Island. In fact one of our experts, George Beccaloni (a very experienced entomologist), is 95% sure he saw one in October last year. It flew across the bow of the Ombak Putih about

A Trip to Tenganan Village in East Bali

the hills, 5km from Candidasa in East Bali, is a remarkable 700-year-old walled village called Tenganan, where the residents practice a time-honoured lifestyle based around ritual and ceremony. Tenganan is one of Bali’s original pre-Hindu settlements and a stronghold of native traditions. The villagers are the Bali Aga people, descendants of the aboriginal Balinese who resisted the rule of the post-Majapahit kings, fiercely safeguarding and maintaining their own culture through the conviction that they are descended from the gods. Ceremonial longhouses,

Indonesia’s Living Dinosaurs

omodo Island, our guide, armed with a forked stick, led us inland through the hot and dry monsoon forest surrounded by open savannah grasslands. Timor deer and wild boar darted nervously through the prickly palms; prey to the dragons that have no enemies apart from their own kind. The reason why these primeval apex predators have survived unmolested for so long is attributed to the fact that the treacherous whirlpools and rip currents in the seas around Komodo and Rinca

Festive Recipe: Tomato Sambal

the UWRF, writer, owner of Casa Luna Cooking School and two restaurants in Ubud delights us with a hot recipe, a traditional favorite of Indonesia, Sambal ! We hope this spices up your season festivities!     Sambal tomat / Tomato sambal If you only make one dish from this cookbook, let this be the one! Tomato sambal can be used to accompany a thousand dishes from Indonesia to the Mediterranean. Try it with eggs in any shape or size, grilled fat sausages, fish or any meat, roasted

Made's Magical Margaritas

THE MAN BEHIND THE MARGARITA Those of you who have been on the Ombak Putih will know this man in an instant. It's Made, our head purser and mixologist extrordinaire. Those who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting him will fall into a deep state of awe and appreciation once you venture aboard and try one of his fantastical margaritas - only one of many specialties. We'd like to say that you can make a Margarita a la Made like this at

MAJESTIC MANTA RAYS (12 FUN FACTS)

the video to go underneath the water with these gentle giants of the deep. Video by Michael Lim.   1)  There are two known species of manta rays: the reef manta (Manta alfredi) and the giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris). It is suspected that there might be a third, similar-appearing species inhabiting the Caribbean and Atlantic.   2)  Giant oceanic rays are slightly larger than reef rays, and are believed to migrate from place to place with greater frequency.   3)   Both species are

Cruising the Komodos and Beyond

and Peter Rigby The ship’s bell rings. Like school kids racing to recess, we tear out of our cabin, and spring on to the tender whisking us out to a snorkelling hotspot. Soon we’re kicking away in the Komodo Sea, gliding over reefs teeming with multi-coloured tropical fish. We’re in a remote part of eastern Indonesia; our new home, the Ombak Putih, a glorious 12-cabin wooden schooner built in the traditional pinisi-style. For seven days, we’re island hopping with 18 passengers and 13 crew,

In Search of the Forgotten Indonesian Islands that Shaped the Modern World

and proud that Seatrek Sailing Adventures was chosen to grace not only The Telegraph's 'Travel on Sunday' supplement, but to have been given the cover shot as well. Thanks to Sarah Baxter for putting into such beautiful words our journey through the Spice Islands in the footsteps of the great Victorian explorer and scientist, Alfred Russel Wallace, and thank you to all concerned. It is a fantastic achievement.   Click here to read the full story in the Sunday Telegraph.   If you would like

Makassar: The Indonesian City We Are Not Paying Attention To

The Indonesian City We Are Not Paying Attention To By: Trisha Velarmino    Photo: LEE ROSALES (@ILOVEPAARS) Between the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi in Indonesia, there is an undiscovered gem that people need not confuse with Bali: Makassar, the fifth largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Medan is one of the uncongested islands of this wonderful country. As a port city, Makassar is rich in waters and has been the primary hub of the Eastern Archipelago. It plays a big role in

Adventure Through The Spice Islands

The fabled Banda Islands in Maluku, Indonesia, are so far off the tourism map that few people know of either their existence or their major historical importance. Click here for the full

What Is the Coral Triangle?

 The Coral Triangle is a vast network of coral reefs that dot the waters surrounding the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. Also known as "the Amazon of the ocean," this expansive underwater ecosystem in Southeast Asia is a hotspot for marine biodiversity, hosting 30 percent of the world's coral reefs that span 2.3 million square miles (6 million square kilometres). From humpback whales to humphead wrasses, a wide variety of sea creatures survive and thrive along the reefs in

Spice Islands Eclipse

AND SPICE-TRADE HISTORY. By Jeffrey Mellefont.ANMM research associate Jeffrey Mellefont leads a voyage on board a traditional Indonesian sailing ship, to view a total eclipse of the sun in the Moluccas – the historic spice islands. IN MARCH THIS YEAR A TOTAL ECLIPSE of the sun tracked across the Indonesian archipelago, from Sumatra in the west to the remote, eastern group of islands called the Moluccas. It was some 300 years since a total solar eclipse had taken the same track

Ambon Sacred Spears and Magic Eels

n Island was once a powerhouse of the world with the Portuguese establishing control over the clove trade in the early 16th century. However, long before the Portuguese sailed in with their tall ships, conquered the Spice Islands, built towering forts, and attempted to monopolize the spice trade, an ancient practice was well entrenched in the tiny island of Ambon. By Stephanie Brookes I had read some sketchy reports of a sacred eel that occasionally appears in a pond tucked away in

Dragons, Mantas And Pink Sand

and it’s not just the lure of the dragons, there’s so much more… Text & Images: RACHEL LOVE I’ve been to Komodo eight times now. You’d think that once you’ve seen one dragon you’ve seen them all, but each one of my Komodo adventures has been a unique and wonderful experience.The first time I visited the National Park was in 2001. Landing at the bay of Loh Liang on Komodo Island, all those years ago, I was struck by an eerie sense

My Old Man and the Sea

the cover of the Jan/Feb “Where to go in 2015” issue of AFAR Magazine. Accompanying her is a lively article by Josh Dean entitled, “My Old Man and the Sea.” He says: “Watching scenery from a more traditional cruise ship is a little like watching it in high definition on a movie screen. It’s stunning but also distant; you’re an observer, not a participant. On the Katharina, though, the water is only a few feet below and you can hear every ripple.

Sailing Off The Grid

The Grid : by Exotiq Magazine, December 2014 If the idea of sailing through tropical seas and islands on a traditional wooden schooner floats your boat then eastern Indonesia is definitely the place you need to go. With 15 – 18,000 islands depending upon your source, to see more then just the bits connected by airports, you are going to need a good ship beneath your feet. Preferably one that has a capable captain, a strong crew, is super-seaworthy and has a

THE MAGIC EELS OF AMBON

the Maluku Islands, I found myself in Ambon. The Portuguese sailed into these waters in the 16th century with their tall ships, on a quest to conquer the islands. They built forts and attempted to monopolise the spice trade, which was already well entrenched on the tiny island. As I was exploring one of the forts, I struck up a conversation with a local who asked me if I had heard of the sacred eel that sometimes appears in a pond

When You See the Southern Cross for the First Time

The sailing ship swayed in the light surge, the two tall white masts carving circles in the night sky far over my head. I lay on beanbag chairs on the aft deck, awaiting moonrise off one of Indonesia’s magical 18,000 islands. The surrounding waters were bathtub warm, the evening breezes soothing on my lightly sunburned skin. We were moored off Komodo, where the last of the world’s living dinosaurs live. In the waning light of early evening, I had the aft

20 holiday destinations the experts say not to miss.

these globe-trotting experts have seen the world. They share their favorite destinations, and why they think they shouldn't be missed for your next holiday. Click here for the full

Komodo to Bali – Our Voyage Continues!

the account of our sea voyage from Flores to Bali. Day 3  We awake anchored off Loh Liang village, Komodo Island. We’re treated to another stunning sunrise over our buffet breakfast, then we’re into the rubber duckies and zooming ashore for another island trek to see the wildlife. We set out with a guide through scrub and forest. Vegetation here is more lush than the previous island Rinca. We spot a wild boar, warily eyeing a fat dragon close by. Most prey animals are pretty

Ternate Tales of Natural Selection

The Spice Islands are wrapped in an aromatic history of cloves, mace and nutmeg, Kings and Sultans, spice wars, and the rise and fall of invading armies. By Stephanie Brookes As I travelled through the Spice Island chain, I saw massive groves of cloves and nutmegs clinging to the perfect cone-shaped volcanic islands dotted across the Maluku Sea. In the 8th century, Chinese merchant ships sailed through the Moluccas (Maluku), and the Arabs followed later. The spice wars involved the Portuguese, the

The Loss of a Friend

the death of our esteemed colleague and friend, Dr. Tony Whitten in early December. He was and will always remain an inspiration to the SeaTrek spirit of adventure and exploration, and we will miss him dearly. Here he is in the image above looking dashing in goatee and sarong alongside one of SeaTrek's owners, Marla Araki, on a recent trip to Raja Ampat aboard his beloved Ombak Putih. His obituary in the Guardian newspaper linked here can convey his life

Boats, Books and Flying Machines

cribed as “The trailblazing patron saint of the world’s backpackers and adventure travellers,” Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet guides hasn’t stopped travelling since he sold the company. He has a fascination with Bad Lands, Dark Lands (the titles of two of his books) and edgy travel. He was recently in Bali for the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and the pre-festival Komodo National Park cruise in partnership with Seatrek Sailing Adventures aboard the traditional pinisi schooner, Katharina. Here he

Indonesia’s Spice Islands by Schooner

om Banda Neira to Ternate, a cruise aboard a Bugis-style ironwood schooner proves the ideal way to tour Indonesia’s fabled Spice Islands, whose long-faded fortunes have given way to fascinating ports of call By Johnny LangenheimPhotographs by Jack Wyllie The sun is already hot and high by the time Run comes into view. Perched on the prow of the Ombak Putih, I have to squint to make out the island, a tiny smudge on a languorous blue horizon that stretches otherwise unbroken

BEYOND THE GALAPAGOS AND INTO THE CORAL TRIANGLE

Here be Dragons: the Million-Year Journey of the Komodo Dragon

The Guardian. Click here for the full story on their evolution, mating habits, food preferences and their million-year-old

The Archipelago Journal: Ternate to Sorong

The Archipelago Journal: Ternate to Sorong Colours hops on a cruise in eastern Indonesia to trace the travels of Victorian British explorer Alfred Russel Wallace, the co-discoverer with Charles Darwin of the theory of evolution through natural selection. Words by Dr Tony Whitten Photography by Edmund Lowe “Oh, how I wish I had known Alfred Russel Wallace.” That was my overwhelming feeling after first reading The Malay Archipelago, the book he wrote about his travels through Indonesia and Malaysia between 1854 and 1862. Read

A SAILING ADVENTURE IN INDONESIA

The cruise director lets out a yell and within a minute we are on the ship’s starboard side, to see what is going on. A fisherman has drawn up to our ship in his dugout canoe, hoisting a bag of fresh squid, hoping for a sale. “Whenever they see our ship has arrived, they always come to sell us their fresh fish,” explains our guide, Arie Pagaka. Just as he hands the silvery haul to our ship’s chef, another fisherman

Exploring the Lesser Sunda Islands & Komodo with Seatrek Sailing Adventures

From Ubud Life Magazine Full

Dancing The Cakalele

The two proud Maluku young men, dressed in ceremonial red garb started their war dance against a perfect backdrop of crystal clear languid ocean waters. With parang (sword) in one hand and salawku (shield) in the other, they engaged in a mock battle showcasing their skills and bravery to the audience gathered in a semi-circle on the beach. Click here for the full

Oh, The Places You’ll Go

The region offers many great places to visit, and an even greater selection of vessels to make your boating holiday perfect. By Craig Hurst. from Asia Pacific Boating May/June 2016 full

The Launch Of A Pinisi

the sun on a blacksand beach within striking distance of the still-active volcano. Separated only by a narrow shipping channel, the 1800-metrehigh volcanic island of Pulau Sangeang towers over the tiny shipbuilding village of Sangeang Wera – a Buginese settlement in northeast Sumbawa. Here the men build wooden boats along the scruffy shores, while the village women weave brightly coloured textiles. Today, something huge is happening in Sangeang Wera, and just for once, the nonchalant volcano fails to dominate the

Yachts to Charter Now

the water this season, in some of the world’s dreamiest yachting destinations. Many of the most beautiful and remote locations in the world are best seen from the sea, making chartering a yacht an endlessly appealing notion. 2015 is a particularly great time to get out on the water: Nine of our favorite vessels, from handmade sailboats to high-tech superyachts, have recently undergone renovations or added new routes. Source: Departures June

Bugis Shipbuilders of Sulawesi

the full story of his visit to Bira in South Sulawesi. For more of Stu's great work on his worldwide travels (79 countries and counting), visit his blog here and let your mind

Indonesia’s Bajau People: The Free-Diving Sea Gypsies

the story on In Bajau people on the South China Morning Post website, simply click the link

Paradise takes many forms on this Indonesian archipelago.

the four main islands of Raja Ampat and find his beloved birds-of-paradise. Along the way, Mark Johanson would discover a startlingly virgin archipelago that remains little changed in the 150 years since Wallace left. Read all about Mark's wondrous journey in the footsteps of Wallace on the Katharina here at this link to the Chicago Tribune and his story.  Click here to link to the

Carry on Snorkelling

The timbers of a wooden ship talk all night to themselves in creaks and sighs. Ours is a phinisi, a classic Indone­sian Bugis schooner with gaff-rigged sails and soaring bowsprit that looks like something from the pages of Joseph­ Conrad’s novels. Below decks, however, the 42m vessel is air-conditioned, with 12 ensuite cabins and twin marine diesels. Modernity notwithstanding, Ombak Putih’s ribs and planks still speak in the same tongue-and-groove groans that wooden hulls have uttered forever. I fall asleep to their rhythmic

A Better Way to See Indonesia

their ceremonial offerings, a daily sight on the island. (Photo from iStock) For most travellers, Indonesia starts and ends with Bali. It’s the hub of tourism in the country and a worldwide surfing and diving destination. The waves, nature, cheap lodging and easy-going vibes attract visitors from all over the world. But with Bali’s rise and development has come a desire to discover less-visited, lesser known areas of the country. After all, Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands under its domain, meaning endless possibilities

A Whale of a Time

THE CHANCE TO SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS, CHECK OUT OUR WHALE SHARK ITINERARY HERE AND SEND US AN EMAIL. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU ON

My Jungle Dream: Meeting a Bird of Paradise.

other feathered family is as beautiful, or displays such diversity of plumage, extravagant decoration, and courtship behaviour as the ostentatious Bird of Paradise. Click here for the full

An Ancient Boatbuilding Tradition in Makassar Gets a New Lease of Life

the relative cool of the late afternoon, Makassar’s Paotere Harbour is a hive of activity. At first glance, this historical wharf in South Sulawesi, next to the city’s bustling fish market, doesn’t give the impression of a modern working dockyard. There’s a distinct absence of the ubiquitous shipping containers, vast metallic tankers and giant cranes. Instead, lines of colourful boats gently bob on the water. They are connected to land by a network of long wooden planks. Deckhands bend under

Ship Shape – Giving Katharina a Facelift

the materials, and get them delivered to your house – all you have to do is pay for it. But what do you do when that project is a 40m long, wooden phinisi schooner named Katharina that still needs to keep sailing and she’s moored in the harbour off Bali? You plan your time with military precision, you get creative, and you bring in the Bugis Men. One of two ships owned and operated by Sea Trek Sailing; a Bali-based company

7 Days to Komodo

there’s a lot of water to cross if you want to have a good look at it and you are probably going to need a boat. FRV Bali finds a very nice one with SeaTrek Adventures. Another thing to consider is the inverse relationship that exists in the quality of food and accommodation and the distance you travel east of Bali and Lombok. That’s fine for young and intrepid backpackers, but what of the more well-heeled traveller who likes his or

Meeting Ring of Fire Explorer Lawrence Blair

the 1980s, I remember sitting down with my parents every Sunday evening to watch the BBC TV series, Ring of Fire. This Indonesian odyssey documented the ten-year voyage of two English adventurers, Lawrence Blair and his late brother Lorne, through the world’s largest and least-known archipelago. Dr Lawrence Blair Travelling across uncharted lands, through islands where no white-faced people had ever set foot, they explored places still blank and unknown on maps. The brothers sailed with pirates, got lost at sea, encountered primitive tribes

Fragrance of Past Lingers in Land of Spice

The Spice of Life

LIFE IN THE LAST MILE

8 Adventure Cruises for People Who Hate Cruises

the tackiest entertainment imaginable. But that's not the whole story. Come onboard one of these smaller adventure cruises with just as much to offer off the boat as they do at sea. Click here for the full

Whip Fighting Symbolises Life for Manggarai Flores

The horizon comes in and out of view as our driver navigates tight, hairpin turns to climb 450 metres above sea level to reach the Manggarai tribe on Flores Island. I’m trying to focus straight ahead and not on my rising queasiness. Relieved and pale faced, we finally arrive at Melo Village where an excited community greets us, draping intricately woven textiles around our shoulders as we’re led to a long wooden hut. It’s our final morning of a 12-day cruise

RAJA AMPAT. THE LAST PARADISE ON EARTH

The Spice of Life

People of the Forest

from Colours Magazine for March 2016, Garuda

Catching the Dragon Boat

Flores, Indonesia: A literary mini-festival at sea

The Sydney Morning Herald and Traveller.com this February.  Susan Wyndham truly captures the beauty and fun of this specialty culinary cruise with Janet DeNeefe and fellow writers from the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. Joining Janet in 2015, will be Lonely Planet founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler. We look forward to another fantastic cruise with the UWRF. Click the link below for the article and photos: Flores, Indonesia:  A literary mini-festival at sea by Susan

Die Schiffe waschen am Strand heran

Close encounter met de dragons in Komodo

reven door Fleur Besters De lucht komt al van verre tegemoet. De enorme buffalo ligt op de zij in een plasje water, in het droge seizoen een zeldzaamheid op Komodo geworden. En dan lijkt die massa te bewegen. Het is echter niet de buffalo, maar drie tot zelfs zes komodo varanen die zich letterlijk een weg eten door het dier. Een kadootje tijdens onze reis. Van sommige dragons rond de dode buffalo is alleen nog de staart te zien, ze duwen elkaar

Better Than New

the yacht of your dreams. By Glen Watson. from Asia Pacific Boating May/June 2016 full

Kreuzfahrt zu den vergessenen Trauminseln indonesien

Raja Ampat & the Bird's Head Seascape

Komodo National Park Cruising on the MV Katharina

A Walk With The Bugis