Ujung Kulon National Park

It was on August 10, 11 and 12, 2007 we went to Ujung Kulon National Park. It took us 5 hours from Marina Carita to Ujung Kulon. Ujung Kulon National Park is the home of the Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) or one-horned rhinoceros. On the way, the sea was inhospitable even though the weather was great. We stay, eat and sleep on board Stella just on the straits of Peucang Island. On one evening we just came back from Karang Copong by foot and we stopped by a big tree and took the picture there. The tree is so big we can not see the left or right side of it on the picture. It was so dark and we could see the eyes of deers and boars. The Peucang Island inhabited by lots of deers, boars, monkeys and many types of birds including peacocks and hornbills. In Handeleum we found dozens of wild ox grassing on the open space near the river. We were five of us, I (holding a stick), Amir (grey hair on the back), Chandra (black tank top), Edo (white tank top), and James (green T-shirt). Edo and James are friends of Chandra.

Stella on Stella

The only time Stella on board Stella was on the week end of March 31, 2006. The sea was very calm and the weather was perfect. Stella were with her mom, brother and a girl friend of him. We were having fun and did some swimming, snorkeling and islands hoping. Stay a couple of nights at the Putri Island Resort. The food at the resort was awful as usual so we cook some food on board. However, on the way back to Jakarta, the sea was a bit choppy and her brother could not handle it and throw up every where. He swore not to go again by any boat, ever. Stella was okay but I am not sure why she would not go on board Stella anymore. Maybe I will ask her more frequently.

Crews of Stella

It would not be fair if we were talking about Stella and ignoring the crews. The captain of Stella is Imam and the engine master is Anto. On our trip to Flores we were accompanied by Rachmat, a deck hand to help around with the boat. Imam is a good cook as well. Anto was his assistant when he was cooking. They always sleep on the fly bridge no matter of the weather conditions. Imam and Anto are very good with their job. Very responsible. Rachmat (left), Imam (center) and Anto (right).

The picture was taken on January 3, 2007 after their busy task filling in the fresh water tank using small jerry-can transported by rubber boat from the shore. The crews showed very good understanding about work division among themselves. They take turns when sleeping so we can sleep tight. They worked very hard and always happy even in difficult time when the weather was really bad, raining, big swells and dangerous seas.

Komodo Dragon

Komodo Dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) can be found only at the Komodo National Park at Komodo, Padar, and Rinca Islands. We just visited Komodo and Rinca Islands. Anything about the komodo can be found easily on the net. Just google it. For me, tke komodos are scary creatures which kill the victims by using the poison and virus on their teeth and wait for many days when the victim is shivering and wobly.

Komodo Trip

Stella was left Jakarta on the 21st of December 2007 and reached Singaraja on the 25th. The voyage to Komodo Island started on the 26th when I and Amir, my close friend from the law student time arrived from Jakarta and transported by car driven by our friend, Dedet from Denpasar. After around 3 hours of unpleasant drive to Singaraja we just get on board and sleep. We started our journey the next morning on the 27th and stop at Gili Trawangan for two nights enjoying our selves by snorkeling and diving the area. On the 28th we reached Moyo Island, a private island in Sumbawa where Aman Wana Resort is located. We anchored at the Aman Wana cove and left the island the next morning to Sape, a small port in the East Sumbawa Island. The next day we are stranded at the channel on the way to Komodo Island. What an experience. We have been out in the open sea for days and could not get through the channel because the water was so low and the current so strong that our skipper Imam, decided to anchored and wait until the water tides up and the current slower. Finally we reached Komodo Island on the 29th. On the picture, Stella looking good anchoring in Labuan Bajo.