This document provides an overview of the unique experiences available in Indonesia based on the author's travels. It describes encounters with Komodo dragons on Komodo and Rinca Islands. It also discusses the diverse underwater life seen while snorkeling in Komodo National Park and Gili Trawangan. Additional highlights mentioned include diverse beaches, densely populated jungles home to diverse wildlife like monkeys, rice terraces in Ubud, cultural sites showcasing Indonesian traditions, and warm village welcomes in remote areas. The document conveys that Indonesia offers a wide variety of natural wonders, activities, and cultural experiences across its many islands.

1. OUR EXPERTS
Indonesia:
Words + Photos by: Jake Lyle
An island for everyone
51OUTDOORUAE
Although there are thousands of popular
tourist destinations around the world that
can offer the landscapes, the adventure and
the relaxation, the destinations that can offer
truly unique experiences found nowhere
else are becoming increasingly rare. Fortu-
nately, there are a few left, and Indonesia is
one of them. This unique experience comes
in the form of a dragon.
Dragons in Komodo National Park
Yes, dragons do exist, but only in Indonesia.
In the southern part of the country, there
is a set of islands that make up Komodo
National Park, covering an overall area of
1,733km2. The dragons aren’t alone on
these prehistoric islands, but instead live
alongside deer, monkeys and even wild
horses: all of which have become prey to
the Komodos at one point or another. The
islands that make up Komodo National Park
are wild, densely populated with animals
and are unlike any other islands around the
world – which would naturally make it my
first stop in Indonesia.
Within the National Park was Rinca Island,
one of many islands that thousands of
About Indonesia…
As the largest archipelago in the
world, Indonesia is made up of over
17,000 islands, all separated by
sparkling, vibrant blue water. No
one island is the same as the next
and each one has it’s own unique
pulls and special charms. This in
my opinion is the greatest thing
about this remarkable country – so
many islands scattered across an
ocean, coming together to make
one destination that can satisfy
every type of vacation.
dragons call home - which was immedi-
ately made evident upon arrival as we were
instantly greeted by a Komodo Dragon nap-
ping under some trees on the entrance path
by the dock. We were able to get surpris-
ingly close to the sleeping giant and quickly
take some pictures, and then we moved on
to meet our rangers. Visitors on the island
are assigned one or two rangers to escort
them along the trail, for safety reasons, and
so they can help spot the dragons. Even
before we left the meeting point we came
across several dragons grouped together
under the rangers’ station, trying to catch
some shade – they were packed tightly
together, with some even crawling over one
another in the fight for the coolest spot.
Moving on, further down the path we
came across a female, sleeping in the mid-
dle of about six holes in the ground. When
I asked why there were so many holes, the
ranger informed us that one hole was to
protect her eggs, and the other five were
to act as a distraction to any other predator
hungry and in search for a meal – revealing
that their strength and their jaws aren’t their
only evolutionary assets.
Concluding our tour of Rinca Island we
moved onto the next one – the famed
Komodo Island. Much like Rinca Island, as
soon as we stepped foot on the sand, the
dragons were in sight. The five that we en-
countered on this island seemed larger, and
more active, with a few even walking around
– one in the direction of us – prompting a
quick shift to the side. Although the dragons
were moving slowly, you certainly felt the
weight of their footsteps as they pounded
into the ground and sensed the strength of
their tail as it swept away anything on the
ground near them. But the dragons aren’t
the only attraction in Komodo National Park,
as the waters surrounding these islands are
filled with just as much wildlife.

2. 52 OUTDOORUAE
Heading underwater
Pink Beach in Komodo National Park and
Gili Trawangan off the coast of Lombok
were two spots where I had the opportunity
to head below the surface and explore the
underwater realm. One of the things about
Indonesia’s underwater offerings that stood
out the most to me was the variation and
diversity in the coral. There were overhangs
to swim under; plateaus to swim above
and huge schools of fish to swim straight
through. For a snorkeler or freediver it truly
was an underwater playground. Around
the coral reef you could occasionally find
a bright white sand patch, and if you’re
lucky, you might even spot a stingray or a
shark resting for the day. The exploration of
these reefs was addictive, and hard to stop
– you’d spot a brightly coloured fish and go
in for a closer look, you start to follow it as it
swims through its neighbourhood; through
an anemone, over a sand patch and under
a sea fan. Before you know it you’re in an
entirely new space that you now want to
explore as well.A day was hardly enough
to explore this pristine ecosystem; I could
have easily spent several in only one spot,
because there is just simply so much to see
in these densely packed reefs.
Beaches
Stepping out of the water and back onto
land, the first thing you encounter are the
beaches. With such a vast amount of islands,
comes a vast amount of coastline – in fact
Indonesia has the second largest coastline
in the world, with over 54,000 kilometres of
it. With the vast amount of beaches, each
residing on different types of coastlines,
there’s great variation in the setting and
adventure opportunities present on each of
them. Some of the most perfect beaches
are hidden between two cliffs, where few
can find them, others may be protected
by lines of tall palm trees. If you’d simply
prefer a beach where you can look out onto
the white sand and the glistening horizon
behind it from within a restaurant, then head
to Lombok, as the main beach on the island
has just that, but has also been able to
maintain its perfect condition as a pictur-
esque paradise.
Jungles and monkeys
Moving up the beach and into the jun-
gle, you’ll experience a whole different
side of the country. Unlike many jungles
at popular tourist destinations across the
globe, the jungles in Indonesia are still
very densely populated and active – most
prominently with monkeys. These aren’t
the type of jungles you have to hike
through for hours to spot some wildlife;
they’re the type where you’re greeted by
animals like monkeys before you’ve even
fully entered the wilderness. Not only did
we see monkeys, but we also encountered
deer, wild boar, snakes and lizards. To em-
phasize the high population of monkeys in
these jungles, when we entered monkey-
prone areas we were told to not carry
with us any food, put away all plastic bags
and even remove our sunglasses as these
items are some of the monkeys’ favour-
ite souvenirs. Not all the monkeys were
mischievous however, as we spotted many
families, with babies clinging onto their
mothers back as they both climb, adults
relaxing in trees grooming each other.
So if you’re looking for a close up animal
encounter – you’ll want to visit the Monkey
Forest in Ubud on the Island of Bali.

3. MIDDLE EAST’S OUTDOOR, ADVENTURE, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016 - WWW.OUTDOORUAE.COM
53OUTDOORUAE
Rice terraces and traditions
The area of Ubud also has other spectacular
settings as well as jungles. One in particular
is the Rice Terraces of Tegallalang. These
terraces carved into the walls of this val-
leynot only create a spectacular site, but
are also still used today to produce rice for
the island. Along the top terraces are palm
trees, which run along the valley, almost like
a fence. Descending down the terraces to
the lower levels I passed women with bas-
kets atop of their heads and children playing
and laughing as they climbed down the
terraces alongside me. Reaching the lower
levels of the valley and looking back up the
sheer size of the site was immense, remind-
ing me almost of the Grand Canyon in the
USA. It provokes thought on the manpower
it would’ve taken to accomplish such a feat,
showing the capability and ingenuity of the
traditional people of the time.
Tradition is at the forefront of Indonesia
culture, and so it has been well observed
and sustained throughout the years. I had
the good fortune of visiting a number of
cultural and traditional sites, including
temples, villages and heritage sites. One of
the most breath-taking temples was Uluwatu
Temple. Situated on the very edge of a cliff,
this magical site brings thousands of tourists
from around the world every year to admire
the temple and it’s grand views. Leading up
to the main temple, there is a path running
along the edge of the cliff, allowing you to
peer down to the waves crashing against the
face of the cliff hundreds of meters below.
It is almost trance-inducing, standing on
the edge of the cliff and staring out into the
horizon. During our time at this temple, we
attended a traditional dance; known to the
locals as the ‘Kecak’ dance – which involved
tens of people, elaborate costumes, and lots
of fire.
Our next cultural destination was a herit-
age site known as Garuda WisnuKencana
National Park. Having arrived early in the
morning, the park was almost empty – and
good thing we did, as it revealed the size
and scope of the site. The park was made
up of a massive rectangular courtyard sur-
rounded by colossal pieces of rock, carved
into mysteriously straight-edged cubes. At
either end of the rectangular courtyard were
statues – smallon one end, and on the other
end was a huge statue of ‘Garudua’ a mythi-
cal creature integral to Indonesian culture.
Our third and final cultural stop was in a vil-
lage high up in the mountains on the Island
of Flores. We were welcomed outside the
communal area by the leaders of the village
and then were lead into a courtyard which
over looked the entire island. The people of
the village were very warm and hospitable,
and offered us all a traditional drink. As we
sipped our welcoming gifts, six men dressed
in traditional costume began an age-old
performance in the courtyard. For someone
watching who didn’t know what to expect, it
was certainly a spectacular performance.
As you can see, Indonesia is not just a
beach holiday, nor is it just a place to relax
– it’s both of those things, and so much
more! Surf, relax, learn, hike, dine, sail,
and anything else you can think of – it’s all
possible. Thousands of islands make up this
diverse country, all of which are different
from the last – so pick one, pick five or pick
twelve!Experience your adventure – because
in Indonesia, there’s an island for everyone.