Kopang, Western Timor, Indonesia, 8/19/2023, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Australia and New Zealand
We docked at Kopang in the morning and were greeted warmly by traditional dancers. We all jumped onto local buses for an excursion around town. We stopped at a Christian church and museum, the local market, and finally, a souvenir shop where we observed ladies making traditional cloth.
After lunch, we headed off to the beach for water activities. Swimming and snorkeling in the clear, warm waters was a real treat, and the hotel team even arrived with ice cream! Many of the local children joined us and interacted with the guests, and the hotel team shared ice cream with them. It was a fun afternoon.
Martin grew up in Melbourne Australia playing cricket and Australian Rules football. While growing up, to his parents’ dismay, Martin brought home and kept a menagerie of wildlife including frogs, lizards, turtles and even poisonous snakes!
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Guests awoke to beautiful sunlight and watched the first rays break across the jagged pinnacles of the Indonesian skyline. The closest and most distinct peaks belonged to the uniquely formed Satonda Island. This unusual landmass is the crater of a previously active volcanic pinnacle. Over time, this central crater has filled with seawater, leaving behind an almost perfectly circular ring of tropical forest that is home to a plethora of flora and fauna. Wellness specialist Belinda began the day with morning stretches for those inclined. On offer at a similar time was a sunrise hike. This was a great option for both avid birders and walkers alike. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by long-tailed macaques patrolling the beaches and a cacophony of enticing birdsong. The first point of interest was the central lake, which was a short walk from the landing. From here, guests had the option to take the ascent up to the nearest vista and enjoy stunning views of the island’s interior. Once back on the ship, guests enjoyed breakfast and prepped for their second excursion of the morning. We shuttled in Zodiacs to a nearby village. The local community prepared a fantastic welcome and performed an interactive, traditional dance. Guests had the opportunity to sample local food and drinks. One of the morning’s highlights was watching local children attempt to scale a greased pole to reach a reward strung from the pole’s apex. Due to poor sea state and a prevailing wind, our in-water activities for the afternoon were cancelled, unfortunately. All in all, today was another great day enjoyed by everyone.
On our third day of exploration in the many islands of Indonesia, we found ourselves anchored at one of the region’s most famous: Komodo Island. Komodo, whose dramatic ridgeline encircles a wide bay, is a household name because of the large reptilian residents that call the island home and the wildlife that we came to see. We disembarked on the island to join local rangers in search of the famous Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. The trail led us through a landscape of towering trees, vibrant orchids, and tangled vines. As we trekked, our guide shared fascinating insights into the island's rich biodiversity, highlighting the unique adaptations of its flora and fauna to the challenging environment, especially during the dry season. Almost immediately, everyone had close encounters with the massive reptiles as they slowly made their way across the brush of the forest floor. A truly fantastic sight in a mesmerizing landscape. Later in the afternoon, we repositioned to the nearby Pink Beach, where everyone explored the abundant coral reefs of the island. Some joined the undersea team for dives at the point while others snorkeled from the colorful pink beach. Cuttlefish, sharks, and a thousand types of reef fish were among the sightings. Together, it made for an unforgettable exploration both above and below water, showcasing the wide biodiversity of Komodo Island.
Today was an amazing day of activities on beautiful Sumba Island for guests of National Geographic Orion . The morning was spent swimming and enjoying sunny Puru Kambera Beach. We spent the afternoon enjoying the culture and traditions in the local village. We were given an amazing welcome.
