Thursday, July 30, 2009

Lore Lindu National Park

Now, I want to introduce you about National Park just only one in Central of Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Lore Lindu National Park has a rich of natural biodiversity, else there are some relic form of pre historic, megalith stone, one of the best megalith monuments in Indonesia. By UNESCO in 1977 became as biosphere heritage. Some location in around national park which attract tourism to visit include :
1. Besoa Valley; tourists can see Maleo Bird habitat and Megalith Stone recreational.
2. Lindu Lake, Wuasa, Gimpu & Bada; the lake tourists area and birds observation.
3. Saluki, Bada & Napu Valleys; the beautiful natural panoramic and some megalith stone
4. Mt Nokilalaki, Mt Rorekatimbo & Lariang River; the place for climbing, camping & rafting
5. Lewuto Lake; the lake and seeing the inheritance of Moradindo corpse
6. Dongi-dongi & Kamarora; place for camping, hot water, forest across and animal observation


Geographically, Lore Lindu National Park located at 119058’-120016’ LE and 108’-10’SL position. This park located between two administrative districts, Donggala (Kulawi, Sigi Biromaru and Palolo Sub Districts) and Poso (South Lore, North Lore and Central Lore Sub Districts). Based on decree from the Minister of Forestry and Plantation No. 464/Kpts-II/1999, dated on June 23, 1999 settled by 217,991.18 Ha broadly.

Lore Lindu National Park located at 200 to 2.610 above the sea level altitude, the highest peak are Mount Nokilalaki (2,355 M) and Mount Rorekatimbu (2,610 M). Rainfall annual average between 2,000 to 3,000 mm/year with 22 to 340C. This park also function as water catchment area, supported by two major rivers, Gumbasa and Lariang Rivers.

Lore Lindu National Park has two main types of ecosystem, the lowland rain forest ecosystem and the mountain rain forest ecosystem. Besides, divided in two sub zone, Mountain rain forest sub zone which is a transition ecosystem between lowland rain forest and mountain rain forest, and alpine mountain forest sub zone which is a transition ecosystem of mountain forest and alpine forest.

Some plants contained in this park are Eucaliptus, Cananga, Agathis, Rattan, etc. Also there are various type of animals, 117 mammals, 88 birds, 29 kinds of reptile, and 19 types of amphibian. 50% animals found in this area is endemic, i.e Tonkean Monkey, Babi rusa, Tangkasi, Cuscus, Maleo bird, etc.

Lore Lindu National Park can be reached with two or four wheeled vehicle; Palu - Kamarora (50 km), Palu - Wuasa (100 km), Wuasa - Besoa (50 km) and Palu - Kulawi (80 km). Trip inside this park can be done with walk or ride a horse or with motorcycle; with route Gimpu-Besoa-Bada and Saluki (Sidaonta) - Lindu Lake.
Source : www.dephut.go.id/www.indonesia.go.id
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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Komodo National Park : Vote for New 7 Wonders

Komodo National Park has successfully reached the 28 finalists of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign. Let's vote this Komodo National Park become one of 7 wonders of nature in the world.

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) or local name ora is the largest lizard species in the world who live on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Body size of this reptile reached 2-3 meters long with an average weight of 70-90 kg.


The development of evolution began with the emergence of Komodo Varanus genus in Asia about 40 million years ago and pro immigration to Australia. There is a merging between Australia plates continent and Southeast Asia (15 million years ago) allows lizard move toward the region now known as Indonesia.

Komodo was first documented by Europeans in the 1910. Then in 1912 the published paper about Komodo by Peter Ouwens (Director of the Zoology Museum, Bogor) start Komodo known broadly. Then in the 1926, the expedition to Komodo Island by W. Douglas Burden started. The results of this expedition to find 12 specimens of preserved and 2 living Komodo. Then, by W. Douglas Burden was named Komodo Dragon, the inspire of making King Kong movie in 1933.

Because this species vulnerable to extinction, and by IUCN Red List species are categorized as vulnerable. Estimated at 4,000-5,000 komodo living in the Komodo wildlife. The population spread in some islands, Komodo (1,700) rinca (1,300) Flores (2,000), Gili Motang (100) and Gili Dasami (100). Because of this, then in 1980 the Government of Indonesia set the Komodo National Park to protect the population and ecosystem of the Komodo.

Komodo doesn’t have the senses of hearing, able to see up to 300m far. This animals use their tongue to detect a sense, with the wind help and the head movement to right and left when running they can detect the presence of carrion as far 4 to 9.5 km.

Komodo dragons live in the dry open pasture hollow, sabana and tropical forests at the low altitude. They like the hot and dry climate, active during the daylight and sometimes also at night. This reptile can run up to 20 km/hour in short distances, very good swimmers and able to dive as deep as 4.5 m and clever using their strong claw to climb the tree.

Komodo is the type of carnivore, most eat carrion, on some research they also hunt live prey with stealthily moving, followed by a sneak attack against the victim. This ancient reptile eat by torn the cut of flesh, and can swallow prey up to as big as a goat. However this process takes up to 15-20 minutes. After eating, Komodo dragged her body to the sunlight to speed the process of digestion. If it isn’t, food that is digested in the stomach can rot and poison to their body itself. Due to the slow metabolism, adult Komodo can only survive with the food (prey) 12 times a year or once a month.

Komodo dragons have natural weapons such as saliva. Saliva contains thousand endanger bacterial. If the bite does not directly kill its victim then in a matter of one week's their victim will die due to infection. The most endanger bacterial found in saliva Komodo is Pasteurella multocida.

Komodo reproduce with the lay eggs. Reproducing season between May and August and Komodo eggs placed in September. Female lay eggs in the soil pit, scrape with edge hill mound or a nest bird has been abandoned. Komodo prefer to save their eggs in the nest that have been abandoned. Average Komodo eggs in the nest contains 20 eggs that will hatch after 7-8 months. Female Lie down above their egg to brood and protect it until around April, in the last rainy season where there are many insects.

Young Komodo spend the first years on the tree, where their relative safety from predators, including an cannibal Komodo. They need 3 to 5 years to become adults and can survive more than 50 years.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Lost Paradise : Togian Islands




Perhaps you've never heard Togian islands, more than Bunaken island in Manado. Believe it or not this island more beautiful than Bunaken. For the diving and snorkeling lovers, you must visit this island. This is a lost world, one of the paradise island in the world, truly extraordinary nature.



Togian islands located in the Tojo Una-Una Regency, Central of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Togian island have the largets coral reefs spreed out in Indonesia, about 132,000 hectares. And also known as stuning dive spot.

Result of the Conservation International Indonesia (CII) surveys, in 2001 found 262 types of coral reefs in this area, 596 species of fish and 555 types of moluska and other rare species such as Giant Kima (Tridacna gigas), Green Turtle (Chelonia mygas), Turtle Shell (Eretmochelys imbriocata), lola (Trochus niloticus), dugong-dugong, and pilot whales. There are two species considered as endemic, mean only found living in Togian islands.

With the large number of fish and moluska means these conditions indicates that the coral reef in the Togian Sea still good and thick, so it becomes attractive option for many tourists from different country of the world to do diving and Snorkeling. Tourists spend more time here to bask himself all at once to enjoy the quiet calm of the sea and a soothing nature, before they go in the attractive dive spots.

Togian Islands have different types of coral reefs are very beautiful. CI Indonesia, around 262 recorded coral species classified into 19 families. One of them is the endemic species, including Acropora togeanensis.

Total of 91 species of Acropora found in Indonesia (which is also the highest in the world), which are in Togian Islands have 78 species. In general, the condition of coral reefs in 25 locations in the Islands Togian are 4% excellent, 16% good, 40% moderate) 28% poor and 12% very poor. Of course, Togian is heaven for divers,


One of the interesting dive spot is a fall place of Netherlands bomber aircraft, B-24 Liberator. this Aircraft located in 16-22 meters depth and can be achieved only with the 1 hour speed boat from Kadidiri island (one of the Togian islands part). This aircraft fall on May 3rd,1945 when return trip from Makassar, South Sulawesi, attacked by Japan soldiers.

Also we can see the native tribes of the Togian sea called Bajo ethnic. We will see how they build houses on the flow of sea and brackish. For you divers lovers, i suggestion you to visit this paradise island. You can go with some entrance, from Gorontalo or Palu. Then accros to Wakai Island, one of the tourists base camp before using boat to Togian Islands, this journey about 1 to 4 hours depend on vehicle/boat we used.

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Beautiful : POSO LAKE



In Central of Sulawesi, Indonesia, there are also the object of imposing tour. For you traveling lovers, you can transit to visit one of the object tourism in the province, located in the middle of Tentena Poso District, Poso Lake. This lake is located at an altitude of 657 mdpl, is the 3rd largest lake in Indonesia. This lake extends from north to south along the 32 km and 16 km wide with a depth 360m in the south and 510m in the north. Natural view found in this lake is very beautiful and glamor, the cool air, carpet of white sand beaches that glisten, and the mountain slopes and virgin forests around.


This lake is located in the crossing between the Tana Toraja, Poso, Gorontalo and Manado trans sulawesi. Specialty of this lake is constant water and it is very clear. Uniquely, paving sand there on the lake consists of two colors, white and yellow golden. Also, the lake water is not salty like sea water.


The tourists can swim in this lake, and does not need to worry about their feet hurt because none of the rock is exposed along the shores of Lake. Besides, the tourists can also visit the beauty of orchid flowers that are in the Natural Park Anggrek Bancea. In this area of 5000 ha there are 55 types of rare orchids background with white sand beaches.

And the most famous dance is Lake Poso festival called "dero". Wave music with typical local and accompanied bonfire, make a beautiful night. Dero or more frequently called Modero is a dance that creates a sense of friendship, kinship and peace more sticky.

For access to the Lake Poso, through the road about 283 km from the Palu City about 8 hours. Around the lake there are many accommodation with affordable rates. One of the typical food is the ethnic Pamona special, arogo, the fish of the lake that it is very tempting. In addition there is also a roasted Sogili. Sogili is one of the fresh water eel
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Thursday, July 16, 2009

My Home : KULAWI

Maybe you never heard about Kulawi, the sub district of the Sigi District region, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Distance from the Capital (Palu) about 80 Km, with traveled distance by road approximately 3 hours. Ethnic who inhabit in this region most of the moma tribe. Else, this region rich in biodibersity, both flora and fauna, and there are also some ancient heritage sites.

Local Custom Clothing

Previously Kulawi was a kingdom and led by a king. One of the king who once led is Djiloy. Picture below shwon a king palace remains.

King Palace


Besides,the Dutch Colonial arrival in Indonesia also reach Kulawi region. They was colonize and guessed arrival in 1919 to 1920. The remaining Dutch Colonial shown in picture below

Dutch Colonial House

Also there are pre-historical heritage from cooper period such a megalit stone, called mortar stone. By local government this pre historic relic become culture heritage.

Mortar Stone
This Region directly adjacent to the Lore Lindu National Park, one of its region is Lindu Valley. In Lindu Valley also contained Lindu Lake tourists area and some pre historical relic heritage. There are plenty more place you should visit, and feel their unique tradition.

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