The Ring of Fire Safari Witness Something Truly Majestic® th SAFARI7 Page 1 The Ring of Fire Marvel at the mystical seascape of the Ring of Fire, the eruption that changed the world. Thomas Stamford Raffles, a governor of British East Indies, heard explosions that lasted for more than one day on April 5th, 1815 while he was residing at Batavia, Java. He thought that the explosions that originated in Jogjakarta were cannon fire in the battle between the Dutch soldiers and the Kingdom of Jogjakarta. The following day, thick layers of dust covered the land as thick as 5-cm/ 2-inch. The Tambora Volcano eruption is the greatest eruption in the modern history after Toba Supervolcano in Sumatra Island, 75,000 years ago. It produced 36 cubic miles of ash and rock and injected large amounts of small particles and/or aerosols into the stratosphere, which produced brilliantly vivid reds and oranges skies on the other side of the world. Those aerosol particles stayed in the stratosphere for two years, blocking sunlight and causing havoc on the Earth’s climate. The original peak was nearly reduced by half its original height from 4,000 meters/ 13,000 feet to 2,850 meters/9,500 feet. Three kingdom settled on the vol- cano rim: Sanggar, Pekat and Tambora Kingdom. They were all vanished from civilization. Page 2 The year 1816 was so cold that it snowed in New England in June and the period became known as “a year without a summer.” Grain shortages and famine occurred across the globe including Yunnan province, China which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The demand for grain to supply Europe, coupled with bad weather, droves of settlers west across the Appalachian Mountains. This natural disaster helped spark the first U.S. real estate bubble—a situation complicated by the fact that there was no national currency at the time. When European weather improved, demand for American grain dropped, sparking a financial panic. 300 banks failed overnight, and the depression that followed lasted for several years. The dome of ice that tops the Arctic broke apart due to changes in winds and currents. Reports of this ice-free sea sparked new dreams of finding the Northwest Passage—a strip of open water that would offer a shortcut between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The search for the passage continued for more than two decades. Other effects of the eruption were not immediately obvious and some of them still live with us today. Napoleon Bonaparte’s lost Battle at Waterloo in 1815 where he miscalculated the cold and rainy days in June. The first Bike “laufmeschine” by Baron Karl von Drais inspired by an alternate form of transportation after so many horses died without summer in 1815-1816. Page 3 Fast Facts* The Lesser Sunda Islands chain starts in Bali and ends in Tanimbar. The Lesser Sundas are an inner volcanic island arc created by the subduction and partial melting of the Australian tectonic plate below the Eurasian plate. 32 of Indonesia’s 147 volcanoes are in Lesser Sunda Islands. It is part of the world’s ring of fire. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Man and Biosphere Reserve and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The Chain of Islands from Maumere Bay to Alor Island is the new world’s muck diving capital. Recent exploration has found more creatures than the more-visited Lembeh Strait in North Celebes. 150 recorded dive sites to choose from between Komodo Archipelago to Alor Archipelago. 1,200 species of fish, 260 species of coral reef, 70 species of sponge, 10 spe- cies of dolphin, 5 species of sea turtle, 14 species of whale as well as notable dugong, Mola mola, shark and manta ray. It is part of a biogeographic region known as Wallacea, which contains very distinctive fauna representing a mix of Asian and Australasian species such as endemic Komodo dragon – the largest living lizard, the crab-eating macaque, orange-footed scrub fowl and 273 bird species. Indonesia straddles the equator. Therefore, the temperature during the year does not vary much. Expect temperatures between 22-330 Celsius (72-920 Fahrenheit). Precipitation does vary between the dry season (Apr-Nov) and wet season (Dec-Mar). Best time to visit is May -September when the sea is calm and the visibility is optimal. *References: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/609 https://nature.new7wonders.com/wonders/komodo-indonesia/ Page 4 Page 5 WhatWhat to to ExpectExpect 11-day/10-night Safari to the heart of Lesser Sunda Islands: mystical volcanoes surrounded by scenic beaches & blue waters bursting with sea life. Page 6 Page 047 Day 0 Jakarta or Bali Upon your arrival at Jakarta or Bali airport, you will be greeted and transported to the luxury villa. After your long journey, you will be treated to luxurious spa treatment, fine dining and private yoga. This will all be prearranged based on our understanding of your interests. Labuan Bajo Jakarta Bali Page 8 Page 9 Cruise Map Cruising distance: 425 nm (489 miles/ 787 km) Arrival airport: Labuan Bajo, Komodo airport (LBJ) Departure airport: Alor, Mali airport (ARD) Komba Palu’e Pura Sabolan Watupeni Rusa Alor Lawa Laut Labuan Bajo Flores Suangi Rinca Please be aware that all itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of the Captain due to weather and other safety considerations. Page 10 Day 1 Labuan Bajo After collecting your baggage, you will be The Komodo Strait lies in between the transported the short distance to our yacht, western island of Sumbawa Besar and the Sequoia. Once on-board, the captain will eastern Island, Flores. The water coming provide you with a thorough safety briefing from the Pacific in the north is flowing as well as a complete tour of the vessel. through this strait to merge with the Indian Once we receive your acknowledgment that Ocean in the south. This big “river” in the you have everything to begin your ocean is called the Indonesian Through Flow. adventure, we will set sail. Similar flows occur in Pantar Strait which is located between Pantar Island and Alor We will be under engine and sail power for Island. This area surrounded by islands mak- 3 hours to reach Lawa Laut Island, with a ing it an ideal location for pelagic to shelter stopover at the neighboring Island, Lawa when cruising in between the two oceans. Darat Island. You may spot dolphins and whales during the sail to Lawa Laut Island. The rugged savanna hills surrounded by tur- quoise seas will welcome you to Lawa Darat Island. We will serve you a refreshing lunch followed by water activities. Lawa Darat Island’s crystal clear waters and shallow reef are perfect for snorkeling and kayaking. After your water activities, we will continue sailing to Lawa Laut Island where we will anchor at for the night. Page 11 Page 12 Day 2 Lawa Laut Island There is no better way to wake up than to In the afternoon, you can take a 30-minute have a cup of morning coffee surrounded by hike up to the top of the peak to view sunset. the beauty of Lawa Laut’s scenic landscape The reward for the strenuous climb is a which features towering dry savannah, breathtaking 360-degree view of two turquoise lagoon and blue skies. Islands of Lawa Laut and Lawa Darat and their beautiful bays. The most popular dive sites include: Crystal Bommies, Castle Rock, Golden Passage or After sunset, we will set up a cinema on our Shot Gun. All of them are spectacular. sky deck for you to enjoy the stars against the blue sky of this remote island followed One of our favorite’s dive sites here is by dinner. Our chef will serve you Crystal Bommies. It is named after the “Archipelago Cuisine” inspired by the unique crystal clear waters that surround bommies, spices found throughout the country. One soft corals and impressive table corals. It of the entrees is the famous Beef Rendang is home to large schools of yellow-ribbon originating in West Sumatera, which was sweetlips, tuna, mackerel, fusilier and the awarded as one of the best foods in the colorful anthias as well as frogfish, giant world by CNN Travel. moray eel and the scorpionfish. In the late evening, we will cruise for The sheltered bay and crystal clear waters 2 hours to Rinca Island. are ideal for water sport such as snorkeling, water skiing and tubing, which you can do during your surface intervals. Page 13 Page 14 Day 3 Rinca Island In 1912, The Dutchman, Peter A. Ouwens Rinca, Padar and Komodo Island are the was the first person to describe the Komodo three main islands of Komodo National Park dragon, Varanus Komodoensis, in a modern and all three have native Komodo dragons. science journal. For the next 60 years after A total of 5,700 Komodo dragons make this its discovery to the modern world, little was national park home. Rinca Island is not as known about this unique species. In 1970s, well known or visited as Komodo Island, but an American scientist, Walter Auffenberg it is more wild and remote which makes it together with a young Indonesian scholar, special for you to explore. To ensure your Putra Sastrawan, moved to the isolated safety, the island tour will be led by one of Komodo Island to do a scientific study. His the Park Rangers who is familiar with the study was published in his famous book “The dragons.