For those of you who like to travel, you definitely do not want to spend an impressive tourist attraction all over the archipelago. Adventure to the exotic islands, dive into the blue sea and bathed in sunshine will make your vacation unforgettable. Imagine, you also have the opportunity to see the traces of past life are preserved, whose role and maintain its sustainability. You and your family not just at home enjoying the natural attractions, but also proud to be part of the range of the beauty of Indonesia. And here, in the Komodo Island National Park, East Nusa Tenggara, you'll get everything.
Komodo Island is located in the westernmost province of East Nusa Tenggara, which borders West Nusa Tenggara Province. Precisely in the District of Komodo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Since 1980, an area of 1817 km2 National Park was made by the Government of Indonesia, which is then recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Together with two other large islands, namely Pulau Rinca and Padar, Komodo Island and several small islands around it continued to be maintained as natural habitat reptile, dubbed "Komodo Dragon".
Bears the Latin name Varanus komodoensis and local name "Ora", giant lizards, according to a story first published in 1912 in a national daily the Dutch East Indies. Peter A. Ouwens, director of the Zoological Museum in Bogor is one who has introduced his paper dragons to the world through it. Since then, expeditions and research on endangered species continue to be done, even reportedly had inspired the film KingKong in 1933. Recognizing the need for protection against the dragon in the center of human activity on the natural habitat that, in 1915 the Dutch government issued a ban on hunting and killing dragons.
Thanks to the efforts of government and local communities in conserving the national park, tourists who come to visit and now a close look at the lives of these ancient reptiles. With a body length of 2-3 meters, Komodo dragons can weigh up to 70-100 pounds. Animals who likes hot and dry savanna habitat or living in tropical forests at low altitudes. When night fell, dragons nest in the hole with the 1-3 meter while keeping body heat at night. As carnivores at the top of the food chain, prey Komodo include goats, deer, wild pigs, and birds. In certain circumstances, can behave cannibal with Komodo dragons prey on others. By relying on the sense of smell on his tongue, the Komodo dragon can smell carrion prey as far as 9 kilometers. Bite that can contain bacteria and deadly, plus a sharp front claws are natural weapons. In addition, the dragons were able to run 20 miles per hour in short distances, climbing trees, swimming, and even diving.
Just like other reptiles, the Komodo dragon reproduce by laying eggs. However, research has shown there are other ways to regenerate dragons, namely by way of parthenogenesis. This method allows the female dragons to produce fertilized eggs without the male. Komodo dragon parthenogenesis alleged to have been saved from extinction since thousands of years ago. However, habitat destruction, volcanic activity, earthquakes, fires, poaching indicated to have resulted in a decrease of the population to some extent dragons are vulnerable to extinction. Estimated that there are 4-5 thousand dragons tail in the presence of productive females only numbered in the hundreds. The condition is a challenge for conservation efforts Komodo Island National Park.
Enjoy a tour of Komodo Island National Park to observe the life of Komodo dragon up close may not be enough for you. For those of you who like the water sports, you can try to dive in the waters north and south islands. Northern waters are warmer waters result from the current meeting of the Banda Sea and Flores. In contrast, southern waters offer the cold waters of the ocean currents Indonesia. The combination of these two different characters these waters produce a rich underwater ecosystem. Various types of coral reefs thrive and be a place to live so many species of fish and provider of marine aquatic life support systems. Many divers have witnessed life under the sea waters of the charming island of Komodo, which saves millions of potential biodiversity.
As one of the attractions are Indonesia, Komodo Island hostels provide accommodation ranging from established local communities to international standard resorts. For domestic tourists, you are charged entrance fee of Rp. 75,000, while foreign tourists amounted to U.S. $ 15. To reach the island of Komodo, you can go through the route flight from Kupang (West Timor capital-NTT) to the town of Ende on Flores Island. Next trip continued with a minibus to Labuhanbajo which takes 10 hours. From Labuhanbajo, speedboat will take you to Komodo Island after a ferry for 2 hours. Several other routes you can take a flight from Bali corresponding airline that serves the purpose to NTT. Various tour packages offered by travel agents it's quite interesting to try for your first time to the island of Komodo.
Eco-tourism, announced the government to Komodo Island National Park is expected to bring more domestic tourists / foreign countries. Not only parents, even though children should not be afraid to come and visit there. With regulations and safety traveled the awake, humans and dragons co-exist in peace. And like children, their love of dragons are the seeds that can grow their love of the wealth of the country and its history. It seems that this is the first message in the 90's never sung nicely by Kak Seto Si Komo through her dolls. Through the character of Si Komo, Kak Seto brings dragons conservation message into the hearts and minds of the children of Indonesia, so that they are proud of the rich country.
If so, it is worth would Komodo Island National Park was named one of the 7 Wonders of Nature (7 Wonders Of Nature), alongside a variety of awesome wonders of the world. Traces of the ancient world, life has presented himself to the people today to look in the mirror to see the past history of the world. Life has gone through hundreds, even thousands of years. Through this Komodo Island National Park, the world today has a priceless heritage to be preserved. Let's support the Komodo Island National Park became one of the 7 Wonders of Nature. Thus, you have participated in the effort to introduce Komodo Island National Park to the world, so that conservation efforts are not only a concern of the Indonesian nation, but the entire world community. Vote Komodo Island National Park for 7 Wonders of Nature.
So, have you decided on a family vacation destination this time? Of course, the answer Komodo Island National Park. The only one in the world. Only in Indonesia.