Alternative Travel: Sumbawa by Motorbike

By: Ed Caffin

Apart from the legendary surfspots at Maluk and Lakey Peak, few see more of Sumbawa. Mostly, it is only observed from behind the window of a bus, speeding over the trans-island highway to the eastern side, just in time to catch the ferry to Flores. The odd traveler that spends more time to explore the island, finds himself lucky enough to enjoy it’sbeauty in relative solitude. His sole companion might preferably be a motorbike.

Public transportation isn’t very good on Sumbawa, which is probably the main reason why most travelers never make it here. Thus, renting a motorbike seems a great way to explore Sumbawa. A sepeda motor is never hard to find anywhere in Indonesia. On Sumbawa, rental bikes tend to be more expensive (around 75.000 Rupiah per day), so if you’re on a tight budget, get one on Bali (around 35.000) or Lombok (usually around 50.000) and take it across with the ferry.

Malaysian Activists Walk 300 KM to Demand Environmental Justice

A group of Malaysian activists has embarked on a 300 km walk from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur to demand for an end to various environment grievances afflicting their communities. The walk, which began on 13th of November, will take them across 14 towns over 14 days and will culminate in a handling over of memorandum at Dataran Merdeka, or Independence Square, on the 26th of November.

The starting point of Kuantan is of particular significance because it is where the recent surge in environmental activism began. The community there is fighting the largest rare earth plant in the world owned by Lynas from commencing operation. They are joined by activists opposing the Murum and Baram dams in Sarawak, Raub activists opposing the use of cyanide in gold mining, Pengerang activists opposing the RAPID petrochemical complex as well as Teluk Rubiah activists opposing the Vale iron ore distribution hub.

Eastern Cambodia

Eastern Cambodia is a region of Cambodia and includes the following provinces: Kratie to the east of the Mekong, Mondulkiri (Mundulkiri), Rattanakiri (Ratanakiri) and Stoeng Treng (Stung Treng) to the east of the Mekong.

Eastern Cambodia is an up and coming eco-tourist destination, with rugged green mountains, waterfalls, lakes and the meandering Mekong river as the perfect playground.

Highlights include spotting the ever more rare Irawaddy dolphin near Kratie, taking a refreshing dive in the crystal-clear crater lake Boeng Yeak Lom and visiting the Elephant Valley Project near Mondulkiri. The vast rolling hills in Eastern Cambodia are not only home to many different ethnic minorities (Khmer Leu or 'Upper Khmer'), but also to rare wildlife such as elephants, leopards and even tigers.

Cikananga Animal Rescue Center, Where Nature’s Orchestra Calls

By: Kafil Yamin

School students may have known Indonesia’s endemic cute animals such as the orangutan, the Javanese eagle, rhinos, from books or magazines, but have they really seen it? Most likely, only a handful of them have. Those who haven’t still seen them can still experience these seeing these beautiful animals, only if they are willing to travel some 150 kilometers from Jakarta to an isolated enclave in Sukabumi’s countryside of Cikananga.

Bangkok Parks, Green Spaces in a Frenetic City

By: Isaac Olson

In a city where traffic jams persist, sidewalks are crammed with vendors, and pavement is everywhere, Bangkok hosts a surprising number of green retreats.

Mass aerobics and lakes with paddle boat rentals are common features in Bangkok parks. Surrounding fences and police presence in the parks keep the areas safe and closed up at night. Alcohol and even smoking is not allowed, but food and non-alcoholic beverages are acceptable.

Below are some of the best parks to escape the noisy traffic and breathe in some fresh air.

Lumphini Park

Probably the most well known park in Bangkok and one of the largest, Lumphini Park is a maze of walking paths, trees, and waterways. A great place to people watch, this island of green is a favorite place for joggers due to its central location and plentiful shade. Early in the morning, the park comes to life not only with joggers but also with mass aerobics and tai chi.

Highlights of Thailand

By: Isaac Olson

Thailand has been a tourist's dream for decades. It's difficult to narrow down the best things about Thailand. Nevertheless, below are five highlights.

People and Culture

Thais are known for freely flashing their smiles making visitors feel welcome. Not only is the smile a common expression, but Thais have a non-confrontational ethos and suppress anger. They also try to be helpful and usually display a mellow demeanor.

Much of the Thai attitude comes from Buddhism. This religion has shaped so much of Thailand's culture from architecture to holidays. There is something distinctive about Buddhism in Thailand though. Traditionally, the country was heavily influenced by the culture and religions coming out of India. What we now call Hindu gods can be spotted in Buddhist temples and in spirit houses throughout Thailand.

Visiting Komodo National Park: into Dragon’s domain

By: Ed Caffin

The marvellous Komodo National Park is arguably one of the most interesting places to visit in Indonesia. Located on the edge of the Lesser Sunda islands, it consists of a number of phenomenal islands, surrounded by clearblue coral seas, abundant with marine life. But above all, the park is home to a truly remarkable creature, the Komodo dragon, worlds largest lizard. Spending a few days in the heart of dragon’s territory will prove to be unforgettable.

Komodo National Park comprises more than 1700 square kilometers and was established in 1980 in order to conserve the Komodo dragon. Currently there are still around 5000 of them, divided into smaller populations on Komodo, Rinca and two other islands in the park, and a small coastal strip on Flores. The national park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and over the years it has been dedicated to protect the habitat of other land and marine species too.

Tired of Trash in Yogyakarta: “Let’s Do It Yogya!” Wants to Clean-Up for Good

By: Monica Dominguez

If you have ever visited Yogyakarta, Indonesia, you may have seen the plethora of art, music and traditional Javanese culture coloring every corner of the city. You may have also noticed how in these corners, intertwined and sometimes overshadowing the beauty of Yogya, is trash. Lots of it. Every backyard, front yard, river, sidewalk and street have become acceptable disposal grounds in Yogyakarta, and the amount of it is overwhelming. Berit Renser and Marie Le Ferrand have discovered that there is a part of the population here that wants to change the trash problem for good. Let’s Do It Yogya! is a campaign initiated by Berit and Marie in Yogyakarta whose aims are to educate the citizens of Yogyakarta about trash disposal, to work with the local government and non-governmental organizations to develop a sustainable system for disposal and to, well, clean up the trash!

Jungle Hikes & Pristine Waterfalls in Koh Kong, Cambodia

By: Gabrielle Yetter

It was the first time I’d seen leeches.

In the jungle terrain of Koh Kong, there were masses of them, many of which fastened themselves onto my legs and ankles as we tramped through the undergrowth on our trek through the Cardamom Mountains. Our guide, a gnarly-faced Cambodian man wielding a machete, cut a path through the dense brush and slashed branches hanging across the trail until we finally arrived, hot and dripping with sweat, at our destination.

First we heard the sound of rushing water. And soon, a pristine, crystal clear waterfall emerged in front of us, beckoning us to swim in its refreshing pools and slither across the moss-covered rocks into the cool water.

Lion City, Tiger Land: Singapore’s Native Cat on the Brink of Extinction.

By: Morgan Victor

A Forgotten Namesake

Narrow streams of light penetrate the thick canopy of dense virgin jungle. A small herd of deer stop by a stream for a drink, looking up occasionally for signs of danger. Orange and black stripes blend seamlessly into the lalang (tall grass) behind them. The sudden unnatural quiet spooks the deer and they take off quickly across the stream. The huntress watches them escape and silently recedes back into the foliage as mysteriously as she had appeared.

Scenes like this were not uncommon in Singapore as little as 150 years ago. In what has now become a concrete jungle, terms like ‘Tiger Beer’ and ‘Tiger Airways’ have become parts of the local vernacular. The significance of this elusive creature in the country’s history however, is ironically something that has been all but forgotten.