Indonesia: Java and Bali Aug 06—18, 2011
Posted by David Bishop
David Bishop
David Bishop loves his vocation and cannot imagine anything better than exploring wild and beautiful places in Asia and the Pacific in the company of friends and clients. H...Related Trips
This was the first VENT tour to Java and Bali for many, many years, and also heralded my own return to Indonesia after an absence of nearly 14 years! In all fairness, we did not visit these islands at exactly the optimal time, as our tour coincided with the Muslim festival of Ramadan and the European holidays. Nevertheless, thanks to a very tolerant and forgiving group, we made the best of things and ended up with some good birding and natural history experiences, as well as some memorable (and some forgettable) travel experiences.
Java is undoubtedly THE most crowded piece of real estate on our planet. At times we felt we had encountered most of the 130 million plus inhabitants. However, it was Bali that shocked us, with the southern part of what is still a beautiful island overwhelmed with traffic and people. Nevertheless, we encountered a good selection of those much sought after Javan endemics, and obtained superb views of the critically endangered Bali Starling. Some of the highlights that come to mind include:
* The magnificent terraced rice fields of Bali replete with gorgeous Javan Kingfishers.
* A delightfully serene boat trip to Bali Barat National Park, culminating in fine views of Bali Myna, as well as the increasingly endangered Java Sparrow, Beach Stone-Curlew, and Great-billed Heron.
* Multiple bird flocks on Ijen Volcano characterized by the charming Blue Nuthatch and seemingly hordes of Sunda Minivets.
* Early morning in Baluran National Park and numerous roosting Green Peafowl that put on quite a show.
* At least two glowing (plus 30 others heard) Javan Banded Pittas foraging among the dry leaf-litter of Baluran's woodlands.
* Narrowly avoiding being trapped by a giant truck teetering on the side of a hill AND making it to the airport in time!
* Dwelling on a handsome male Black-naped Fruit-Dove in the equally impressive Bogor Botanical Gardens.
* Fine views of the endangered Javan gibbon in Halimun National Park.
* Fabulous views at last of that classic forest sprite—Pygmy Wren-Babbler—in Halimun National Park.
* Enjoying the evocative sounds of groups of Spotted Crocias that were so common in Halimun National Park.
* A huge king cobra that crossed our path—a final gift from Halimun National Park.
* A superb morning of birding on the slopes of Gng. Gede-Pangrango during which we saw many of the sought after specialties, including good looks at Sunda Blue Robin, White-bibbed Babbler, Lesser Forktail, and many others.
My thanks to Diane, Bill, Terry, Ian, Ethel, Bill, and Sue for your forbearance and sense of adventure. Thanks too, to our wonderful Indonesian crew, including some outstanding drivers.