Dear Friends:

We invite you to join us for a journey of discovery to the Indonesian islands of Flores and Bali. Highlights include the “dragons” and coral reefs of Komodo National Park, spectacular volcanic highlands, and the discovery site of the Pleistocene “hobbit” Homo floresiensis whose bones were unearthed in 2003. We’ll explore the Komodo archipelago aboard a 20-passenger live aboard vessel on a three-day excursion.

Called Wallacea, in recognition of Sir Alfred Russell Wallace who explored them in the 19th Century, the islands of Indonesia support distinctive plants and animals that mark a sharp transition between the Asian and Australian biogeographic realms.

On our journey, we will visit the homeland of indigenous culture groups like the Mangarai who mix Catholicism with a rich animistic tradition, and the Balinese whose music and dance is renowned. The people of Flores, even if they live in town, still maintain thatch roofed clan houses in ancient villages whose architecture is characteristic of each local group. Our base on legendary Bali will be the sea town of Sanur.

Off the western shore of Flores is an island archipelago that supports the Komodo Dragon, a monitor lizard of magnificent proportions that lives only here, and shares habitat with its prey: Rusa Deer and feral buffalo. Komodo’s shallow, fringing coral reefs are among the world’s most diverse, with several hundred coral species and even more tropical fish. The water is clear and conditions are usually ideal for snorkeling. You may see such iconic reef species as angelfishes and the Moorish Idol. A bit more time in the water will reveal curious, less common creatures like bumphead wrasse, garden eels and perhaps an octopus.

Among the most interesting volcanoes is Kelimutu with colorful summit lakes of turquoise and chocolate-brown. The mountain is high enough (5,400 feet) to support montane bird and plant species including some of the Southern Hemisphere Vireya rhododendrons.

The bones of Homo floresiensis, a distinct species of dwarf-human that lived during the Ice Age, were discovered in the beautiful limestone cave of Liang Bua. Although their brains were small, the little people of Flores had distinctive tools they used to hunt Stegodon, a dwarf elephant. Intriguingly, their time on Flores was contemporaneous with that of early modern humans. We will visit the site of ongoing archaeological work at Liang Bua.

In addition to the overland journey on Flores, and three days under sail in the Komodo Archipelago, we will visit the island of Bali spending three nights in Sanur, a peaceful coastal town. Visit a traditional water temple and nearby, intrically crafted rice terraces. We’ll plan to attend a Kecak ceremony at Uluwatu, high on a cliff overlooking the southern tip of the island, and a gamelan orchestra and dance performance.

We hope you be able to join us this August for a fascinating journey to Indonesia.

Sincerely,
Margaret M. Betchart
President, Betchart Expeditions Inc.
For AAAS, Sigma Xi, and ACS

2012 Brochure (Requires an Adobe pdf reader to view)