Today we explored more of the island of Bawean. We started our exploration by visiting the endemic and endangered hog deer in their enclosure in the mountains. There are believed to be less than 250 hog deer in the wild. We continued along the roads, observing beautiful rice fields in the village of Gunungteguh. We enjoyed an incredible cultural performance and local food tasting. The afternoon was filled with snorkelling and diving, and we observed some very healthy reefs. To top it all off, the day ended with the spectacular National Geographic Orion crew show.
9/19/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Semarang, Indonesia
As the first light of dawn painted the sky with a soft orange glow, the ship docked in the bustling port of Semarang, Indonesia. Our arrival was met with a warm welcome, including a mesmerizing performance of traditional dancers. Among them were performers donning the iconic lion-headed headdress adorned with peacock feathers. Incredibly, these intricate pieces can weigh up to 60 kilograms and are held in place by biting down on a specialized wooden grip. Our journey then took us to Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent Buddhist temple, over 1,300 years old, draws more than 5 million visitors each year. As we wandered through its tiered levels, it was impossible not to reflect on the countless feet that have tread these ancient stones over the centuries. We concluded our day with a delightful feast, accompanied by a captivating traditional Indonesian shadow puppet performance, immersing us further into the rich cultural heritage of this land.
