From The Newsletter Team

May-June 2015 Newsletter No.19
From the Newsletter Team
Welcome to our latest newsletter. In this edition you will find details on:
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the 2015 AGM in the Chairman’s report
the training and certification of our company guides
the solar-power installation at Rimba Ecolodge
a wonderful Ecolodge-hopping trip with an extensive list of bird and mammal-spotting
figures on Indonesian tourism
new Ecolodges tours
the construction of a wildlife-spotting tower near Satwa Lodge
Booking.com rating for Udayana Ecolodge
 our new Instagram account.
Chairman’s Report
There have been many developments in the company during the first 5 months of 2015, and
these will now be summarized.
1. A successful AGM was held over the period April 17 – 19 2015 at the Udayana Kingfisher
Ecolodge in Bali, attended by over 20 shareholders including nine from Australia (three
from Byron Bay, two from Currumbin Valley, two from Sydney, and two from Tasmania),
two from Keri Keri, New Zealand, and the rest of the shareholders from Indonesia. All
aspects of the company were reviewed. The most important review was our new
management system under our new Direktur Utama Bapak Gede Anjasmara.
2. During the AGM, a special certification course was held for the company guides (Nyoman
Martini and Santos (Ecosafari Indonesia), Ucok Hakim (Rimba), Hariyono (Satwa), Patris
(Kelimutu) and Kadek Purnaningsih and Agung Artha (Udayana). This comprehensive
course was organized by investors (Karen and Richard Hagley and Meryl Wilson). This
successful course divided the above guides into Level 1 and Level 2 guides.
It was also very pleasing to have two of our valued staff-members receive their 10-year
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loyalty share award. Nyoman Martini, who pioneered our Ecosafari travel company, and
Wayan Rusmini, a vital member of Udayana Kingfisher Ecolodge restaurant team, were
both presented with 10 million rupiah worth of ELI shares at the AGM.
3. Two major projects have been completed:
(a) the solar energy activity at the Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge, under Solar Power
Indonesia, was completed, and began operating on May 1st. Thus far it has been a
resounding success. In the first month, the new system has used an average of only 5
hours of Genset time a week, at an average of 15 litres per hour (300 litres of diesel fuel
per month); this compares with an average of 120 hours a week at an average of 10 litres
per hour (4,800 litres per month). Initial costings indicate a more rapid payback period
than initially envisaged; and
(b) the extensions in our beautiful Kelimutu Crater Lakes Ecolodge including five
cottages, 11 rooms and a meeting centre. Both these developments should increase our
services to our guests and, especially at Rimba, improve working conditions for our staff.
4. Our Board of Commissioners met during the AGM and reviewed every operation of the
company. One of the most significant aspects was a discussion on the long-term
sustainability of the company. Confidence in our current Indonesian managers was
expressed, and more emphasis will now be placed on increasing our Indonesian
shareholding (currently at 22.49%).
In the next quarter, we hope to have settled our future at the Udayana Kingfisher Ecolodge,
see the completion of our third river boat (the Rimba King) capable of taking 10 – 12
passengers, and also we should have moved our central office to a central location in
Denpasar, a prerequisite for our new look Ecolodges Indonesia.
Thank you for your support
Alan Wilson
Orang-utan Ecolodge goes Solar
The new solar energy power plant at Rimba Orang-utan Ecolodge was commissioned by Mr John
Nicolas of Solar Power Indonesia on 1 May 2015, and is now fully operational. The plant can
generate 55,000 watts of electricity from 330 square metres of solar panels affixed to the roof of
the lodge restaurant, with a bank of batteries and inverters to store and release the energy when
needed. The system is designed to be fully operated and monitored in real time via the internet
from the Bali offices of Solar Power Indonesia significantly
reducing the need for power generated from diesel-powered
generators. These are now housed in sound-proofed and
insulated housing, greatly reducing noise levels when the
generators come on line.
At a recent visit to
Rimba Orang-utan
Ecolodge, company
chairman Alan Wilson
described the new solar
plant as “fantastic”. “In just over a week of operation the
new solar system has only used 2 hours of Genset time.
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Today the batteries were 100% by 11:00am and thus we actually have massive amounts of
electricity to possibly sell to others”, Alan said.
At a cost of $US350,000, the solar-power system is one of the most modern globally at this time.
It will not only enhance the “green” credentials of Ecolodges Indonesia, but will also improve the
comfort and convenience of guests by providing power to the lodge 24 hours a day.
Guides Training
In recognition of the importance that guides play in the overall travel experience of guests who
visit the various Ecolodges Indonesia lodges,
the company recently initiated a guide training,
assessment and certification program. Run in
conjunction with the Annual General Meeting
in Bali during April, seven of the company’s
skilled guides from all lodges undertook a
three-day course aimed at expanding their
skills in communication, safety and first aid,
and conflict resolution. The course included
practical exercises, role play and group
discussions, and culminated in an assessment
and awarding of certificates. It is hoped that
these skilled guides will in future provide
ongoing training and mentoring of junior staff
to ensure the continuation of a quality service
for Ecolodges Indonesia guests.
Left to right- front row - Agung Arta, Patris, Haryiono, Nyoman Martini,
Kadek Purnaningsih, Santos & Ucok Hakim
Back row - Richard Hagley, Karen Hagley, Meryl Wilson
LODGE-HOPPING IN INDONESIA
by Detlef Davies
My wife, Carol, and I had spent 2 weeks in Bali in July 2014 and not
anticipated what would emerge from our stay at Udayana Kingfisher Lodge.
On our last night there was a meeting of Ecolodges Indonesia and we were
very interested in its purposes, endeavours and achievements. After
returning to New Zealand we purchased shares in the company with a view
to becoming involved and visiting the country again.
We are wildlife fanatics and travel far and wide in our quest for enjoying wild Carol & Detlef with Bird guide Hari
creatures. In April this year we booked a two week tour offered by the company, involving a 3 night
stay at each of 4 lodges, thereby considerably extending our Indonesian travel experience.
After attending the AGM at the Udayana, we flew on to Labuan Bajo in Flores. From the Bajo
Komodo Lodge our guide, Simin, took us
on a full day boat trip to Komodo Island.
We were well underway by sunrise and a
sprinkling of small islands bathed in the
red light of dawn welcomed us at
breakfast. A few distant birds included a
Red-footed Booby, a Great-billed Heron
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and flocks of terns and egrets. On arrival at Komodo Island, the famous dragon
was not hard to find; our first one was a small youngster emerging from a hole
in a tree at eye-level, and a further 20 or more very much larger ones stared
lazily at us from the shade of the forest. We were lucky to see the highly
endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo, along with a few other interesting birds
like the Flame-breasted Sunbird, endemic to Flores.
The following day Simin and our driver, Gusti, took us to Puar Lolo, a forest
reserve along the road to Ruteng, well-known for more special birds of Flores,
a selection of which made an appearance, although observation was quite difficult – Flores
Monarch, White-rumped Kingfisher, Crested, Thick-billed and Yellow-spectacled White-eyes.
Three short flights took us off Flores and onto Borneo for 3 nights stay at Rimba Lodge in
southern Kalimantan. Under the
excellent guidance of Hakim, we were
whisked upriver from Kumai and spent 2
enjoyable days along the upper reaches
of the Sekonyer River. At 6 each morning
we climbed onto our exclusive boat,
breakfast was laid out for us and steam
wafted up from the scrambled eggs. As
we motored slowly upriver, early morning wildlife watching provided constant interest, wild OrangUtans, some in family parties, entertained us, also Silvered Langurs and Proboscis Monkeys,
flocks of Long-tailed Parakeets squawked over, birds like Lesser Adjutant and Black Bittern flew
slowly over, there were mixed species groups of Green Pigeons in the waterside trees, and a
host of other birds.There was some forest walking and our visit to Camp
Leakey to observe the feeding of the monitored Orangs was coupled with a
surprise sighting of one of Borneo’s special endemic birds, the Bornean
Bristlehead, a strange mainly red and black bird in a family of its own. We
did well with mammals; apart from the primates, we found Black-eared
Pygmy Squirrel, Prevost’s and Black Giant Squirrels, while spotlighting
produced a Lesser Mouse Deer and the dog-like call of the Colugo (or Flying Lemur), although
we didn’t see it.
Then it was back to Jakarta, the ‘HQ’ of nearly all the flights, and on to Bandar
Lampung in Sumatra. We were picked up and taken on the 2 hour journey to
Satwa Lodge which is close to the well-known Way Kambas National Park.
The first evening we met with Hary, our guide, and planned 2 full days in the
Park. This was the most productive birding of the trip and with an excellent
selection of bird sound recordings, Hary found many species which we would
never have seen otherwise. These included
Hooded Pitta, Black-thighed Falconet, no less
than 10 species of babblers including the
exquisite Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler, and a
magnificent male Red-naped Trogon. The growling and squealing
of both Siamang and Agile Gibbons was sometimes deafening and
on 2 occasions Siamang Gibbons gave reasonable views in the
trees over the road. On the second afternoon we did a boat ride
upstream from the centre of the Park, intending to walk a trail to
seek out some wetlands and look for the rare White-winged Duck. When we found what was
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apparently the start of the trail, it was a metre underwater; the recent rain will have created
wetlands everywhere and Hary thought the chances of a sighting were very slim. We opted to
look for other species and struggled further upstream among the dense bush. A moment later a
male White-winged Duck flew over, perched in a tree where it posed for a photo or 2 before flying
off. Birding is just so unpredictable!
Spotlighting in Way Kambas was exciting with so many possibilities for both birds and mammals.
In spite of frequent rain, we managed to observe Reddish Scops Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar, the
rare little Bonaparte’s Nightjar and a Brown Hawk Owl. Among the
mammals, we enjoyed a Red Giant Flying Squirrel, a brief Flat-headed
Cat which crossed the road, and a Slow Loris, living up to its name just a
short distance from the Lodge. On the departure morning we put up with
a 5 am torchlight start, groping through thick wet forest, copious leeches
and various unidentified biting insects inflicting over 20 bites on my
ankles and feet, for a superb pair of Large Frogmouths before dawn – a
fair swap!
All the lodges offered comfortable accommodation and facilities, and all strategically placed for
maximum convenience for visitors to appreciate a good cross-section of Indonesia’s precious
wildlife. We look forward to more acquisitions in new areas when this can be achieved. After a final
day in Denpasar with local excursions, we returned to New Zealand with well enriched knowledge
of a new destination. We hope to return soon, hopefully with other enthusiasts to share the wonders
of this superb country.
Photos in this article from Carol & Detlef Davies
Latest figures on Indonesia’s tourism
Tourism is big business for Indonesia - both from international tourists into the country and also a
growing domestic tourism market. In 2014, Indonesia achieved 9.5 million international tourist
arrivals (up almost 6% over the previous year), and recorded 251 million domestic tourist trips.
This year, in 2015, Indonesia expects to welcome 10 million international tourists and record 254
million domestic tourist trips. And, over the next five years, it is expected that international tourism
will boom into Indonesia. By 2019, it is expected that tourism will make an 8% contribution to
Indonesia’s GNP, US$20 billion in foreign currency revenue, 13 million employment, 20 million
international tourist arrivals and 275 domestic tourist trips. That would make Indonesia rank at
#30 in global tourism competitiveness.
Interestingly, in 2014, for the first time, a record one million Australians visited Bali.
Indonesians also like to visit Australia. In 2013, Indonesia was Australia’s 12th inbound market,
with 141,400 Indonesia visitor arrivals into Australia (up 2.8% on 2012).
(Contributed by Steve Noakes. Sources: Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Australia).
Steve is a shareholder, and member of the Board of Directors of Ecolodges Indonesia. He
advocates for sustainable tourism approaches by industry, government and communities. He is
also on the board of the Global Sustainable Council (USA).
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New Tours
Some of our more enterprising guests have suggested that we expand our tours in all our lodges
to encompass the needs and interests of hikers, birders and agricultural guests. With this in mind
we will shortly place three more tours on our website as detailed below.
1. For visitors arriving in Ende, they have an option of visiting a cocoa plantation where new types
of cocoa are being developed with the help of the international NGO VECO (funding from
Belgium). This tour of around 2 hours would be undertaken en-route to the Kelimutu Ecolodge
from the airport.
2. For keen birders and hikers at Rimba Ecolodge, a new dawn tour in motorized, small canoes
can be taken with our Chief guide Ucok Hakim or members of his guide team. This half or full day
starts at dawn as you enter the Buluh river, a small tributary of the Sekonyer. Immediately you are
in a pure world with a clean river in lush, lowland forest. In the first tour, 24 bird species were
sighted (17) or also heard (24) in a 5-hour adventure.
3. Also for keen birders, at Satwa Ecolodge we will be offering an evening or overnight camping
stay at a new bird lookout (see story and photos below) near the Bambangan reforestation area
of the park. From this location high up in the canopy, you can view a small swampy area where
the rare White-winged Wood-duck is often seen. Many other bird species can also be seen here.
Bird-watching Tower
It has certainly been an exciting
time for Ecolodges Indonesia over
the past few months.
Near Satwa Ecolodge in Sumatra,
construction has been completed
on the new birdwatching “cocoon”,
to which Ecolodges Indonesia’s
Conservation Fund provided 21
million rupiah. Built high up in the
Alan Wilson in the Cocoon
canopy, the ‘cocoon’ gives an
excellent view over the swampy areas which are frequented by the rare
White-winged Wood-duck, amongst other species. A special tour is being
designed to use this facility.
The Cocoon from ground level
Booking.com Rating for Udayana Ecolodge
The online booking agency ‘booking.com’ also awarded Udayana Ecolodge in Jimbaran, Bali an
Award of Excellence for 2014, with a rating of 8.3 out of 10. This was reviewed by booking.com’s
users, and is well-deserved recognition for the lodge.
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Instagram Account
We have also just started an Instagram
account, @ecolodgesindonesia. On
this account we will be posting photos
and information about the lodges, and
our guests will have the opportunity to
have their photos featured on the page
– simply tag your photos with the
hashtag #ecolodgesindonesia
We hope that you enjoy your next visit to the lodges
.
Warmest regards
Jocelyne Pegoretti, Karen Hagley, Richard Hagley and Ross Krippner.
Contact details:
Head office: Phone – INT: +62 (0) 361 747 4204
Indonesia: 0361 747 4204
[email protected]
www.ecolodgesindonesia.com
www.ecosafariindonesia.com
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