Kung Fu Chris takes part in Kung Fu show!

Chris takes part in Kung Fu show. Visit www.maukemana.com for more information and to find out how you could be travelling around the world like Chris.

WANT TO SEE WHERE THE DINOSAURS ROAMED?

Komodo, Indonesia, 12 June 2008 –

Rinca, one of the few islands that’s home to the Komodo Dragon, is the land where the two lucky British divers who were washed ashore last week. It’s an amazing rocky island and one of the last places on earth you’d want to be left alone making seeing it for yourself even more unique.

Komodo National Park is a few remote islands with surrounding lush coral seas in the middle of Nusa Tengarra, a chain of islands that stretches for over 1000km from Bali out east towards New Guinea. The heat can be stifling, the rain can be torrential and it can flick between the two in an instant. Visiting this place is sheer adrenaline. Coming face to face with its most famous inhabitant is even more so!

In 2003, when Maukemana Travel Mentors first ventured out to Komodo getting there was an experience in itself. From the relative luxury of Bali, with it’s 1 star to 5 star hotels, night clubs playing western and eastern pop, fine eating of both local and international food, dancing shows and surf beaches, it’s several ferry crossings, a couple of bus rides and about 500km to Sape, a small seaside port just about as close as you can get to Komodo National Park with out actually going inside it.

Eating Gado Gado from banana leaves before going into the Komodo National Park

There were no ferries and no regular scheduled transport. Getting there was on the back of a rickety, old, fishing boat, 25ft long and 6ft wide, with a motor that was so loud you couldn’t hear yourself think. The blue paint chipping off the woodwork showed the neglect that this boat had suffered; or rather it showed how the fisherman skipper could ill afford to maintain his boat.

Seven hours of chugging over the sea soon passed. The gentle swaying of the boat coupled with the sea breeze made for a beautiful time. Komodo, the largest of the islands, then loomed into view. This island’s only human inhabitants are park rangers, there for the protection of the famed dragons, and human visitors.

Aboard the boat as it nears Komodo

The boat sailed on around large hills of grass covered rock that rose from the sea. From the boat no life could be seen on either the land or in the sea. Where you’d expect a heard of antelope or the flying of birds there was just nothing.

Even the land looks like a sleeping dragon (head to the left, body rising to the right )

Finally the boat struck dry land. We had reached the small village on Komodo. As evening set we found space to stay in rustic accommodation. Wooden cabins, that were simply furnished, seemed perfect for the setting.

A few minutes later we had our first site of the Komodo Dragon, just as the sun was setting. We’d gone on a short walk around the village. Just on the outskirt was a small Dragon, its forked tongue flicking in the air looking our way. When a Dragon’s stood still it’s a truly serene sight; a complex blend of the unsightly, the beautiful and the majestic. It was simply inspiring.

Dinner on Komodo is often as simple as the island itself. You eat what they have available. The food is prepared with the careful attention of the head chef although the chef’s culinary skills are not up to most mothers’ home cooked food. That didn’t matter. We were there on Komodo living a dream!

Morning broke and rangers organised a short trek for the handful of tourists in the village. The land of the Komodo dragon lies just to the eastern side of the Wallace line, a line that indicates a separation of Asian flora and fauna from those of Australasia. The vegetation here is reminiscent of an age far behind the forests normally associated with South East Asia, with large palms and low lying grass covering large portions of the island.

Getting ready for the trek across the island

A few Komodo Dragons in the distance were amazing enough, but not what we’d come to see. Lunch that day was aboard the same fishing boat that had brought us to the island (we had chartered the boat for 2 days). The boat moored up off what the fisherman called Pantai Merah, or Red Beach. The sea below the boat was a bright blood red with all different types of coral, undamaged and untouched by the mass of over diving common in lots of “fantastic” dive spots. If the snorkelling here, off the coast of Komodo, isn’t the best in the world then I surely don’t know where is.

The boat trip was worth it just for this but we pressed on. We loved the coral but wanted to get up close and personal with the real denizen of the islands. We made sail for Rinca, the less famous neighbouring island to Komodo, but one with a better population of Dragons. We landed, found a ranger and went walking through land similar to Komodo.

Shortly into walk, with the Sun high over head, the ranger suddenly stopped us in our tracks as we followed an animal track through the grass. Ahead, walking towards the group was a fully grown adult Dragon. When confronted with large animals looking at you at close range strange things go through your mind. You quickly realise that the ranger’s thin wooden stick is unlikely to do much, you notice that there’s not much cover and you gain a footballer’s awareness of where people are around you. The famed and feared Komodo Dragon, totally wild, totally at ease, wandering among the rocks

This has happened to me two other times while researching destinations for Maukemana trips: a silver back gorilla in Uganda and a whale shark in Belize. Guides tell you that they’re these creatures are safe but when they’re within a few feet and coming your way it’s difficult to keep perspective.

This close encounter with the Komodo Dragon was incredible. We moved out of its way and it eyed us up as it walked past, seemingly oblivious but seeming to think about how tasty we might be if it were hungry (Komodo Dragons don’t kills instantly. They have bacteria in their saliva that ends up killing you after they’ve bitten you. They then eat your rotten flesh). Not this time.

We’d travelled a long way to see the largest lizard in the world. This was a true Dragon. As Rinca was left behind us we thought about what it meant to see these things in real life. It made us realise that nature is something that is more amazing and powerful than any human invention. These creatures are almost untouched after millennia on these small remote islands and their longevity is something that we in the developing and developed world must be something that we work to protect.


Maukemana is a team that is dedicated to exciting independent travel, taking small groups on flexible trips to some of the worlds most exciting and interesting destinations. We currently operate in Asia and Central America. The company was founded by travellers that first “hit the road” in 2002. It is run by travellers for travellers. Visit our website www.maukemana.com for more information.

Want to lose weight? Do it at home and on holiday!

It seems as if Maukemana Trips have a great side effect that isn't just pure fun, excitement, adventure and experience! We've had great feedback from those that have travelled with us saying how they've lost weight noticably while being on our trips!

If you've lost weight at home to look good on holiday or even if you haven't, why not lose weight while ON holiday and impress your friends and family when you get home! They'll think you look great and will be amazed at what you've been up to while away!

Maukemana is now launching specially designed trips that are designed to get you losing weight - without even noticing! These trips run along our Special Trip routes (http://www.maukemana.com/special_trips/). Our Travel Mentors are there, on hand, to take you to the most exciting places in the world. You'll lose weight getting there; you'll lose weight getting back. Maukemana Trips don't have set itinerary's so you'll always be able to go at a pace that suits you in an environment that supports you!

If you'd like to kick-start your weight loss plan, or even give your current one a boost, email loseweight@maukemana.com letting us know where you'd like to go. We'll get the ball rolling to sort the rest!

Maukemana Launches Guatemala Trip

What has Maukemana been up to?

Maukemana is pleased to be expanding all the time. We've received lots of requests to move into Central and South America. Our first offering is Guatemala, an amazing country with tranquil fields set against the power of volcanos which are contrasted against the subtleties of the exurberant life in the jungle.

If you're interested in what you see drop our Guatemala Team an email at guatemala@maukemana.com. Our trips last for two weeks, start in Antigua in Southern Guatemala and end in Belize City, just an hour or so from the North Guatemalen border. Perfect locations to start and end the perfect trip!

Have a look below for details from one of our trips to this wonderful place

Would you like to check out lava by visiting an active volcano?

What about go swimming in limestone rock pools?

Ever seen rocks used as defences by the Maya?








"I just loved the way that Maukemana got us out into the thick of the Guatemalan history (and into the Jungle!), seeing it close up and in ways that we never thought was possible with group travel. It's all down to the way Maukemana operates - with a focus on where you are" - Olga








You could take a trek through the jungle, although you could take the more relaxing boat ride option if that's what you prefer...











Meet indigenous people and go to the main supermarket in town. (The building in the photo is the main shop for miles around)










Gaze in awe at the Jungle clad monuments of the Mayan civilisation and wonder how, why and who.

Trek through the jungle, swim across a lake and head down a cave to see an ancient Mayan sacrifice site...










This trip ran during the whale shark season. The trip headed to the coast of neighbouring Belize...










... to meet these gentle, harmless, ocean going giants (ok, this one is just a baby at 25ft - 30ft long)

"I'd always heard about whale sharks but never thought seriously about seeing one. When the Maukemana Travel Mentor mentioned these I thought 'wow, I've come to Guatemala and will see everything I want but also get the cool added bonus of swimming with the largest shark in the world'. Maukemana's unique style of travel made this possible as our itinerary changed to make sure we got to the right place at the right time - around the full moon - maximising our chances of seeing one of these amazing creatures" - Lorne







... to fish for barracuda










... to relax on the beaches, as well as dive and snorkel in the coral atolls of the second longest barrier reef in the world






















... and see the coral and fish close up.





If you like what you see email us at Guatemala@maukemana.com to find out more and get some ideas about what will make your trip the best ever!

Where in the World Competition Results

During the Travel Show Event held at the NEC Birmingham we ran a competition "Where in the World"

The result have now been finalised and can be viewed here.

NECResult - Upload a doc

Read this doc on Scribd: NECResult

Brian, one of our wondering wanderers!

Brian grew up in rural America and didn't leave his home country until he was 21. That first trip changed everything; a few years later, he took a career break from the corporate world to have some real adventure. The plan: travel for one year. The reality: 4+ years, 100 countries and 2 backpacks later he returned to the "real" world a changed man!

Brian is equally at home with budget as well as luxury travel. His years of travel have given him great negotiation skills, an ability to be flexible, and an innate understanding of the best way to have a great time while stretching the budget!

He has backpacked through Asia, tramped through Australia and New Zealand, bumped across Africa and the Middle East, hitchhiked over Eastern Europe, and floated up South and Central America.

Introducing Chris the founder of Maukemana Travel Mentors.

Chris upped sticks and hit the road back in 2003. Having travelled from Melbourne, Australia to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan via Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, he’s seen a lot of Asia. He's been to 45 countries worldwide and seen the Huli wigmen, a solar eclipse in Togo, mountain gorillas in Uganda, the Holy Land in Israel, active volcanos in Guatemala and whale sharks in Belize, to name just a few.

Chris really has seen lots of the world and is keen to share that passion with all Maukemana guests. He says "Travel for me is about four things - where, why, how, who:

1) Where: where are you going and what is there to see there? Make sure that there is something to see or to do when you get there. Give a purpose to your travel.

2) Why: why do you want to see what's there? Make sure that what you're going to see interests you at the time your going to see it! Make your travel diverse to give a range of experiences and keep your excitement every day.

3) How: How will you get there? Make your travel as exciting and interesting as the destination. Experience life as you go through it.

4) Who: Who are you with? Who wil you meet? People around the world are often the most fascinating element of travel. Make sure you meet as many as you can!"