Bugi Built?

One of our favorite movies and books about Indonesia is the series by Lorne and Lawrence Blair called Ring of Fire. In the first episode, Spice Island Saga, they describe their voyage across the Indonesian archipelago from Makasar, Sulawesi to the Aru Islands, following Alfred Russel Wallace's path in search of the Bird of Paradise. There is plenty of mystery and some hint of danger in their adventure on a Bugi trading vessel. They note that the Bugis were and are known as "traders or pirates or both". They relate that just the sight of a Bugi vessel struck fear in the hearts of the early spice island traders - contributing "boogeyman" to our lexicon as someone to fear.

So, once we were underway on our three day journey to Komodo Island startetdto notice many other boats on the route, similar to ours, I began to wonder - "Wait a minute - these look somehow familiar. Could they be...?"

I asked Martino, our guide where these boats are built. "Makasar" he answered. "By Bugis?" I asked. "Yes, and Makasar people". Cool!! I said "Bugis are very famous for their boats". "They have the good wood", he acknowledged but didn't go further. As cool as seeing Komodo Dragons, "flying fox" large bats, and snorkalling with beautiful fish and "baby sharks" - all of which Teresa will post about - I have to say the biggest thrill for me was riding in a boat with a Bugi pedigree. Here are some pics and videos.

We were one of many headed to Komodo Island from Labuan Bajo.

Some views on the boat.

Laying on a cushion looking up to the lounge ceiling and the sky.

Our cabin was "below deck", so parts of it were the inside of the hull where you can see its construction.

The stairs up, outside our cabin.

And inside.

Sunsets were always a time we would all just sit and take it in.

With our guide Martino and the one responsible for us all. 20 YO. The boat caption is 24.