World Adventure Vol.1
Published on: 24th September, 2009
World Adventure Vol.1 | Related News
Prosider is featuring her life-changing journey in two instalments, packed with
adventures from amazing encounters with lions to feeding kangaroos – and from jungle tours to barrier reef snorkelling. Our intrepid traveller also tried out white water rafting, swimming with sharks and scuba diving.
The journey began in August 2008 with Jodi flying via Los Angeles and Sydney to Flores in Indonesia, Australia and ending on the idyllic tropical island of Bora Bora.
We join her in Indonesia, where she came face-to-face with Komodo dragons which she had studied at university.
Jodi begins the tale: “I spent my first day snorkelling in the clear blue waters beside a secluded island. The friendly boat crew prepared fresh fruit, drinks and traditional Indonesian meals. I dined on barracuda, red snapper, rice and spicy noodles,” she recalls.
The next morning Jodi arrived at Komodo Island National Park. “After hiking for an hour, I had seen 16 deer and two wild boar. As I turned the next corner, I came across a komodo camouflaged amongst the leaves on the ground. Three more dragons were walking around, tongues flicking the air, smelling us and the deer in the area. What an incredible experience to be able to see these creatures in their natural habitat!”
There are only 2700 komodo dragons in existence. Despite being the heaviest lizards on earth, they can run up to 11 miles per hour and are good swimmers. Their main source of food is water buffalo, deer, boar and baby komodos.
The next leg of the journey was the Bali Marine and Safari Park in Gianyar where Jodi stayed in a tree house. She took a safari tour around the park and had her picture taken with a white tiger, orang-utan and a lion. Jodi recalls: “I also got to ride a camel and an adorable elephant. I ate my meals at the Tsavo Lion Restaurant where the only thing separating me from the legendary lions was a glass wall.”
The final stop in Indonesia was just outside the flourishing town of Ubud where she luxuriated in a traditional Balinese massage – the verdict: “120 minutes of relaxation and pure bliss.” Jodi remembers the temples were breathtaking. “At Tanah Lot the cliff tops overlooked the Indian Ocean and black sand beaches. Watching the traditional dancers and musicians playing their gongs and drums was absolutely mesmerizing.”
From there it was on to sunny Australia. At Cairns she threw herself into more adventures such as white water rafting on the Tulley River steering through huge rocks and rapids.
Then there was a two-day jungle tour. Jody explains: “The first day we drove up to Daintree to feed kangaroos, birds and wallabies. ”
“The next stop was a Crocodile Adventure tour when I met a baby crocodile and got to feed a cassowary (one of the ten most deadly animals in Australia). The crocodile attack show was fantastic; the trainer showed the audience how the crocodiles snap their jaws and perform the crocodile death roll.”
The Great Barrier Reef was Jodi’s location for snorkelling and diving in clear waters surrounded by beautiful, brightly coloured fish.
From there she risked a four-day shark tour in Port Lincoln. Jodi remembers: “I was floating in a cage at the back of the boat while staff threw bait to lure the sharks in closer. There were a few times when the great whites slammed into my cage and bit it. Wow! What a sight to see…it was so exciting. Every time I think about sharks now I get the biggest adrenaline rush.”
