Tag Archives: tiger

The Bali Zoo, A Journey Through Photos

Trying to decide what I wanted to do while in Kuta, I learned that I could interact with some of the animals at the Bali Zoo.  Hiring an amazing driver for the day, he suggested that we start here and then I could decide if I wanted to attend the Safari Park as well.

The Bali Zoo attracts visitors from all over the world.  I was looking forward to seeing some of the unique animals that I may not have a chance to see back home.  Here is a photographic account of some of the animals I enjoyed meeting at The Bali Zoo.

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Entering the zoo, I was welcomed by white parrots and an opportunity to have my photo taken with them.  I quickly made my way towards the lions when I noticed the zookeepers were preparing to feed them.

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With raw chickens tethering from a hoisted line, these lions were going to have to work for their lunch.

82 130107, D9 Lioness at Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

Once the lions had eaten, the lioness  took a relaxing break from the action by resting on the rock.

76 D9 Tiger at Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

This tiger had a large area to roam and was pacing back and forth in preparation of eating his afternoon meal.

D9 Wallabys, Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

The Australian wallabies were preparing for their nap while basking in the afternoon sun.

78 130107, D9 Sun Bear, Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

Can you believe the tongue on that sun bear?  They use it to extract honey from bee nests.

77 130107, D9 Orangutan, 1.7.13

The orangutan gave us quite a show.  He paced back and forth, posing for the cameras.

D9, Feeding the Elephant, 1.7.13

After taking a ride on this beautiful beast, I fed Budi sugarcane sticks in preparation for his next customer.

81 D9 Elephants Bathing, Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

While grabbing a bite to eat at the Elephant View Restaurant, I was entertained by the bathing elephants.

85 130107, D9 Holding the Bearcat at Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

I had the opportunity to wrap a bearcat around my neck.

87 130107, D9 Holding the Crocodile, Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

I was a little less excited to hold the crocodile as I watched him become a bit fidgety with the person holding him before me.  Was happy to give him back before I lost any body parts!

86 130107, D9 Me and the Tiger Cub, Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

Look at the paws on this tiger cub!  We could have our photo taken with him but was instructed not to touch him.  So beautiful!

D9 Bali Kumodo Dragon, 1.7.13

Indonesia’s native kumodo dragon. This beast could eat a human!

Additional Zoo Photos

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The beautiful zoo grounds

80 D9 Elephant Souvenirs at Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

Elephant Souvenirs

83 D9 Amazing Tiger at Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

Majestic Tiger

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Frisky Crocodile

D9 Tigers at Bali Zoo, 1.7.13

The Tiger and White Tiger

The Bali Zoo is in the south of Bali in Gianyar about an hour’s drive from Kuta.  They are open from 9AM to 6PM and offer several different packages, elephant rides, animal handling and feeding. There is a night time admission as one of the packages that Bali Zoo offers.  Admission price is $28 US for adults and $18 US for children.  There are additional fees for the elephant rides  and animal feedings.  For more information about the zoo, visit their website at  http://www.bali-zoo.com/en.

Zoos are wonderful attractions to visit in other countries as well as the United States!  Do you have a favorite zoo experience?  I would love to hear about it, so leave your comments below!  Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Bali Zoo
Jalan Raya Singapadu,
Sukawati, Singapadu,
Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar,
Bali 80582, Indonesia
Telephone:  +62 361 294357

  • Admission Fee: $28 US for adults and $18 US for children
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9AM to 6PM.
  • Amenities:  Animal Interactions, Breakfast with the Orangutan, Elephant Expedition, Dinner with the Great Elephant, Jungle Dinner, Event Rental, Villas and Spa, Photography, Gift Shop, VIP Experience, Restaurants (Wantilan, Wana Lounge and Bar, Gayo Restaurant, Snack Shack)
  • Scenic View:   Spectacular views of local, exotic animals
  • Length of Time to Visit:  Over 3 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The traffic in Kuta can be brutal in the morning, so leave early.  When the park is busy, expect long lines for the buffet.

Where to Stay: 

Kuta Puri Bungalows
Jalan Pantai Kuta
Poppies Lane 1
Kuta, Bali 80361 Indonesia
Telephone:  +62 361 751903

Where to Eat:

Bali Zoo Gayo Restaurant
Jalan Raya Singapadu,
Sukawati, Singapadu,
Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar,
Bali 80582, Indonesia
Telephone:  +62 361 294357

Lunch Buffet from 12PM to 2PM.

What to Eat: 

  • Babi Guling:  Suckling pig, which is similar to BBQ pork in the US.
  • Bakso Soup:  Indonesian soup made with meatballs, noodles, spices, vegetables and broth
  • Gado-Gado:  A cold salad of vegetables served with a peanut sauce
  • Nasi Goreng:  Fried noodles with lots of vegetables and a choice of meat, topped with peanuts and an egg.
  • Pisang Goreng:  Fried Bananas, served with palm sugar, honey, flaked coconut or ice cream
  • Sate Ayam:  Chicken on a stick usually served with a peanut sauce
  • Spring Rolls:  Crispy pastry filled with minced meat and mixed vegetables and then fried, usually served with a chili sauce

What to Read:

  • Balilicious, by Becky Wicks
  • Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
  • A House in Bali, by Colin McPhee
  • Love and Death in Bali, by Vicky Baum
  • Snowing in Bali, by Kathryn Bonella
  • Under the Volcano: A story of Bali, by Cameron Forbes

Photo Guide for South Bali:

  • The Edge Hotel in Uluwatu, Bali is amazing for spectacular cliff views.
  • Rock Bar Bali is the perfect location to watch the sunset over Uluwatu
  • Ulu Cliff House is a beach club located in Uluwatu that provides incredible views of the coastline
  • OMNIA Bali’s infinity pool
  • Gili Trawangan Swings at Ombak Sunset
  • The Ayana Pool at Ayana Resort
  • Sea Circus in Seminyak for breakfast
  • La Brisa Bali located in Canggu is the popular location to watch the sunset
  • Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud
  • Tegalalang Rice Fields for the gorgeous scenery and the Love Bali sign
  • Thomas Beach Uluwatu
  • Bingin Beach Uluwatu
  • Motel Mexicola for its colorful exterior
  • Bambu Indah Hotel in gorgeous Ubud
  • The Monkey Forest in Ubud
  • Hidden Hills Villas
  • Nusa Penida for the cliffside views
  • La Laguna Bali in Canggu
  • Mt. Batur for its sunrise (north Bali)
  • Crate Cafe at Canggu

Ocracoke’s Wild Horses

The highlight of our Hatteras vacation is always a stop at Ocracoke Island and what makes it more exciting is a stop at the corral to see the small herd of mustang ponies.  Known as the Banker Horse, these wild mustangs are said to have been descendants of the Spanish Galleon shipwrecks.  Their story dates back to 1565 when it was believed that the arrival of a ship from Spain, the Tiger, ran aground off of the coast of North Carolina.  The captain of the ship unloaded the livestock overboard to lighten its load and the horses swam to shore.   Their presence on Ocracoke Island was recorded in the 1730s when settlers first noticed them.  They were also found on the Hatteras islands as far north as Corolla and Nag’s Head.

As settlers continued to populate the coast of the Outer Banks, they captured the Banker Horse to tame them.  Soon the locals were racing the mustangs to see which horse was the fastest.  Eventually race tracks were created such as Jockey’s Ridge, southwest of the great sand dune at Nag’s Head beach.  The grandstands were built into the sand dunes which drew thousands of people to its site.  These races continued for several years, but today, most of these ponies reside on Ocracoke Island, protected as an endangered animal species.

By 1959, the Ocracoke ponies were secured by a fenced in property of 180 acres.  As tourism grew on the island and NC Highway 12 was completed, the horses were in danger of auto traffic and the National Park Service took action to provide shelter for them.

Scientific studies have confirmed that the Ocracoke herd of ponies exhibit the same DNA matching those of the Spanish Mustangs (the Q-ac genetic marker) and have similar physical attributes.  Such traits include their small height which measures anywhere from 52 to 59 inches, compact frames, a short back and smaller legs. They are also known to have wide foreheads and strong, short necks.  Their ability to carry heavy weight is due to their increased bone density which is five to ten times greater than the average horse.

The Bankers’ diet consists mainly of grass, bulrush, sea oats  and maritime forest, which would eventually have an impact on the ecology of the islands.  While many assumed it was the result of overgrazing, additional research determined that it was the horses’ hooves that were damaging the vegetative growth.  The horses, relying on pools of rainwater to drink, were known to “dig” with their hooves to reach surface water from 2.5 to 4 feet deep.  For this reason, the park system does not shoe the ponies.

Protected by the National Park Service, these ponies are feral and although they have a docile temperament, petting them is prohibited. The Park Service provides scheduled talks at the Ocracoke pony pen for those who want to see the Bankers and learn more about their history.  There is also an opportunity to “Adopt A Pony” with a small donation.  Donors will receive a photo of the horse they have adopted, an adoption certificate and summary of the pony’s history.  The charitable gift will help to feed the horses and contribute to their health care.

Have you visited the Ocracoke ponies?  I would be happy to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about the beautiful Bankers on Ocracoke and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ocracoke Horses & Ponies

Where to Stay:

The Castle B&B
155 Silver Lake Drive
Ocracoke, NC  27960
Telephone:  252 928 3505

Where to Eat:

SMacNally’s Bar & Grill
180 Irvin Garrish Highway
Ocracoke, NC  27960
Telephone:  252 928 9999

There were several restaurant options, but we wanted a restaurant along the water.  A menu full of fried food, I had to try the Shrimp Po’Boy which came with fries.  We also decided to add the hushpuppies and coleslaw to our order, which were absolutely delicious!

What to Eat: 

  • Seafood along Irvin Garrish Highway for large shrimp in July when they are in season.  You can purchase them either plain or seasoned. Check out Ocracoke Seafood Company at 416 Irvin Garrish Highway.

What to Read: 

  • Blackbeard the Pirate:  A Reappraisal of His Life and Times, by Robert Earl Lee

Photo Guide for Ocracoke Island

  • The Outer Banks Scenic Highway that runs along the island for photos of the wild mustangs
  • Ocracoke Harbor
  • Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

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