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 Gili Meno Bird Park - Lombok, a wonder world of Birds and Tropical Paradise to nature lovers. Here for the first time in Lombok, bird lovers can have a field day watching some 300 birds perching and swimming about freely in a totally natural and beautiful landscaped environment.
It is one the three islands found at the north west of Lombok with stunning views of the surrounding islands of Gili Trawangan, Air, Lombok and Bali. A perfect paradise, it seems, for tropical birds and animals to call their home. Gili Meno is between the other two isles, and has also become increasingly popular over recent years.
There is now accommodation, numerous unhurried restaurants and yes, a Bird Park
Peafowl's, Pheasants, Hornbills, Eagle, Imperial Pigeons, Egrets, Pelicans, Flamingos, Ducks, Macaws, Ibis, Cockatoos, Parrots, Parakeet Lovebirds and more feathered citizens and ambassadors all gathered together from countries like:
Australia, New Guinea, Thailand, South America, Tanzania, China, Holland and of course Indonesia
While the birds are allowed to fly freely, the incompatible species are confined in the display aviaries and specially designed open exhibits. Some of these enclosures also house samplings of the other species for those who wish to admire them at close quarters.
Visitors will enjoy strolling through the park along a maze of pathed walkways - amidst a profusion of greenery, refreshing air and the pleasant thrills, coos and whistles of birdsong.
The slow pace of life on the Gilis is a big attraction. The sun beats down, there is no noise a part from the sound of waves, cidomo horse cart bells and hooves, and in the park, the squawks of parrots and cockatoos. How do birds learn to be so cheeky! They just know how to copy human sound, are often multi lingual, and can make complete strangers crack up laughing in a matter of mere seconds. And what's more, they even manage to throw in a little dance and hop for added entertainment value. Now don't get me wrong the birds at this park are NOT performing. Firstly, they are free. They spend the better part of their time outside the cages, in the very large walk around aviary, and it is the guest who must respect their space. The birds come first, not the guests. That also doesn't mean that there is any danger just simply that the birds are in their natural environment and we, humans, must consider them.
The Bird Park is found within walking distance from where all the bats dock, and the main stretch of restaurants are, and the walk gets excitement going. A very charming track into the centre of Gili Meno, with the sun fauna and flora all adding to the feel, will bring you to the Bird Park you can't get lost. The Park also offers bungalows for those who would like to stay on, and the entrance ticket can be bought at the bar of the 'John Lennon' memorabilia restaurant, or The Cavern, as a big sign displayed above the bar declares. The ticket is only Rp. 50,000, which really probably does translate in to peanuts, as the nominal fee goes towards the food, and up keep of the many little feathered and furry lives housed within.
At various points, you will be delighted to come across miniature gardens, pools and cascades, bridges, flowering plants and fruit trees with bird-feeding stations. A wonderful time of bird-watching and outdoor fun awaits you indeed - at the Gili Meno Bird Park!
There are 300 species of birds found here; Peafowl's, Pheasants, Hornbills, an Eagle, Imperial Pigeons, Egrets (although not spotted), Pelicans, Flamingos, Ducks, Macaws, Ibis, Cockatoos, Parrots, Parakeet Lovebirds and more feathered citizens and ambassadors all gathered together from countries like:
Australia, New Guinea, Thailand, South America, Tanzania, China, Holland and of course Indonesia
While the birds are allowed to fly freely, the incompatible species are confined in the display aviaries and specially designed open exhibits. Some of these enclosures also house samplings of the other species for those who wish to admire them at close quarters.
The Park is not enormous, but then that's a blessing in the heat of the day and probable consideration to those who attend to each of the little beings, and the stroll between the cages along a maze of pathed walkways - amidst a profusion of greenery, refreshing air and the pleasant thrills, coos and whistles of birdsong is fun. Each cage that is encountered is a thrill you don't know what you will find inside. My eight year old really enjoyed himself, in particular at the monkey cage, where he fed the little simian who delighted in snatching the food away and then teasing my son with a show of teeth (not aggressively I might add) and comical facial expressions. He was however disappointed to learn that the kangaroo had passed away the week before after, we were told, a fight with the deer! Rather a strange thought to digest. With that, his imagination was captured once again by the peacocks, which he presumed to be phoenixes after having very recently seen Harry Potter. He was insistent that they really were phoenixes seeing as they couldn't fly so high and had those amazing tails as a mother, I left him to it.
It took us about an hour to go around the park and fully appreciate each species we encountered. My son kept going back and forwards for at least an hour after that, while my husband and I had a refreshing fruit juice, game of pool and chat in 'The Cavern'. We finally persuaded him to leave with us, where we made our way to the beach to wait for our island hop boat back to Gili Trawangan, where we were staying.
We definitely enjoyed the Gili meno Bird Park. |
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