Ian sorry to read about the stress and distress caused by rubbish. No doubt overwhelming.

I can offer some slight reassurance from my experiences of taking leadership development groups to Java & Sumatra over a period of 7 years (2014-2019) when I met quiet a few amazing people at the forefront of environmental movements.

I learned that with the increasing size of the middle class (mostly in Java and metropolitan areas) there’s been an upwelling of environmental activism which is having a visible, but significant impact. I personally saw a few areas where change for the better was obvious over seven years. Thanks to the hard work of Indonesian environmentalists.

As many millions of Indonesians move from barely being able to survive to having modest wealth, they are realising they want a cleaner environment; and they are discovering they have the power to do something about it. Just as happened in in Europe and North America as the environmental horrors of the Industrial Age spurred environmentalism.

For example the canals of Jakarta and the Cilawang River (which flows rises near Bogor and flows through Jakarta) have improved greatly in a short time.

Obviously there is still a long way to go, but the signs are positive… in some regions.

Nusa Tengarra, and all the eastern part of the archipelago lag far behind in numerous ways. Pollution especially.

What can you do in the meantime? Just what you are doing. Raise awareness. Much better than the silence and ignorance of official tourist propaganda.

Florence, it is distressing, terribly distressing. I knew Indonesia would be filthy but the scale surprises me. I feel as though I have proved myself in the hills of Flores. Life is too short to be cycling through this muck. Perhaps, like povert, places of torture and the like, it's good to have seen it. Denpasar airport may well be appealing. Pity, but it may be the best way to protest. Ian

Oh Ian how distressing for you! I feel your pain! All I can say is - keep your pecker up! As the British say!

Ian it looks Indigo on my screen.

Joel, always enjoy your comments. I'm pleased to be keeping you on board, so to speak.

Graham, you're spot on! It was one of the highlights of my trip when a caravaner told me of his tough day.

A stunning, super human effort and amazing trip so far Ian. I'm pleased you had a restful chance to inspect the flora and mega fauna in some detail. May you get more opportunities. Superb journaling, all eye opening with parts that have me right with you. All the best.

This cycle touring caper looks easy.
Think of those poor caravaners pushing into the headwinds of far western Qld then paying a fortune for a powered site at Big 4.

Thanks Ian, it was a tough ride all the way from the Timor Leste border. I looked at Sumbawa with just 4000m of climbing in 400 km and breathed a sigh of relief. I seem to recall that the climbing comes early. I'm unsure how I will cope with the flat!

The 65 year olds are in the commentary box. Congratulations on completing the Trans Flores hwy; shame about the crater lakes.

Good to see someone’s fighting back against Instagram lunacy.

Mate I got tired just reading it haha. Really well done. Tough mind and body.

Craig, Thanks! Much appreciated! I'm not sure I did a very good job of describing the ride from Ruteng to Labuan Bajo. I'm not even sure that I can without smearing the blog in sweat. It was tough.

Nice work Ian. Keep safe.

Phew! That’s a relief.
Otherwise the ‘donation per island’ arrangement would have required a mortgage negotiation with the bank.