Khuwalung and the Red Rock: Uluru

On 29^th July, 2019, I was returning Nepal from Melbourne, Australia. Singapore was my transit. Both in domestic or international flights, I always prefer to seat on the side of window. At that flight, Owet Sanpang and Pawitra Samba, my artists friends who have been living in Tasmania, had managed the window seat for me. To seat on window means for me to observe the intersection between sky and land. So, I can see sky once and then I can look below at the land. It is like a habit in my long travel.

The plane flew across the sky above Adelaide, Alice Spring (Uluru) and Derby. Uluru is a symbol of holly heritage among the aboriginal Australian indigenous. According to information, it is a rock made by sand and its formation was started some 550 million years ago. It is world largest sandy rock. At beginning, the visitors used to climb on the rock and take picture. Now, due to the faith of indigenous nobody is allowed to climb on it. Likewise, to respect the faith of indigenous people, the Government of Australia has forbidden to any harmful activities to the rock.

The rock shines magnificently in the light of raising and setting sun. To watch this beauty million of tourists arrive here. Due to the lack of time I missed this opportunity. However, according to the advice of navigator, I was observing the location of Uluru. I could not catch it but observed the surrounding scenario.

I thought even Australia has preserved the symbol of indigenous’ faith and transformed it into a tourist destination spot. Here, in Nepal ‘Khuwalung,’ the rock located in the confluence of of Dhudhakoshi, Arun and Tamar, a thousands years old symbol of cultural and religious faith among the indigenous as a cultural heritage, is targeted by government in order to run outdated steamer. It is not only Khuwalung there are lots of other cultural heritages around the country have been destroyed. The attack on the fait of certain community in the name of development is intolerable.

Few moment later, we crossed the sky of Australia and the Timor ocean began. From the window, there was only the blue on sight. Below there was blue ocean and above the sky in sight. Both had same color. Sometimes, the patches of white clouds were visible on the sky. After around one hour, again I saw land, it was green mountain, just reverse than dry Australia. I looked at navigator, it was Indonesia. Due to the anti-light, I felt little uneasy. But I continue fixed my eyes and saw a blue lake on the mountain, made by volcano. I had learnt about the volcano in Indonesia but it was first time I got a chance to seen it. I asked about the name and place of the volcano but air-hostage could not identify it. At Singapore airport, there was transit for few hours. I searched on Google and knew that was Ijen Volcano. It was an active volcano located in Java. There is a lots of information about this volcano in internet. I do not want to mention all. I have just some photos caught with mobile during journey. And, I just want to share them here.