At the very west end of Flores Island is a thriving town called Labaun Bajo. It was here that we picked up some much needed provisions. It was also here we visited an awesome resort (Thanks Amy & David on S/V Starry Horizons). The manager was most welcoming and we enjoyed a great lunch and a relaxing swim in their lovely pool.
The next morning we made our way the short distance to The Komodo National Park on Rinca Island. We anchored in about 45' and were surrounded by local tour boats all day and night... It was loud and busy, but lots of fun. These guys know how to handle their boats....
We arranged to make an early morning tour in the park and settled in for the night. This morning at 6:30 we arrived on the island and we met by Mathues our young 61 year old ranger who does a minimum of 4 - 2 hour hikes every day for 10 days in a row before returning to his family in Flores for a well deserved 10 days off...
This was the first Indonesian "MUST SEE" on our list. It did not disappoint. There are some 1500 dragons in the park who are left to fend for themselves in their natural habitat eating water buffalo, deer, and an occasional wild bore or monkey. There is not one single animal in captivity and the rangers are diligent with the thousands of guests each year to keep the ecosystem in balance. That said, once in a while some tourist thinks they know better and get themselves eaten by a Komodo Dragon... (Clearly, Darwin was NOT wrong)...
Here are a few of the other creatures that call Komodo National Park home....
Ok, it sounds a little gruesome, but I assure you, in this hostile environment I am amazed they ever get to eat...
Shelley posing for her mandatory "tourist" photos... If you ever met her mother, these pictures make perfect sense... |
After our hike we returned t o Blowin' Bubbles and made our way to our next adventure.... As we left the bay a small pod of dolphins played in our wake long enough for Shelley to get some fun pictures...
Yes, this guy is swimming on his back! |
Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteLovely place worth a visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat do animals eat?