Sat 10th Komodos
Today we are taking a day trip to look at the dragons.
We joined a group who were staying at our resort, on their large boat. Roy, myself and Stephanie, from Holland, found the upstairs lounge area comfortable.
We got a tour guide and did a trek on Komodo island. Only in Asia are animals prodded for our entertainment, which made me smile. Can't say I have too much feeling for a Komodo dragon. When the babies are born they have rush up a tree because while Mom will protect her eggs from wild pigs and monkeys, once the eggs hatch she'll happily eat her own babies.
While standing close to this dragon I guide told us about a few events. One was a Swiss guy who didn't see a Komodo in the bushes, when it leapt out and bit his leg. He survived.
A man from Singapore came to stay in the village. The locals told him not to walk alone, but he did anyway. He was standing with some goats when a Komodo came to attack them. He stood watching when the Komodo then turned on him and bit his leg. He managed to get back to the village where they cleaned the wound and put anti septic on it. He went to the hospital in Labuan Bajo and was released three days later. He returned to Singapore, but the village heard a month later that he had passed away from the bite! (Thomas, my friend from Singapore said this story isn't correct, the man is still alive and well - suppose that doesn't make as good a story, but I'm glad for him!!)
From Komodo we went to Pink beach for a swim, which as the name says, has pink sand. I put on mask and snorkel and swam the length of the beach.
We had lunch on the boat while motoring to Siaba besar where we would dive or snorkel.
Only the guy from Perth dived with us (and dive master). Was a lovely spot, and I got my buoyancy perfect this dive. We saw a huge puffer fish, lion fish, lots of turtles and our first octopus this trip, hiding in a rock.
We were back at Flores Xpirates by about five in the evening.
This map shows where we stay (blue dot) and the Komodo National park island. There are also dragons on Rings island.
We joined a group who were staying at our resort, on their large boat. Roy, myself and Stephanie, from Holland, found the upstairs lounge area comfortable.
We got a tour guide and did a trek on Komodo island. Only in Asia are animals prodded for our entertainment, which made me smile. Can't say I have too much feeling for a Komodo dragon. When the babies are born they have rush up a tree because while Mom will protect her eggs from wild pigs and monkeys, once the eggs hatch she'll happily eat her own babies.
25 year old male Komodo dragon
While standing close to this dragon I guide told us about a few events. One was a Swiss guy who didn't see a Komodo in the bushes, when it leapt out and bit his leg. He survived.
A man from Singapore came to stay in the village. The locals told him not to walk alone, but he did anyway. He was standing with some goats when a Komodo came to attack them. He stood watching when the Komodo then turned on him and bit his leg. He managed to get back to the village where they cleaned the wound and put anti septic on it. He went to the hospital in Labuan Bajo and was released three days later. He returned to Singapore, but the village heard a month later that he had passed away from the bite! (Thomas, my friend from Singapore said this story isn't correct, the man is still alive and well - suppose that doesn't make as good a story, but I'm glad for him!!)
From Komodo we went to Pink beach for a swim, which as the name says, has pink sand. I put on mask and snorkel and swam the length of the beach.
We had lunch on the boat while motoring to Siaba besar where we would dive or snorkel.
From.. Sydney, Perth and Holland
From Essex and SA
Only the guy from Perth dived with us (and dive master). Was a lovely spot, and I got my buoyancy perfect this dive. We saw a huge puffer fish, lion fish, lots of turtles and our first octopus this trip, hiding in a rock.
Lion fish
Octopus!!
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