Komodo Island, Indonesia – March 2

Komodo Island, Indonesia – March 2

From Jumping Crocs to Searching for Dragons……

This is not only our first time to Komodo Island, but to Indonesia. Komodo (Indonesian: Pulau Komodo) is one of the 17,508 islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia. The island is particularly notable as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth, which is named after the island.

We had breakfast on the back deck and watched the sunrise. Beautiful over these Indonesian islands. 

 from the tender

The morning started with some drama when we learned that Princess was not setting up the usual spot in the Casino lounge to gather the independent travelers. Last night when I read the Patter, I saw that one was not listed, so I had a feeling they weren’t doing that. So, the CD on the Wake Show said that everyone would go to the Cabaret Lounge. To double check I went to the passenger services desk and they said yes, just go to the Cabaret and tell the people there, so they could assign us a tender. I had a small group of 6 and Stacey had a group of 20. So, we all headed to the Cabaret. We were then told we had to wait in the Casino Lounge and someone there would do it as usual. I said that the Wake Show & the front desk said to come here she said that someone would be there at 7:30 to tell us when we could go. So, we all stayed in the Casino Lounge. No one ever came, and they hadn’t set up the normal table they sit at to assign the tenders. She said, they don’t need a table, just a microphone. It was after 7:30 and the announcement came that the ship had cleared to disembark, so Stacey and I looked at each other and decided that let’s just go. So, we headed down to the tenders. (storming the gangway so to speak) We could overhear someone on a radio saying “the Cruise Critic people just decided to go”. We all are rule followers, but when no one could agree on where we should wait and what time we could get off; yes, we did just go. We all got on the same tender.

Komodo Islands are beautiful. Lush and green at this time of year. 

We found our tour company and Hendrik the owner was there to greet all of us. I had booked with http://www.gotokomodo.com/komodo-island-excursion I wouldn’t hesitate to book with him again. 

We did the medium Komodo Island Trek (about 3km), Komodo Village & Pink Beach Snorkel and we were joined by Tina & Ken and Shirley & Jerry.

After we met Hendrik and were introduced to our 2 guides and our 2 rangers we were taken to our briefing point. We were shown the different treks and given some instructions on how to react should we see dragons. (no guarantee you will see any) They are wild and dangerous. 

 guide & ranger

 Greg & guide

our group with the guides & rangers 

As we walked the guides and rangers explained about the Komodo dragons and the islands themselves. They also said that they are wild animals and they have the run of the entire island so no guarantees that they will be where we are to see them. 

We hadn’t walked all that far and it started to rain a bit. We came around a corner and a group had gathered which we hoped meant dragons. OMG there were 4 of them ahead! I was focused on them when one of the rangers pointed out another one (a female) that was close to the males, but on the other side of the trail. We got to spend a lot of time with the 4 males. They are huge; but are considered medium ones. They can get much larger. The guides took our cameras to get closer shots and to take photos of us. 

 female

 4 males - only medium sized

As we walked, we came across some wild pigs and saw a few birds. Then we saw a dragon partway out of this huge nest. Oddly, birds make it and use this huge nest when the dragons aren’t using it. As we stood there, she came out of the nest and went into the jungle.

 wild orchids

 Komodo Dragon poo

As we were coming to the village, we found a deer underneath a building and later 3 more deer near the water.

 the lady I bought my batik from

 the batik I bought 

 

magnet

Then, it was time to shop! I found my token magnet, Greg got a t-shirt and I bought a batik cloth. Our waiter at dinner told me to bring him back a baby dragon. He was joking about bringing back a live one, but I got him a small plastic one. 

After we shopped, it was time to get on our boat to the Pink Beach. On arrival, our guides took our bags to the boat, so they would be there for us when we got there. They really did take good care of us.

Hendrik thanked us for supporting the local economy by booking with him. He says then the money stays in Komodo (and other islands). He said when you book through the ship the money goes back to the States. 

We got on the boat and there were bananas and I think tangerines for us to eat. The bananas looked green, but were ripe, sweet & tasty. 

 Tina & Ken

 Shirley & Jerry

After we got close to Pink Beach, we then boarded a smaller boat to take us close to shore where we then got off and waded the last bit to shore. The guides grabbed our stuff and took it to the shady gazebo. We then had tons of time to snorkel amongst the lovely soft corals. There were some hard corals as well, but mostly soft ones with lots of unusual fish. Greg saw a small Blue Octopus curled up. It was really pretty. Of course, we got tons of stills and video of the snorkeling and the dragons. We also walked the beach and ran into a Princess group and then Stacey’s group arrived. We hung out in the water with Bob, Cathy & Tom.

 

After we finished, we got back on the small boat and were taken back to the larger wooden house boat. (it had cabins and a bathroom on board) They had a lovely lunch prepared for us. 4 whole fish, tofu strips (tasted like fancy chicken strips), rice, fried chicken, noodles, water spinach in a peanut sauce and fresh watermelon for desert. Everything was quite good. I though of Rick & Janie and told Greg this is their kind of lunch. We share the same desire to eat the local food whenever possible. 

 Stacey's group behind us

After lunch we all just sat and chatted for a while and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the dock for our tender back to the ship. 

It had started to rain just as Stacey’s group arrived at their boat and we were leaving. We managed to get on the tender before it started to POUR. We had time to go back for more shopping, but with the impending rain we decided against it.

Back on the ship we jumped in the shower and washed out the hiking and snorkel stuff. We had some time before dinner and we checked out the photos and video that we took. An announcement came into all cabins & public areas telling passengers to do not throw anything overboard since we were still in Komodo National Park. From our balcony we saw some boats with children in them and we got a close up of what was thrown overboard. It was a baggie with dollar bills in it. The children were counting and dividing the money amongst them. I’m sure the intentions of the people that threw that overboard meant well, but wrong on many levels.

At dinner we exchanged stories (only 2 at the table did not go ashore) of dragons and snorkeling. Many that had later tour times got soaked with the downpour of rain. I think everyone saw quite a few dragons and seems everyone that snorkeled really liked it. What an awesome day! 

The show tonight was a group that has been playing in the Casino Lounge. They were always standing room only so it was great to see them get some prime time. It was a couple that both play violin called Lado String Duo. Very good show!

Now, 3 days until Singapore which begins 5 port days in a row. So, you will not hear from me for a while.

Komodo Island https://photos.app.goo.gl/y1UMv4VinCqAFNCcA

Pink Beach - Komodo Island https://photos.app.goo.gl/wCLUGbEwSsVHSTSN7

Komodo Pink Beach snorkel video https://youtu.be/ctWsdF-GrXM

Komodo Dragons Video https://youtu.be/_55q2ZFjvl0