Komodo National Park with Flores Journey - Part Two

We left off Part One sleeping on the top deck of our amazing liveaboard boat.  While we slept, the boat was taking us to Komodo Island.  Komodo National Park is made up of 3 large islands: Rinca (where we first saw the dragons), Padar (where we hiked up to Three Points and played on Long Beach), and Komodo, along with various other lesser known smaller islands.

The ranger knew right where 3 large dragons were hanging out.  He led us directly to the water hole.  The only way to get your picture with one is to stand several yards behind it.  Unfortunately, the camera can either focus on you or the dragon, so someone has to be blurry.

They were at the water hole lying in wait for their prey to get thirsty.  The dragons can eat prey much larger than they are, like water buffalo, deer and wild boar, because they secrete a venom into the wound, after they bite it with their sharp teeth.  They can let the prey run off afterwards because it will die soon enough.  The dragon then tracks it and eats it.

This one could have been 10 ft long.

We kept all that in mind, which is why we stayed a healthy distance away, even though their lethargic behavior could easily fool you into thinking they were harmless.

On our walk, we saw these two owls asleep in the tree above us.  Owls are much more pleasant to walk under than the green viper we had seen the day before!  I circled the owls in orange to help you see them.

We were fortunate enough to see a komodo drinking water from a big shell and then walk some distance away.  They seem so much larger and more intimidating when you watch them move.  They can actually run up to 12mph, but we only saw them walk slowly.

The one in the sun is obvious.  The one behind it is almost camouflaged with the shadows and the staircase, but it's there!

On our way back to the boat, we spotted one more Timor deer, missing an antler.

From the dock we could look straight down into the clear water and see the coral and fish below.

We went to Pink Beach next.  This seemed to be a popular spot, with a small cruise boat docked offshore.  It was near sunset, so we just made sand sculptures instead of swimming.  Eric, Maya, and Charlie made a sand Godzilla!  Willow made a sand Komodo Dragon!

Godzilla!

Komodo Dragon!

Charlie taught Hans how to play War with a deck of cards.  Dinner, then bed.
The last day of our liveaboard still had plenty of exciting adventures in store.  We started the day by going to a sand spit called Taka Makassar.  If you're still following along on my interactive map, click here.

The water was very shallow around the sand spit.  We started snorkeling on one side and made our way around to the other side.  You could practically walk on your hands.

We saw sharks!!!

Next, we went manta ray spotting!  You can see them from the boat, since the water is so clear.  And once you see them, you jump in and swim with them!

The manta rays were so cool!  We were on a major high after swimming with them.

Next, we went to a spot known for sea turtles, called Siaba Island.   We found this one asleep on the bottom.  It's pretty far down to the bottom, but you can make him out nestled in the middle of the coral patch below.

We went into shallower water and found some beautiful corals and fish.

Then Willow started getting antsy because we hadn't seen any more turtles since the first one.  We had to go back into deeper water to search for them.  We got lucky!

Time to rest and have lunch.  Take another nap and read our books.

Do you want a tour of our boat?  Want to see where we go to the bathroom?  I thought you might.

Our last stop of the entire liveaboard adventure was Kanawa Island.  This place had so many fish, it felt like we were swimming in an aquarium!  Check out this trumpetfish we saw!  I had never seen any fish like that before.  I was squealing into my snorkel. 

We briefly saw this tiny red jellyfish floating past us.

 We saw many beautiful parrotfish, but this one just had gorgeous coloring.

 The little fish at the end of my finger was sitting very still on his rock.  As my finger got close, he zoomed off!

 And here's a gorgeous tunicate!

I saw a school of squid, but the video wasn't very clear.  Too bad too.  It was the only time I saw them, aside from on the dinner plate.

Willow and I saw herds of sea urchins. Watch the video to see it all!  I think it's funny how you can hear us laughing and talking through our snorkels.  

On the way out from Kanawa Island, we spotted this swing and these giant clam shells.  So big Maya could sit in them!  It took Willow AND Charlie just to lift one.

I just want to close by again thanking Flores Journey for the amazing job they did showing us all around Komodo National Park and taking us on so many adventures that I honestly can't believe we could fit it all in to 3 days. Huge shout out to Hans and Marsel especially.  You guys are awesome!