Dragoons are what our Finish Captain calls dragons. Either intentionally or otherwise, he has a weird sense of humour.
We dropped anchor around 9:00 AM and we were soon in the tenders to take us the 15 minute ride to shore, There we were split into small groups of about 20. We had two guides and one Ranger, armed with a big forked stick.
We wandered the trail leading us to a spot where several very large Komodo dragons we lolly-gagging about, all alert, but resting. We were allowed to get within about 20 feet of the terrible looking creatures, that was just about my comfort zone with them.
They were fairly active, moving around a bit, eventually one approached another and apparently they were about to fight, according to the guide. If that was a fight, it was a very docile fight and they just settled into a different configuration of resting as far as I was concerned.
They are not 'poisonous' per se, but their mouth is so full of bacteria that if bitten an animal will shortly die from infection. They are carnivores, [meat eaters] and also will eat small Komodos, even their own young. The babies, as soon as they hatch, run up a tree and use that as home base for three years before becoming permanent earth dwellers and able to escape large dragons looking for a meal.
The National park is shut at 5:00 PM and then the place turns into your worst nightmare if stuck there. There are about five surrounding islands that also have Komodos on them as they can swim modest distances. The population is heavily monitored, [by the San Diego Zoo that comes every year] and the current total population is about 2400.
They are interesting animals, rather like looking back to the days of dinosaurs. There is periodically some human killed by them so it it is a serious situation they have to deal with. The forked stick they use is a bit like a snake stick, but apparently their nose is their weak spot that can be used to sort of neutralise them.
We were back on the ship early, soaked in sweat again, showered, had a late lunch, rested then had a very light early dinner.
Tomorrow we arrive in Bali just after lunch. We are three days there, we have some tours arranged independently on days two and three, tomorrow we are in search of a Pizza or Hamburger!
We were back on the ship early, soaked in sweat again, showered, had a late lunch, rested then had a very light early dinner.
Tomorrow we arrive in Bali just after lunch. We are three days there, we have some tours arranged independently on days two and three, tomorrow we are in search of a Pizza or Hamburger!
Young boys lingering near the ship in hope of somebody throwing something off that they will dive for. Frowned upon but people do it.
Gail sharply stepping off the tender on Komodo Island.
Entering Komodo National Park.
That one is cast in bronze!
That is a real one!
Twins!
That tongue is used to detect the direction of the smell. Apparently they can detect a dead or decaying animal from 2 1/2 miles away by smell, the tongue tells them the direction to go.
We thought that they were going to fight, but they didn't.
This critter was lying just off the foot path. Spooky.
The Ranger took this picture for us.
It just felt like Miller Time! Jim sprung.
These are cute little girls, daughters of the vendors selling souvenirs. Cute little buttons, their brothers are walking around with hand fulls of carved dragons to sell!
Two very hot ladies!
Nearly back on board
An interesting ship anchored nearby as we pulled away this evening.
Fellette on deck as we left Komodo around 5:00 PM.
Some large porpoises escorted us out into the open ocean.
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