INDONESIA: KOMODO NATIONAL PARK, SNORKELING

 July 12, 2023

I forgot to include one more part of our Komodo National Park experience--snorkeling. I don't know how I could have forgotten to include this because it was BY FAR the best snorkeling we have experienced--much better than the Caribbean or Hawaii and better even than the Galapagos Islands, and by a lot. 

Three things made it better:

1. We were in a very remote location and besides the three of us (our guide Vincent, Bob, and I), there were only one or two other people in the large bay.

2. The water was crystal clear--very little motion, no bubbles, no pollution. It was as if there was no water at all. Extraordinary.

3. The sea shelf was shallow, and we were usually only about 3-4 feet above the floor. We didn't have to swim far to get to the "good stuff." Less than 30 seconds after we got in the water, we were in underwater paradise.

4. The diversity of sea life was unbelievable. There was a huge variety of colorful coral formations, gently waving plants, and darting fish of every brilliant color, pattern, size, and shape. If it had been possible to gasp or swoon underwater, I would have.

Actually, I do know why I forgot about it. Bob and I neglected to bring an underwater camera, so I didn't have any photos of the experience in my files.  No worries, I just WhatsApp-ed our incredible guide Vincent, and within 30 minutes I had a slew of HIS photos. He had a GoPro underwater camera and took some amazing pictures.

I know I have sung his praises before, but I'll just say again that if you go to Komodo National Park, this man should be your guide. He was one of the best guides we've ever had. 

His photos and videos below are a sampling of the underwater cinema we enjoyed.

At one point, Bob pointed out what looked like a snake. Vincent later identified it as a caterpillar snake. 

All in all, I don't think I have ever seen anything as beautiful, surreal, or magical as that underwater world off the island of Komodo. This was one of my favorite days of the trip.

Thanks, Vincent, not just for the pictures and videos, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Here is how to contact him on WhatsApp: Vincent Komodo Paradise: +62 823-4297-4078

He's also on Instagram:

INDONESIA - DAY 2 IN KOMODO NATIONAL PARK: LOH LIANG PARK ON KOMODO ISLAND

 July 12, 2023

During the night, when the tide movements were right (I think around 11:00 PM), the captain drove the boat a couple of hours to another bay. When we got up, we had a not very appetizing breakfast :

But really, it is amazing that they can cook at all in a kitchen this small.

After breakfast we took the small boat to shore to Loh Liang National Park on Komodo Island.

INDONESIA - DAY 1 IN KOMODO NATIONAL PARK: LOH BUAYA PARK ON RINCA ISLAND

 July 11, 2023

Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises three major islands--Rinca, Komodo, and Padar--and a number of smaller islands. The park covers about 542,000 acres, or 847 square miles.

Rinca (pronounced REEN-cha) Island, one of the three largest islands but with fewer tourists than Komodo Island, is famous for its Komodo dragons. Just over 70 square miles, the island has a population of about 1,800 people and 1,300 Komodo dragons. I believe that is the biggest population of Komodo dragons on a single island in the park (and therefore in the world as Komodo dragons are endemic to this area). And yes, occasionally someone is killed by one of the dragons. Our guides told us that Komodo dragons are not venomous, but have dozens of fatal bacteria in their bite.  Some scientists insist, however, that there is also venom in the dragon's saliva. A human who is bitten by a Komodo dragon at the very least may lose the limb that was bitten, and may even die. Go here to see Smithsonian magazine's list of the most infamous Komodo dragon attacks on humans. 

After being ferried onshore at Rinca Island by Elfrid in his motorboat . . . 

. . . we were greeted by this very large statue of fighting dragons--something we would have loved to see played out in real life.

Bob was about to live the dream he had as a little boy--to see a Komodo dragon in the wild.

INDONESIA - BALI TO LABUAN BAJO TO KELOR ISLAND

 July 11, 2023

We got up at 4:20 AM, feeling sleep depreived, and were in the lobby at 5:30 as instructed. Our guide and driver were 15 minutes late, but we had plenty of time at the airport. 

I liked the reminder to stand to the left on the escalator so those in a hurry can get past you.

Another practical feature are the child-sized toilets in the "mother's stall."  Why don't more public restrooms do this? 

The photo murals are unique . . .

. . . as are the swirling fabric fans suspended from the ceiling.