Komodo National Park
The freaking Komodo …. I’m still in awe that I’m here, place I used to watch in TV or read in travel magazines about it. After I did the “celebrity get me out of here, escape run for freedom” through taxi drivers at the local airport Labuan Bajo, it struck me that I’m at Komodo National Park gateway. Walking towards the accommodation ‘Bajo Natural Backpackers’ through the local street is my favorite start of the trip. This way I’m immersed in the culture and people are happy to see tourist walking through their living areas and not only at pool side in hotel resort. As well, they have fun see the white man dragging his forking “small” suitcase in the heat of the middle of the day, taking shower in his own sweat. Anyhow I walked as it was only half an hour from the airport to the hostel and no one was waiting for me as it was agreed.
Since I arrived around sunset time, I was happy to walk at view point on the road full of locals hanging around on their scooters. Sunset is attraction but tall white man dragging diving suitcase is even better attraction. At least judging by the looks of by passers. Got to the hostel after a little detour and happy to take shower and change clothes. Now I was ready to get some dinner after little walk around, but very short walk as I was tired. Found this Hong Signature Seafood Cuisine restaurant on top floor with glass walls, what created a fab view. Good food and close to hostel so happy solution for tired traveler.
Since I have gift of getting chest infection I was not ready to dive. Therefore I was drug taking, lazy boy who need to wait in wain for sickness to pass. Went to get to scuba shops to arrange my diving and get some advice re food and possible things to do while on drugs. Scuba Republic was recommended to me by Carlos the pal I met at Malapascua. He was Spanish so I expected a lot of Spanish but it was not as much as I expected. Paco and Joan are only two Spanish speaking dudes here as much as they are Catalan, they do speak Spanish. Shivaan the diving instructor who was in the shop is chilled as cucumber and so we spoke about my diving and other things. Advised me on the food places and things to do as well as where to rent scooter and get a day trip boat. Not bad for the first day to get all info and meet some new friends ‘in making’ of course.
At the hostel I met Elliot, cool dude from UK not that he is cold like UK. Diver as well nut more of traveler than a diver but we are on the same wavelength. Chatted a bit and then time for lunch so out I went to Warung Mama what is buffet style restaurant with cheap food. As I went upstairs I saw Elliot sat there so we chatted a bit more. Not stalking him at all. He was looking for refresher course and some diving so I told him to get into Scuba Republic. He organized the refresher and some dives while I will be on the tour boat on two days trip.
Two days and one night boat trip to see Komodo Dragons and some beaches as well as the flying foxes. The small ish boat for five guest, two couples and me with crew is just about enough. We started at small island with “hike” i.e short walk to top of the one hill. View was nice and the heat of the day was fecking hot. No point to dwell onto details but snorkeling was not so good, except to see mantas and get a Irish lobster red tan. The two things I did enjoyed were Komodo Dragons National park and flying foxes. Komodo dragons tour was great except one thing, that we arrived there at lunch. This means the Sun is up and burn everything and everyone to crisp. After paying 350 000 IDR for piece of papers, what no one can explain the purpose. I asked what they are for as I received five ‘tickets’ and when asked what are they for, I received three different explanations from three different men. The fourth one stepped in when realized that I’m paying attention to what the other three saying and catching them laying. Long story short I believe that some is relevant and some is scam. This is based also on our boat guide sentence that usually cost more but he give us discount.
However we got tickets and met our guide, who explained that we have options of three walking tours ‘ long, medium, short’ so since everyone was quiet I asked for medium. All agreed and then the guide half asked, half mentioned that he will advise walk through forest instead of savannah as the lunch heat is in full power. Also answered the question that it is not always possible to see dragons, when one couple asked if they for sure see dragon. However as we turned literally on spot facing the walk the one dragon was resting right front of us under the house. Three more under next house. If we looked around we did not need to buy tickets as we saw all the dragons within ten meters of the coffee shop / ticket booth. Few stories later ‘ I will never forgot the one where dragons ate German photographer who get off the path, as only his camera and sunglass were found’ we finished our medium walk and left National park.
The most fascinating for me personally was watching the flying foxes ‘huge motherfucker bats’ flying from mangrove forest in the middle of the ocean towards the Flores island. It is amazing how with the sunset starting at 18:00 the bats starting flying out from the left hand side of island. Looked like one group or family leave one side of island. It took the first group about forty minutes to leave and fly in straight line like highway. Then the right hand side of island group started to leave, those were not as organized as the previous group. Looked like youngsters doing whatever they want. Over all we watch them for hour and then we needed to leave as it was getting too dark for boat to sail. AS far as we can saw they were still flying. Two of them were following boat and then disappeared over the horizon in complete opposite direction then the rest of them. Those might be the reconnaissance team to find new feeding grounds or just rebels who do not like follow the heard.
Well, after that the trip could end for me as rest of it was boring snorkeling what I did not do. This was due the fact that this season Irish Lobster Red tan was too raw.
Glad to be back on land and ready to go diving I cannot wait to get into hostel pack my gear. Stopped at dive shop to confirm the diving day. What a great feeling to find people with the same interest and energy. During the packing we agreed with Elliot to join the Scuba Republic for dinner at Happy Banana. What a treat of scrumptious food and fabulous company of best people. Nice way to finish day with cool people, talking about diving and life before hitting the night club with live band. This is where the story ends for today.
btw. Photos in gallery :-)
