Dragons!!!!

Wohhhooooo!!! What a cool few days we've had!!! We've made the last of our long excursion (as only a month left on this trip!) and it took us almost all the way to Oz! Well, Komodo Island and Flores anyway!!!

Komodo Island is, of course, named after the gigantic monitor lizards who inhabit the island and is 4 hours boat journey from another iskand called Flores. We opted for flying to Flores as the boat journey takes 3 days vs 1.5 hours by plane... Not a very difficult choice really! Arrived in the very quiet town of Luan Bajo, checked into a lovely little place called Gardena, booked our boat to Komodo and then relax! So great! Bit of a difference to Bali to say the least. Not a lot of travellers seem to have enough time to make it this far. Had lots of hassles though... another bad planning from us, and a bit of misleading info from some guys in Bali. We were told that there were 2 banks in town and one ATM. After paying for the boat to Komodo Island and finding out that the National Park charges $15 entrance fee, we were left with little money... We still had to purchase our return plane ticket as well... So...Off to the bank we go!!! Oh, we live in such a different world we don't even know it's Saturday and all banks are closed of course! Drama drama! We go and see the airline people instead and cross our fingers we can pay by card. When we get to their office, which is nothing more than your average falling down garden shed, well, we loose hope a little. Turns out to book a plane ticket here though all you have to do is write your name down on a list, and come and buy the ticket and reconfirm that the flight actually will leave the day before! No money needed until then! Wahoo! We're saved! For now anyway! All will be sorted on Monday when the bank reopens : ) We hope!

 

Had a magical day on Komodo Island. We were slightly comatosed when our skipper picked us up at 4.30 am. It hadn't been a good night... Think we had 2 hours sleep at the most... The England supporters were veeery loud! Had decided not to watch the game as it was on too late, and wanted to be rested for the trip... Oh well! Shame England lost on penalties again! What's that about?! Luckily we had chartered a boat all to ourselves (living the high-life like one should!), and could lie in the front of the boat and nap under the stars. Well, for a while... Then the waves got a bit scary and we had to hold on for dear life! Almost fell out of the boat!!! Fun fun!!!

 

When we finally reached Komodo we were so excited! Had a chat with the park office then our ranger took us on a nice walk...Felt like Lord of the Rings! Col Gandalf of course! We even had little walking sticks (which doubles up as a defensive, super genious stick too!) Everything feels and looks so ancient! We were trying to spot Dragons ofcourse but didn't have much luck... Saw lots of other stuff though, cool birds and a few snakes. One was a biggy! I think it was a Brown Snake (the most poisionous snake in the world, glad I didn't know about them being there until we saw it! I would have been very paranoid!) Our guide jumped a mile and almost wet himself!!! Ahh! Hahaha! Then the nervous laughter! Heheh! Eventually we managed to see a Komodo, but it was a baby and it was running the other way!!!! Damn! It was really the wrong time of year as it's the mating season, but oh well, with tears in our eyes we returned to the office. And good news reach us! Someone has spotted a male Dragon by the Staff Canteen! And WOW!!!!!! It's the biggest thing ever!!! Amazing! Sod the walk, we sould have had a cuppa and waited for it!!! We even got to play with its tail a little! Have to remember that these dinosaurs of lizards actually can kill you....Then we heard that there was another one on the beach! WOoooooooow!!!! Like the coolest day of our lives I think!!!! We were so happy, so happy!!!

 

After Komodo we did some snorkelling jsut off the coast in a place called Red Beach! My god! As if this day couldn't get any better!!! The most amazing Coal garden I have ever seen, anywhere in the world!!! It was absolutely amazing! Any colour and shape, and in perfect condition too! Don't tell anyone though cos they'll go there and it'll get ruined!

 

When we got back to Flores I slept for something like 14 hours! Still recovering really! Nevermind eh?! Luckily Col's reading a good book and doesn't notice if I'm there or not!!

 

Anyhow, yesterday was Monday and we had to sort our money problems out... Did find a bank and did get money! We were so happy yet again!!! Our address will not have to be Flores after all! Not that I would have minded too much! Banks at home should follow the Indonesian way too, free tea and coofee AND cakes! Now, that's something : )