Vivian's birthday treat

Thursday 24th
Woke just before 6.00 and a lovely day ahead - Komodo Island was just outside as we made our way into the bay, where we later anchored. The crew were up too and soon the tender/lifeboat by our cabin was  more being lowered. Vivian had her cup of tea in bed to celebrate her birthday and we were soon up to get ready for our excursion ashore.

The day looked hot, and it was. Luckily our trip left early at 8.30 and we were tendered in the second boat (with only a couple of dozen of us).  This was our group and we had 2 rangers plus a guide from the tourist company. The rangers carried sticks about 6 foot long, with forked prongs on the end. Given that we had been told that the dragons can run at 30kph for a short distance and that they are also poisonous, this seemed a little primitive. In the briefing beforehand we had been told that there was no guarantee that we would see any dragons,  as they tend to sleep during the heat of the day.  We were also instructed not to run, wave cameras or bags and generally to take it easy.

So off our little group went and once again we were pleased that it was only 9.00 as it was more than hot enough. The island is sparsely covered with spindly trees and in particular palm trees. Surprisingly the baby dragons (lizards) live in these trees for 3 years before they come down. This is because the adults will eat them - they are very cannibalistic. Because they young nest inside the trees, there is considerable dieback. Adult dragons live to 60/70 and when they dir, they too are consumed by others. All very tidy.

So here we are, all looking at this half-dead palm tree, with about a quarter of a young dragon sticking it's head out. All taking photos and looking up, when suddenly out of nowhere an adult dragon comes running (OK wobbling) up the path behind us. He is a good 8 foot long and is NOT happy. All 3 of our guides/rangers rush back and use their sticks to good effect. The dragon is redirected and wanders back into the bush.  Most exciting - we have certainly seen a real Komodo Dragon. Vivian thinks that this is enough and would prefer to go home, but there's no other way than forward.

Moving on, we stop to admire some trees and once again the guide is explaining the traditional uses, when our friend returns yet again - he is still not happy about our little group, despite the fact that about 5 other groups had already been through and dozens were yet to follow. Vivian has seen enough!   On we go and enter an area with a "silence" sign (I think that this is where their "tame" dragons are located).  Sure enough, 2 adults are happily sleeping under a big tree in a massive clearing, waiting for their photos to be taken. But we also see a couple of young ones, about 2 foot long, as well as numerous deer. The deer are very tame and graze very close to the track and were not in the least worried about us, as we are not the enemy, but the dragons are. Apparently deer, pigs etc are bred food for the dragons.  Anyway, while photographing the sleeping dragons, good old grumpy comes along again. This time however he seems quite happy to stay with the other dragons and happy to day that we did not see him again.

Soon the track returned us to the waterfront and the tour ended.  We then wandered down to the market, which was typically Indonesian - all the same stuff, lots and lots of vendors, noisy and in your face. We decided that we had had enough and headed back to the tender and the ship. Got back in time for our usual 11.00 coffee and then the deck in the shade. Although it was only a short time ashore, it was more pleasant to be back and change into something cooler (we wore long trousers and blouse).   Vivian's afternoon is being rounded off with a rest, which is unusual as there is no bridge today.  A few sea days until we reach Darwin on Sunday and then the reality of nearly being home will set in. 8 weeks today since we left and so, so many things seen & done.