A Notch Down the Food Chain….
As our time here in Komodo dwindles down to our return to Bali our afternoons which have been filled with diving switch to a couple of land excursions.
As advertised we head deep into the Komodo National Park to find the largest living reptiles. Nothing like a lizard carnivore that can run up to 15 mph, climb 20’ high in a tree and has a sense of smell for a 5 mile radius to keep you on your toes.
For our trip we head over to the island of Rinca which is one of only six islands in the world to still have dragons. Because of their scarcity and deadly nature they are well protected and mostly contained within the National park which covers four of the islands. With a local guide we spend a couple hours walking the tails learning about the life and habits of these land crocodiles.
When we finally reach a group lounging in the afternoon shade we start to get the feeling we have stepped into the food chain. I’m comforted that I only have to outrun the slowest member of our group to assure my survival. And like the prey we have become we start to assess amongst ourselves who might be the slowest (sorry Teri}.
With over 57 different bacteria growing inside their mouths it is the bite that actually kills you while they leisurely wait for your demise. As the original inspiration for the 1933 classic King Kong it is easy to see how these reptiles command the respect they deserve. We learn just earlier this year a local boy on Rinca and one of the guides on Komodo both died from attacks.
We actually end up getting fairly close. Maybe too close as one stirs from slumber and starts to make his way in our direction. With only a small stick in the hand of the guide we beat a hasty retreat and continue exploring the island.
Later that evening just at sunset we take off in the dive skiff to a small island of Pulau Kalong. The island is a small cone-shaped hill with a large mangrove forest extending to the southwest. The trees are home to thousands and thousands of fruit bats and each night around sunset, the bats leave their roosts on the island and fly off to Rinca and Flores to feed. It is an impressive site to see. Literally a cloud of flying bats the size of a seagull. Like everything here in Indonesia they are super-sized.
We spend about 45 mins watching and wondering when it will ever end and only depart when the threat of growing darkness drives us back towards our last night on the Duyang Baru.
