Fai Tira blog Tuesday 26th October 2010

 Rinca and Komodo 8:36.41S 119:31.39E

 

 

We are on route to the Gili Islands after a great stay at Rinca and Komodo.  As day broke we were rewarded with a fantastic scene, the volcanic island of Flores appeared out of the gloom.

 

As soon as we arrived we were visited by the local boat boys selling their wares.  Komodo dragon carvings and pearls were to be had for a relative pittance.  You could even trade shoes, rope, and snorkelling masks for them.

 

 

 

 

After we had spent all our money with these friendly people we went on the beach in the evening to look for a dragon or two but didn't see any.  We saw tracks, though, so we knew they were there.

 

 

Here is Jaumie ready to defend us against these man-eating reptiles!!

 

 

We did get to see a big wild water buffalo bathe in a pool in the river only 20 yards away.  Look closely and you can see it wandering off.

 

 

The next morning we went for a long walk in the hills to search out a dragon. We didn't find one until we got back to the beach and there was one: under a tree only feet away from our dinghy. 

 

 

It walked off quite quickly but I managed to track it to its home and caught sight of it another four times.

 

 

On the way to Komodo we passed some dramatic scenery.   We had to hug the shoreline to evade the 6 knot current which was against us.

We then arranged to go Komodo and meet Jackamy and Sol Maria so that we could all go snorkelling and diving. 

 

 

We had a great dive with loads of fish and a massive Moray Eel. It was the first time I had used my newish BCD. 

 

 

After the dive we arranged to do sundowners on the so-called Pink Beach but on the way there were shouts from Sol Maria to say a big Manta Ray was cruising around.  I had my mask and snorkel so dived in with my camera, and had such a fantastic time as it seemed to want to play, coming so close I could touch it.  It was about two metres across with lovely markings and I got some great photos.  Most of us saw it except for John and Jeremy who had just come back from snorkelling.

 

On the way to the pink beach. 

We all got to the beach elated after such a great day.  Dragons, Eels and Mantas.

 

The next morning we got in our dinghies and went to Komodo village. 

 

It was very poor and we had forgotten to take anything with us.  We had given lots to the boat boys the day before, however, and Sol Maria had brought over a package of stuff for the schoolkids.

 

Everybody had a smile for us.  This woman was delighted with her Jackamy tee shirt.

 

Fishing seemed to be the main source of food.  There were a couple of shops but they were very poorly stocked.

 

All the houses were on stilts.  Our guide told us that it floods in the rainy season so being off the ground is a good idea.

 

After a quick look around we headed off to a little island where we told there was another great dive site.  It was beautiful and full of fish.  Big Fish!!!  

 

After the dive we managed to get our tanks refilled on a live-aboard dive boat, before we headed off at 4.00pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Another great day and to round it off a great sunset.