#flathal #flatstanleyproject #komodoisland #indonesia
Komodo Island was one of the most anticipated stops on our trip. Not just the Flat Friends, but countless other guests were eagerly looking forward to seeing a Komodo Dragon in person.
There are only about 3,000 Dragons left in existence, and we were going to their home, as tolerated guests—so long as we behaved.
Our arrival into the bay (and our departure) was absolutely striking! Tall mountains, islands so close to one another that Flat Hal wondered if a professional athlete could throw a football from one to the next!
A Park Ranger and two guides led our group of 20 along a mile and a half trail through Komodo National Park.
We were searching for Komodo Dragons, but that didn’t stop us from making other discoveries along the way.
Flat Halena was delighted to see an orchid along the trail! We see them in florist shops back home, but had never before seen one growing wild!
The round, greyish-green fruits, which are still growing are Sugar Apple / Custard Apple. The green, bumpy fruit with the distinctive “scale-like” segments is one that is almost ripe!
Our eyes were caught by: Yellow Trumpet bush, Vanda Orchid, Yellow Flame Tree, Bracket Fungus / Shelf Fungus, & a Komodo Land Snail
Flat Hal had a funny thought early in our hike, and asked Flat Halena, “What are you expecting?” She looked at Flat Hal like he was silly and said, “Dragons! What do you mean?” Flat Hal was a little embarrassed as he answered, “I guess I was so excited about coming I never stopped to think about what I expected. Fearsome? Territorial?” He glanced at the sun streaming between trees, “Sunbathing?” Flat Halena wanted to laugh, but that’s when she realized she didn’t know either! “I guess we’re expecting to be surprised,” she declared!
The Flat Friends saw dragons pretending to sleep by a watering hole. They were likely waiting for the heat to ease given they were in the shade.
We saw some walking down the trail (one led our group for a while! Well, maybe we followed it patiently, but it felt like it led.).
Others were tucked up close together, like friends visiting.
We even saw a lady dragon guarding her nest! The dragons minded their own business and let us walk on by.
There are almost as many Komodo Dragons as people that call Komodo Island home. Other passengers went to visit their village, and snorkel near the pink sand beach.
We were amazed by the natural beauty — the butterflies, the sight of a rare yellow-crested cockatoo, and the lush greenery that surrounded our walk through the park.
Locals came out in their klotok boats to look at our big cruise ship. We could hear these wooden motorboats coming! Other small boats (compared to ours) brought groups of tourists from neighboring islands. Everywhere we turned it was a day of interesting sights, big and small.
