Off to see the Komodo Dragons! Komodo National Park, Rinca and Komodo Islands (Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25)

Parched, desolate, beautiful Rinca and Komodo Islands rise from waters that churn with riptides and whirlpools, and are patrolled by lizard royalty, the Komodo dragon.  While cruising the islands, we anchored at Loh Buaya Rinca, Rinca Island for two nights and the third night at North Komodo anchorage. 

Rinca Island was a fantastic stop as we got to see the mighty Komodo Dragons.  One of our Sail Indonesia cruising highlights was the bushwalk through the ancient Komodos habitat where a local guide at Loh Buaya Rinca took us to see not only the dragons but lots of other wildlife, including monkeys, bush turkeys, deer, water buffalo, wild pig and the sea eagle.

On the first day our bush walk guide, Oscar, was a young 25 year old – English speaking Muslim from a nearby village on Rinca Island.  The park rangers hire local villagers to give tours during the height of the tourist season.  When he’s not giving tours, then he fishes with his father.  No matter what the weather conditions are, they always fish as they must eat!

On the second day, our guide was John, a 17 year old high school student studying tourism and several languages – English, German and French; when he finishes his studies, he hopes to work in Bali and to find a wife.  John told us that when he is old enough to get married, he will find a banyan tree where he will pray and meditate for three days, four hours per day, asking the Lord to help him find the right woman to be his wife.  When he finds his mate, then he will offer five water buffalo for her hand.

Once again, Galatea from Menlo Park was anchored next to us at Loh Buaya Rinca!  Galatea continued on to the southern part of Rinca Island and we went on to the northern part of Komodo Island for one night – the scenery was beautiful and the water clarity was awesome.  We bought a lovely red snapper from a local fisherman in a traditional dugout canoe – such a treat to have fresh fish for dinner!