“Puff the Magic Dragon” is the soundtrack that goes with the rhythmic chugging of the boat’s engine. “Peter, Paul and Mary’s” pleased pet lived by the sea in a faraway land and I was on my way through the Komodo National Park in Indonesia to track down my own reptilian beast. Feeling a little like St. George, or just Steve Erwin, I sat astride the narrow prow urging on the craft, imaginary sabre in hand – a nautical remake of the “Full Metal Jacket” scene where the blasts “Flight of the Valkyries” from a Huey in flight.
The Komodo National Park was brought into being in 1980 and quickly garnered UNESCO World Heritage status for the wealth of diversity present. Made up of the three main islands of Rinca, Komodo and Padar, the park also include 26 smaller islands, all of which jut out of the sea in a dramatic fashion, harking back to the tectonic upheavals of the Mesozoic era, where the Komodo dragon looks like it could have scrambled out of.
The climate is generally hot and dry with scrub vegetation characteristic of a savannah. This micro climate sees the lowest rainfall in all of Indonesia and the dusty soil is a desiccated pale yellow-brown that whips up into clouds of dust as one treks along the paths. Falling within the coral triangle, healthy colourful reefs are found fringing the islands, where whale sharks, rays, clown fish, and even sunfish make their home.
As we neared the protected islands from our home base of Labuan Bajo, huge wedges of rock break the surface of the seas at all angles. Land ledges protrude at acute angles from all around us. Furrowed, craggy and weather-beaten rock formations rise from turquoise waters, amongst which the endangered Komodo dragon makes its abode.
The Komodo dragons are most abundant on Rinca and Komodo islands, although they can be found on other islands within the park such as Gili Motang and Gili Dasami. They are, however, extinct on Padar island.
On Komodo island, they can be found basking in the sun right up to the jetty. Others can be seen ambling lazing across the island, generally in a placid mood. When threatened, the lizards hiss – much like a prolonged cat’s hiss. They will also rise up on their fore legs and keep a visual fix on the object of irritation. As imperturbable as these creatures seem, when it rises to the occasion, its bite is much much worse than its hiss. Possibly due to an inability to brush its teeth and maintain sound oral hygiene practices, its mouth and saliva contain a cocktail of bacteria that quickly infects all wounds that the dragon inflicts – causing death by septicemia within 24 hours. After which, it will gobble you down.
These creatures are otherwise magnificent to behold. The largest reptiles to be found on Earth, they grow to three metres long and can weigh in excess of 70 kg. Confined to their picturesque islands, unmarred by mass tourism, these animals live in their little slice of heaven. Tourism is, however, the best hope for preserving these islands in its proper state, luring the people from alternative occupations like illegal fishing where objectionable methods like the application of cyanide and explosives are used – blighting the coral reefs in certain spots.
For now, the integrity of the park is largely maintained. The breeze is cool, the mood is stress-free and the Komodo dragon appears to be contented.
Win a trip to the Komodo Islands
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism is running a “Wonderful Indonesia Bucket List” competition from now till 16 November 2015 in which 10 lucky winners will win a 3D2N trip to the Komodo Islands with pocket money provided.
For a chance to win, all you have to do is create a creative video (30 seconds to one minute) that includes an introduction about themselves and why he/she should win the trip to Indonesia.
For details on the competition, click here.
Terms and conditions:
1. Contestants must be at least 18 years old as of 16 October 2015 to participate in this Contest and can be from any country (excluding Indonesia).
2. The following persons are not eligible to participate in this Contest: (a) employees of The Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Indonesia, its regular contributors, agents and contractors, the promoters, and individuals connected with any company involved in the competition, including for the avoidance of doubt employees, and the competition partners and members of the immediate family of the persons stated above and (b) any persons who are prohibited under the laws of their country of residency or domicile to participate in this Contest.
2 Comments
Very nicely written!
TQ, just a short blurb