Making our way east from Java, we took a short pit stop on Bali to rejuvenate ourselves although we didn't do more than relax at our hotel and take an occasional dip in the ocean. From there we took yet another bus/ferry/bus/ferry combo and made our way to beautiful Gili Trawangan (a small islet just off of the coast of Lombok). We spent four amazing days soaking up the sun, bike riding, swimming and snorkeling (we even swam with sea turtles!). We also celebrated our 2nd Anniversary with a beautiful candlelit dinner on a remote beach on the north side of the islet. Gili T. truly was a paradise and saying goodbye to it was difficult, but we were anticipating the journey we had ahead of us toward the Indonesian province of Nusa Tenggara. The journey started off without a hitch, and we passed over Lombok and Sumbawa trouble free. However, when we arrived at our last port around 5:45am (after 14 hours of non-stop traveling) the ferry that was scheduled to leave at 8:00am was chugging its way away from the pier. We were told that the ferry would be returning later that evening, however, it would be going to a completely different island and that it wouldn't be running to Flores again for another two days. We were devastated! We were literally stranded in the port city... more like village, of Sape. After a quick survey of the situation we assessed that Sape was a small, dingy port town, with only one restaurant and only one “rat-hole” hotel. There was absolutely nothing to do! Luckily we weren't the only ones trapped at this dead-end town. Two other travelers from Sweden (Jerker & Lydia) were stuck in the pit with us.
We investigated other alternatives to the ferry but upon inspection and with horror stories and strong advisories by our Lonely Planet guides, we decided that there was no “safe” alternative to the problem of the ferry. We made the most of our time in Sape walking down the single road that made up the community. Local children came out of the woodwork to take a look at the foreigners and were more than excited to pose for a photo or two... or seven. But when the ferry arrived in two days time, we were more than happy to say goodbye. We boarded the ferry and were back on track. After about eight hours we made it to the city of Labuanbajo, Flores which was our next destination. We were thrilled to be there, even though our visit would now have to be brief.
Our main reason for making this intense journey and traveling through Nusa Tenggara was so that we would be able to visit the islands of Komodo & Rinca (pronounced Reen-cha), the only places in the world that one can observe the Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards and, as some would claim, the last of the dinosaurs. At 3:40 am the next day (yes, we were exhausted) we headed out, with our Swedish friends Lydia and Jerker, and a fellow “commonwealther” Collin, from London, England. Together we began our Komodo adventure.
After a calm four hour boat ride, we made it to the island of Komodo. We hopped out of the boat and began our hunt for the elusive dragons. Not too long after we began our trek, we ran into our first Komodo, who was enjoying a tasty deer feast. We later were lucky enough to see four more dragons greedily munching on the venison. Seeing these creatures in the wild truly was incredible, but also a little intimidating (they were so close and they are extremely dangerous). It was a strange sensation. On one hand, part of you desperately wanted to see an over sized, aggressive, poisonous lizard in all its ferocity, on the other hand, you hoped that it didn't want to see you. We were also on edge due to the fact that we had heard (and now confirmed) that there was a death on the island 3 weeks ago when a 9 year old boy was attacked and brutally killed by a dragon while on his way back from the restroom. Not the kind of thing that puts you at ease. Komodos can be 3 to 4 meters in length and have 60 different types of bacteria in their saliva which becomes a chemical cocktail as it enters the bloodstream.
After our trek, we stopped at a beach on Komodo Island where we were able to get off the boat and into the water for some snorkeling. On the surface the water looked just as beautiful as any other Indonesian beach, however, under the water it was a whole different story. The snorkeling was the best that we have ever encountered. The coral was so bright and untouched, and the fish were in the thousands (no word of a lie). We enjoyed this underwater experience, and it will be remembered as our best snorkeling trip ever!
After a delicious lunch we snoozed away the 2 hour trip to Rinca island where we went back to Komodo spotting once again. Rica Island, the only other place on earth to have these creatures, was quiet when we arrived. However when it seemed that our visit had been fruitless, we headed back to the boat and were met by three dragons on the way(including one large and intimidating one). Overall, we were extremely successful with regard to our Komodo hunt, and the day was a huge hit for the whole crew.
We had made our way across Nusa Tenggara with the intent on catching a glimpse of the Komodos and although there were a few rough patches along the way, we were able to accomplish our goal, and pick up a few friends along the way.
Making our way east from Java, we took a short pit stop on Bali to rejuvenate ourselves although we didn't do more than relax at our hotel and take an occasional dip in the ocean. From there we took yet another bus/ferry/bus/ferry combo and made our way to beautiful Gili Trawangan (a small islet just off of the coast of Lombok). We spent four amazing days soaking up the sun, bike riding, swimming and snorkeling (we even swam with sea turtles!). We also celebrated our 2nd Anniversary with a beautiful candlelit dinner on a remote beach on the north side of the islet. Gili T. truly was a paradise and saying goodbye to it was difficult, but we were anticipating the journey we had ahead of us toward the Indonesian province of Nusa Tenggara. The journey started off without a hitch, and we passed over Lombok and Sumbawa trouble free. However, when we arrived at our last port around 5:45am (after 14 hours of non-stop traveling) the ferry that was scheduled to leave at 8:00am was chugging its way away from the pier. We were told that the ferry would be returning later that evening, however, it would be going to a completely different island and that it wouldn't be running to Flores again for another two days. We were devastated! We were literally stranded in the port city... more like village, of Sape. After a quick survey of the situation we assessed that Sape was a small, dingy port town, with only one restaurant and only one “rat-hole” hotel. There was absolutely nothing to do! Luckily we weren't the only ones trapped at this dead-end town. Two other travelers from Sweden (Jerker & Lydia) were stuck in the pit with us.
We investigated other alternatives to the ferry but upon inspection and with horror stories and strong advisories by our Lonely Planet guides, we decided that there was no “safe” alternative to the problem of the ferry. We made the most of our time in Sape walking down the single road that made up the community. Local children came out of the woodwork to take a look at the foreigners and were more than excited to pose for a photo or two... or seven. But when the ferry arrived in two days time, we were more than happy to say goodbye. We boarded the ferry and were back on track. After about eight hours we made it to the city of Labuanbajo, Flores which was our next destination. We were thrilled to be there, even though our visit would now have to be brief.
Our main reason for making this intense journey and traveling through Nusa Tenggara was so that we would be able to visit the islands of Komodo & Rinca (pronounced Reen-cha), the only places in the world that one can observe the Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards and, as some would claim, the last of the dinosaurs. At 3:40 am the next day (yes, we were exhausted) we headed out, with our Swedish friends Lydia and Jerker, and a fellow “commonwealther” Collin, from London, England. Together we began our Komodo adventure.
After a calm four hour boat ride, we made it to the island of Komodo. We hopped out of the boat and began our hunt for the elusive dragons. Not too long after we began our trek, we ran into our first Komodo, who was enjoying a tasty deer feast. We later were lucky enough to see four more dragons greedily munching on the venison. Seeing these creatures in the wild truly was incredible, but also a little intimidating (they were so close and they are extremely dangerous). It was a strange sensation. On one hand, part of you desperately wanted to see an over sized, aggressive, poisonous lizard in all its ferocity, on the other hand, you hoped that it didn't want to see you. We were also on edge due to the fact that we had heard (and now confirmed) that there was a death on the island 3 weeks ago when a 9 year old boy was attacked and brutally killed by a dragon while on his way back from the restroom. Not the kind of thing that puts you at ease. Komodos can be 3 to 4 meters in length and have 60 different types of bacteria in their saliva which becomes a chemical cocktail as it enters the bloodstream.
After our trek, we stopped at a beach on Komodo Island where we were able to get off the boat and into the water for some snorkeling. On the surface the water looked just as beautiful as any other Indonesian beach, however, under the water it was a whole different story. The snorkeling was the best that we have ever encountered. The coral was so bright and untouched, and the fish were in the thousands (no word of a lie). We enjoyed this underwater experience, and it will be remembered as our best snorkeling trip ever!
After a delicious lunch we snoozed away the 2 hour trip to Rinca island where we went back to Komodo spotting once again. Rica Island, the only other place on earth to have these creatures, was quiet when we arrived. However when it seemed that our visit had been fruitless, we headed back to the boat and were met by three dragons on the way(including one large and intimidating one). Overall, we were extremely successful with regard to our Komodo hunt, and the day was a huge hit for the whole crew.
We had made our way across Nusa Tenggara with the intent on catching a glimpse of the Komodos and although there were a few rough patches along the way, we were able to accomplish our goal, and pick up a few friends along the way.
1 comment:
pretty sick guys....i see jonos gettin the dirty stach hahah
miss u guys
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