Snorkeling with the Komodos (we didn't but it sounds good)

Day 9

We survived our first day and night on the boat.  It was another busy day of hiking with the komodo and snorkeling.  We did get a very early wake up call as they turn the engines on at 5 am.  And you can't sleep through that very well.  The one catch with the cabin on the boat is that we are underneath so it is pretty hot and stuffy.  We could have air conditioning but it involves a loud generator all night.  So nobody really fought for it.  After our early wake up we had a 2 hour travel to the next animal hike.

Our second hike was on Komodo Island.  Which funnily enough has less komodo than Rinca.  As usual the komodo are all around the buildings at the entrance of the park.  But we had a nice hike through the jungle.  We didn't see too much this time going through.  There were a lot more open spaces here to feel the hot sun coming down on us.  We did see a boar as we started our hike.  All these other animals we've spotted are good komodo food.  They will attack the boars, deer and buffalo with no issues.  The boar seemed a bit brave wandering so close to the komodos.

Komodo island actually has a permanent village on the island.  It's not a huge population but they do manage to coexist with the komodo well.  We didn't get close enough to visit.  It's a small part of the island that we hiked around here.

this is some of the group up on the stairs with the
ranger and his stick to protect them

That was our second and last hike to find komodo sadly.  But still a lot of snorkeling opportunities to go.  And getting in the nice cool water feels so good after a hot and sweaty hike.  I really can't say that enough.  And snorkeling is always great to get a chance to see an entirely new world.

coral

Our first stop was at pink beach.  So called because of all the red coral that washes ashore.  It does actually have a light pink hue.  It's not nearly as bright red as some of the pictures I've seen online but if you are looking you can see that it is pink.  The snorkeling here was quite good, if not very popular with many groups.  There was lots of colorful coral and fish to watch while floating above.  The water wasn't too rough either and you could just float around and watch quite easily.

We did opt out of the second snorkel of the day.  It was in open water so you had to jump in from the boat.  And you also have to drag yourself back onto the boat.  And they made them all get into the small boat and then get on the big boat.  Terry's shoulder eliminated that as an option and I'm not as good with snorkeling when I have to get out in the open water.  There was a chance to see manta rays.  We did see a few from the boat but they were far down so we didn't get a chance to get pictures or see much other than a vague shape moving past us.

the cabin on the boat.  This is pretty much all of it there
was only a few feet between the bed and the door

The third opportunity for snorkeling today was just Terry and I with Mikhail.  It was a really good one again.  We had the garbage layer to view first.  The only catch is that the tide was low so the reef was really close to the surface.  You did have to be careful and stay away from the higher stuff and it was a bit unnerving to be that close to the coral.  On this outing we saw lots of sea cucumbers.  To which Mikhail said he likes them better on his plate.

I must say that once you get used to the routine it is very relaxing to relax on the deck of the boat while you sail through all the various islands.  And that surreal moment of the trip where I realize I've travelled to the other side of the planet and am on a boat in the Flores sea watching the islands go by.

snorkeling selfie