Komodo!

Arrived late evening, grabbed dinner at hostel which is like a resort, played pool and table tennis, also checked out dive shop for tomorrow!

First day of diving was insane, went to north Komodo which is home to the biggest currents in the world. Checked out castle rock, crystal rock and another dive site. First two were mentally good, last one was just ok. Someone in our dive group, Kowry was a nightmare, no idea how she was an advanced diver, the guide essentially had to swim for her and it was dangerous. The currents were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and hanging on by a hook was wild. Dived with Ben and Mick who was sound, grabbed dinner after at cuchina where I got the biggest calzone ever and jumped in the pool too.

Day 2 of diving was a cool one! First dive sucked a little, only spent 40 mins down because one of our team’s air management was terrible but the following dives he got taken up the dive master in training so it was all good. James and Chris our other buddy team were from New Zealand and sailing around the world which sounded awesome. First dive site was sabayor besar, second site was batu bolong and third was manta point. Batu bolong was ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and it was incredible. Along with seeing some massive fish, it was one of the most colourful sites I’ve ever been to. Last stop was manta point and at the surface we saw absolutely stacks of them, we just wanted to jump in. When we did however it took us about 30 mins before we saw anything and I was so nervous we wouldn’t see anything, but all was ok when we eventually saw about 10 which was incredible. Got back to shore and had to switch hostels which was a shambles. They gave us a fan room instead of an AC room and it was cooking. Met Tasha tho who is the first person I’ve met that has travelled South America out here so super handy for recommendations. we ate in the hostel then headed to bed for an early night.

Next morning I rented a bike, headed for Rangko cave, the roads were empty which was amazing. Didn’t realise I had to get a boat to Rangko which was an experience, met a Portuguese girl called diana who I shared the trip with. Unfortunately she was not the photographer and the pics were terrible lol. We played football with a couple of local kids on the beach before heading back, it was such a serene quiet place. I then drove up the Melo village in the mountains and had lunch with the most unreal view. Used the rest of the time to try and find a postcard which was actually impossible, I found one but it did not blow me away. Had dinner at seaesta and played some cards with Tasha and Aris before heading to bed (back at seaesta now!)

Today was the day of our private boat trip! Was actually surreal that no one else booked onto it so we had a private boat to Rinca island to see the Komodo dragons, where e saw loads of really active ones, including some that didn’t want their pic taken and came after us, followed by the dive sites of our choice and lunch. Mawan was so special - we saw 4 mantas, one of which did a fly by right above us, couldn’t believe I got to see that. Then Siaba besar to see SO many turtles. Got back to land and chilled at Blue Marlin with our instructor Akbar and played some cards before heading to seaesta for pool, dinner and cards with Aris again. He showed us this drink the spicy Thai which was incredible so had to get one, played some pool then went to bed. Bonus that they brought me the wrong burger, but I already had a bite out of it so got 2 burgers in the end lol.

Last day we just used to chill, played some table tennis, went in the pool, played some terrible games of pool and then FaceTimed home. Checked out the fish market for dinner in the evening. Fish was unreal but the vegetables were laughable, biggest con yet. Checked into escape bajo for one night as seaesta couldn’t accommodate us (again!) but it was a seriously comfortable bed, and so much colder than seaesta rooms which was a win. I went to the gym before bed whilst Ben watched the north london derby with 1 of the angriest football fans ever.
Grab bike to the airport in the morning to leave - will miss this placeLeer más