Komodo National Park, Rinca Island

One of the highlights of the cruise is Komodo Dragons!

We tendered to Rinca and were greeted by a guide and his team. A boardwalk has been constructed for tourists to stay clear of the hot jungle and the large lizards. Today, it was tropically hot and humid, but otherwise fine.

We were not prepared for how beautiful the Komodo National Park/Komodo Islands are: gorgeous land scenery and beautiful waters. The islands span some 670 miles, 26 small islands and 3 large islands – Komodo, Padar and Rinca (our stop).

Komodo Dragons were identified by European scientists in 1910 and have been studied ever since. There are 5,700 of these giant lizards in the park. They exist nowhere else on earth. The average male can be 8.5 feet and can weigh up to 200+ pounds. They dominate their inhabitant and eat birds and mammals (including water buffalos). Attacks on humans are rare, but they do happen. We had to walk the area with one of the rangers. Safety first!

We also saw a buffalo and monkeys. Interesting the way the Dragons take their prey: they bite and inject a toxin that prevents the wound from closing... the blood won't coagulate, and the doomed creature bleeds out or is so 'drained' that they become easy prey for the lizard.

We enjoyed the island, the Dragons, the museum, and the gift shop!Read more