Today we are island hopping, visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Komodo National Park. We will be calling at Komodo Island to see theire most famous residents, and later explore the unihabitated Padar Island. The Komodo National Park encompasses a total of 29 volcanic islands, including the 3 major islands Rinca, Padar and Komodo and is home to approximately 2,500 Komodo Dragons
It is an amazing experience travelling by boat to the national park. Komodo National Park covers the entire region, and is made up of rusty-red volcanic hills, savannah and forests. Its surrounding waters of seagrass beds, mangrove. shrublands and coral reefs are famous for the diversity of life that thrives in these varied habitats.
We had been warned before hand that we may not see any Dragons, as they are somtimes illusive, but today the dragons were out and about, as if waiting for us. This was unexpected as the park rangers had said that they weren't sure if any dragons would be out and about, at the time of day we were sheduled to arrive, namely early morning.
The best time to visit is around midday if you want a good chance to see these magnificent reptiles, but they were out and about and at least 3 dragons manouvered around us. It was great to see them in the natural habitat, ignoring the people who had paid so much to see them.
As we have planned to visit Padar Island also today, its farewell to these beutifull creatures and back aboard our boat for lunch and the journey to Padar.
WELCOME TO PADAR
The breathtakingly beautiful landscape on Padar Island is second to none. This island is the perfect place for a scenic hike and spectacular photo opertunities.
As you ascend one of the many grassy hills, you will be swept away by the surrounding gorgeous green, white and blue hues, before you.
The view from the peaks of Padar Island is the most beautiful sights in Indonesia. It,s a 30 minute hike to Padar's summit to expierience a panoramic view of the island. The vantage point from the tallest peak will give you a stunning view of four crescent-shaped sparkling beaches. Great views can be seen from many of the lower vantage points, so dont think you have to kill yourself getting to the highest vantage point.
Padar is small, but is the third largest island of Komodo National Park, and was once a stomping ground for the immense dragons that gave the reserve its name.
There once were three kinds of Komodo dragons found here but sadly no longer.
It’s all surrounded by three turquoise bays, and curiously, each one of the bays’ beaches has different coloured sand: One is pearly white, another charcoal black, and a third is a very rare baby pink. It is a rare combination, a quirk of this unique island.
You really have to walk along pink beach when you visit the island before its too late, as the pink colour of the sand is fading as visitors remove handfulls faster then the dieing coral can replace it.
The magical pink beach on Padar.
And so we say farewell to these remote Indonisian islands and head back to Bali. Lifes so hard.
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