The hiding komodos
The fact that around 1600 Komodo dragons can only be found in this part of the world, the closest link to the ancient dinosaurs, KI has since been put onto the global travel map. Although I am not a big fan of Komodo dragons because of their highly predatory and vicious nature, I was lured by the landscape and the promise of a teeming sea life. Glad to say, we were not disappointed- we got to explore Komodo Island in a day through a guided boat tour around six islands. We also saw two Komodo dragons at Komodo National Park, one is fully grown at two meters long and the other, young. The rangers said it is mating season, and so a lot of them are in hiding, which is fine by me. I can’t imagine being surrounded by dozens of them at any given time, yikes 
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.Exploring Padar Island, Taka Makassar and Manta Point
It was a fun, although hectic excursion, the alternative is to join a liveaboard for one or two nights. Hiking Padar Island, where the dragons used to live for many years, was a highlight, because of the pristine views at the top. The beaches and sandbars were wow especially at Taka Makassar.
The sparkling clear waters and fine white sand were reminiscent of Maldives. But the snorkeling was not as spectacular as Philippines. While the prospect of spotting manta rays got us so excited, it turned out to be hit-and-miss. It is not guaranteed, more so, that they move so fast. The strong current and rough waves made the snorkeling at Manta Point a bit nerve-racking.
Sleepless in Labuan Bajo
But the gateway to the islands, Labuan Bajo, our base for several days, was a delight. It is a rustic country town with a bustling harbour dotted with tour boats, yachts, shops, restaurants and fresh seafood. And several times a day, Muslim prayers are heard, as well as the highly disruptive foghorns. There is no escaping, even at night when you are in the middle of sleep. Hence, I am wide awake by 4am everyday on this trip.
Sunsets are a daily ritual, and they are pure bliss alongside the hospitable and friendly locals who made sure that we had an amazing stay.
