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We'd chosen the early flight to Bali to make a connection to Labuan Bajo at 9.20..but they changed the flight time and we had about 4 hours to waste when we got to Bali...so we hit Kuta beach! Grabbed a taxi, and wandered along the beach, watching the surf and surfers.. it seemed that every 10 meters or so there was a group of people trying to sell us some thing..an umbrella and a sun bed, a surfboard, a massage a drink...Next time! The iced coffee at the Sardinia restaurant was very welcome!
Back to the airport and then on to the plane that was a small 60 seater prop plane! Flying into Flores it was possible to to see the many small islands and reefs, the colours ranging from nearly navy blue to the pales turquoise so bright it looked illuminated from underneath. The scent when we landed was heavenly, a combination of cinnamon, rose and pine, not strong just a flavour in the air.
Eko met us and took us to the hotel... he was to be our guide, so we would be seeing a lot of him for the next few days. Dumped our stuff and went exploring!
Tourism is already making it's presence felt.. a couple of bars and restaurants - we found a bar called Tree top,with it's view over the harbour towards the sunset, sitting on big soft bean bags, delicious calamari fritatta, washed down with an ice cold Bintang beer.. or two!! There were a couple of small super markets and any number of dive and tour shops, mixed in with what the locals need, garages, a fish market, plumbing and tile shops ..not sure how long they will survive when the big tourism investors arrive! Supper at the hotel in Made in Italy, a lovely pizza cooked in a wood fired oven. Back to our room, a final look at the stars from the balcony and then bed.. we were both tired!
Awoke as the sun was coming up and the neighbourhood cockerel was telling me all about it! We packed up and went for leisurely breakfast on the terrace looking down over the harbour. Eko arrived and joined us for for a coffee..the boat was ready and waiting so we shouldered our packs and walked down to the harbour and were helped aboard by our gallant crew..Eko and 3 Indonesian guys, the captain the cook and the general hand. I couldn't believe that the whole boat would be just for us!
Dumped our bags and we were off on our adventure!
First stop, a beautiful sandy beach with pink(ish) sand where we swam off the beach. We snorkelled for about an hour...lovely coral, myriads of fantastically coloured fish, the water warm and crystal clear..just amazing! Back on board we were given lovely coffee and sent off on our way to Rinca. You know the legends on old maps where it says " Here there be dragons".. In Rinca and Komodo it's actually true!
We met up with our guide, Sarafiana who took us out into the island and up to the Savannah. We caught a glimpse of a dragon, moving swiftly thru the undergrowth on our way to the top of the island, a long and hot walk! we picked a good time to visit the islands..after the end of the rainy season when everything is still very green and lush looking. The view from the top of the island was amazing. There are deer, water buffalo and monkeys on the island, we saw traces of their existence.. but we did see a few wild chickens. The cynic in me wonders if they have all been introduced to provide food for the dragons!
A bite from a dragon isn't usually the thing that kills you.. it's the 50 different sorts of horrible bacteria that does it..they bite their victim and then just hang around waiting for them to die.
We found dragons! Lying semi comatose under the kitchen in the camp we got a chance to take photos. They also lie at the bottom of trees without moving, hoping that a monkey might confuse them for a log!
Back to the boat and off to another snorkelling spot..a lot more of a current running and this time we dived off the boat..sea was stirred up and a bit cloudy which made the beautiful coral much harder to see... and fighting the current was interesting! We did see a shark cruising on the surface on the way!
Off to Flying Fox island to watch the bats/flying foxes leave the mangrove swamps and fly to the mainland as the sun set..there must have been thousands of them! Lovely sunset watched from the top of the boat,,then spent the night playing backpacker and dominos with the crew!
A tiny cabin with pillows made of what felt like concrete did not make for a good nights sleep..but the full moon was shining in and keeping me company.
The next morning we were up at 6, having breakfast by 7 and snorkelling by 8! We went to Kellor island and swam one side of the island and back on board for a coffee and then out on the other side of the little island as the tide had changed..amazing coral and so many fish to see..and after calling for a dolphin to come and see us ... we actually spotted one!!
Next stop.. Kanawa island!
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