Chasing Dragons

morning flight to Labuan Bajo

Transfer to the airport of Bali and board your flight to Mutiara Airport of Labuan Bajo. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Labuan Bajo. After check-in, ample free time to walk around Labuhan Bajo, a sleepy town on the western tip of Flores. Perhaps you'll wander past the picturesque harbor. Ferries arriving from Sumbawa in the late afternoon, create lots of atmosphere.

Bintang Flores Hotel

exploring Komodo Island

You'll start the day early and leave for the harbor. Board a boat and start a fascinating trip along small islands onwards to Komodo. The tiny brown dots of land, contrasts beautifully with the dark blue hue of the ocean. After landing on Komodo island, local park rangers will guide you on a two hour safari through the habitat of the varanus komodoensis. Changes are high that you will come face to face with the largest monitor lizard in the world. The island is also a good place to observe birdlife The rest of the morning is free to visit the small but interesting Park Laboratory Museum, meet the human locals or relax on the beach. At midday, start return sail to Labuan Bajo. A stop at 'Red Beach' is included. This is one of the smartest spots for swimming and easy snorkeling.

Bintang Flores Hotel

returning to Bali

After breakfast, visit Batu Cermin, aptly called 'the mirror rock cave', a small cavern crammed with stalagmites and stalactites, sometimes entwined with by tree roots coming down through the ceiling. Transfer to airport for return flight to Denpasar or next destination.

Varanus Komodoensis is the scientific name for this fantastic creature. Most specimens of this native lizard species look very heavy -they can be 3 meters long and weigh 150 kg- but appearances are deceptive. With its disjointed jaws, poisonous bites and the vicious way in which it kills its prey, the omnivorous ora is one of the most efficient beasts of prey that nature has created.

The animals were already discovered at the beginning of the century and although immediately protected by legislation, their survival is not guaranteed. Direct poaching of the animal is not a threat as their skin is not suitable for leather production but their eggs are often eaten by scores of wild dogs.