After getting cleaned up, i went to the Dining Room to ask about going to see the ‘Bats’. We talked about it last night, but it was too late. I should have asked what time, because it was too late now too. I ‘pouted’ a little bit, not really, i just was noticeably disappointed. They realized it was my last night and chance to see them. They quickly rounded up another couple, usually a minimum of 4 people, they are very customer oriented here !
What is it about the Bats … honestly i didn’t know where i was going, nor what i was doing. I assumed going to some cave to see Bats. I was wrong.
On the boat, we climbed up to the top deck where there are comfy bean bags and got comfortable as we watched the evening sky
On the way there, the guy told me what was going to happen. This is the small flat island not too far from here. It is a circular island, 1/3 of mile across with a core of taller trees surrounded by dense mangroves.
At sunset each night, the bats that live on the island, take to the skies, fly over the water to the mountain to feed. ok, sounds interesting.
We left a bit late and were wondering if it was too late because we started to see some bats flying overhead just before 6pm. Yes, you could tell they were bats, large bats
The closer we got to the island, we could see them emerging from the trees….
OMG … there have to be hundreds of thousands of bats, if not millions! It did not stop, it was continuous, it never let up
Flying right over our heads
Here is a short video that i took with my iPhone, certainly not the best camera for the job; but it worked. Even the guy on the boat with the big camera and big lens was impressed. Way to go Apple :) And, unknowingly i used the Slow-Motion feature…. pretty cool
or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1s_7txDBOSc
We got back at 7pm, and they were still leaving the island. Absolutely dumb-struck.
Some info i learned about the Bats:
-wingspan can exceed 3 feet
-identified as Sunda Flying Fox or Sunda Fruit Bat
-has orange nape, black head, and medium brown underside
-found near fig trees which comprises part of their food source
-endemic to Indonesia, appears to be restricted to the this general area
Back for dinner and a presentation from a very passionate Manta researcher, then to bed. Scuba Junkie is a great place to stay, I’d be happy to return.
We left at 7:30 the next morning for a quick stop at Rinca Island to see the Komodo Dragons. There’s some debate whether or not it’s best to go to Komodo or Rinca to see the Dragons. But Rinca is certainly closer.
Two girls from Australia and i had the same comfortable boat as last night. Leaving my home of 2 nights behind.
I went up top, it’s covered, so i could be out of the sun and in the breeze. Nice.
Again, stunning views of the islands
The flat island is the ‘bat island’ ...or Pulau Koaba, also known as Kalong Island (Fruit Bat Island).
The water was so calm
In about an hour, we arrived at Rinca Island, luckily a large touring group was just leaving. Again reminding me why i don’t like to go on big tours. The National Park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo Dragon population.
The first thing we saw was this large Water Buffalo. Our Guide said, ‘watch, there will be a fight’. Sure enough, it took off running towards another buffalo that had ‘invaded’ it’s territory. I didn’t realize those massive creatures could move so fast. They stopped short of a fight thankfully
So those big guys are food for the Komodo Dragon…. puts things in perspective. I guess that’s why our Guide had a ‘big stick’. Yes, only a big stick :(
Our first Dragons certainly didn’t seem very intimidating. It was early in the morning, but it was already hot, and they were resting in the shade of a tree.
The next one looked a bit more formidable with those huge feet and claws
There were some walking around since it was still early. I made the video below. It’s interesting to watch how they move, obviously conserving energy. And the first two cracked me up the way they lumber along, then ‘plop’ down exhausted from the effort. How we all feel sometimes. They use that 'forked tongue' to detect, taste, and smell. He was coming right towards us until the 'big stick' changed his mind. Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaJxKrOdXJI
They do not feed the Dragons, but the Dragons smell food at this ‘cafe’, and they congregate here. Which is nice for the tourists.
At the end of the tour one of the girls asked the Guide if he would take a photo of her with the Dragon. I thought it was kind of silly; but why not. Turns out, he’s a great photographer! Impressive huh?
The ride back to Labuan Bajo was just as scenic. I loved all the fresh ‘green’. Someone had been there in October, in the Dry Season, and she said everything was BROWN… so happy i visited at the end of the Rainy Season.
What did i learn about the Komodo Dragon?
-largest living species of lizard
-tail is as long as the body
-grow to 10 feet and 200-300 pounds
-eat pigs, Timor deer, and Water Buffalo
-are cannibalistic, and why the young live in the trees
-they enlarge the abandon ground nests of the Orange-footed Scrubfowl, then lay up to 30 eggs in big holes in the ground
-sexually mature at 8-9 and can live to be 30
-can run 12 mph for short spurts
-are also scavengers and can detect carrion 2-6 miles away
-slow metabolism, large dragons can survive on as few as 12 meals a year
There seems to be some disagreement between our Guide and online articles….
-Our guide told us that they hunt and kill their prey with just one bite. They have venom that they inject with the bite, through glands in the jaw which secrete toxins. Then they leave the animal to die. It takes 2 weeks for a Water Buffalo to die, then they eat it.
-online articles say they eat large prey by tearing large chunks of flesh and swallowing it. Small prey up to the size of a goat, can be swallowed whole.
-according to Natl Geo: The Dragon has venom glands which are loaded with toxins that lower blood pressure, cause massive bleeding, prevent clotting, and induce shock. They bite down with serrated teeth and pull back with powerful neck muscles. The result: huge gaping wounds. The venom then quickens the loss of blood and sends the prey into shock. Animals that escape the jaws of a Komodo will only feel lucky briefly. Dragons can calmly follow an escapee for miles as the venom takes effect, using their keen sense of smell to hone in on the corpse. A dragon can eat a whopping 80 percent of its body weight in a single feeding.
-so it appears they are both right
Here are facts from Wikipedia i did NOT know before visiting :(
There is a small village that has co-habitated with the Dragons for 33 years, until 2007 when an 8 yr old boy was fatally attacked. And there are other reports of recent attacks you can read about them here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-most-infamous-komodo-dragon-attacks-of-the-past-10-years-5831048/
OMG !
I just saw a video on YouTube published in 2010, .... it appears a mother Water Buffalo was defending her baby from a Komodo Dragon. You see her head-butting the Dragon, and you see her slowly limping away with blood on her face and leg. And the Dragon just watches them walk away. WoW ! According to the above ... I doubt she'll make it ... but she saved her baby. oh so sad :( Watch it for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY5FMIrj27Q
Based on the video, i can see where the Komodo maybe could not 'take down' a Water Buffalo. All the Dragon has to do is bite it and release the venom and then wait for it to die.
Nature ... some things have to die, in order for some to live. It's easier to be sympathetic towards almost anything, rather than a Dragon :(
Labuan Bajo
I checked back into Gardena Hotel at Labuan Bajo, and walked to the end of the town where i heard there was a market. It was suggested that i might like to eat dinner there. But, after seeing swarms of flies on the fish and other seafood, i decided that was not going to happen.
These don’t actually look too bad; but i wish they wouldn’t kill the ‘colorful’ fish :)
There was an entire line of tents cooking and selling food; presumably fresh from the sea. It was early, so they were just getting started. But i did not want to go down there alone at night.
From one of the many piers at LaBuan Bajo
I found a place called Le Pirate, hotel and restaurant; and went upstairs, actually up 2 sets of staircases. This is a volcanic island and it falls directly into the sea. So there is nowhere to build, except UP the side of the volcano. Many places had great views from up on their ‘decks’. Everything looks run down and dirty on the streets; but i found some nice places to eat with good food.
This was one of them, and i got there for sunset.
It also had a pool, small, but adequate for visiting and drinking.
In the unlikely event that someone is reading this and would like recommendations: I had lunch at TreeTops restaurant overlooking the harbor. Great service and good food.
... and an excellent wrap at the Happy Banana. Not on the water, but natural holistic vibe and food.
I walked out on the ship yard to try to see where my hotel was. And just how far up the volcano i was living. This wall starts at street level.
Further away i cold see the bungalows at the top. Yes, that's me up there
And that's my story of the Komodo Islands.
11:30 flight from LaBuan Bajo back to Denpasar, Bali for the next, and last phase, of my 2019 Adventures.
Stay tuned !
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