Friday, February 23, 2018, Slawi Bay, Komodo, Komodo National Park

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 As we departed Darwin, we noticed this lone oil rig all by itself.
 Our initial views of Indonesia at Komodo Island.





 Our shore excursion included a 2-mile hike on trails; our guide took us on the Long Trek.
 Missed the name of the fruit below but numerous animals on the island like it.

 We were happy this old bridge had been replaced.
 Snail.
 Caught the bee below in the air!

 Wild orchid.
 Dead palm tree next to a live one; remember the live one.
 "Magic Mushroom"

 Bird nest above.
Komodo Island is one of the world’s most unique and prehistoric-feeling national parks, a magnificent menagerie of wildlife.  Its most famous denizen is the legendary Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world.  These breathtaking creatures can grow up to ten feet long and weigh as much as 150 pounds.  Gentler-looking animals also roam, including the island’s graceful Timor deer, beautiful wild horses, and stout little boars. Resident giant fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, have a wingspan of four feet and are a sight to behold with their jet-black capes.  Offshore, Komodo boasts a rich marine world of dolphins, whales, and 1,000 species of fish.
 Some facts about Komodo Dragons (per our guide):
     Live 60-70 years, get up to ten feet long (half body & half tail), weigh up to 250 pounds
     Population on Komodo:  1,377, total on Komodo and adjoining islands:  3,000
     Lay 15-30 eggs in March, 75% hatch in 8-9 months at ~20 inches in length
     Newborns immediately climb palm trees to avoid cannibalistic adults
     Live in hollow palm tree tops, feed on tree top fruit & go to ground in search of food
     Grow 4-5 years to adulthood.
 Really interesting reading at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon


 Dragon dinner!


Views on our way back to cruise ship and islands as we cruise toward Bali, tomorrow's destination.  Can you just hear the music of South Pacific?






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