If you have Komodo Island on your bucket list of places to visit, you may need to make it a priority. This may call for reorganizing your list and pushing Komodo up. There are some experiences that you cannot keep postponing indefinitely.
The government of Indonesia plans to put in place a tourism ban on the island with effect from January 2020. The ban is expected to be temporary; possibly a year. Komodo Island is home to the Komodo dragon – the largest living lizard.
The ban is an attempt to save these magnificent creatures by reducing poaching. While the dragon is not considered endangered, it is vulnerable.
You, therefore, have a good reason to knock off one tourist destination on your list in favor of Komodo Island.
Why You Need to Go
Two words: Komodo dragon. If you have seen them on the screen, you can remember how you reacted. Now, imagine seeing them live! You may yet find out just how high you can jump. There are guided tours that you can take once you get to Komodo Island so that you can see them in their natural habitat.
There are people who swear that the Komodo dragon is the monstrosity you saw in Jurassic Park. If it is not, then it is its cousin once removed. Whether or not this humongous lizard was the inspiration behind that epic movie, the dragon should be experienced live…from a safe distance, naturally.
Dragon on the Beach!
For the longest time, Komodo dragons only existed in Indonesia on five small islands:
- The Sunda Islands of Komodo
- Komodo Island
- Rinca Island
- Gili Montang
- Gili Dasami
These islands and the dragons therein are protected within the Komodo National Park. The dragon lives wild and free, roaming the islands with little interference from humans and their activities.
Living in isolation ensured that the dragon was largely unbothered. This may explain its survival for this long. In addition, it did not have any predators. This lizard was at the top of the food chain where it has reigned supreme for the longest time.
Looking at it, one can well understand why. No one, human or animal, would dream of ambushing such a fierce and fearsome creature.
Interestingly, evolution seems to have skipped over the Komodo dragon. It looks much like it did millions of years ago. If you want to see a prehistoric species in all its glory, this lizard is it.
There is nothing as disconcerting as seeing a Komodo dragon taking a lazy stroll on a beautiful pink beach. This could almost pass for juxtaposition.
The Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)
Speaking of pink beaches, this is another reason you want to visit Komodo Island. Beaches are usually white with the beautiful blue sea just beyond. These are lovely enough and many vacationers just love to walk on them.
Pantai Merah along with seven other beaches scattered across the planet are pink. The sand is not really pink. It gets its hue from the Foraminifera, microscopic animals that produce a red color on coral reefs. These small red corals land on the beach to mix with the white sand. The result is a beautiful pink beach you will want to sink your feet in.
As you stroll along on the beach or build sandcastles, you will have an uninterrupted view of green hills in the horizon and turquoise waters of the sea.
What to Do
Apart from seeing the Komodo dragon and the lovely Pantai Merah, there are many activities to keep you occupied. Some of these include:
- Snorkeling: the sea life is as beautiful and diverse as the life on land
- Swimming in the ocean: you must be careful as you swim because the dragons are also good swimmers. They have been known to swim inter – land.
- Diving
- Kayaking
Conclusion
There has never been as good a time to visit Komodo Island as the present. Before the National Park is closed, you should make your first visit and enjoy what the island has to offer. The Ayana Komodo Resort has all the creature comforts you desire for a comfortable stay.
