15th October 2006
Before the first dive, we went to Pulau Komodo for the Komodo Dragon land tour. This is almost the only place where Komodo Dragon survive in their natural habitat.
The Komodo Dragon is referred to by the residents of Indonesia as the Ora. Although only two islands of Indonesia house these mighty reptiles, they used to be present in Australia not too long ago. The Australian version of the ora was much larger and more dangerous that the modern dragon, but is extinct now. Even so, these smaller versions that exist today are pretty big. The largest ever measured was 10 feet, 2.5 inches.
There was a time when the ora was in serious danger of extinction.
The Komodo Dragon was discovered in the age of the first world war, when a pilot crashed his plane in the Indonesian waters. He was able to swim to the shore of a nearby island, which we found was inhabited by giant monsters. Luckily, he was able to radio home and was rescued. When he first told his stories of the "giant reptiles" that lived on the island, no one believed him (of course). Later, his reports were confirmed by another expedition by a man interested in the stories of the dragons told by the pilot.
The Indonesians always knew about the oras on the island, however. They exiled all of their public outcasts to this island, knowing of the dangers they would face (and, their ultimate demise) on the island. However, the people set up a small settlement which is still around today. Known fondly as "Komodo Village", this Muslim town derives most of its money from tourists and fishing (for fish, Mother of Pearl, etc.).
Back then, group of tourist was always entertained by Komodo feeding. The ranger would bring a goat as bait, and the tourists were able to see the dragons ripping off the goat. But since 1994 (if I heard correctly) the practice was stop, because it’s gruesome, and it made the dragon become dependent and expect food from human. After that, the dragons survive on their own in the wild.
When our group reached the island, some misfortune happened. Made, our DM, was slipped when he tried to walk up to the jetty stairs. He fell into the sea while his legs were still on the dingy. He had few bruises and cuts and lost his mobile, we felt very sorry for him.
We passed by small stalls, actually only consisted off tables selling Komodo dragon’s souvenir. After that, we were briefed by the Park Ranger, two rangers would guide us, one in front and one in back, we were reunited with the other six. The rangers had stick with two branches at the end; it didn’t look like it capable of stopping Komodo if they decide to attack though. Although the dragons look slow and lazy, they can run faster than a dog and they can swim across island. We were wondering, didn’t we dive down the beach last night? We saw the baby Komodo hiding on the tree; they have to do that to survive from their elder because Komodo are cannibals.
Near the cafeteria, there were few Komodo around, they moved slowly and some were asleep. They looked scary and not at the same time, but when they turned their head slowly to look right in the eye, I felt the automatic need to move backward.
It was bloody hot in the island. We could see that everywhere the land was very dry, there were a lot of dried vegetation and the rest of the vegetation was very different from what I often see in every other part of Indonesia. The hottest temperature recorded in this island was more than forty Celsius Degree and the lowest was about seventeen degree. The hottest month falls on November and Komodo are more easily agitated when they are hot. Hm. The ones we saw near the cafeteria looked as if they got used to humans, although they were still wild and unpredictable.
Along the way, we also saw birds, spiders, cicada, there was a pair of tourist who came only to enjoy bird sighting. We also saw very huge male deer. It was staring at us for few minutes, then it ran after making a very loud sound. I though it sound like a dog bark. We saw wild boar, Obelix’s favorite food. It was huge; we were standing very, very far away.
The Ranger brought us to the small hill and from there, we had very nice view of the sea.
We only saw few Komodo along the way. They were walking through the bushed and shrub; one was checking us immediately after we entered the forest because it smelt our presence.
Before the first dive, we went to Pulau Komodo for the Komodo Dragon land tour. This is almost the only place where Komodo Dragon survive in their natural habitat.
The Komodo Dragon is referred to by the residents of Indonesia as the Ora. Although only two islands of Indonesia house these mighty reptiles, they used to be present in Australia not too long ago. The Australian version of the ora was much larger and more dangerous that the modern dragon, but is extinct now. Even so, these smaller versions that exist today are pretty big. The largest ever measured was 10 feet, 2.5 inches.
There was a time when the ora was in serious danger of extinction.
The Komodo Dragon was discovered in the age of the first world war, when a pilot crashed his plane in the Indonesian waters. He was able to swim to the shore of a nearby island, which we found was inhabited by giant monsters. Luckily, he was able to radio home and was rescued. When he first told his stories of the "giant reptiles" that lived on the island, no one believed him (of course). Later, his reports were confirmed by another expedition by a man interested in the stories of the dragons told by the pilot.
The Indonesians always knew about the oras on the island, however. They exiled all of their public outcasts to this island, knowing of the dangers they would face (and, their ultimate demise) on the island. However, the people set up a small settlement which is still around today. Known fondly as "Komodo Village", this Muslim town derives most of its money from tourists and fishing (for fish, Mother of Pearl, etc.).
Back then, group of tourist was always entertained by Komodo feeding. The ranger would bring a goat as bait, and the tourists were able to see the dragons ripping off the goat. But since 1994 (if I heard correctly) the practice was stop, because it’s gruesome, and it made the dragon become dependent and expect food from human. After that, the dragons survive on their own in the wild.
When our group reached the island, some misfortune happened. Made, our DM, was slipped when he tried to walk up to the jetty stairs. He fell into the sea while his legs were still on the dingy. He had few bruises and cuts and lost his mobile, we felt very sorry for him.
We passed by small stalls, actually only consisted off tables selling Komodo dragon’s souvenir. After that, we were briefed by the Park Ranger, two rangers would guide us, one in front and one in back, we were reunited with the other six. The rangers had stick with two branches at the end; it didn’t look like it capable of stopping Komodo if they decide to attack though. Although the dragons look slow and lazy, they can run faster than a dog and they can swim across island. We were wondering, didn’t we dive down the beach last night? We saw the baby Komodo hiding on the tree; they have to do that to survive from their elder because Komodo are cannibals.
Near the cafeteria, there were few Komodo around, they moved slowly and some were asleep. They looked scary and not at the same time, but when they turned their head slowly to look right in the eye, I felt the automatic need to move backward.
It was bloody hot in the island. We could see that everywhere the land was very dry, there were a lot of dried vegetation and the rest of the vegetation was very different from what I often see in every other part of Indonesia. The hottest temperature recorded in this island was more than forty Celsius Degree and the lowest was about seventeen degree. The hottest month falls on November and Komodo are more easily agitated when they are hot. Hm. The ones we saw near the cafeteria looked as if they got used to humans, although they were still wild and unpredictable.
Along the way, we also saw birds, spiders, cicada, there was a pair of tourist who came only to enjoy bird sighting. We also saw very huge male deer. It was staring at us for few minutes, then it ran after making a very loud sound. I though it sound like a dog bark. We saw wild boar, Obelix’s favorite food. It was huge; we were standing very, very far away.
The Ranger brought us to the small hill and from there, we had very nice view of the sea.
We only saw few Komodo along the way. They were walking through the bushed and shrub; one was checking us immediately after we entered the forest because it smelt our presence.
posted by aping at 4:24 AM
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