"where the dragons live" Komodo by global_explorer

Kommodo nationalpark are made up of several islands, the biggest are Komodo and Rinca, both are home to the komodolizzard witch has made the place known. Already in the third century AD chinese traders active in the area labelled a map “here live the dragons”. The first european to see the annimal was the dutch infanteryofficer van Stegen van Hensbroek in 1910 who arranged an expedition to investigate the roumors about a dragon on the islands. The first scientific paper was published by the director of the zoological museum in Bogor, Java, two years later. In summertime the islands are hot, dusty and dry. The flowers are few and little more than the lotarpalms and the mangrove hang on to the greenery. The pnines of the brush and the cactiwalls become all to visible. In one way the landscape feels hostile. As you walk the paths or dried riverbeds you are some places followed by intense insectsounds. Other places it is completely silent. You really get a feeling of beeing in another world and time, i have to use the word Jurassica, forgive me. The ancientlooking lotarpalms magnifies the feeling of that. This feeling, however, will never be experienced in a group. You must be alone or only with the guide. Here is what often happend with groups: It was in the morning, i was sitting eating my breakfast. It was about ten o clock, and i was finished watching wildlife fot this morning. Now most of it had retired into the cooler shades. Then a tribe of tourists came in. Shouting loudly, scaring off whatever could be around before arrivina at “my home”-i had Rinca all to my self. Some oof those people was interrested in getting some dragonshots, and they soon got the possibility. A young dragon, less than two years old came to the cafehouse, curious about the noise. One man stepped down from the platform with his videocam. Then the loudly wife started shouting again “you will NOT go down to that bloodthirsty monster, ready to kill and more” Then, next, “if i get left without anyone to support me, it is YOUR fault”, she screamed. I don’t know what that group found out in the bush a little later, but it was not wildlife.

If you go to the islands, don’t go only on a daytrip. One 24 hour period are the minimum timespan needed to experience the place. Beside, daytrippers often arrive to late to see mutch. You should be ready for take off at around 6 am. Then, think about how larger groups often act, consider go alone or with a small number of interrested people. Finaly, where to go? Both Rinca and the more fameous Komodo have primitive accomodation, and both boost a large number of dragons, but the consentration of dragons are largest on Rinca. Most people go to Komodo, that means that on Rinca you are more likely to be by yourself most of the time. Also it is more mammals to be seen on Rinca, but there are more birds on komodo. On komodo there is also a village with local people. That can be a plus or a minus depending on your point of wiew. But wherever you go, you will probably have a good time, especially in the dry season when wildlife are easiest to find in larger numbers.