KOMODO ISLAND

We arrived at Komodo Island and things started to look grim. There was a delay in debarking and then Barry started to fill us in on the problems. The dock that was supposed to work with the tenders could not work. It was too high. Plus the dock had deteriorated and was not that safe in areas. They were trying to figure out a way to get us safely ashore. They thought about building a ramp but that would not work. They thought about a smaller boat to land on the beach but there was a big swell. Then they tried to negotiate to use a local boat but that was not looking promising. The local authorities also wanted to charge each person for taking pictures. Can you imagine that mess with everyone having to line up to pay. RSSC solved the camera charge problems by paying for us all. One thing solved but still how would we get ashore. Everyone was so concerned we all wanted to go. Three hours after we were supposed to be disembarking, success!!! They hired a local boat tied that to the dock and then disembarked the tender onto that boat and then onto the dock. YEAH ashore we went.

This is a desolate island. Very little vegetation and dry. On arrival there were the normal vendors selling local products and PEARLS. I knew I had to have some pearls from Komodo Island before I reboarded the ship. Little kids everywhere saying “hello”. Not really bothering us to buy anything just saying hello and smiling. We landed actually on a beach area but they had built a wooden deck area to take us to the path just up from the beach.

We set off in groups with guides with forked wooden sticks to stop the dragons from eating us. I had been told that the dragons were free to roam but we would be “encaged” in a path. NOT true. Wide open to the dragons. Not really any concern thought after all the guides had a wooden stick!!!! We saw our first dragon pretty quickly. By now it was nearly mid day and they were shading themselves under buildings to keep cool. They looked very lethargic but the guides made us keep a distance of about six to eight feet away. Carrying on down the path we passed the “hotel” which consisted of three huts on raised poles. Cant quite imagine spending a vacation here!! Outside the hotel was a dead deer which was pretty much consumed and it was a morning kill for the dragons.
In this area we saw another large dragon under a building. Now if I had half a brain I would have stopped here - seen the dragons – pearls were waiting. However, not wanting to miss a thing I went on to the next circle path with the group. Well it got hotter and hotter. The path was pretty flat but it went on and on and not a dragon or anything in sight. Pretty boring landscape. After walking for 45 minutes in the heat we reach a point where they gave us water and they had hung a pig in a tree and there were three big dragons underneath the tree drawn by the smell of the pig. This really did make it worth it as they were not hidden under a building and were moving around a bit. Ken got some good pictures. Then we found we had to walk back just as far to the beach. So another 45 minutes back. Talk about HOT HOT HOT.

When we made it back to the beach the “glow” of buying pearls had faded away. Plus now all the little children who had just said hello had everything to buy you could imagine. They must have been told not to bother us until we got back from the walk. However, I still liked the idea of getting pearls from Komodo Island so decided to have a quick look. Most were really not good at all but they did have some strings of twisted pearls that looked okay. The clasps were of course really cheap but at the whopping negotiated price of $20 how could I go wrong. Ken wanted me to buy more but you could tell the clasp would break pretty soon and the restringing would be more expensive than the pearls so I really did not think it was worth it.

Back on board the air conditioning and shower were really wonderful.. We were SO delighted to get ashore and actually see the dragons. They said we were the first large ship to come in about five years. From what we could gather the Navigator was the largest ship that had ever been there. It is shame more ships don’t stop here it is unique and the only place on earth you can see the Komodo Dragons. Yes, it was hot and yes it was a long walk However, for me it was well worth it. Besides I needed to work off some of the food I have been eating. Mark one up for Radisson for coming to Komodo Island.

Dinner last night was in signatures. The menu did not look as appealing to me but ended up being really good. The crab soup was outstanding and the beef tenderloin was outstanding. The service was as good as I have ever experienced in Signatures. All in all a wonderful evening. Tonight we are eating with the F&B manager, I really like him so we are looking forward to the dinner.