MOTHER OF DRAGONS – KOMODO ISLAND

Komodo Island

On board Crystal Symphony we dropped anchor early morning off Indonesia’s Komodo Island.

The volcanic peaks, chaotic in their shapes were breathtaking.  It was as though a rich emerald green blanket had been thrown over the jagged rocky outcrops.  

Puffy cumulus clouds rested like cotton balls in the bright blue sky while the sunlight cast watery reflections in the deep blue sea below.  It was gorgeous.

Charming little fellow

Cotton candy clouds

We were here on a mission to see the biggest, heaviest lizard on earth. 

The Komodo dragon can weigh up to 300 pounds, measure 11 feet in length and run as fast as a dog.  It is a carnivore and a cannibal, has 60 serrated teeth and can swim and climb trees.
  









If that’s not enough to make one think twice, they also produce a toxic saliva.  If the bite doesn’t kill you, the poison will.  Lovely.

Fearing we may not see one of these prehistoric creatures – they apparently sleep during the day – we ventured into the woodland with the Park Ranger. After an hour or so of seeing nothing in particular we had our moment with three dragons settled in a clearing, hard to spot as they blended so well into the colours of the jungle floor.  We think they had been well fed, they looked pretty relaxed.

It didn’t take long to get a measure of their power – strong front and rear legs ending in particularly gruesome looking claws.  Their tails lay on the ground resting in an “S” shaped pose and despite their languid demeanour it didn’t take much to imagine what would happen if they sprang into action. 

The beach was quite a contrast after that introduction

We were grateful to have had the opportunity to see these amazing creatures but not sorry to part company.

As we sailed away the Island’s dramatic, verdant landscape continued to impress.  But it did seem to confirm that things are not always what they seem. 

When the first explorers discovered this beautiful place how could they have known that Komodo Island was actually the mother of dragons! All that was missing, Daenerys Targaryen.