A good start!

To get from Lombok to Flores we booked a boat trip. 4 days sailing with as highlight seeing Komodo dragons.

The wooden motor boat was a little less than 20 m long. It had an open deck with a solid roof. After the first 2 hours we came across some heavy rains. To protect us from the rain the crew closed the open structure with tarps. It kept us dry but had one side effect. The captain's view was blocked. This is no problem for an Indonesian captain who just put his head out of the side window of the wheel house ones in awhile. A bit funny looking but it seems to work till the moment we almost hit an island... The captain was lost.

Under the dark sky at an island he didn't recognize it was time for the navigation instruments. Which was a wooden table with NO map of the area and a compass which he looked at if he was waiting for the moment it started to talk. In the age of I phones someone could show a map and our location. Unfortunately the crew didn't seem to know how to read a map. Turning around and crew members on each side in the pouring rain made us find our way. The first night was a bit longer than expected but we made it to save place to stay overnight. This was a good start.

The rest of the trip we were lucky with beautiful weather. From the water is for sure the best way to enjoy the amazing views with all the little island, deserted beaches, crystal clear water and beautiful colored reefs.

The third day we made it to Komodo island. An island famous for its equally named inhabitants. The Komodo dragons. These giant lizards are known to be the biggest and baddest of their kind. We went for a hike through their territory guided by a park ranger. They are for sure massive, up to 3 meters, but actually look a bit lazy. According to the ranger Rinca island is where the action happens. This smaller island where food is more scarce also inhabits dragons. Several reports of attacked rangers and tourists exists. 

The next day we went to Rinca island for the real deal. It was now about 11 in the morning. Close to the hottest moment of the day, when cold blooded animals are most active.

From the boat to the ranger's office we already saw a few dragons. They all seem to hang out around the rangers camp. This day we got protection from three rangers. As we started our walk we understood why. While watching the first dragon and taking photos two other dragons sneaked behind us and a few smaller ones were approaching. We were surrounded by the deadliest lizards in the world. The dragons didn't look like they were planning to kill but just observing and considering their chances. The rangers, armed with forked sticks, directed us to move slowly. They needed their sticks to drift the dragons apart so we could walk away. We were followed for another 20 meters till they gave up. Rinca is were the action happens.