Our route to Komodo.

After day hopping along the north coast of Flores island, we arrived at Labuan Bajo on the western end of the island. This is a popular destination for those visiting the Komodo and Rinca National Parks. After re-stocking with beer, fruit and vegetables we did the short hop to Rinca island where we anchored late afternoon. At 7am the next morning, we started the long trek with a guide through the hills and valleys of the park. We saw quite a large number of male dragons of up to 3 metres in length. There are also numerous monkeys, buffalo and deer in the park. After hiking for 3 hours, we got back to Esprit and lifted the anchor.

A 30 year old male dragon.

A wary Annie with a 15 year old young lad.

Buffalo.

Deer – one heavily disguised with vegetation!

Walking with our guide.

Female dragon digging a hole for laying her eggs.

It was a short sail to Komodo island, where we sailed past the popular pink beach, before anchoring off the eastern reefs to snorkel the next day. The ladies were lucky to be entertained by the huge Manta Rays doing their graceful ballet in about 4 metres of water. The reefs had good coral with numerous tropical fish.

Manta Rays, 3-way dance.

Red soft coral.

Reef finger coral.

It was a short hop to the top end of Komodo where we anchored in a sheltered bay called Loh Gebah. This gave us the opportunity to do a 3-hour climb and walk up a hill affording us beautiful views across the surrounding islands. We spent three days at this anchorage, snorkelling, paddle boarding and doing general maintenance on the boat.

Looking down to Loh Gebah.

View looking north.

Sailing from Komodo island to Wera on the eastern side of Lombok island, we passed an active volcano.

Smoking gun near Wera.

On the way to Wera, Annie caught a juvenile barracuda of about 800mm long. The following day, sailing to Kawienda, she caught a 1 metre long Spanish Mackerel, which will provide fish portions for about 10 meals.

Spanish Mackerel.

After Kawienda, we anchored off Pulau Satonda to visit an extinct volcano, the caldera now filled with water, more saline than the sea.

Caldera of Pulau Satonda.

School girls at the volcano asking for a photo with pale people.

Cool dudes asking for the same.

From we did three day sails to Medana marina on the western tip of Lombok island. This marina was a lovely stop with excellent meals and cold beers, efficiently run by Peter from Australia.

View from Medana Bay marina restaurant.

Our next post will be from Bali where our Sydney friends Ron & Michelle Watson will join us for a sail. Cheers until then.