Indonesia - Lombok and Komodo
The Komodo National Park in Indonesia is located within the Lesser Sunda Islands. The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) in rare cases and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms. They have a venomous bite causing, and animals injured in attacks by Komodo dragons can survive only to die days or weeks later from their wounds. Dragons have even been known to follow wounded prey for days until they die in order to enjoy an easy meal.
Later it was dedicated to protecting other species, including marine species. The national park stands apart as one of the worlds premier and most pristine diving areas. Comprising of Three main islands and a plethora of smaller islands and seamounts, the park is one of the richest marine environments in the world and home to more than 1000 fish species, from giant pelagics, sharks, whales, and mantas to the tiniest of pipefish.
Before diving Komodo on a 10 day liveaboard trip on the beautiful yacht SY Indo Siren from Worldwide Dive and Sail, I explored the stunning volcano crater lake of Mount Rinjani on island of Lombok. Regrettably, it was clouded when we arrived exhausted and muscle-sored the top the volcano, but the views from the crater rim on the next sunny day and the bathing in hot spring compensated us sufficiently.
