Asia #2. Dangerous Dragons

About a century ago nobody knew for sure if they really existed: the Komodo Dragons. Today no one will deny it. This dangerous Indonesian dragon sometimes grows up to three meters in length and live on the Komodo Islands. The Komodo dragons are not the only reason why you should put the Komodo National Park on your bucket list. You'll also find stunning views and fabulous beaches. Moreover you can still spot many other animals including deer, macaques, water buffalos, bats, giant mantas and deer.

Komodo National Park is called "Jurassic Park of Indonesia" for a reason. Especially on Rinca Island (Pulau Rinca) it becomes clear why. From the high hills you see large green fields with palm trees and rough rocks in the surrounding blue bays. The Komodo Dragons, the largest lizards in the world, make that picture completely natural.

The greatest chance of spotting a Komodo dragon in the wild is @ Rinca. You can actually walk with a ranger down to the many nests. If you're lucky the Dragons are in their nests. Keep it at arm's length, because the bite of a Komodo Dragon is dangerous. It scared the h*%$ out of me!

On Padar Island the dragon is sadly extinct however you can find the most beautiful views in all of Indonesia. From the beach of Padar you make a steep climb to the peak. So put on your sturdy sneakers and leave your flip flops at home. The climb is pretty tough but the effort is well spent. From the top there is a breathtaking view of several bays. My tip: Enjoy the scenery, descend quietly and then immediately take a cool dip in the sea.

The Komodo National Park is an abundance of perfect white beaches but Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) is one out of thousands. The Pink Beach sand contains microscopic animals called foraminifera. These animals produce a red pigment and causing the beach look a little pink. Besides the pink sand this beach known for its extremely colorful coral and fish. It's a great experience to to explore the magical underwater world.

In the evenings the adventures just go on. Climb back aboard and head of to Kalong Island (Pulau Kalong); literally "Bat Island." At sunset there is a sudden rise of a huge number of bats coming out of the mangrove forest. These nocturnal animals wake up at dusk to hunt for food. The result is a spectacular sight of thousands of bats flying around Kalong Island: A spectacle with thousands of bats.