Cute and cuddly they are not. Komodo dragons, the largest lizards on earth, are vicious-looking, and they have a bad reputation. Wild pigs and Timor deer are their preferred food, but they have been known to attack and eat full-grown water buffalo and even, on rare occasions, humans. If the dragon's shark-like teeth don't kill you, you'll probably succumb to the deadly bacteria in the dragon's mouth.
Komodo National Park was established to protect the habitat of the rare Komodo dragon, first discovered over one hundred years ago. The dragon is an endangered species, with only three to five thousand left in the wild. The National Park also protects tourists, by requiring that the island can only be explored on foot and in the company of a licensed guide. Our guide, Franco, led us carefully down the footpaths, providing commentary and pointing out a wild pig, several Timor deer, a bee's nest, and several piles of scat. The main event: four Komodo dragons at a waterhole. Three were adult males, and one was a baby, maybe three years old. It was very hot and humid walking around. When we returned to the ship we were greeting with kids yelling "Money, please." "We need food." Local children, hoping for a hand-out, shouted from a group of battered outrigger canoes that paddled around our anchored ship all day. This was the sad part of our day at Komodo Island. The scenery was a happy surprise. On the contrary, Komodo and its neighbouring islands have gorgeous craggy mountains, savannas, and monsoon rainforests. Like Borneo and Bali, Komodo looks like a great destination for snorkeling.
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