Day 66: Flores XP Dragon Tour – Day 3
After a super tasty breakfast, we packed up and said farewell to our tropical hideaway, as we headed off to revisit Batu Bolong and Manta Point. Half of the rock at Batu Bolong was protected from the current in the morning, so we got the green light to go into the water. Unfortunately, since we were flying to Ende the next morning, Igor and Lindsay had to forgo diving for snorkeling. Shame too, because this site was another “wall” reef – but we still saw our share of turtles and triggerfish.
Chocolate muffins!!!!!
The highlight of the day was Manta Point. There was a very strong current, but we stuck with Paul as our guide and the boat drifted along with us. Guys, there were SO MANY MANTAS! At one point, a school of six mantas – each about 3m wide! – were swimming around us! At one point, Lindsay turned around to see her “buddy” Igor furiously swimming against the current away from the group – as she chased him to try and tell him to come back, all of a sudden a huge manta ray breached the surface an arm’s length from Igor! Mind. BLOWN.
Really wish we had a camera for this…
I FINALLY FOUND DORY! There were dozens of Dorys at Manta Point. Honestly, I don’t know which fish got me more excited.
Just before lunch, we stopped at another Pink Beach. We were all kind of snorkeled out (after all, what could top Manta Point?), so we mostly just swam around for pleasure and explored the beach.
Crystal-clear waters at Pink Beach
Having a great day on the beach
Chillaxin’ in the water
The beach really is pink, due to small bits of broken coral
Lots of dead, bleached coral washed up on shore, and artfully arranged by tourists
In the afternoon, we headed over to Rinca Island for our second Komodo Dragon trek. We all agreed the quality of the trek and the enthusiasm of the park rangers on Rinca Island was better than Komodo – so if you ever visit and only have time for one, we recommend Rinca.
Pulling up to the dock at Rinca Island
Our park ranger guide explaining the trail
You are GUARANTEED to see dragons at Rinca, as the rangers tend to throw small food scraps out their kitchen windows. Not enough to really *feed* them, but enough for a little treat
This male dragon is so fat, he doesn’t even care about the bird walking RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS MOUTH
Taking a pic with a lazy dragon, before continuing into the jungle where we found a female dragon digging a nest for her eggs. Apparently dragons will take over nests originally built by jungle turkeys, and then add a few decoy nests to protect their eggs from other dragons.
Taking in the vista at the top of the hill
Adding to the rock piles! Don’t let them fall!
We spotted a deer the distance – one of the many prey for the dragons
Farewell to Rinca – it was fun!
As the sun started to set, we headed back toward Labuan Bajo. Our final destination of the trip was a quick stop at Kalong Island where every night one can see thousands of Flying Foxes heading over to Flores Island to find food. Speaking of food, we were getting a bit peckish – our trusty chefs surprised us with one final Indonesian treat – fried bananas! Thanks so much to the crew & fellow passengers of the Flores XP Dragon Tour – it was seriously a blast!
Heading back to Labuan Bajo
Our new favorite dessert – fried bananas!
Flying Foxes at Kalong Island
When we got back to the wharf, we had to settle our bills (beer & dives were extra) before grabbing our boots out of the storage box, hobbling off the boat and looking for a taxi to our hotel. We walked through the fish market on the wharf and for once, couldn’t not find a taxi driver! Just as we thought we would have to start walking the 5km out of town, our confusion finally got the attention of young woman whose uncle had a taxi. Exhausted, we jumped in the back of the taxi, Lindsay tossing her boots on the floor, and settled in for the long drive out.
When we got to the Sylvia, our formally deserted resort was now hosting a party of about 75 Indonesian tourists. When we tried to check in, the receptionist couldn’t find our reservation (our fault – we later realized we had booked a room for the next day), but luckily they had an empty room for us anyways. We quickly escaped the madhouse of the hotel lobby, and crashed in our room.
Fresh fish market at the wharf in Labuan Bajo
So glad you were able to go back to Manta Point and Batu Bolong. I can’t believe those Manta’s and the one that was so close to Igor was amazing and you found Dory—hurray!!!
Your sunset on the way back to Labuan Bajo and the flying foxes at Kalong Island were spectacular. Glad you were able to get a taxi and lodging–someone evidently was looking out for you guys.