View Gili Lawa Bay and Komodo island

Nestled between eastern Sumbawa and western Flores lie three tiny grass covered island – Komodo, Padar and Rinca, which together from the Komodo National Park,  protected wildlife reserve. This is home of the giant lizard known as the “ Komodo Dragon “. It was through to be a myth until the turn of take century, when fishermen who where proceed by storm to take shelter on Komodo sighted the monsters. This is the world’s largest monitor lizard,  Varian’s komodonesis . When fully grown it measures up to 4 meters in length and weighs anything up to 150 kg. They are fearsome creatures with enormous jaws, squat muscular legs and sharp claws. Preying on life deer, goats and wild pig, they lie in wait hidden in the long grass. Fossils bearing a strong resemblance have been unearthed from chalk deposits dating back 130 million years, about the end of  the age of  Dinosaurs. They few inhabitants dwelling on Komodo today have built their kampong on stilts right next to sea, and survive by fishing, as the land is dry and arid, almost impossible to cultivate. The waters surrounding the island are rich in colorful corals, fish and shellfish, but there are hazardous rip tides and strong currents, which make diving too risky for the novice. Dolphins, whales and sea turtles are often seen in the straits between the islands, and a rare species of giant seawater crocodile has been sighted on isolated beaches.