International Travel Adventure

Where do you go to hunt dragons these days? You thought I was joking? Of course not! But they are a protected species wherever you find them, so only hunt them with a camera! Still doubting my sincerity? What if I tell you they are - proof-wise - more easily seen than, say, the “protected” Bigfoot/Sasquatch (North America) or Kaptar/Grendel (Europe) or Ngoloko/Kikomba (Africa) or Yeti/Gin-sung (Asia)? If you’re reading this in the United States, the Dragons are nearly half a world away, on only a specific few islands of the tropical wonderland known as Indonesia. Ah, you might be thinking now of a National Geographic special about the Komodo Dragons, so named for the island of their primary habitat - and you’d be right!

But did you know you can hunt for them - carefully - on an island where they have free rein to go when and where they please? Cameras only! And don’t ever get too close! They are carnivorous - one of the few of any lizards. And they are giant lizards - of the type known as monitors! How giant? Well, they are not called “dragons” for grins and giggles! If you’ve never seen one “up close and personal”, at a zoo, for example, you might be in for a surprise. If you’ve held a chameleon or gecko or even an iguana in your hand, and this is what you think of when I say “lizard”, think bigger - much bigger! The Komodo Dragons are often 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 meters) long, with bodies as big around as those of many of you adults reading this. They are the largest lizards on earth!

For Dragon hunting adventure, you can visit the same place where I came face to face with them - totally unexpectedly. Locally, on some islands, they are known as “Ora”, and on Putri Island where I met them, they are “Biawak Raksasa” (giant monitor), or just “Biawak”, the local word for ‘monitor’ lizard; the locals didn’t understand when I was trying to ask about finding a “Komodo Dragon”. Pulau Putri is one of the “Thousand Islands” in the bay north from Jakarta. The boat ride from Marina Ancol takes about one hour and 15 minutes to reach this resort paradise. If you think “resort” and “paradise” and free-roaming Dragons shouldn’t be in the same sentence together, let alone the same destination (Jurassic Park revisited?) - no, it’s not like that. You see, the Dragons will generally leave humans alone, as long as humans leave them alone. They were on the islands before any of us, so their presence takes precedence over ours.

The center of the small island is the densest in tropical vegetation. This is where the Dragons might most often be “hiding out”, waiting for the unwary prey to come along a path or stumble through the underbrush. I first encountered one just outside the tennis court. However, you may also see one wandering by while you’re relaxing in your chaise longue on the beach. It is quite a sight to see, and one you won’t soon forget!

Never get closer than 25 feet (8 meters) if you are approaching a Dragon. They can sprint at 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km) per hour; can you? Remember, they are carnivorous (normally eating deer and other animals, and carrion), and won’t think highly of being disturbed, or feeling cornered, by you. One bite is all it takes to prepare the Dragon’s next meal. The Dragon’s saliva is teeming with such a variety of deadly bacteria that a victim of an untreated bite will normally die within a matter of hours to days - and the Dragon will have followed you to what would be his next dining spot!

Komodo Dragon on Komodo Island - Video by Mila Zinkova
Published under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Unported,
and under the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or later.

While you are wandering the island, you might also keep your eyes open for the giant fruit bats which slumber hanging upside down from the higher tree limbs. They may be chattering amongst themselves, and sometimes fly from one limb to another. The wingspan and overall size are amazing. Just don’t be so intent on observing bats that you forget to watch where you’re tredding - in the Domain of Dragons.

[Note: Komodo National Park is in the main island archipelago east of Java and Bali. Before visiting either the National Park or Pulau Putri, additional suggested reading is here. Please be a responsible "eco-tourist", even (and especially) when visiting a less controlled "eco-destination".]

If you’re still unsure of anything about your next international travel - and you want it to be cheaper, safer, and more adventurous, get my free “Smart Tips Handbook” available exclusively to Registered Readers! Click the link below.

International Travel Adventure