Oh my, day 2, in the magical lands of the Komodo dragons, was just amazing!!!

It was another ridiculously early, beautiful sunrise, and get your heart pumping, start to a day.

My Sleeping Quarters

It began with someone’s alarm going off at 3.30am.  The wake-up tune just went on and on and on, whilst the culprit slept through it, grrr!!!  I was just dosing back off when from a nearby village the Islamic early morning prayer began.

Aaaaaah!!! I just wanted some sleep!!!

A shitty start for someone who loves sleep, but from there it was a truly magical day.

Shortly after 5.30am I gave up on the notion of sleep and decided to watch the beautiful sunrise over the Komodo islands. By this stage, the boat had also woken up and was chugging along.

Another Beautiful Start of the Day

What could make this any more special?

What about some dolphins jumping alongside the boat, with the sun rising behind them.

Can life get any better?

The first port of call was Padar Island and an early morning climb. It was a modest ascent, in comparison to Mount Batur.  And, the reward for getting my heart pumping was stunning panoramic views of the Komodo National Park.

Nice and Dusty

So can life get any better?

YES!!!

One of the reasons I chose this tour company from the many dotted around Labuan Bajo was the promise to take me to Manta Point.  When doing my research for this trip I missed that there were manta rays in the Komodo National Park.  However, as soon as I was enlightened, I wasn’t going to miss the chance to see them. Due to being mating season, I was told the chance of seeing them was slim; however, any chance is better than none, aye!!

As the boat arrived at Manta Point our luck was in. There was a manta ray spotted immediately. So what do I do? I quickly put on my snorkelling gear and jump in. I was thanking my parents for my childhood swimming lessons, as I front crawled, for Wales, to catch the creature.

I Need an Underwater Camera – Can You Make Out the Manta Ray?

Once I spotted it, I swam and swam, to keep up with it. It is one of the most amazing snorkelling experiences of my life, up there with the seals at Montague Island.

The water visibility was 20 metres, so my view could not be more perfect. This incredible creature was at least 4 metres in width, it was huge, but it moved so graciously and effortlessly through the water.

An absolutely magical sight!

I was not so gracious, splashing on the surface, as I desperately tried to keep up with it. Suddenly, in a panic, I thought about my boat.  Where the hell was it?  In all the excitement I hadn’t paid any attention to orientating myself and I was in deep water, literally!  I reluctantly said goodbye to the manta ray and slowly started swimming back towards the boats.

Enjoying the Komodo National Park

Eventually, I spotted my boat, so I swam a bit closer to be rewarded with a baby manta ray and another gigantic manta ray. There were no other snorkelers around. I swam with the manta ray for ages, just me on the surface and it many metres below, until I spotted a very large, silver, ugly fish, tailing it. On further inspection, I noticed a little white fin.

Gulp! A shark!

I was not scared but decided since I was again, a long way from the boat, I better go back. Later I found out the ugly creature was probably a white tip reef shark, which are generally harmless to humans.

As I headed back towards the boat, I couldn’t believe my luck, I spotted another shark. This time a much friendly looking creature. Speaking to one of the German guys, he said it was probably a bamboo shark.

After chugging a bit further on the boat and lunch, I went snorkelling on a shallow reef, just off a beach. There were heaps of knobbly starfish and very pretty tropical fish.

Knobbly Starfish

I was pretty tired after swimming, goodness how far, chasing the manta ray, so I decided to stand up in the water. I didn’t stay there for long, something barbed my right leg, so I quickly lifted both legs back up. I could see the sand stirring under the water from whatever bugger had attacked me. A bit scared and nursing my wound I decided to sit safely on the beach. Chatting later at a dive shop I had probably disturbed a stingray, but luckily it had only just brushed my leg.

Overall a very magical and eventful day.

Can Life get any Better?

I came to the Komodo National Park for the dragons, but the highlight of my trip was definitely snorkelling with the very gracious manta rays.

I looked at booking this trip before I arrived and was quoted $495 USD, which is highly inflated. The 2 days, 1 night trip with all food and snorkelling gear included cost 900k rupiahs ($84 AUD / £47). The National Park fees and guides was an extra 300k rupiahs ($28 AUD / £15). There are many tour companies in Labuan Bajo, so I would definitely risk organising the trip when you get there, providing you can live without a few comforts of home.